Swan fall!
An arrival of Bewick's Swans, known as a 'swan fall' occurred overnight with a jump in numbers to at least 47 on site, possibly more. Our first families appeared with a brood of 2 and 3 present on the Rushy at 5pm. It was very obvious that more had arrived as you could hear the vocal exchanges between the birds.
Other highlights today included the following
Estuary Tower
The 8 Pink-footed Geese arrived on the Lower Dumbles, a Merlin flew through low with Buzzard and Peregrine on the driftwood and fences through the day. Golden Plover were largely absent with very few noted today. Early morning a Dark-bellied Brent Goose flew upriver mid-channel along and dropped onto the channel bank for a time, it didn't linger. 105 Pintail and 400+ Wigeon were out on the Severn. The Barnacle x grey goose and Snow x Bar-headed Goose hybrid were among the Canada and Barnacle Goose flock. A Kestrel hunted Middle Point.
Tack Piece
At leat 18 Ruff this morning with varying numbers of Lapwing, Curlew and Redshank, 250 Wigeon with a few Shoveler, Shelduck and Pintail among them. The Bewick's Swans fed here for the morning at least. At least 14 Russian White-fronted Geese mid morning, they may have moved from BNP.
Willow Hide
Three Water Rail today.
South Lake
Waders and wildfowl coming and going but this morning 239 Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Knot, 25 Dunlin, 160 Lapwing, 6 Cormorant, 62 Shoveler, 6 Shelduck, 35 Pochard, 52 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall were all see,.Buzzard spooking them and a Siskin was with the Goldfinch flock to W of Discovery Hide.
From the car park
Two Redpoll flew over the car park at dusk ad three egrets species came in to roost in the grounds.
Kingfisher Hide/Bottom New Piece
Early morning counts of 50 Russian and 2 juvenile Greenland White-fronted Geese, latter close to the hide, 850 Dunlin, Bar-headed Goose with the Barnacle Geese.
Zeiss Hide/Top New Piece
250 Teal, 60 Wigeon, a flock of Knot and Black-tailed Godwit were flushed by a Buzzard so were uncounted.
Two Bittern were seen from the hide today.
