Wetland Birds Survey (WeBS)
Although I managed to get an early start, the count was made very difficult when fog rolled in mid morning, this blocked out the estuary and distant fields. Fortunately it cleared enough to get the missing wader counts in the afternoon, all were vey mobile and in lower numbers than late last week. Some highlights follow. MJM
Rushy Pen
110 Bewick's Swans at the early morning roost dropping to 4 by mid afternoon when they headed to the Dumbles and road fields to graze. A single Dunlin and Redshank were noted, 130 Lapwing with 190 Teal. 337 Tufted Duck, 86 Pintail, 131 Pochard and 336 Mallard made the lake a very busy place.
Holden Tower
Merlin and Peregrine seen today as well as the adult Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 220 Barnacle Geese, 300 Canada Geese, 100 Wigeon. 86 Bewick's Swans counted this afternoon.
Tack Piece
Up to 12 Crane (GCP) and 130 Lapwing, 100 Teal and 55 Wigeon.
South Lake
Up to 600 Lapwing and 5 Black-tailed Godwit, still good numbers of gulls, Great Crested Grebe, 43 Shoveler, 190 Teal, 9 Gadwall, 158 Mallard, 15 Shelduck, 39 Pochard and 2 Snipe.
Zeiss Hide
At least 11 Ruff, 2000 Lapwing, 355 Wigeon, 705 Teal and 14 Pintail.
Kingfisher Hide
2 Little Grebe and 2 Treecreeper from the path.
