Late season Garganey
A couple of Garganey were associating with the Teal on the Top New Piece flood, not too surprising seeing as the autumn temperatures are so mild and the recent rains have flooded our wetlands creating brilliant feeding conditions. Over 1000+ Teal had assembled this morning but were moving to the flood in the Bottom New Piece. Also noted in this area were calling Cetti's Warbler, 2 Little Grebe on the fleet, 44 Pintail, 80+ Wigeon and 16 Shoveler were among the anatidae. One of the Bitterns was seen near Van de Bovenkamp hide.
The Bottom New Piece held five Russian White-fronted Geese although they may have also visited the estuary. The Ross's Goose was among the Barnacle/Greylag/Canada Goose gathering. A Kingfisher fished near to the Kingfisher Hide.
South Lake held c30 Red Knot but most were hidden among the 87 Black-tailed Godwit, a Great Crested Grebe, c50 Shoveler, c60 Tufted Duck, 6 Cormorant, a Grey Heron and c30 Teal were also noted with a Greenshank in the afternoon Cetti's Warbler and two Chiffchaff were calling were on the far side on the lake. A Siskin came down to drink on the beach with the Goldfinch flock.
The Estuary Tower was busy, half an hour saw a Brambling, a few Siskin, 60+ Chaffinch in four flocks S, 7 Skylark, 8 Raven NW, 6 Cormorant down and 3 upriver, Reed Buntings, a few Linnet, 120 Golden Plover lingering over Dumbles/Tack Piece + Canada, Greylag and Barnacle Geese on the Dumbles.
A cheerful singing Chiffchaff was near the Knott Hide + another at the canoe trail, one in the Matrix (grounds) and one in the Duck Decoy + a Little Grebe here.
The Rushy Hide had 'Allington' the Bewick's Swan, 33 Pochard, c30 Pintail, Avocet, Redshank, Spotted Redshank (flew off to Tack Piece), c40 Lapwing. The Tack Piece was busy with Teal and Wigeon + an additional Spotted Redshank, 6 Redshank, 14 Curlew, c70 Lapwing on the field and scrape
