A brilliant morning for the monthly Migration Watch, as Dave Steel, Les Jones and I watched more than 5,000 Pink-footed Geese move predominantly eastward, with 6 Whooper Swans as an added bonus. The final count for the Pink-feet was 5,270. Other highlights included 282 Fieldfare, 180 Redwings, 1 Tree Sparrow, 2 Yellowhammers, 2 Siskins, 1 Redpoll, 1 Peregrine, 1 Woodcock, 2 Tawny Owls and 8 Sparrowhawks.

See photo for sunrise over Butchersfield Tip!

Cheers David

A survey of the whole reserve produced some interesting sightings although due to the collapse of the river bank north of Nos 1 and 2 beds it was not possible to cover this area. Wildfowl included 175 Tufted Duck, 131 Gadwall, 102 Coot, 84 Mallard and 18 Moorhens. Also of interest were 14 Jays and a total of 76 Robins. A Green Woodpecker was on No.1 bed and 30 Redwing on Butchersfield. Four Water Rails were calling on No.3 bed.

20 Snipe were in front of the Lindley Hide, though the Marsh Harrier didn’t show this morning (seen yesterday by Kieran Foster). Other sightings included the first 7 Fieldfare of the year, 38 Redwings, 14 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Willow Tits, 5 Wigeon, 36 Shovelers, 35 Starlings, 2 Sparrowhawks and scores of Greenfinches and Chaffinches.

Here’s another shot of the bed from last week!

Cheers David

A lovely autumnal morning on No.3 bed, with 4 Swallows feeding actively over the water, 805 Pink-footed Geese heading east in four skeins, a Woodcock flushed from the path by the North Meadow, 12 Snipe in front of the Linley Hide, 4 Water Rails on the muddy margins, 400 Teal in front of the Morgan Hide at first light and 100 Greenfinches, 60 Chaffinches, 16 Goldfinches and 29 Redwing moving round.

The contractor has started the preparatory work before moving his machinery in by the weekend. Work should then start in earnest on Monday.

Cheers David

Wildfowl(WeBS) counts for the Eyes-all beds counted Little Grebe 1,GC Grebe 2,Cormorant 12,Grey Heron 1,Mute Swan 27,Canada Goose 38, Wigeon,1,Gadwall 227,Teal 281,Mallard 61,Shoveler 38,Pochard 19,Tufted Duck 159, Moorhen 23,Coot 81,Water Rail 4,Lapwing 70,Black headed Gull 100. In addition two skeins of Pink footed Geese flew over,one of 100 to east followed by 200 to south. Overall an excellent count notably the Gadwall numbers.Thanks to the five counters who participated.

On a clear, sunny morning Les Jones and I covered all four beds, completing both a Winter Thrush Survey and a Wildfowl Count. Highlights were a Raven, flying west over No.4 bed, 2 Coal Tits (a Reserve scarcity) also on No.4 bed, 4 Water Rails on No.3 bed and counts of 5 Redwings, 16 Song Thrushes and 86 Blackbirds across the whole Reserve. Other significant counts included: Tufted Duck 117, Gadwall 205, Wigeon 1, Mute Swan 13, Teal 245, Shoveler 31, Moorhen 26, Black-headed Gull 70, Lapwing 73, Sparrowhawk 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 6, Goldfinch 11, Willow Tit 2, Stock Dove 15, Wood Pigeon 1,350, Coot 34, Mallard 40, Canada Goose 44 and Bullfinch 17.

Cheers David

On Saturday Kieran Foster reported some good movements over No.3 bed, including an unprecedented 11 Ravens and 20 Greylag Geese.

Cheers David