Tack Piece getting busier
A lovely sunny day here after the cold frozen start and overcast day yesterday. The Tack Piece has benefitted from the intermittent heavy rain showers since last week, puddles have been attracting the wader flocks when they are not frozen, when it has frozen it has thawed by the afternoon. This morning Curlew, Redshank, Lapwing and Dunlin were all arriving to feed with Black-tailed Godwits and Ruff joining them. A Fox trotted across the field, we are seeing near daily sightings of them here. The flocks and rising water level also brings in more duck to the flash. It is still currently the best place to catch up with the Cranes.
Water Rail was at the Willow Hide and viewing slots in the wall, a Treecreeper was feeding on the wall and trees along the path. Bullfinches are present daily.
The Rushy Pen is stil the best place to see Bewick's Swans and the diving ducks in action especially when we feed.
The South Lake was busy with Lapwing, the Black-tailed Godwit flock was roosting but they moved to the Top New Piece to feed. The usual Cormorants and duck flocks could be seen on the deep lake.
Four Reed Buntings fed on the phragmites seeds below the Zeiss Hide, at least 50 Snipe were in the cut rush areas with 5 Ruff, 800 Lapwing and 600 Dunlin. Lesser numbers of duck were seen today.
A few birders were looking from the Holden Tower for the Lapland Bunting which was reported again yesterday, a couple of Reed Bunting were in the hedge.
A Bittern was seen from Van de Bovenkamp Hide at 0945am.
Three Ruff on South Lake with Black tailed Godwits and Lapwing- taken 6/2/2017.
Bird song was much in evidence, 5+ Song Thrush, 2 Greenfinch singing in the car park, Robins and Dunnock also joining in.
