Cold snap continues
Another cold night with frost meant many areas remained frozen all day, a thaw after midday did open up feeding opportunities for some species.
Water Rails were very much out on the open today. Birds were seen from Kingfisher Hide, Zeiss Hide (2) and Willow Hide.
The Kingfisher Hide offered some open water areas, a flock of 100 Teal increased to 400 by the end of the day as the ice disappeared on the Bottom New Piece flood. The South Finger extension channel held the usual two Little Grebe and a aprty of Gadwall. It was great to see the 159 E. White-fronted Goose flock here this morning but they were uneasy about the boat and pedestrian traffic along the canal and departed midday. Bullfinches were in full song this morning and a Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed in the tall ash to the south. Goldcrests and Treecreepers were seen along the path.
Female Gadwall and Little Grebe (M.J.McGill)
A quiet day at the Zeiss Hide but those that scanned the cut rush in the field carefully were rewarded with 30+ Snipe. As mentioned above the Water Rails showed regularly.
At least one Bittern sighting from the Van de Bovenkamp Hide today.
The South Lake was busy with ducks today, pick of the bunch was the immature male Goldeneye that went missing after 0930. Great Crested Grebe is beginning to show a little breeding plumage (M.J.McGill)
145 Bewick's Swans were on the Rushy Pen at daybreak, the Little Stint was feeding on the islands as ususal.
