Tack Piece getting busy again
The Tack Piece is starting to look more like it's winter-self this week as water levels rise and birds flood into the field
The Tack Piece is starting to look more like it's winter-self this week as water levels rise and birds flood into the field. View the winter spectacle from the Robbie Garnett Hide, Stephen Kirk Hide or Estuary Tower.
Robbie Garnett Hide
A good spread of 542 Wigeon across the Tack Piece this morning with hundreds of Teal mixed in amongst them. The wildfowl and waders are pouring back into the field as winter water levels are rising and shallow areas of floodwater start to form. Also noted this morning were eight Shoveler, 36 Pintail, 23 Curlew, ten Ruff, 21 Redshank, six Black-tailed Godwit, four Snipe, plus flocks of several hundred Lapwing, Golden Plover and Dunlin.
Peng Observatory
The first-winter drake Greater Scaup was back on the upper pond of the Rushy this morning, loafing with Tufted Duck on edge of the island.
Rushy Hide
A current total of 106 Bewick's Swans (including 26 juveniles) counted so far today, but with three new arrivals. As the morning moves on birds are now joining the thousands of other wildfowl over the hedge on the Tack Piece.
Kingfisher Hide
The Pale-bellied Brent Goose was again on the Bottom New Piece with the goose flock this morning.
Willow Hide
A Water Rail was showing well under the feeders, with ten Teal on the floodwater nearby. At least 15 House Sparrow are visiting the feeders.
Stephen Kirk Hide
Five Cranes were on the Tack Piece this morning with thousands of wildfowl and waders. The Cranes were Monty & Evie, and Kia & Chocolo with their juvenile.
Estuary Tower
A Great Egret was in the paleochannel to north of the Tack Piece (look over the hedge into the distant fields). A flock of feeding Shelduck were out on the estuary, along with a Grey Heron and Cormorant. The Pale-bellied Brent Goose can be seen distantly to the south on the Bottom New Piece, but best viewed from the Kingfisher Hide.
South Lake
The Bittern continues to show well around the shoreline of the deep lake this morning. Wader numbers are gradually rising again with 80 Black-tailed Godwit, four Dunlin, four Avocet and 300+ Lapwing counted this morning. Duck included 96 Tufted Duck, 30 Pochard and 70+ Teal.
Zeiss Hide
Birds are also returning to the Top New Piece after the thaw. Counts this morning included 200+ Wigeon, ten Pintail, 50 Black-tailed Godwit, a single Ruff, 50 Lapwing, five Snipe, 350+ Teal, three Redshank, five Dunlin, plus two Buzzard and a Peregrine. In the Spinney as you approach the hide were a Treecreeper and Goldcrest.
