Today's sightings
A gloriously sunny day, a marked difference from the recent cloud, drizzle and wind we've been having.
South Lake Hides
The team have been busy finishing off the annual cut here today, including the islands on the deep lake and some of the shoreline. Birds counted this morning before work included 169 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Avocet, a single Ruff and Spotted Redshank, and 19 Redshank. The Great Crested Grebe remained on the lake throughout the day and a Green Sandpiper was on the duck marsh from the Hogarth Hide.
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Zeiss Hide
A nice mixed flock of waders included 26 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Knot, 122 Dunlin, 2 Little Stint, 7 Golden Plover and around 80 Lapwing. At least 12 Snipe were feeding along the back shoreline of the scrape and 15 Ruff were present. At least 580 Wigeon were counted, split between two flocks - one in front of the Van de Bovenkamp Hide, and the other to the north of the Zeiss Hide. At flock of 18 Curlew were feeding in the Bottom New Piece field along with the Barnacle Goose flock and the Red-breasted Goose.
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Rushy Hide
We've started some morning feeds to get ready for the main arrival of winter birds, so duck numbers should increase here from now. Counted this morning were 18 Pochard, 12 Pintail and 21 Shelduck with the Mallard and Tufted Duck. A Redshank was on the lower pond. A Little Grebe was hunting near the swan pipe entrance.
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Holden Tower
A Stonechat was perched up in the copse giving great views. A Little Egret flew down the river and there was a Buzzard at each end of the Dumbles, both perched on the tallest fence posts they could find. The first Wigeon have started to use the pool in front of the Knott Hide so the Summer Walkway is now closed. A Cetti's Warbler was calling from the reedbed here too. A single Curlew was on the Tack Piece scrape amongst the Wigeon and Teal whilst 8 other birds flew over heading inland to feed.
