Over 13,000 birds!
Counts on the reserve over the weekend included 480 Greylag, 620 Shelduck, 1030 Wigeon, 19 Gadwall, 3030 Teal, 2150 Mallard, 430 Pintail, 33 Shoveler, 25 Pochard, 11 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 18 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 34 Moorhen, 290 Coot and 1000+ Whooper Swan. No counts of Pink-footed Geese but only a few thousand roosting. A single Barnacle Goose was present this morning. The adult Ross's Goose shows well on the Mere before the Swan feed. See below.
The usual raptors with 2+ Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, 3+ Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrel. The Tawny Owls were showing again (directions from the in focus shop) and Barn Owl(s) out hunting early on and late.
The Lapwing count continues to increase with 2040 birds, over 50 Ruff also present.
A male Siskin was by the Janet Kear Hide the first reported for a while.
