Wetland Bird Survey for this month.

Murray Orchard did a count this week at RSPB Cliffe Pools this week and here are his results:- 08:30 to 15:15, Overcast, cold, calm with light rain from 10.00, increasing later with snow early pm, then drier before heavier rain from 15.00. Breeze increasing from SE.WeBS count for RSPB reserve; offsite 11.30-14.00, returning for HT (15.10). 6 Greylag Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose (Kingfisher Pools), 37 Shelduck, 740 Wigeon (significant increase in numbers on reserve, at last!), 7 Gadwall, 85 Teal, 54 Mallard, 47 Pintail, 337 Shoveler (312 on Flamingo Pool, actively feeding), 10 Pochard, 51 Tufted Duck, 8 Goldeneye (single drake; numbers low on reserve this winter), 58 Little Grebe (significant drop in number on reserve), 5 Great Crested Grebe (big drop in numbers; probably birds moved to Thames), 1 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier (male), 247 Coot, 145 Avocet (Flamingo Pool roost), 16 Ringed Plover (Flamingo Pool roost), 150 Grey Plover (FP roost), 1,410 Lapwing, 2 Little Stint (separately feeding on F.P., with Dunlin), 2,500 Dunlin (F.P. roost ), 6 Snipe (Black Barns Pools), 132 Black-tailed Godwit (F.P. roost), 3 Bar-tailed Godwit (with Grey Plover on F.P.), 22 Curlew (F.P. roost), 10 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 18 Great Black-backed Gull, 50 Skylark (feeding on top of cleared islands in Radar Pool/Ski Pool), 1 Stonechat (male), 50 Linnet (feeding on cleared islands and along Center Track). Thanks to Murray for this comprehensive report.