Having a clear out

After an obvious departure of Pochard another other duck in the last few days, numbers of individuals of wintering species are continuing to drop as spring continues to arrive.

After an obvious departure of Pochard another other duck in the last few days, numbers of individuals of wintering species are continuing to drop as spring continues to arrive.

South Lake
The Cattle Egret was back again this lunchtime, briefly on the compost heap before settling on the causeway outside the Discovery Hide. Counts this morning included 32 Pochard, 11 Avocet, 8 Redshank, 359 Black-tailed Godwit, 48 Shoveler, 2 Dunlin, a pair of Oystercatcher, 2 Ruff, 4 Common Gull, 4 Snipe, 57 Lapwing, 32 Tufted Duck and 150 Teal.

Kingfisher Hide
The female Kingfisher was showing well this morning. The flock of White-fronted Geese were in Bottom New Piece field, with at least 123 birds present. On the pond outside the hide was a Little Grebe and 3 singing Chiffchaff were heard along the walkway and by hide.

Zeiss Hide
The Top New Piece held totals of 322 Wigeon, 18 Curlew (including a head-started bird), 38 Avocet, two Cetti's Warbler, a pair of Oystercatcher, 250 Teal, six Snipe, 20 Lapwing and the pale plumaged Buzzard.

Rushy Hide
Duck numbers continue to drop on the upper pond with just 10 Pochard, 48 Shelduck, 58 Tufted Duck and 99 Pintail seen this morning. Four pairs of Avocet were on the lower pond.

Robbie Garnett Hide
The Tack Piece is becoming quieter with only 611 Wigeon present this morning along with two Redshank and 11 Curlew along with a few Teal and Shoveler.

Estuary Tower
A pair of Avocet were on the Dumbles scrape with a pair of Oystercatcher, 271 Wigeon, two Redshank and a single Buzzard was out on the riverbank.

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