Bittern in the Duck Decoy

Following a report yesterday, a Bittern really has been seen in the Duck Decoy and showing well today

Following a report yesterday it was still a surprise to see a Bittern in the Duck Decoy this morning. The bird was first seen next to the hide and then began stalking the hedgerow before moving off to the far side of the pond. One of the more unusual sightings in this area.

South Lake
Around 170 Lapwing were on the wader scrape with 85 Black-tailed Godwit, a single Ruff and Redshank. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was also seen, having barely moulted into its first winter plumage. A Cattle Egret was seen later, possibly the bird that has spent the day in the roadside fields with the longhorn cattle.

Rushy Hide
Duck included 214 Teal, 11 Pochard, two Gadwall, 50 Tufted Duck, four Pintail, 8 Shoveler, three Wigeon and a Shelduck. The long-staying Avocet was also present along with three Redshank. Two Goldcrest were feeding in the yew trees outside the hide around the Caribbean Flamingo exhibit.

Estuary Tower
The Spoonbill, ten Little Egret and five Grey Heron were fishing on the falling tide. Also of note were 78 Curlew, 16 Pintail, nine Shelduck, nine Great Black-backed Gull and two Peregrine. The Ross's Goose was with 254 Barnacle Geese on the Dumbles. Duck on the Long Ground Pool included 22 Shoveler, 32 Tufted Duck and 13 Pintail along with a Little Grebe.

Zeiss Hide
This morning's hide tide roost included several Greenshank, Redshank, two Spotted Redshank and 20+ Ruff. A few Dunlin also came in. A Whooper Swan dropped in mid afternoon and a second Cattle Egret was feeding in the long grass to the south.

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