Snow is falling

We've had a few inches of snow overnight turning the reserve into a real winter landscape

We've had a few inches of snow overnight turning the reserve into a real winter landscape. Bird numbers are down with the frozen conditions but the Rushy and South Lake remain busy as some of the only open water on the reserve

South Lake
Counts this morning included 749 Lapwing with a single Golden Plover, 2 Snipe, 47 Shelduck, 151 Greylag Geese, 108 Pochard, 21 Shoveler, 10 Cormorant, 3 Wigeon, 7 Gadwall, 13 Teal and a Great Crested Grebe.

Holden Tower
A flock of 196 Canada Geese were on the Dumbles with 226 Barnacle Geese. A total of 10 Cranes were here too this morning but soon drifted off to the fields to the north of the Tack Piece where the White-fronted Geese were grazing this morning. A Peregrine was braving the weather sat out on the fence.

Robbie Garnett Hide
A large Canada Goose flock of 317 birds was on the Tack Piece with 200 Lapwing and 15 Skylark.

Willow Hide
At least one Water Rail has been seen under the feeders this morning. They've been freshly topped up so no doubt the other two will soon appear. The feeders are also very busy with House Sparrows.

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