What's the collective noun for Mandarin Duck?
This morning a flock of 24 Mandarin Duck were on the Decoy
This morning a flock of 24 Mandarin Duck were on the Decoy. The collective noun for a group of duck is sometimes called a waddling, but what could we use for this species?
In non-bird sightings news, a Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen in the flowerbeds between the Rushy Hide and Peng Observatory early afternoon.
Wild Safari
Don't forget, our Wild Safaris are now running daily at 11:30am and 2pm (weather and ground conditions permitting). Book your place on arrival at admissions. This morning's trip saw a Marsh Harrier, three Kestrel, a Buzzard and four Roe Dee, plus Broad bodied Chaser and Black tailed Skimmer on the dragonfly ponds, and Gatekeeper and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies along the headlands. Two Crane were also seen in flight.
South Lake
The Ruddy Shelduck type bird was on the wader scrape this morning along with eight Little Ringed Plover, a Grey Wagtail and four Common Gull.
Zeiss Hide
Three Spotted Redshank were on the Top New Piece this morning, the long-staying two who have moulted into winter plumage joined by a freshly arrived bird still in its black breeding plumage. Also of note were two Garganey, whilst the Black-tailed Godwit flock have moved here from the Rushy. The flock contained 371 birds and were joined by a single Dunlin, 27 Redshank and 11 male Ruff. A Little Egret and two Spoonbill moved here at high tide from the estuary, and other duck included 80 Gadwall and five Shoveler. A group of seven Cranes including the pair with a fledged juvenile were on the field to the north.
Summer Walkway / Middle Point
The juvenile Redstart was still on the fence line this morning, near the Pillbox on the Tack Piece side of the hedge, and showing well. Also o the walkway this morning was a Green Woodpecker. Out on the estuary at high tide were a flock of Curlew, but sadly they roosted out of view to the south. Last night the flock numbered around 500 birds. As the tide came in other birds included the two Spoonbill, ten Little Egret, six Oystercatcher and a few Dunlin.
Grounds
A Red Kite drifted north over the Visitor Centre around 9:30am.
Estuary Tower
A Goshawk flew over Middle Point heading inland this morning, to which we were alerted to its presence by the alarm calls of the Kestrel family that have been hunting the Dumbles and the seawall in the last few weeks. They chased the bird over the Tack Piece as it gained height and was eventually lost to view.
Rushy Hide
Three Green Sandpiper and an Avocet were on the lower pond this morning, a Barnacle Goose was with the Canada Geese on the upper pond and a Grey Heron was perched on the swan pipe. Two Great Egret also flew over.
