First Goldeneye of the year
Rushy Hide and Peng Observatory
15 Snipe on the west shore of the lower lake with a female Wigeon and the male Wigeon hybrid. A party of 60 Pintail roosted along this bank during the day with 70 Teal on the pond. Mobile, nervous flocks of Lapwing ranged from here to the Tack Piece.
Tack Piece
Over 1000 Wigeon on the flood until they were flushed to the river, 1000+ Lapwing, c70 Black-tailed Godwit, a good count of 79 Redshank, Spotted Redshank, 22+ Ruff, 700 Golden Plover, 400+ Dunlin, 100+ Pintail and 400+ Teal. Peregrine with a kill and other individuals hunting during the day. A few White-fronted Geese fed and drank here for a time but headed back to the Ox Piece.
Holden Tower
Little Stint among the Wigeon and Lapwing on the Dumbles scrape, the Red-breasted Goose was with the Barnacle Goose flock, c300 Canada Geese viewable (including 50 Acre flock). The flock headed to the river for a time with a few grazing and drinking on the Dumbles at Middle Point around midday.
South Lake
A male Goldeneye on the deep lake with various other duck species. 6 Avocets, 3 Oystercatchers and c25 Black-tailed Godwit with among large flock of Lapwing. c30 Shoveler and 50 Teal aslo on the wader scrape. Four (2 pairs) of Raven squabbling in the oak trees.
Zeiss Hide
450 Wigeon, 340 Teal, 700 Lapwing, 170 Dunlin and Grey Heron early morning. A pair of Canada Geese were still on a nest territory (the south island).
South Finger
Water Rail calling and showing near the first dragonfly pool.
General
4+ Redpoll with the Goldfinch flock in the grounds, a few pairs or small parties of Bullfinches seen about the site feeding on buds.
