Wild Winter at its best

Winter bird numbers are hitting their peaks now, with tens of thousands of birds enjoying the wetter conditions

Winter bird numbers are hitting their peak numbers now, with tens of thousands of birds enjoying the wetter conditions.

At least 104 Bewick's Swans were counted this morning between the Rushy and Tack Piece. Several birds are also heading out early in the morning to feed on inland fields, so we don't know exactly how many are here.

South Lake
A wild drake and two female Goldeneye were on the deep lake this morning before flying off and relocating to the Eider Pen with the captive birds. Also on the South Lake were a large flock of 700+ Black-tailed Godwit, which had later moved off to feed elsewhere leaving only 217 birds by mid-morning. Duck included 28 Shelduck, 105 Shoveler, 25 Tufted Duck, 35 Pochard and 14 Gadwall. Other waders included 500+ Lapwing, 16 Avocet and five Dunlin.

Zeiss Hide
Nine Knot were on the Top New Piece this morning, along with 800+ Teal, 30 Pintail, eight White-fronted Geese, 22 Snipe and a large flock of over 1000 Dunlin.

Estuary Tower
At least 1200 duck were on river, mainly made up of Pintail and Wigeon. At least 11 White-fronted Geese were on the Dumbles, mixed in amongst the other geese. Duck on the Long Ground Pool included 25 Wigeon, 108 Teal, 32 Tufted Duck, 24 Gadwall, five Pochard and 11 Shoveler.

Martin Smith Hide
A Little Egret was hunting here and four Snipe were on the islands.

Robbie Garnett Hide
The Tack Piece continues to be very busy with thousands of wintering birds. As well as large numbers of Wigeon and Teal are 12 Ruff and 49 Redshank. Two White-fronted Geese were hidden amongst the Greylag and Canada flock, and a Marsh Harrier was upsetting everything as it drifted through.

Rushy Hide
A flock of 254 Dunlin came in to roost on the upper pond islands mid-morning. Two Egyptian Geese were also seen, then later moved to the South Lake.

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