Latest Bewick's Swan count

Sunday 3 December

A dawn count of the Rushy revealed 73 Bewicks Swans, twelve cygnets with broods of 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1 and 1. They headed out to the fields between the overflow car park and canal to feed for the day. The feeding flock was only viewable from the (Sloane) Severn View Tower looking North East. Looking South East it was possible to see at least 80 Russian White-fronted Geese in the South, South Middle ground, by looking South East you could see them through the oaks. We've had a count of 93.

Other sightings included the following.

South Lake

132 Shoveler, 34 Pochard, 15 Gadwall, 6 Wigeon,73 Black-tailed Godwit, c20 Dunlin, c310 Lapwing, GC Grebe, 4 Cormorant + Teal, Greylag, Tufted Duck, a Great Black-backed Gull plus small numbers of Black-headed, Common and Herring Gulls, Coot and Moorhen.

Mid afternoon a female Goldeneye flew from South Lake to join the collection Goldeneye flock.

Estuary Tower

The Dumbles scrape was unfrozen so 680 Wigeon, 110 Teal + Pintail and Shelduck were feeding here. The usual hybrid and released/escaped geese among the Barnacle, Canada and Greylag Geese. A Marsh Harrier fed here early afternoon. The Whooper Swans were reported in the Fifty Acre.

Grounds

Both Little and Great Egret fishing in the matrix, mobile Siskins and Redpolls often with the Goldfinches. Water Rail feeding in the narrow channel and on the path at the south end of the Decoy/Marsh Garden boardwalk, walking off into cover when approached.

Saturday 2 December

Visibility poor all day due to dense fog but a Bittern on the Top New Piece from Van de Bovenkamp/Zeiss Hides was the highlight.

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