One Yank not two
There was early access to the Zeiss Hide this morning to search for a possible Bairds Sandpiper that was reported yesterday, unfortunately no show so far but as a consolation there were OK but distant view of what is probably a Semi Palmated Sandpiper instead. Six Hawfinches flying south over the car park first thing were a great start to the day.
Zeiss Hide
This is where all the action was yesterday and again today lots of small waders came in from around high tide at 08.00. Among the 300 Dunlin were at least 4 Little Stint and among them the slightly larger, heavier billed and greyer Semi Palmated Sandpier . Difficult to be absolutely confident of the identification at these kind of ranges but looking very good. There were 120 Black Tailed Godwit at one point and around 40 Redshank and 4 Avocet. The Ruff flock (47+) still looking great but very mobile, often on the back of the Bottom New Piece field viewable from the Kingfisher hide as well. A spotted Redshank was there in the morning and a flock of Golden Plover built slowly through the day with at least 90 being counted and Curlew did the same with around 90 across the site as a whole.. Lots of Teal, Wigeon, Lapwings and a scattering of Snipe around the edges. Birds of prey were a bit of a nuisance this morning, at least two Sparrowhawks, two juv Peregrines and the two Marsh Harrier as well as the ever-present Buzzards. Cettis and two Water Rail were close in in front of the hide.
Rushy
Duck numbers continue to build here especially Pochard and Tufted Duck.
Holden and Walkway.
Over 200 Wigeon and 450 Teal looked great ion the TackPiece. The three White-fronted Geese came in to drink in front of the Stephen Kirk hide. Two Stonechat were seen on the north end of the Dumble and the Red Breasted Goose was with the Barnacle flock to the South. A third Peregrine (an adult) was very active around the estuary.
South lake
Therre were 170 Black tailed Godwit in here first thing which may have been the same flock seen from the Zeiss Hide. Several Redshank, 4 Ruff a lone Dunlin and at least 7 Snipe were seen.
Kingfishers.
The usual good views over the fields to the flocks of Lapwing, Starling and Ruff plus a couple of Chiffchaff right in front of the hide.
