Unforecast rain
A bit wet this morning with bands of light rain moving through, not what the forecast had in store. Its not dampened the bird activity though with the high tide pushed lots of birds on to the Zeiss Hide including several hundred waders and the White-fronted Geese.
Zeiss Hide
A flock of 23 White-fronted Geese arrived as the high tide pushed a large flock of Canada Geese in to the scrape. A Peregrine was patrolling the skies above the hide putting the Wigeon and wader flocks on edge. Waders included 266 Dunlin, 400+ Lapwing and 8 Redshank, no sign of the Spotted Redshank or Little Stint so far but with so much movement they may have easily been missed. A Water Rail was calling from the reedbed.
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Rushy Hide & Peng Observatory
Our first Bewick's Swans to arrive (2 adults and a juvenile) were busy feeding on the Rushy this morning, and the feed attracted 37 Pintail, 51 Pochard and 64 Shelduck.
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Holden Tower
Out on The Dumbles were a small flock of Golden Plover and Dunlin with around 300 Lapwing. Golden Plover numbers tend to build as the morning goes on so its worth checking out to see what else has turned up. In front of the Holden Tower the hedgerow and copse were very busy with thrushes, most Blackbird but several Fieldfare and a couple of stunning juvenile Song Thrush were there too. A couple of Reed Bunting were pulled along by the mixed tit flock and a pair of Stonechat were also present.
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South Lake Hides
Only 1 Cattle Egret seen this morning at 0730, before leaving at 0738. The other 5 birds may have arrived later or left earlier but we've had no word from the fields around the village to see if they are still around. Other birds amongst the flocks of Teal, Shoveler and Tufted Duck included 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 62 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 16 Shelduck and a pair of Wigeon.
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Kingfisher Hide
A Bittern was seen this morning sat on the reeds. A Little Grebe was on the pond and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over calling. Out on the Bottom New Piece the Wigeon were very nervous with the presence of the Peregrine and are regularly moving between the field to graze and the relative safety of the scrape on the Top New Piece.
