Fantastic wader airshow
Huge flocks of Lapwing, Golden Plover and Dunlin creating amazing aerial spectacles
Rushy
Around 118 Bewicks overnight and 111 on the pond this morning. Good Pochard count with 164 here and another 25 on the Long Ground Pool viewed from the Holden Tower. Also 118 Pintail, 150 Teal and 700 very mobile Lapwing. At least one very confiding Redshank seems to be resident and up to 3 Dunlin. As normal the group of at least 7 Snipe were tucked into the bank on the left hand side. A Grey Wagtail was singing briefly on the lower pool.
Robbie Garnet
Stunning close up views of Wigeon, Teal and Shoveler here, 5 Common Snipe but no sign yet of the Jack which tends to show later in the day. A Water Rail ran across the main island and this is a good point to view the vast flocks of Lapwing, Golden Plover, Wigeon and Dunlin in the Tack Piece from.
Willow Hide
Not one not two but three Water Rail here this morning.
Tack Piece
Big and very mobile flocks of waders and wildfowl here, Some approximate numbers to give you an idea of the spectacle are; Whitefronted Goose 37, Bewicks Swan 25, Wigeon 700, Lapwing 1600, Golden Plover 900 and increasing and around 150 Dunlin. Also 2 Redshank and at least 6 Ruff.
Holden Tower
Big flocks of Canadas and Barnacle Geese here, the whitefronts flew over and landed on the estuary at least 130 birds but some out of sight. The 5 Cranes included one juvenile and ther were single Peregrine, Buzzard and Raven.
South Lake
Packed with Lapwings again at least 1500, good close views of Teal and Shoveler and 4 Ruff, 145 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers, 17 Black Tailed Godwit and at least 7 Snipe among the lapwing flock. Two Great Crested Grebe and 9 Cormorant were on the main lake.
Zeiss Hide
A very active Peregrine was stirring up the flocks of waders and ducks. At least 228, Wigeon 203, Lapwing 900, Ruff 6 and a handful of Dunlin and Curlew. Cormorant, Raven and Kestrel added to the scene as did a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in the wood behind the hide. A small group of 11 Whitefronted Geese were in the Bottom New Piece.
