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.
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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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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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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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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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.