Today's sightings- last of the wintering birds remain, some migrants arriving
The cold NE winds have halted any further large scale departure of our wintering wildfowl, White-fronted Geese being the prime example as well as c1000 Wigeon. Winter bird numbers are still dropping but at a slower rate. This week has seen some visible migration, (often shortened to vismig) as various species head for their breeding grounds.
A very busy spell from 0730-1000am saw 100's of Meadow Pipits on the move NE, a few Siskin and Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also involved. The visible pipit numbers dropped off when the cloud lifted and light drizzle stopped.
Today a few Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail are migrating through in clearer conditions. We have had an arrival of Chiffchaff but most are silent in this cold wind.
We have heard that some of the transmitter Bewick's Swans have now left Denmark, one has reached Latvia demonstrating that the drive to get back is in full swing.
Holden Tower
14 Avocet on the scrape, 71 Dunlin feeding on the puddles and a single Grey Plover among 24 roosting Golden Plover.
Tack Piece
5 Greenland and 95 European White-fronted Geese remain with 350 Wigeon.
South Lake (Discovery Hide open as usual but Hogarth Hide remains closed today)
Two Avocet on the wader scrape, a variety of duck species plus Grey Heron, Cormorants and Great Crested Grebe.
Rushy Pen
60 Pintail, 33 Pochard and 2 female Greater Scaup.
