Wild Winter Weekend Day 2
Rushy Hide
Just under 100 Bewick's Swans were present at dawn plus the usual gathering of Greylag and Canada Geese, Pintail, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Shelduck, Coot and Moorhen. The lower pond holding Teal and Lapwing.
Martin Smith Hide
Good views across the many species using the Tack Piece, in the pool near the hide were four Snipe and the Jack Snipe showed on and off on the right hand island. A Water Rail also came in and out of cover to feed in the cut areas. Two Cetti's Warbler called from the sedges and were involved in territorial disputes. A singe Chiffchaff was also noted.
Tack Piece
Wigeon, Teal and a few Shoveler were on the scrape, small flocks of Dunlin, Snipe, Ruff, Redshank and Curlew fed in the flood puddles. The majority of the Bewick's Swans spent the day grazing here. At least six Crane were feeding on the field.
Holden Tower
Two Peregrine, a male Sparrowhawk, up to nine Cranes and flocks of Barnacle and Canada Geese were on the Dumbles.
South Lake
Single Oystercatcher, 12 Snipe, 6 Common Gulls dropped in this afternoon amongst the Black-headed and Herring Gulls. Two Little Egret called in for a short time but flew off N. Single Great Crested Grebe with the diving ducks. Six Cormorant included one in breeding plumage, now sporting white thigh patches and a white head. Wader numbers fluctuated with Dunlin and Lapwing flocks spending time here plus small numbers of Black-tailed Godwit.
Zeiss Hide/Top and Bottom New Piece
Flocks of Golden Plover, Lapwing, Snipe and Teal. The E. White-fronted Geese have been rather flighty but appeared here a few times today.
Grounds
Three Lesser Redpoll feeding in the trees near the Otter Enclosure.
