Look everywhere
Not a very helpful title I know, but this morning really was a case of check everywhere as you visit. Best of the bunch was the Zeiss Hide with several thousand birds on offer. The rest of the South Finger (the walkway to the Kingfisher Hide) was busy too with all fields holding a mix of geese, a few Wigeon plus Lapwing and Curlew. Passerines are everywhere too with lots of Goldcrest and Redwing noted this morning. Perhaps the biggest surprise was a pair of Green Woodpecker on the track near the Spinney at the back of the Zeiss Hide.
Zeiss Hide
Waders included over 700 Dunlin, 521 Golden Plover, over 600 Lapwing, 2 Ruff, 60 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Little Stint. The wader flock was very mobile, with birds occasionally dropping in to the Bottom New Piece (over the fence) before returning. At least 700 Wigeon were grazing between two flocks, one in front of the Van de Bovenkamp Hide and the other just to the north of the Zeiss Hide. Three Cranes were out on the Warth over the seawall, our usual trio of Cotton, Oakie and Evie. The 16 White-fronted Geese flew past the hide but disappeared out of sight. Two Water Rail were calling from the reedbed.
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Kingfisher Hide
The Red-breasted Goose was amongst the Barnacle flock this morning. Also in the Bottom New Piece field were 200+ Lapwing, 43 Golden Plover, 2 Ruff and 4 Curlew. A Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail were calling from the reedbed.
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South Lake Hides
Five Dunlin were with the Lapwing flock. Also present were 4 Redshank, a single Ruff, 43 Shoveler, 30 Shelduck and 101 Black-tailed Godwit. Six male Pochard were on the deep lake along with a Little Grebe and 10 Cormorant. A Water Rail was heard calling.
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Rushy Hide & Peng Observatory
Still just four Bewick's Swans this morning with the usual mix of duck including 106 Pochard. A Little Grebe was also seen.
