Today's sightings
Rushy Hide & Peng Observatory
A total of 87 Bewick's Swans this morning after a few left early on. Many are staying for the morning feed, heading out to graze and then coming back for the afternoon feed at 4pm. Why not join us and see these amazing birds up close? Duck numbers seem stable again with the usual number of Pochard, Pintail, Tufted Duck and Shelduck present.
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Holden Tower and Walkway
Plenty of birds to see from many of the hides, with the Tack Piece being the star attraction at present. Check from the Robbie Garnett or Stephen Kirk Hides or the Holden Tower for the best views. At least 30 White-fronted Geese were seen this morning, although certainly not the whole flock as numbers peaked at 93 yesterday after a mid-morning arrival of new birds. A total of 12 Cranes were on show in various fields, including 8 on the Tack Piece. A large flock of Wigeon have taken to the scrape from the Holden Tower, but there has been no sign of the Lapland Bunting so far today.
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Kingfisher Hide
Another day with a field full of waders. If you're visiting do make the effort to get down to our furthest hide for the spectacle of so many species of waders all feeding together close to the hide. Today's mix included Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Ruff and Golden Plover. Check the edges of the scrapes and pools for another species of wader, Snipe. A Water Rail was showing briefly along the reedbed edge and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was on the bird feeders.
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Zeiss Hide
Nearly all the Wigeon have made their way out towards the river to feed leaving just a handful on the scrape amongst several hundred Teal and 142 Pintail. A Peregrine made a kill which was again stolen by a Buzzard, but the Buzzard was then mobbed by two Crows for the rest of its feed. Lapwing totalled 894 with a few Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover and 241 Dunlin amongst them.
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