First frost of the autumn
A cold clear night led to a frost early this morning.
The strong winds have eased overnight, the calmer conditions making it easier to see and hear the passerines, this is reflected in the sightings this morning. Highlights and selected counts as follows.
Top New Piece
Great White Egret being chased by Grey Heron, 4 Cormorant, Little Grebe, 460 Teal, 10 Ruff, 3 Snipe 35 Lapwing, 130+ Wigeon + Shoveler and Gadwall
South Lake
3 Ruff, 12 Redshank, 43 Lapwing, 5 Cormorant, 45 Teal, 18 Shoveler + 3 Pochard with the Tufted Ducks.
Grounds
Siskin and 2 Skylark over + 3 Goldcrest, 5 Chiffchaff, GS Woodpecker, Treecreeper with the Long-tailed Tit flock near to the Otter Enclosure.
Willow/Knott Hide
Little Egret, 3 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest.
Rushy Hide
60 Black-tailed Godwit, 210 Teal, 4 Lapwing, Snipe and the Chiloe Wigon hybrid male on the lower pond.
Big Pen Pond
A slight increase in wild birds with 32 Tufted Duck, Pintail and 51 Mute Swan.
Goose House Ground from Middle Point seawall
A male Stonechat and 2 Whinchat feeding from the weeds. Chiffchaff in the hedge and a few Reed Bunting and Meadow Pipit about on the seawall.
Severn Estuary from Middle Point
Distantly over the high tide at least 9 Grey Plover, 1 Sanderling with 97 Dunlin, 8 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 30 Wigeon + Curlew and Shelduck.
