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Cackling Canada
An interesting set of Geese this week
Estuary Tower and Tack Piece
This area has been the center of activity over the last week but all species have been very mobile so numbers and species changing by the minute. A lot of the disturbance is probably down to the presence of a Goshawk on several days this week.
The Goose Flock has been camped permanently in fields just to the north of the Tack Piece as well as hundreds of Canada's and Greylag's the flock of 134 Whitefronted Geese have been here and the Cackling Canada Goose has been with the Canadas. This is a tiny Goose less than half the size of the other canada with a very dark almost bronzy breast, steep forehead and very short bill. it also grazes much more rapidly. Origins are unknown, this sub-species is very rarely kept in captivity and it is unringed, however its breeding areas in coastal Alaska and wintering areas in California are a long way away. There were 5 adult Pinkfooted Geese with the flock this morning and the flock of 11 Tundra Bean have dropped in on a couple of occasions during the week when disturbed from their preferred feeding area in a stubble field near Thornbury. Glimpses of the flock can be seen from the Estuary Tower but best to watch out for major movements when all the star birds have dropped into the Tack Piece and Dumbles.
Around 3000 Wigeon were on the Tack Piece this morning but moved out to roost on the estuary. Bewicks Swans (52 on Rushy overnight) were dropping into the Tack Piece to join the mobile wader flocks. 370 Black Tailed Godwit, 1200 Lapwing, 300 Dunlin, 25 Redshank and 7 Ruff which were crammed in there. A further dense flock of 2600 Lapwing, another 300 Dunlin and around 40 Golden Plover were roosting on the Dumbles. Around 70 Curlew and 50 Shelduck were visible on the estuary.
South Lake
Black Tailed Godwit flock in here early on with 15 Ruff and 2 Redshank, Great Crested Grebe on Lake.
Zeiss Hide
Two Cranes here and a Bittern dropped into the island reed-bed around 11.00, also 188 Wigeon, 12 Pintail and 56 Teal.
