Ruff flock looking great
Rushy
Really coming alive now that feeds have started, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mallard and Pintail numbers building daily. The Ferruginous X Pochard hybrid that has been around for several years is also back along with a Red Crested Pochard X Pintail and The Chiloe Wigeon X Wigeon making quite a set of hybrids ( non of which have originated from Slimbridge I should add). There are still a few waders getting in here with 8 Redshank and a Black Tailed Godwit this morning. There was also another tantalizing report of a Great White Egret flying over at 08.15, where do these birds disappear too?
Holden Tower and Walkway
Rather quiet here but watch out for Water Rail from the Martin Smith hide, 2 showed well yesterday. Lots of Teal many in there brightest winter plumage now from the Martin Smith. At least 3 Goldcrest along the walkway and upwards of 100 Redwing moving SW in small groups. Golden Plover have been appearing on the Dumbles later in the morning. The big mixed flock of Canadas, Barnacles and Greylags were rather distant on the lower Dumbles with the Red Breasted Goose among them if you look hard enough. Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine and 4 Raven all seen yesterday but only 3 Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk so far this morning.
Zeiss Hide
Teal 200 and a magnificent 490 Wigeon very close to the Van De Bovenkamp hide. A small flock of 26 Dunlin came in and joined a dozen Redshank, 1 Black Tailed Godwit and a couple of Ruff. A Cettis Warbler was very active in front of the hide,
Kingfisher Hide
A very fine flock of 43 Ruff was feeding across the field with 17 Curlew, 60 Lapwing and small flocks of Starlings. Close up views of Shoveler, Gadwall and Reed Bunting, a great spot just to sit quietly and wait.
South Lake
The Godwit flock was around 160 with 30 Redshank and 3 Ruff among them. There were another 5 Pochard here and a good number of Shoveler with some very close.
