Knot arrival

South Lake

Our first nine Red Knot of 2019 appeared among the roosting waders today, their visit coinciding with the strong winds and high tide period. The South Lake wader scrape offered some respite from the westerlies and a large flock of 495 Black-tailed Godwit took full advantage of this sheltered spot. 65 Avocet, 26 Redshank, 2 Snipe and 2 Oystercatcher could also be picked out among the large collection of gulls. Common Gulls were much in evidence here as grounded birds sat it out in the winds. Presuming it is the same bird as last year, the rosy pink plumage Black-headed Gull is back on site and is attaining a hood, it's nearly into full breeding plumage. A breeding plumage Great Crested Grebe was on deep lake with 8 male and five female Pochard, by the afternoon at least 70 Shoveler were on the scrape.

Rushy Hide

123 Pintail and five male and three female Pochard were present this morning.

Tack Piece

808 Wigeon, 7 Pintail, 78 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 37 Shoveler, 30+ Shelduck and 29 Redshank were on the flooded field and scrape, at times up to 140 Common Gulls were on the flood.

Martin Smith Hide

Chiffchaff singing this morning

Holden Tower

30 Shelduck, 7 Cranes, Peregrine on a kill, 133+ E. White-fronted Geese, 2 Barh-headed Geese (escapes but not from here), a Bar-headed x Snow Goose, 100+ Barnacle Geese, 20 Greylag aand 50 Canada Geese.

Zeiss Hide and South Finger hides were closed today due to high winds and falling branches.

As it happens it was quieter for birds here because of the strong gusts.

230 Wigeon, 2 Oystercatcher and c20 hunched Lapwing was the pick of the birds. 383 Golden Plover and 12 Dunlin were in the Bottom New Piece.

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