Redwing on the move

Large numbers of Redwing were passing over this morning

Visible migration

Sseeep! -the call of the Redwing

A significant number of birds were noted flying over whilst carrying out daily site maintenance chores. 100s of Redwing headed SW over the grounds and reserve with a few Fieldfare accompanying them. One flock of Redwing numbered over 100 with many parties of 25 or more.

Other species seen or heard moving included Siskin, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Pied Wagtail and Chaffinch.

No doubt a dedicated migration watch session would have produced a large total today.

Other highlights included the following

Rushy Hide

A single Curlew Sandpiper first thing with two reported later in the day, single Ruff and Redshank with 79 Teal, 14 Pintail, 3 Shelduck and 4 Pochard. Martin Smith Hide- calling Cetti's Warbler with another replyang from Willow Hide

Estuary Tower

26, 70 and 2 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare, 12 Pied Wagtail, 3 and 12 Meadow Pipit and 6 Linnet all SW at 0800. Two Siskin dropped into Decoy Wood. The Kingfisher visited the Pill Box pool to fish.

Middle Point (0900)

Two Stonechat, a Cetti's Warbler, 6 Reed Bunting, 13 Meadow Pipit, Wren and Blue Tit at the point. Nine Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 102 Shelduck and 88 Dunlin on Severn low tide pools and up to 14 Golden Plover doing circuits plus 7 Skylark and 26 and 16 Redwing over SW. A Marsh Harrier and Peregrine was seen late morning.

Willow Hide/Withy Bed

Two Blackcap and 2 Goldcrest in the ivy covered trees along the path to Robbie Garnett Hide.

Top New Piece

Chiffchaff in the reeds, 200+ grazing Wigeon on the 'Wigeon lawn', 8 Pintail, c 400 Teal, 5 Redshank, 24 Lapwing. A Great White Egret, the Spotted Redshank duo also called in. A drake Pochard was on the fleet.

South Lake

A single Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 2 Spotted Redshank (moved to Top New Piece), 77 Black-tailed Godwit, 90+ Lapwing, c80 Teal, Kingfisher flew across scrape, 17 Herring, 1 Common and 110 Black-headed Gull, 4 Pochard, c60 Tufted Duck, 28 Shoveler

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