Monday's WeBS count (Wetland Bird Survey) provided several large flocks both on the reserve and the loch, tufted duck numbers continue to grow, with over 1000 recorded near Findatie. Vane Bay remains a bird hot spot - pintail, gadwall, mallard, teal, lapwing, whooper and mute swan, greylag geese, great crested grebe, cormorant, wigeon, tufties and 150+ pochard have all been congregating, using the bay for shelter and as a feeding area.
Good numbers of curlew and lapwing are continually moving around looking for feeding grounds, around 250 curlew regularly group in several smaller flocks, while the lapwing have been seen moving in larger numbers, with over 100 gathering on the point of St Serfs during the WeBS. Whooper swan numbers are still on the rise, 37 were tucked in to the shore edge near Findatie on Monday.
The most noticable progress for the wetland work is the beginnings of a shingle island in front of the 3rd hide. The plan is to have 3 islands in the pool of water closest to, and surrounding, the Carden hide. These, together with a graded edge directly in front of the hide, should provide excellent views of birds, especially waders. The islands will hopefully attract birds both for feeding and nesting, with the shingle offering an alternative to the muddy/vegetated islands.
Creation of the shingle island - membrane is put onto the soil heap, gravel is then spread on the top.