Last swan standing
At first we thought all the remaining Bewick's Swans had left overnight, but then one dropped in to the Tack Piece just before 9:30am
At first we thought all the remaining Bewick's Swans had left overnight, but then one dropped in to the Tack Piece just before 9:30am. Known as Vinn, this season has been his first at Slimbridge having arrived with a bird known as Viv on 23rd November. It doesn't appear Viv is his mate as he has associated with several birds during his stay.
Kingfisher Hide
The Bottom New Piece field had a scattering of birds across it including 140 Golden Plover, 74 Dunlin and 120 Lapwing.
Zeiss Hide
The dry weather has seen water levels drop a little on the Top New Piece. Waders included a pair of Oystercatcher, 23 Black-tailed Godwit, 68 Dunlin, 6 Redshank, a Ruff and around 150 Lapwing. The pair of Peregrine were out on the cross-fence on the Dumbles. Duck on the water included 237 Teal, 120 Wigeon, 12 Shelduck and a pair of Pintail.
South Lake
Avocet numbers held overnight with 64 birds present this morning. Numbers for the reserve reached over 100 for the first time last year once the breeding season got going, so hopefully this year will be the same. Other birds of note included 80 Shoveler, 63 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Redshank, 12 Lapwing, 10 Pochard, 29 Shelduck, a Great Crested Grebe and a Kingfisher.
Willow Hide
A Water Rail was under the feeders this morning and a Chiffchaff could be heard singing from the Decoy Wood nearby.
Robbie Garnett Hide
A rather quiet Tack Piece with only 19 Redshank and a Ruff present with a few hundred duck.
Holden Tower
Out on the river 33 Curlew were visible on the mudflats along with 90 Shelduck. At least 139 White-fronted Geese at south end of Dumbles, but the heat haze made counting difficult at that range - crazy for February!
