Largest gathering of Bewick's Swans in the UK at the moment?

We noted 33 Bewick's Swans on Sunday 20th, and 43 on Monday 21 November, the majority of the birds have been favouring the Rushy or Tack Piece

Bewick's Swans

We noted thirty-three Bewick's Swans on Sunday 20th and 43 on Monday 21 November, the majority of the birds have been favouring the Rushy or Tack Piece but some birds have been exploring with three seen on South Lake and the bird with a bendy neck (old injury or deformed) in the Big Pen today. As far as we know this is the largest flock currently in the UK

(Note that the image was from a previous year, MJM)

Bittern

The South Lake Bittern showed again yesterday and today, it can be very hard to see in the willows and sedge beds at the back of the deep lake, careful, patient scanning, particularly with a telescope offers the best chance to locate it or ask a Guide in the Hide to help.

At least 15 Cormorant, 26 Pochard and 72 Shoveler joined the other birds on South Lake.

Long Ground Pool

Thirteen Cattle Egret roosted overnight and left at 08:24am, the flock have been seen in the village on the other side of the canal.

Also Great Crested Grebe + Teal and Shoveler + a Buzzard on the fence, Chiffchaff calling near the Pill Box.

Rushy Hide/Peng Observatory

At least 30 Bewick's Swans still present at 08:00am and three on the Tack Piece scrape, other birds flew out earlier at dawn. The drake Mandarin, a couple of Black-tailed Godwit and a few Dunlin were with the Lapwing. 170+ Tufted Duck and 50+ Pochard on the top pond plus Little Egret on the field. Two Great Egrets were seen at dusk yesterday, they were involved in a territory dispute so were also seen in the Canoe trial and Top New Piece.

Tack Piece

Spotted Redshank, 4 Redshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 15+ Snipe, c200 Golden Plover with the Lapwing flock. A few Shoveler and Pintail on the scrape with a few hundred loafing Teal and 400 Wigeon grazing, a Snow Goose was with the Canada/Greylag Geese

Bottom New Piece/Kingfisher Hide

At least 68 Russian White-fronted Geese among the Canada/Greylag Geese, a few Wigeon were grazing in the centre of the field with 320 Lapwing also on the pasture, the recently cleared channel south of the hide attracted a female Goosander yesterday.

Estuary Tower

Marsh Harrier resting on driftwood on the Dumbles and Peregrine on the foreshore. Two Barnacle x Canada Goose hybrids among the Barnacle/Canada/ greylag Goose flock.

On Sunday distant views of 2 Grey Plover and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit with Dunlin and Curlew noted off Middle Point, two Marsh Harrier were hunting (three on the reserve at this time), 2 Peregrine, 75 Russian White-fronted Geese (scattered and mobile, majority on the Dumbles), Skylark and Pied Wagtail in the scrape and Chiffchaff and Goldcrest in the scrub.

Grounds

Water Rail in the Matrix, favouring the reed zone opposite the Mesolithic Hut, still plenty of Redwing and a few Fieldfare raiding the berries in the grounds.

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