WWT Bird sightings 11-15 February 2006
15 February 2006 The waders are building up in number due to flooding of the Top New and Tack Pieces. Up to 7000 Lapwing, 1700 Golden Plover and 1000 Dunlin are back and should increase massively if the mild and wet weather lasts. We have been pumping onto these fields so make the most of the winter birding over the next few weeks as they will all be off soon. A group of four Redshank were in company of the wintering Spotted Redshank from the Martin Smith Hide. MJM rediscovered last week's first winter female Greater Scaup today from the Robbie Garnett Hide and at least 11 Black-tailed Godwit and the Ruff (no counts) were with the Lapwing. The three 'continental' Greylag were on the Top New Piece. The Ferruginous x hybrid was on the Rushy. Single Lesser Redpoll are seen daily at present.
14 February 2006 The female Smew was on the South Lake and the first winter male Greater Scaup was on the European enclosure pond. A flock of nine Ruff on the Tack Piece included a colour marked individual, a further? 16 were seen on the Top New Piece. A Water Vole was next to the entrance ramp rhine (ditch). The three hulking 'continental' Greylag Geese were on the Top New Piece (look out for the larger size, paler plumage and heavy bills).
12 February 2006 At least two Little Stint were on the Dumbles. The geese came in to drink on the Tack Piece and brought an escaped (non WWT) Bar-headed Goose with them. It seems to prefer the Barnacle Geese for company. The Dark-bellied Brent and Pink-footed Goose were also seen. A female Merlin raised over 2500 birds by hunting over the field in it's thrush style hunting flight, also Kingfisher, Water Rail and up to ten Snipe were seen from the Martin Smith Hide and sixty on the Top New Piece.
11 February 2006 The dawn exit flight of the 800 E. White-fronted Geese was excellent due to a stunning sunrise as a backdrop. A female Merlin dashed over the South Lake heading toward the river and an adult male Red crested Pochard, first winter male Greater Scaup and adult female Smew were all present on the frozen lake. Other species seen/heard on this Breakfast with the Birds event included four Cetti's Warblers (six on site at least) and a male Stonechat. The Dark-bellied Brent and Pink-footed Goose were also seen. A Siskin showed to less than a foot at the Peng Obs as it fed on buds. MJMcGill and JS Lees.
14 February 2006 The female Smew was on the South Lake and the first winter male Greater Scaup was on the European enclosure pond. A flock of nine Ruff on the Tack Piece included a colour marked individual, a further? 16 were seen on the Top New Piece. A Water Vole was next to the entrance ramp rhine (ditch). The three hulking 'continental' Greylag Geese were on the Top New Piece (look out for the larger size, paler plumage and heavy bills).
12 February 2006 At least two Little Stint were on the Dumbles. The geese came in to drink on the Tack Piece and brought an escaped (non WWT) Bar-headed Goose with them. It seems to prefer the Barnacle Geese for company. The Dark-bellied Brent and Pink-footed Goose were also seen. A female Merlin raised over 2500 birds by hunting over the field in it's thrush style hunting flight, also Kingfisher, Water Rail and up to ten Snipe were seen from the Martin Smith Hide and sixty on the Top New Piece.
11 February 2006 The dawn exit flight of the 800 E. White-fronted Geese was excellent due to a stunning sunrise as a backdrop. A female Merlin dashed over the South Lake heading toward the river and an adult male Red crested Pochard, first winter male Greater Scaup and adult female Smew were all present on the frozen lake. Other species seen/heard on this Breakfast with the Birds event included four Cetti's Warblers (six on site at least) and a male Stonechat. The Dark-bellied Brent and Pink-footed Goose were also seen. A Siskin showed to less than a foot at the Peng Obs as it fed on buds. MJMcGill and JS Lees.
posted by Anser Team at Wednesday, February 15, 2006
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