There's lots of ducks doing their thing on the loch and pools right now with reports of up to 1400 Teal and another 1400 Wigeon. Watch them wigeon closely though because it seems a drake American Wigeon is hiding in amongst (reported today, 20th) and can, with luck, be seen from Fen hide. Totals of over 20 Pintail and more than 50 Shoveler have been counted on the pools and loch in the past week also.
Pink-footed Goose numbers are still creeping up and are currently around 22,000 at the last count. With a quick glance out the visitor centre windows at around 8am this morning I saw several thousand on the low ground, probably better seen from Tower Pool Hide and around 50 Barnacle Geese although up to 150 are seen most days. A single White-fronted Goose was spotted on monday the 14th and 1 or 2 have been seen regularly previously and so it would be worth the time to check those flocks of pinkies.
Waders wise theres still lots to see with 114 Lapwing (below) counted this morning at the back of the pools with around 7 Ruff mixed in. Curlew are, as ever, present in flocks ranging from 20 to around 100 and 10 to 20 Snipe in front of the VC. Out in Mosstown marsh 1 Jack Snipe was flushed on Tuesday the 15th.
Winter thrush activity is picking up and 30 Redwing have been seen flying overhead and Fieldfare can often be seen feeding on Rowan berries in the hedgerows arounf the reserve.
Also of interest was 1 Red-breasted Flycatcher found in the plantation forest behing the loch and a male Marsh Harrier above Mosstown marsh on Tuesday the 15th also. After a quiet week since the Firecrest and Bluethroat Rattray head and the hostel gardens have redeemed themselves after 400(ish) House Sparrows and 3 Stonechat were spotted on Monday.
Iain