Whoopers and other birds.
Lovely end to the weekend making up for the miserable conditions on Saturday. Whooper Swan numbers are on the up with around 260+ counted on the reserve this morning with around 100 at the 3pm feed in front of the Discovery Hide.
Around 10,000 Pink-footed Geese roosting on the reserve, 1700+ Teal, 400+ Wigeon, 100+ Shoveler, 60+ Gadwall, 50+ Pintail, 800+ Mallard, 10+ Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard and briefly this afternoon the first winter drake Scaup (on the Mere).
As expected the calm sunny conditions made it great for raptor viewing with 6 species recorded; 6 Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine (juv), 10+ Buzzard, 3 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk.
Waders produced 2 late Avocet, 400+ Lapwing, 50+ Ruff, 30+ Snipe and 6 Black-tailed Godwit.
First Fieldfare seen on site this autumn with a fare few Redwing. Song Thrush, Blackbird and Mistle Thrush also present. At least 3 Goldcrest around the Janet Kear Hide this morning. Two Cetti's Warbler seen on the Reed Bed Walk. No Hawfinches yet!
It is possible to see 60-70+ species of wild bird on the reserve at present. If you have seen anything interesting or would like to know where the best spots are, please call in at the in focus shop next the the Discovery Hide.
