We are open
Some 3" of snow covering the site but all the roads are clear and access around the grounds and hides is fine.
The snow and frost have pushed most of the Ducks and Waders onto the estuary. The hotspots still with open water are the Rushy,Big Pen (Swan lake) and the South Lake.
Approach Road
An interesting report this morning of 2 Jack snipe on the thawed surface of the main approach road. The Whitefronted Geese (around 200) are also feeding here in fields to the north best viewed from the canal bank, Watch out for 1 possibly 2 Tundra Bean Geese among them.
Rushy
Bewicks Swan at least 232 on site but feeding in maize fields to the south of Slimbridge village during the day.
Pochard 229
Tufted 190
Pintail 126
Teal 140
South Lake.
Cormorant 6
Great Crested Grebe 1
Pochard 123
Tufted Duck 60
Shoveler 27
Pintail 6
Wigeon 2
Teal 70
Herring Gull 12
Hybrid Herring/ Lesser Black backed Gull 1 ad
Big Pen (Swan Lake)
Mute Swan 172
Tufted Duck 296
Bird Feeding stations.
Both very busywithe the usual Tits and Finches. A treecreeper showed well at the SOuth Finger and the Water Rail and a Reed Bunting at the Willow Hide.
