This week the penultimate WeBS count was completed on the reserve. We recorded at total of 3733 Barnacle Geese, 31 Shelduck, 102 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 317 Teal, 7 Mallard, 50 Pintail, 57 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Coot, 341 Lapwing, and 59 Curlew. The high tide roost on the merse produced 606 Oystercatcher and 168 Curlew.
Lapwing have been seen displaying regularly, with the two fields behind the visitor centre being the most popular spot.
Kirkconnell Merse was also surveyed on the following day with all these species being seen from Glencaple; 159 Pink-Footed Geese, 1630 Barnacle Geese, 47 Shelduck, 98 Wigeon, 62 Teal, 22 Mallard, 18 Goldeneye, 4 Goosander, 5 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 44 Oystercatchers, 338 Dunlin, 36 Curlew and 50 Redshank.
Redshank at Kirkconnell (Photo credit: Paul Baker)
The tidal bore was also witnessed again at Kirkconnell, a sight definitely worth seeing on high tides.
On the last day of the week we have also done a winter passerine survey around the reserves wild bird cover crop, with the following species and abundance totals; 39 Skylark, 2 Tree sparrow, 5 Chaffinch, 13 Twite, 1 Yellowhammer, and 36 Reed Bunting.
There have been regular sightings of a Scaup on the wetland, with the latest sighting being on the 24th of February. A large group of 4200 Pink-Footed Geese were seen on the sandflats on the 25th, along with a Little Egret and Black Redstart also on the 25th. The male and female Hen Harrier are still being seen around the reserve regularly. 6 Stonechat and 2 Goldcrest were also recorded around the woodland at Meida Hide.