Departures
It was pretty clear that an number of species had left the reserve over the weekend, a couple of hundred Lapwing were all I could find with the only flocks being on the South Lake wader scrape (50), Rushy (20) and Bottom New Piece (20), on the plus side it was encouraging to see males displaying and looking territorial. The Wigeon numbers were lower, only 500 were viewable from the hides with even less Teal. Bewick's Swan numbered around 120, it seems that 30-40 have departed. The first Sand Martins were seen in Weymouth today, perhaps we will see our first martins next week. MJM.
Rushy Pen
120 Bewick's Swans at the roost, 100 Shelduck, 120 Pintail, 100 Pochard and 150 Tufted Duck at the feeds. About 40 Canada Geese came in to roost with 15 Greylag Geese. Little Stint and Dunlin late afternoon. Oystercatcher on territory.
Tack Piece
300 Wigeon, a few Pintail, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Teal and Gadwall as well. 65 Linnet feeding on weed seeds and 6 Cranes.
Holden Tower
2 Redwing, singing Song Thrush and Reed Bunting early morning, the Lapland Bunting was reported to us. 6 Skylark, a Meadow Pipit and a few Pied Wagtail were around the pool. The Barnacle Goose flock fed on the Dumbles with 15 Canada Geese. A male Bullfinch was feeding in the hedge.
Long Ground Pool
Two Little Grebe and a 'new in' Great Crested Grebe, also a gathering of duck species as it was a sheltered spot.
South Lake
18 Avocet, 10 Snipe, 2 Redshank, 200+ Black-tailed Godwit, 50 Lapwing, 30 Dunlin on the wader scrape. A pair of Great Crested Grebe were displaying on the deep lake.
