Latest Sightings - 31st March - Ring-necked Duck returns

31 March 2016

A drake Ring-necked Duck has appeared on the reserve with the Tufted Ducks again. We had one here earlier in the winter before it disappeared. This could be the same individual, based on behaviour, but it's difficult to say for sure. The bird looks different, but it could simply have continued its moult into full adult plumage.

The recent Ring-necked Duck (left) in full adult plumage with a Tufted Duck (right) for comparison. Photo by Senior Warden Joe Bilous

The drake Ring-necked Duck from earlier in the winter, looking a bit shabby. Photo by Senior Warden Joe Bilous — The drake Ring-necked Duck from November 2015, looking a bit shabby...is it the same bird?Photo by Senior Warden Joe Bilous

Plenty of birds singing now, Skylarks and Lapwing displaying and the Black-headed Gull colony is growing every day! The Primroses are in flower along the Avenue and the trees are starting to bud.

Today's high tide is at 17:03 7.4m

Around the reserve today:

Barnacle Geese: 2500
Whooper Swans: 25

Whooper Pond
Whooper Swan 25
Mute Swan 11
Mallard 21
Tufted Duck 7
Wigeon 15

Folly Pond
Green-winged Teal 1♂
Teal 30
Wigeon 50
Mallard 10
Shoveler 10
Oystercatcher 2
Redshank 15
Black-tailed Godwit 3
Black-headed Gull 4

Back Pond
Ring-necked Duck 1♂
Goosander 1♂

Teal Pond
Little Grebe 4
Mallard 3
Teal 5
Wigeon 2
Gadwall 4
Tufted Duck 6
Mute Swan 2 - nest building
Oystercatcher 2
Snipe 3

Peter Scott Trail
Water Rail 3

Avenue Tower
Teal 50
Wigeon 40
Shoveler 2
Mallard 3
Pintail 2
Tufted Duck 4
Shelduck 8 - possibly prospecting for nesting holes
Mute Swan 2 - nest building
Black-headed Gull 29
Snipe 2
Lapwing 10
Little Egret 1
Oystercatcher 2
Roe Deer 2

Saltcot Merse Observatory
Barnacle Geese
Peregrine 2
Merlin 1
Roe Deer 6

Often over the high tide:
Dunlin 3000
Knot 2000
Pintail 1000
Shelduck 3000
Red-breasted Merganser 10
Oystercatcher 500
Golden Plover 700
Grey Plover 300

Avenues & Feeders
(notable species)
Yellowhammer
Reed Bunting
Sparrowhawk
Coal Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Siskin
Linnet
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Treecreeper
Song Thrush
Great-spotted Woodpecker

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joe.bilous@wwt.org.uk