Waders in the wind
Despite the cold temperatures, light dusting of snow and gusty winds we've still got a great mix of waders around the reserve today, many braving the ice to wait out this morning's big high tide.
South Lake Hides
A large chunk of the wintering Lapwing flock are here this morning with around 1500+ birds present. Mixed amongst them are 179 Black-tailed Godwit, a single Redshank and at least 8 Knot hunkered down in the middle of the flock keeping out of the wind. The deep lake is again very quiet with a splattering of duck including Tufted Duck and Pochard. The Great Crested Grebe is present again with 10 Cormorant on the island.
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Zeiss Hide
With the wind, many of the birds are sheltering along the edge of the scrape, tightly packed making counting hard work. Waders here include around 450 Dunlin, 11 Ruff, 800+ Lapwing, 110 Black-tailed Godwit and 31 Curlew, the latter of which are feeding out across the field with the Wigeon. Out on the unfrozen areas of the scrape were a large number of Teal and Wigeon with at least 81 Pintail mixed amongst them. A Little Egret was present first thing and then flew over the fence to the Bottom New Piece scrape.
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Holden Tower
Lots of Crane activity first thing with several pairs calling and displaying. A total of 10 birds were noted. Out on the Dumbles as high tide came a small roost of 58 Curlew and 27 Great Black-backed Gulls. A patrolling fox had pushed most of the birds off, although around 300 Wigeon remained on the river, just far enough out to be safe.
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Rushy Hide & Peng Observatory
A count of 145 Bewick's Swans this morning with the usual mix of duck and geese. Waders included 81 Lapwing and a single Redshank.
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Kingfisher Hide
A flock of 49 White-fronted Geese were feeding in the Tin Shed Ground, the field behind the bird feeders. Three pairs of Gadwall were feeding on the pond with the Little Grebes and a Treecreeper was sneaking about around behind the bird feeders.
