Lapwing count
A minimum count of 4472 Lapwing on the hide rounds this morning. At one point the South Lake delivered that rare event, a settled flock! The noise generated by 3022 Lapwing roosting on the wader scrape was pretty impressive.
Rushy Hide
105 Bewick' Swans, 150+ Pochard and 100+ Pintail at the feed with 100s Mallard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Shelduck and Lapwing. The Bewick's Swans have been very late in returning to the Rushy over the last two days, only 10 were on the lake by 1640hrs.
Yellowneb and dark-billed pair Stephen and Shelby are pictured.
Martin Smith Hide
The bouncing Jack Snipe was showing well with 7 Common Snipe also present.
Tack Piece
360 Wigeon, 320 Teal, 12 Ruff, 26 Redhsnak, 62 Curlew, 170 Dunlin and eventually (later in the day) 1000s Lapwing and 1000 Golden Plover.
Holden Tower
Peregrine on the cross fence
South Lake
One or two Lapwing (see above), 6 Avocet, 9 Snipe and 56 Black-tailed Godwit on the wader scrape (they fed on the Tack Piece later).
Zeiss Hide
1650 Wigeon, 270 Teal, 12 Snipe and drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker in the Spinney Wood.
General
At the very end of the day a Marsh Harrier flew over the reserve and out to the estuary, the first seen here this year.
