Chiffchaffs appearing

At least five Chiffchaffs were noted on the hide round this morning.

As soon as we see Southerly influenced airflow the reserve should see waves of Chiffchaffs passing through, we've noted a few more than just our wintering birds this weekend, perhaps the SW England wintering population has begun moving with a few migrants from further South making it here as well.

Sightings for today included

Tack Piece

Thre three Snow Geese favoured this field today with up to 199 Russisan and 3 Greenland White-fronted Geese + 2 Pink-footed Geese when they were not feeding in the Ox Piece. They were sheltering from the cold North wind late afternoon. Many of the Bewick's Swans rested here today. 290 Wigeon, a few Shoveler, Pintail and Shelduck also fed.

Estuary Tower

Marsh Harrier hunting Middle Point early morning. Chiffchaff in the bushes, Ross's Goose, 177 Barnacle Geese, 62 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher , pair of Peregrine, Buzzard, 30 Starling and 30 Lapwing on the Dumbles.

Rushy Hide

36 Bewick's Swans remained this morning, at least one Mandarin drake, one Avocet and 78 Pintail were noted.

Top New Piece

460 Wigeon, 28 Pintail, c50 teal, 51 Lapwing, 10 Dunlin, c30 Starling.

Bottom New Piece

70 Dunlin, 46 Golden Plover, 54 Lapwing, 8 Shoveler among the birds present.

South Lake

8 Cattle Egret but some began moving to the fields, 53 Avocet, 54 Pochard, 102 Black-tailed Godwit, 58 Shoveler, G C Grebe, 2 female Goldeneye, Chiffchaff at Hogarth Hide + female Kingfisher and c45 Teal.

General

Red Kite through the reserve low NE, paused to mob a Peregrine but continued to Splatt, Frampton on Severn and beyond at 12:43pm

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