Friday 24th October 2014

Last Sunday was a WeBS count day, that is a national water bird count, where all over the UK, we count the birds at high tide to get a picture of how a water birds are fairing. Or at least we would have, if it had not been during the tail end of a hurricane. You know you shouldn't be counting birds when your telescope blows over ! As many of the birds were sheltering from the wind, we've had to rely on mid-week counts from our guides to get a picture of the birds on the reserve. With 530 wigeon on the reserve, there are still a few thousand to come in. Likewise with the 800 golden plover, there are more to come. Birds of note this week have included a rough legged buzzard on Monday, with 6 whooper swans and 3 bitterns. One of the bitterns was seen in front of the Watchpoint Hide on Wednesday and Thursday and even performed for a guided walk. There is still a spoonbill around, but it moves between the main site, Dormans and Cowpen Marsh. A kingfisher has also delighted visitors as it moves all over the main site and can turn up anywhere.