RXwildlife Sightings

The Spotted Redshank and Slavonian Grebe were still showing well from the Parkes Hide this morning, as did a hunting female Marsh Harrier which passed in front of the hide about 8am. Elsewhere, at least four Goldeneye were on Harbour Farm, while 43 Knot and 33 Grey Plover were on the shore and about 30 Gannet and a Red-throated Diver were offshore. On Long Pit 4 Scaup, 3 Ruddy Duck and a Bittern.

Spotted Redshank from Parkes Hide this morning

Highlights at Castle Water mid-morning were six Smew (two drakes), while 46 Ruff were on Castle Farm to the north of the main pit, along with 300 Lapwing, 166 Canada Goose and 74 Greylag. Later on, a visit to Long Pit found four Scaup (two males) and a Bittern, while a male Marsh Harrier was quartering Harbour Farm. In addition, a Slavonian Grebe was reported from Ternery Pool late afternoon.

Male Marsh Harrier

Highlights from Castle Water hide mid-afternoon were a Bittern, seven Smew (including two drake), 22 Pintail and two Marsh Harrier. On Castle Farm seven Ruff and a Green Sandpiper were present, while a male Goldeneye was present on Long with (with a female/immature on the new pits behind Ternery Pool).

Bittern from Castle Water Hide this afternoon

At Long Pit this morning highlights were a Bittern, two Scaup and two Goldeneye, while at Ternery Pool a Spotted Redshank was heard and seen briefly from Crittall Hide. Along the shore species included Knot and Grey Plover, while 360 Lapwing, 71 Golden Plover, seven Snipe and a male Marsh Harrier were on Harbour Farm. In addition, a Red Kite flew over Lime Kiln Cottage at about 11:40 heading west, while four Smew (two male), two Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard and a Barn Owl were seen from the Castle Water Hide mid-afternoon.

Scaup (with white face) and Tufted Duck

Highlights at Castle Water early morning included a Bittern, four Smew (including two drakes together in front of the hide), a male Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard. In addition, another Bittern and two (redhead) Smew were on Long Pit, along with three male Goldeneye and a Red-throated Diver, while 65 Knot, six Grey Plover and a Red-breasted Merganser were on the Quarry at high tide.

Male Smew at Castle Water this morning

Highlights late morning included four Bittern at Castle Water (two visible from the hide and two from the northern shore), with seven Pintail and a Marsh Harrier also here. Elsewhere, 26 Fieldfare were feeding on the fields on Harbour Farm opposite Watch Cottage, while a Red-throated Diver was on Long Pit.

Mallards on ice at Castle Water

A good range of birds on Long Pit late morning included Bittern and Water Rail (both pushed out of the reeds on to the ice), two redhead Smew, a male Pintail and a Goldeneye (with a further four on Harbour Farm nearby). In addition, a Goosander and a Woodcock were seen in flight over Narrow Pit a little later. A good day for winter thrushes with 23 Redwing on the Beach Reserve mid-morning and 47 Fieldfare over Harbour Farm a little later.

Stonechat

Still a good selection of waterfowl at Castle Water, with a Bittern again on the ice in front of the hide, a pair of Smew and 11 Pintail the highlights. Also present were three Marsh Harrier, and small numbers of Ruff on Castle Farm. Very quiet on the Beach Reserve with relatively small numbers of Lapwing, Golden Plover, Shelduck and Gadwall on Flat Beach Level, and the ever present Merlin on Harbour Farm.

Shelduck

Highlights this morning included a Scaup and a Goldeneye on the new pits near Harbour Farm Barns, 200+ Golden Plover, 250+ Lapwing and a Ruff on Flat Beach Level and a Merlin on the shore ridges. In addition, 400+ Curlew were feeding along the shore early morning along with 15 Brent Geese and small numbers of Sanderling, Dunlin and Grey Plover. A visit to Castle Water mid-afternoon turned up two Smew (one male) visible from the northern end of Castle Water, Water Rail (from the hide), and eight Ruff and two Bar-tailed Godwit on Castle Farm.

Water Rail from Castle Water Hide

Highlights at Castle Water this afternoon were a male Smew, three Pintail (including two drake), a male Marsh Harrier and a Peregrine. In addition two Goldeneye were on the new pits near Harbour Farm Barns late morning.

Lapwing and Wigeon at Castle Water