The weather certainly hasn't put off the birds on the NNR, with this week’s WeBS count reflecting the building winter numbers.
Whooper swan numbers have reached a staggering 783 across the loch, with around 150 on the flood this morning. Monday's limited visibility meant the whoopers 'honking' echoed eerily around the loch as groups called out to each other through the thick fog.
Whooper swan - Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)
Other highlights from the count include:
1 European white-fronted goose, 964 wigeon, 379 pintail, 2583 teal, 2910 tufted duck, 3 red-breasted merganser, 72 goosander, 6 Slavonian grebe, 3333 coot, 185 golden plover, 1 dunlin and 1 bar-tailed godwit.
The most recent goose count took place last Friday (4th) and saw another rise in numbers. The pinkies have risen again to 13519 from the previous 9323 ten days earlier. 376 greylag were also spotted.
An elusive diver has been spotted far out in the loch this week, although a definite ID is proving difficult with poor visibility. Hopefully if it sticks around a bit longer we can get a better look at it. If you see it out and about on the loch then let us know.