30th December 2010

Visited to Priory today hoping to connect with the Bewick's Swans that DK has reported this week. Sure enough they were in again overnight although tricky to spot first thing in the fog. I joined DK, JA and Ranger Nicky on the north side of the main lake waiting for the Bewick's to depart. DK said this had been just after 8 on previous mornings. Fortunately they stuck around a little longer this morning giving the fog a bit longer to clear.

Bewick's on the main lake

Bewick's depart north

Plenty of other birds in the open water on the main lake today including Mute Swans, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Tufted Ducks, Pochard and Great Crested Grebes but the Bewick's stole the show. A couple of male Sparrowhawks stopped briefly in the tree next to us as we watched the Swans.

At the STW bridge there were 6 Little Grebe, 2 female Tufteds and 3 Gadwall (2m/1f). As we watched the Little Grebe a single Barnacle Goose flew past heading for Willington.

A couple of Bullfinches were heard along the woodland walk.