Overnight arrival
A third White-fronted Goose was out on The Dumbles this morning, much to the disappointment of the two who arrived yesterday as they spent a short while trying to chase the bird off from their immediate vicinity. They'd best get used to company, fingers crossed for more arrivals over the coming days!
Holden Tower
Along with the White-fronted Geese were 390 Greylag and the flock of Barnacle Geese, feeding out on The Dumbles. A Marsh Harrier was quartering the river banks, 35 Shelduck were visible out on the mudflats and a Chiffchaff was foraging in the hawthorns next to the hide.
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South Lake Hides
A notably quieter morning with only 102 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Dunlin, 5 Redshank and 24 Lapwing along with the ducks and a small flock of Black-headed Gulls, although the godwits are showing exceptionally well just a few feet in front of the Discovery Hide. Two Cranes spent most of the afternoon on full show in front of the Discovery Hide.
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Rushy Pen
The Reserves Team are working hard in the Rushy Pen at present, getting the area ready for our winter arrivals. One of the islands is being reprofiled and the vegetation is being cut, so expect some disturbance. This morning, despite the work birds included 3 Redshank, 2 Wigeon, a Pintail, 8 Snipe and 5 Black-tailed Godwit.
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Zeiss Hide
A quiet morning with only 5 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 5 Ruff and 97 Lapwing. The Wigeon flock continues to increase and most of the flock can be enjoyed from the Zeiss Hide as they graze out in the fields.
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Kingfisher Hide
Despite checking all the Long-tailed Tit flocks the only additional species found were Chiffchaff and a Treecreeper. No sign yet of the Yellow-browed Warbler here or in the Canoe Safari. Out on the Bottom New Piece were a single Black-tailed Godwit, 38 Lapwing and a small number of Teal. Seven Shoveler were showing well feeding on the pool in front of the hide, including one male which has nearly completed its moult from eclipse plumage.
