Less Whoopers more species?
With the Mere now down at it's summer water levels the number of Whooper Swan spending time during the day on the reserve has dropped back considerably. As it happens a count in the local vicinity (Marsh Moss Lane) produced 440 Whoopers and 2 Bewick's Swan.
The chilly wind is making the Avocet slightly nervous pushing some birds onto the coast with around 40 on the reserve this morning. Still good numbers of Ruff with 87 birds in varying stages of breeding plumage. Other waders included 34 Black-tailed Godwit, 4+ Ringed Plover, 4+ Redshank, 20+ Oystercatcher, ~200 Lapwing and Dunlin.
Six species of gull today with Med Gull being the pick of the bunch.
A good thrush day with the overflow car park hosting 8 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, Fieldfare as well as Mistle Thrush and Blackbird being present along the Nature Trail.
Raven again today feeding on carrion on the Plover Field.
