Unfortunately we had to cancel this mornings ringing demonstration, we woke up at first light and found the wind to be far too strong. Instead we run a migration morning instead. Understandably our visitors were a little disappointed but that soon disappeared when we started seeing plenty of birds around the reserve. Most of the migration was overhead. Redwing and Song thrush were regularly flying over as well as Meadow Pipits and finches. A Siskin was a pleasant surprise as was a small flock of Bearded tit. We weren’t expecting to see those due to the blustery conditions so that made everyone’s morning. (Don’t forget next Sundays Bearded tit walk!!)
We arrived at the North Hide to find the water very low which meant that there was plenty of mud. This also meant that there were waders. A single Green Sandpiper and five Black tailed Godwit were feeding away. Later in the morning a Kingfisher and Marsh Harrier also made appearances.
The highlight of the day (so far!) was a 1st winter Little Gull that landed briefly outside the visitor centre but it soon headed off west.