Today's sightings- Visitors from Greenland
Tack Piece
Five newly arrived Greenland White-fronted Geese were grazing in the field with 250 Greylag and 38 European White-fronted Geese. Up to 9 Cranes GCP were present early morning before heading out to other parts of the reserve. The ice coverage meant that the larger Teal and Wigeon flocks were frozen out until later in the morning when it thawed. A few Curlew, Dunlin and Lapwing were also out in the field.
Greenland White-fronted Geese
European White-fronted (left) with one of the Greenland White-fronted Geese Pic-MJM
Among other features of which many are highly variable, the key things to look for include overall darker plumage, longer-billed with an orange (not pink) tone to bill.
Holden Tower
Peregrine, the Barnacle and Canada Goose flock and flocks of Dunlin with a few Golden Plover and Lapwing were present this morning, again the ice wold have moved some of the birds onto the estuary. A flock of 700 Wigeon grazed around the pool with 2 Little Stints feeding on the shore.
Zeiss/Kingfisher Hides
900 Teal on the flood, 350 Wigeon, 200+ Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Curlew, 60Dunlin and 2 Ruff feeding in the wet grassland. Cetti's Warbler calling from the reeds.
Rushy Pen
Bewick's Swan- an increase to 32, Pochard-100, Tufted Duck 200 and 40 Pintail.
Big Pen
First winter female Greater Scaup among the Tufted Duck flock. Look for this bird in the fenced Eider Duck area in SW corner.
