Todays sightings
South Lake
Great birding here again, a good range and number of waders. Most numerous are Lapwings with around 150, just under 100 Black Tailed Godwit and 90 Redshank with two Ruff among them. Highlight is a lovely Little Stint associating with four Little Ringed Plovers. a good spread of Ducks here including 80 Teal and a gang of Shovelers.
Zeiss Hide
High water levels here at the moment but dropping now in preparation for big tides next week. Waders a little limited because of this but still good with 7 Ruff, 220 Lapwing, 7 Black Tailed Godwit a Snipe and two Green Sandpipers. The Ducks how ever like this level and there were 40 Wigeon, 320 Teal 1 juv Garganey and 26 Shoveler. There were also three Cranes close to the hide.
South Finger
The hedge along the walkway is alive with Warblers this morning definitely worth a watch from the Van De Bovenkamp Hide. there were at least 4 juv Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Reed Warblers, 12 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaff and a singing Cettis. Little Grebe are good from the kingfisher with adults and two generations of youngsters.
Rushy and Holden area.
Green Sandpipers scattered all along here at least 7 in total, 7 Black Tailed Godwit here as well, a nice little pack of 8 Wigeon feeding on pond weed close to the Martin Smith Hide and 2 Snipe in the Rushy. There was a scattering of Warblers in the Hedge best viewed from the Knott Hide with 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcaps and two Chiffchaff.
Yesterdays Safaris
Hobbys were one of the highlights here with at least 3 during the day. The usual Little Egrets and Grey Herons, close views of Kestrel and a good scattering of Ducks including this years young Shoveler. Great Crested and Little Grebes and Cormorants were on the pools.
Bank Voles, two large Grass Snakes, Toads and Smooth Newts were all seen.
A little windy for good numbers of Insects but seeing a number of Clouded Yellows is always a treat. Dragonflies included lots of Migrant Hawkers, Brown Hawker, Common and Ruddy Darter.
