Mist and murk
Not a very pleasant morning weather wise, although the sun is trying to poke through so it may yet improve. A single Whooper Swan dropped in to the Rushy just after 7am to join the four Bewick's Swans, but all are still keeping to the lower pond and avoiding the pair of Mute Swans on the top pond. The Whooper is presumably the bird which was on the South Lake late yesterday, and may have roosted there. The winter swans did venture up for the feed this morning whilst the Mutes were distracted.
Two Cattle Egret and a Little Egret roosted in the Decoy last night but had left by first light this morning. They were later seen in the fields on the north side of the approach road.
Rushy Hide & Peng Observatory
Along with the four Bewick's Swans and single Whooper, duck included 124 Pochard and 107 Shelduck. A Little Grebe was also seen.
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Holden Tower
A Peregrine was sat on the Dumbles first thing before heading south and then out over the river. A Whooper Swan and two Bewick's Swans flew south over the river and then turned and headed back inland, presumably the birds from the Rushy as only two Bewick's were present afterwards. The Barnacle Goose flock was out to the south in the murk, as were three Cranes. Wigeon numbers are starting to build on the Tack Piece and birds are now arriving in to the pool opposite the Knott Hide.
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Robbie Garnett Hide
Two Redshank were amongst the Teal and Wigeon, and around 150 Lapwing were foraging in the grass near the Martin Smith Hide. The four Bewick's Swans spent much of the afternoon here too.
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Zeiss Hide
Birds this morning included 105 Black-tailed Godwit, 395 Golden Plover, 6 Ruff, Little Stint, 33 Snipe, 4 Dunlin, 11 Curlew, 600+ Wigeon, 300+ Teal and 250 Lapwing.
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South Lake Hides
Birds this morning included 3 Avocet, 23 Snipe, 6 Dunlin, 5 Redshank, 230 Lapwing, 17 Black-tailed Godwit and 21 Shoveler.
