Goshawk show again
Zeiss Hide/Van de Bovenkamp Hide
The male Goshawk appeared again today, it caught, plucked and ate a Teal on the west bund of the Top New Piece flood before flying off toward the Kingfisher Hide. Good views were had from Zeiss and Van de Bovenkamp hides, it made a repeat visit to the kill late morning.
Bird numbers were lower whilst the Goshawk was hunting (while I did the hide check), when things settled down large flocks built up again for the day. Wigeon, Teal and Pintail were present as well as a Water Rail. A Great-spotted Woodpecker was drumming in the wood.
Kingfisher Hide
Gadwall, Little Grebes and Coot along the channel, the White-fronted Geese were present to mid morning when they relocated to the Dumbles and Tack Piece.
South Finger Reed bed
A Kingfisher was fishing, a few Fieldfare and Redwing in the hedges.
South Lake
Up to three Oystercatcher including a pair mating. Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwing were roosting on and off during the day. The Great Crested Grebe, 7 Cormorants and gatherings of Tufted Duck and Pochard on the deep lake.
Tack Piece
A few more puddles about after the recent rains, up to 52 Curlew, 20 Black-tailed Godwit and lesser numbers of Redshank feeding there. Late morning saw 1500 Lapwing feeding on these fields with 400 Dunlin. A flock of Linnet and small numbers of Skylark also seen. Seven GCP Cranes were feeding. A Fox was about early morning.
Holden Tower
The Lapland Bunting was seen again mid morning but no sign from 1130am-1pm. Up to 10 Skylark, 60 Bewick's Swans and the White-fronted Geese could be seen here late morning. Out on the estuary most of the Wigeon and 200 Pintail were in the channels at low tide.
Willow Hide
The Water Rail and a pair of Bullfinch (latter feeding on the brambles).
