Hi,

In a week with large high tides fingers were crossed that a few goodies would turn up on the reserve. We weren’t left disappointed with 1x Bean Goose in amongst a flock of 25x Greenland White-fronted Geese (viewed from Poggles Bench, 24th), 2x Slavonian Grebe (Estuary, 22nd) and 1x Glaucous Gull (Breakwater and Domen Las Hide, 22nd), being great finds by visitors to the reserve.

 The view from Poggles Bench on one of this weeks large high tides.

The January Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) was undertaken on the 23rd coinciding with a whopping 5.8m high tide. Highlights from the main reserve included, 21x Greenland White-fronted Geese, 124x Shelduck, 4x Gadwall, 122x Pintail, 24x Shoveler, 409x Wigeon, 266x Teal, 5x Goldeneye, 7x Red-Breasted Merganser, 8x Little Egret, 178x Oystercatcher, 2x Ringed Plover, 31x Dunlin, 117x Redshank, 1x Spotted Redshank, 16x Black-tailed Godwit and 313x Curlew.

An excellent number of raptor species were reported during the week including, Red Kite (small numbers spread across reserve, daily), 1x Hen Harrier (female, Domen Las Hide, 22nd), 1x Goshawk (Breakwater Hide, 22nd), Peregrine Falcon (saltmarsh, regular) and 1x Merlin (Ynys Edwin, occasional).

Other interesting sightings included, 2x Great Crested Grebe (Estuary, 24th) and 1x Woodcock (flew over Visitor Centre, 21st).

 This Kingfisher was photographed by Keith Roberts from the Domen Las Hide on the 19th.

Cheers,

Adam