Friday's wildlife sightings

After a cold start the sun came through to leave a glorious winter's day

After a cold start with temperatures below freezing, the sun came through to leave a glorious winter's day.

South Lake
The pair of Goldeneye were on the deep lake this morning along with 68 Shoveler, 76 Pochard and perhaps more unusually a flock of seven Avocet also floating around here as the scrape is frozen. Ten Cormorant were on the rails and later five Common Gull were noted. The Glossy Ibis was seen in flight here briefly as it toured the reserve and mid-afternoon saw five Cattle Egret arrive for a pre-roost gathering.

An adult Mediterranean Gull dropped in this afternoon.

Rushy Hide
All 115 Bewick's Swans have been accounted for today. The Black Swan has also spent most of the day here.

Estuary Tower
The White-fronted Goose flock have been mobile again today moving between the south and north of the reserve, and breaking in to at least two groups. One of these groups remained on the Dumbles for most of the afternoon along with two Pink-footed Geese who arrived with the second flock from the south. The Greenland White-fronted Geese were also noted occasionally. This second flock dropped in to the Tack Piece for a drink and bathe before heading back to the south of the reserve. The Barnacle Goose flock have been showing well today along with the Ross’s Goose and Snow x Bar-headed Goose hybrid. The three Snow Geese were seen this morning on the riverbank and then moved to the Tack Piece, best viewed from the Robbie Garnett Hide.

At least 11 Cranes were also on show from the Estuary Tower, most out on the Dumbles, and a pair of Stonechat were on the cross fence towards Middle Point.

Zeiss Hide
The Marsh Harrier was giving regular flybys this morning across the Top New Piece and reedbed. Also noted were two Peregrine, a Water Rail, the seven Avocet who moved here from the South Lake, six Ruff, a flock of 90 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe along with appearances from the cast of 1000+ Golden Plover, Lapwing and Dunlin flock which would occasionally move here from the Tack Piece. Also present were good numbers of Teal and Wigeon

Martin Smith Hide
There were 16 Snipe on the islands in front of the hide this morning.

Robbie Garnett Hide
A Little Stint was seen this morning with the Dunlin flock.

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