Today's sightings and news
Winter visitor departures are much in evidence, the largest Wigeon flock viewable today favoured the Dumbles scrape and pool adjacent to the Holden Tower. The Tack Piece was much quieter for waders and duck, the majority of the former preferring the Dumbles as a day roost.
Wigeon by M.J.McGill
Holden Tower
A Peregrine was keeping an eye on the 400 Golden Plover, 500 Lapwing and 450 Dunlin. A single Grey Plover, Ruff and 2 Little Stint could be seen among them. 450 Wigeon with Teal and Shoveler among them. The European White-fronted Goose flock were flushed from the 50 Acre around midday, after a short rest on the estuary the flock came in to the Dumbles. At 0845 the 5 Greenland White-fronted Geese were viewable distantly from tower to the north. A male Sparrowhawk passed through. Five GCP Cranes were on the Dumbles.
The majority of the very sleepy (pre-migration behaviour) Bewick's Swans were viewable from here during the day, at least 87 could be seen on the ack Piece/Dumbles/Top New Piece. Next Tuesday night/Wednesday morning could be a window of opportunity for these birds should they choose to leave.
Tack Piece (view from Stephen Kirk, Robbie Garnett and Martin Smith Hides)
Up to 21 Redshank, 200 Wigeon, 100 Teal and the majority of the local Greylag Geese are present. Pintail, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Gadwall also present in smaller numbers as it it is sheltered from the SW winds. One of the Greater Scaup was among the diving duck at 1300hrs.
Greater Scaup (forewater with Pochard) MJMcGill
Zeiss Hide
Up to 15 Avocet on the scrape, some pairs were interested in mating proving that we are moving toward the breeding season. Also 40 Wigeon and a selection of duck species in low numbers.
South Finger and Kingfisher Hides
In the tunnel hedge either side of the track were Treecreeper and Goldcrests. A Snipe could be seen from the Vane de Bovenkamp Hide, it was in the reeds roosting in a sheltered spot with the ducks.
South Lake
Over 600 gulls, mostly Black-headed as well as flocks of Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall. The Black-tailed Godwit flock still have the single Bar-tailed Godwit among them. At least one Great Crested Grebe and 11 Cormorant were on the deep lake.
Rushy Pen
One Greater Scaup all day (both together mid-morning). At the feeds (4pm) it is the best place to see close Bewick's Swans, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pintail and Shelduck.
Grounds
A flock of 35-40 Siskin were touring the Alder trees. Singing Goldcrests were heard at a few spots but the Decoy boardwalk had one very keen songster near the pagoda.
