Today's sightings- a frozen scene
Temperatures dropped to below freezing point last night, as a result much of the reserve was covered in ice and the birds concentrated in any open water they could find. The South Lake and Rushy Pen were busiest as many of the waders and wildfowl had moved out onto the Severn Estuary. The reserve looks lovely in the sunshine.
Rushy Pen
At least one Greater Scaup still present among hundreds of diving and dabbling duck. Over 100 Bewick's Swans roosted, many reluctant to go out as the grass was still frosted. Redshank and Wigeon were also on the top lake today.
South Lake
Wader scrape was frozen but 234 Black-tailed Godwit and 300 Lapwing had at least 2 Ruff and the Avocet among them. The deep lake was very busy with a variety of ducks and Greylag Geese.
Avocet, Lapwing and Black-headed Gulls
Kingfisher Hide
The White-fronted Geese were grazing here until they moved at 0940hrs. The 5 Greenland birds were still with 116 European counterparts. The flock moved to the Dumbles. A (breeding plumaged) Little Grebe, 30 Teal, 4 Shoveler and 10 Gadwall were all close to the hide.
Holden Tower
See above for 'White-front' info, a huge flock of duck are out on the estuary.
Canoe Trail
At 0930hrs a Bittern was present on the recently rush cut island viewable close to the viewing pier, it made a short flight from this sunning spot to the track on the west side of the canoe trail, presumably to hunt voles in the frozen weather. It has been seen recently hunting the tracks viewable from Holden Tower so it is worth scanning from there as well. This area is important to duck, especially Teal during cold weather as is rarely freezes up completely.
Bittern in the canoe trail
Grounds
Nuthatch and Siskins seen today.
