Lots of activity here over the past few weeks to get everything ready for the arrival of the Bewicks Swans, Several are now in the east of England so they should be with us soon. The cold north winds have brought in more Ducks, there were 11 Pochard, 76 Tufted Duck and 12 Pintail here this morning which prompted the first feed of the year. Commentated feed will begin as soon as the first Swans arrive or from November 1st. There were also 2 Reshank and 5 Black Tailed Godwit among 50 Teal. A Grey Wagtail and a Little Grebe were around the top pond as well.
Watch out for Goldcrest along the track, 3 Siskin also flew over this morning. 60 Teal and a Green Sandpiper were around the scrapes and there were 150 Wigeon in-front of the Holden. A Peregrine was perched on a log and some 40 Golden Plover and 300 Lapwing were on the Dumbles. Two Reed Bunting were in the hedge close to the hide and there was a very distant Stonechat on the cross fence to the north. There were 9 Cranes here later in the day yesterday but just the Slimbridge reared chick from 2015 so far this morning.
All about the Ducks here, there were 580 Wigeon. 1250 Teal and 26 Pintail. There were 13 Redshank and 300 Lapwing. A Cettis was very vocal in front of the hide and a Heron was
close. The Barnacle Goose flock were in the Bottom New Piece, 225 this morning with 5 Whitefronts among them.
Another 260 Teal here giving a total of 1630 for the south end of the site. Only 47 Black Tailed Godwit with 13 Redshank and 1 Spotted Redshank among them. Another 11 Pochard and 62 Tufted Duck were on the main lake with 12 Cormorants and a Little Grebe.