Sub-zero birding, and the Scaup remains
The temperatures have plunged to end the week, down as low as -5oC overnight leaving much of the reserve's shallower water bodies frozen.
The temperatures have plunged to end the week, down as low as -5oC overnight leaving much of the reserve's shallower water bodies frozen. Gatherings of wildfowl are keeping areas of water ice-free on the Tack Piece, Rushy and South Lake, but most of our waders have cleared out or moved to the estuary.
Zeiss Hide
A very quiet Top New Piece this morning with virtually all the water areas frozen. A flock of 500+ Lapwing were on the ice along with 300+ Dunlin.
Kingfisher Hide
The White-fronted Geese were in the Four Score field this morning (arable field to the left of the hide) but later moved to the Dumbles and then on to the Tack Piece. As the sun provided some warmth and the frost melted away, at least 40 Snipe were feeding in the Bottom New Piece field with Lapwing and Golden Plover.
Decoy Hide
Mostly frozen here with a group of 17 Teal and a pair of Shoveler in a small pocket of ice-free water near the north pipe.
Estuary Tower
The White-fronted Goose flock moved to the Dumbles mid-morning, and then on the Tack Piece before lunchtime. At least 11 Cranes were on the Dumbles, and also of note four Stock Dove. A Goshawk was hunting the fields to the north.
Rushy Hide / Peng Observatory
One new arrival this morning for our Bewick's Swan flock, an as-yet unnamed yearling (one-year old bird) bringing us to 47 birds today. The first-winter drake Scaup was again on the upper pond this morning during the feed and showing well from the Peng Observatory - which also has heating if you need a warm up!
Grounds
A wild drake Goldeneye was with the captive birds on the Eider Pen most of the day.
South Lake
The Bittern was again in the trees around the deep lake this morning, seemingly undeterred by the essential excavator work which took place yesterday. Duck on the relatively ice-free deep lake included Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Mallard, Tufted Duck and Gadwall.
