Green-winged Teal and other birds
Winds swing round to the North and possible snow showers forecast, it's looking interest and potentially visually spectacular in the next few days.
The drake Green-winged Teal is still present this morning on Vinson's Marsh.
No specific wildfowl counts of late so these are approximate figures 1000+ Whooper Swan roosting, 2000+ Pink-footed Geese mostly roosting, 500+ Greylag, 10 Canada Geese, 3000+ Teal, 1000 Wigeon, 1000+ Mallard, 500 Shelduck, 200 Pintail, 60 Shoveler, 50 Gadwall, 20+ Tufted Duck, 18 Pochard and 3 Goldeneye.
As usual plenty of raptor action with 5+ Marsh Harrier, 4+ Buzzard, 2 Peregrine, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk. Barn Owl being seen occasionally late on.
Waders; 800+ Lapwing, 120 Black-tailed Godwit, 60+ Ruff, 20+ Snipe and 2 Dunlin.
The gull influx is continuing with a record count of 610 Herring Gull visiting the reserve to wash and drink normally from midday onward.
A good count of 66 Common Gull too, 1000+ Black-headed Gull, 10 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull.
The smaller Starling roost is still very entertaining with ~10,000 birds murmurating (if that's a word) over the grounds and the Mere, best viewed from near the restaurant.
Check the alders around the site for Siskin. A female Brambling has been making regular appearances on the feeder that faces the Ron Barker Hide from the Kingfisher Hide, a Treecreeper was seen in that area today. Kingfisher regularly in front of the Ron Barker Hide and Water Rail being seen there too. Corn Bunting just off the reserve on Curlew Lane.
Currently it should be possible to see over 70 species in a full days birding in the area.
Call in at the in focus shop next to the Discovery Hide to find out more sightings around the reserve and to report any thing you may have seen. The sighting page relies on your information.
