Peregrine battles
Three Peregrine Falcons were again battling it out over the reserve and grounds this morning. Our winter resident pair have had to chase off this individual or other intruders a number of times this winter. They are highly vocal and acrobatic when these battles take place, listen out for the piercing calls high overhead, the only drawback is they tend to flush the birds over the reserve in panic. The 'local' pair settled back on the Dumbles after seeing off the visitor.
Rushy Hide
At least 90 Bewick's Swans present at dawn as well as 400 Lapwing and the assembled Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Pintail and Shelduck. The hybrid Pochard x Ferruginous Duck male was also present here today.
Martin Smith Hide
Great viewing over the Tack Piece later in the morning, plenty of duck came into this pool to spend the day and at least 5 Snipe were on view. Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail showed here in the sunshine.
Robbie Garnett Hide/Stephen Kirk Hide
Great views of the E. White-fronted Geese today with at least 80 feeding here with the Bewick's Swans and Greylags. Lapwing and Golden Plover flocks built up through the day and 15+ Ruff and 15+ Redshank were joined by Dunlin at 52 Curlew on the puddles and floods.
Holden Tower
Twelve Cranes included one un-ringed adult and two juveniles. The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was viewable at great distance among the Canada Goose flock.
South Lake
Very busy today with six Pintail, 5 Wigeon, Little Egret, Kingfisher, Great Crested Grebe, 30 Pochard, 181 Shoveler, 1 Oystercatcher, 450 Lapwing, 1 Snipe, 75 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ruff and 2 returning Avocets among the other waterbirds.
Top New Piece and Bottom New Piece
Unfortunately nearly all the birds we flushed by a walker with a dog, the majority moving out to the Severn. 19 Greylags seen on the hide round included two larger, bulkier birds. Numbers of birds recovered later in the day.
South Finger filtration beds
A Water Rail was feeding in the open near the dragonfly pool (larger Northern pool) and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was feeding on the logs near the benches.
General
A flock of 240+ Fieldfare were feeding on fields N of the Tack Piece and a few Redpoll were seen and heard flying over today.
