Great White Returns
The Great White Egret or another bird spent most of the day on site mainly from Ron Barker feeding in Langley's Brook with an accompanying Grey Heron. Also the Greenland White-fronted Goose spent a while giving great views on the Mere with lots of Pink-footed Geese. Between 8-10,000 Pinkfeet were estimated using the reserve during the day giving fabulous views when large flocks arrive, a spectacle not to be missed!
Other sightings today included a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, good numbers of Snipe can still be seen around the site with between 80 - 100, also 16 Ruff, 1 juv Dunlin, 6 Black-tailed Godwit and 730 Lapwing.
Duck numbers continue to grow with 1600 Teal, 73 Wigeon, 64 Gadwall, 61 Shoveler, 13 Pintail, 4 Shelduck as well as our feral Greylag and Canada Geese which numbered 392 & 237 respectively.
Raptors as ever featured prominently with several Common Buzzard, 3 Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, while yesterday a Hobby (prob juv) was seen high over the Mere.
Up to 250 Stock Dove can be seen at the moment on the reserve and 2 Kingfisher are still being seen regularly in the usual spot. A few Skylark were on the move with 21 counted as well as a small number of Meadow Pipits.
Also seen yesterday were a Raven and 3 Grey Wagtail.
