Today's WeBS Count
The WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) count was carried out today. Conditions certainly affected the numbers as the first hard frost had frozen many scrapes and pools. Bird numbers picked up during the day and a total of 6784 birds were counted. This does not include a large flock of c1000 Wigeon that remained out of sight on the estuary.
Totals included 3 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Cormorant, 3 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 1 Bittern, 126 Mute Swan, 19 Bewick's Swan, 25 White-fronted Geese, 497 Greylag (probably some overlap as birds move about), 230 Canada Goose, 149 Barnacle, 1 Egyptian Goose, 2 Mandarin, 225 Shelduck, 32 Gadwall, 1544 Teal, Wigeon not included but 146 on the reserve and c1000 on the estuary?, 1030 Mallard, 83 Pintail, 86 Shoveler, 118 Pochard, 419 Tufted Duck, 11 Water Rail, 143 Moorhen, 158 Coot, 379 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 920 Lapwing, 1 Knot, 459 Dunlin, 6 Ruff, 22 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe (flushed in a non-public area), 32 Black-tailed Godwit, 38 Curlew, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Redshank, 1 Long-billed Dowitcher.
Locations and highlights were
Rushy
Bewick's Swan 19 noted by bill patterns, 16 came in to roost and six remained all day. See Julia's Swan Blog for names and details. Click on link to follow the Bewick's Swan news.
http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/slimbridge/diaries/bewicks-swan-diary/
Zeiss Hide
Spotted Redshank 2
Van de Bovenkamp Hide
Bittern
Decoy
abietinus Chiffchaff with collybitta Chiffchaff 2 at Holden Tower, 2-3 South Finger and one South Lake.
Redpoll 10+ (seen all over the reserve and grounds as they tour the Alders)
South Lake
Long-billed Dowitcher all day
