On Monday morning we completed our monthly Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) and counted the following across the reserve
Reedbed / Patsy's
Coot 58, Gadwall 71, Pochard 15, Mallard 30, Little grebe 2, Teal 3. Shoveler 2, Little egret 2, cormorant 20
Freshmarsh
Gadwall 44, Water rail 1, Shelduck 30, Teal 60. Mallard 34, Shoveler 3, Spotted Redshank 3, Black-tailed godwit 404, Bar-tailed godwit 11, Dunlin 45, Ruff 39, Avocet 396, Common Sandpiper 3, Common tern 3, Redshank 31, Black-headed gull 18, Moorhen 2, Green sandpiper 1, Little ringed plover 1, Oystercatcher 3, Lapwing 1, Green sandpiper 1, common sandpiper 1
Black-tailed godwit, Les Bunyan
Volunteer
Redshank 2, Common Sandpiper 1
Tidal
Redshank 46, Greenshank 1, Black-tailed godwit 4, Turnstone 2, Little egret 2, Oystercatcher 3, Mallard 1, Curlew 2, Redshank 8, Oystercatcher 122, Turnstone 41, Grey plover 32, Bar-tailed godwit 4
Beach
Turnstone 23, Sanderling 15, Ringed plover 23, Oystercatcher 19, Bar-tailed godwit 5, Little stint 1, Dunlin 9, Common sandpiper 9.
Sea
Sandwich tern 3
More highlights
Since Monday, work has begun on the Freshwater Habitats Project which has involved pumping almost all the water off from the Freshmarsh, which has created lots of feeding opportunity for the waders and wildfowl.
Further wader counts from the freshmarsh this week have included 250 black-tailed godwits, 27 bar-railed godwits, 62 dunlin, 4 little ringed plover, 50+ ruff, 300+ avocet, 1 spotted redshank, 2 common sandpipers,100 lapwing plus redshank, turnstone and snipe.
Image: Lance Fisher
Within the reedbed the great white egret and bittern continue to lurk with brief flights making you aware that they are still here. At this time of year marsh harrier numbers drop off now that they have finished breeding with the birds spending more time out in the surrounding fields.
Up to two juveniles cuckoos have been putting in an appearance across the freshmarsh and reedbed which can cause some alarm due to them appearing like a sparrowhawk.
Around the visitor centre there has been a green woodpecker and great spotted woodpecker on the tops of the trees and a small group of bullfinches are flitting amongst the scrub.
Other highlights have included up to 6 yellow wagtails, a flyover grey wagtail and crossbill and a black tern on the sea on Monday and Tuesday.
As you can tell there is plenty to see on the reserve at the moment and we look forward to you visiting soon.