Recent Sightings (9th-12th Dec)
British Steel Hide
Wader counts from the hide have included c.400 Oystercatchers (estuary), 182 Lapwing, c.450 Black-tailed Godwits, 58 Knot, 87 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank and 3 Redshank. Wildfowl counts include 118 Wigeon, 62 Mallard, 4 Teal, 11 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 16 Dark-bellied Brent Geese (estuary) and 37 Shelduck (estuary). A Great White Egret and a Spoonbill have been seen feeding on the lagoons. 2 Buzzards were seen feeding on a large bird carcass on the lagoons on the 12th and a Merlin and a Sparrowhawk were seen as well. A ringtail Hen Harrier was also reportedly seen from the hide on the 12th.
Millennium Wetlands
A female Ring-necked Duck was found on the Deep Water Lake on the 12th, the bird quickly relocated to the header pond which unfortunately has no general access. Wildfowl counts from the wetlands include 223 Teal, 111 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, 14 Mallard, 1 Pochard, 17 Coot, 25 Tufted Ducks, 5 Moorhen, 10 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 11 Mute Swans and 8 Little Grebes. Up to 2 Hawfinches have been seen around the Red-crowned Crane enclosure and behind the Peter Scott hide. 5 Snipe and a Black-tailed Godwit have been seen around Deep Water Lake. 2 Bramblings have been seen around the reserve as well as 3 Siskins, 3 Greenfinches and good numbers of Chaffinches. Other species have included a Red Kite, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher and 9 Water Rails.
