Great Weather for Snipe
No shortage of rain in the past 24 hours and more to come in the next 48. Water levels have risen a good deal already, watch this space..
On the up side it's been great watching large flocks of Snipe flying around in the rain. It's almost as if they celebrate the wet weather for they certainly do a lot more flying in the wet with no obvious reason for them being disturbed by predators.
Currently we estimate there is over 200 Snipe present around the reserve.
Other waders include 600+ Lapwing, 10+ Ruff, Oystercatcher, Green Sandpiper and 6+ Black-tailed Godwit.
The wet weather has cut off any new Pink-footed Geese coming in although at least 4000 birds have been present. Wednesday looks interesting for some big arrivals.
Plenty of Teal with over 700 on site. Small numbers of Wigeon and Pintail coming in. Two Whooper Swan on the Mere are though to be birds that over summered. Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard and Tufted Duck all present. Still early for any sizeable wildfowl influx which also includes Shelduck.
Not great weather for viewing raptors. However any gaps in the rain should see a flurry of activity with 5+ Marsh Harrier present, Peregrine, 5+ Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk and yesterday a adult Hobby (distantly below).
Other reports include Nuthatch from the Janet Kear Hide.
