Phil Andrews
It's only Rock and Roller but I like it
WFG flew from the campsite field at 1115, circled for ten mins and appeared to land at the Flashes but couldnt be relocated.
This morning at the Moors Pool:
2 Mute Swan, 34 Cormorant, 14 Canada Geese, 4 Pochard, 23 Tufted Duck, 11 Shoveler, 48 Teal, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe (the first for several weeks), 2 Grey Heron, 98 Lapwing, 9 Snipe, 18 Curlew, 166 Coot, 5 Moorhen, Coal Tit calling from gardens adjoining the east track.
Accompanying the White-fronted Goose at the sailing Pool were 70 Canada Geese and 19 Greylag Geese.
Dave and Des are stuck in for the day so hopefully there should be some further reports later.
I left Des to slog it out. The Eurasian White-fronted Goose was another nice addition to my year list - putting me on 144 with 3 birding days left.
Also today: 35 Redpolls, 20 Siskins and 1 Goldcrest in the ed res / along the Salwarpe. 2 Peregrines (male and female) over the moors.
Cheers Des - what time did you last see the goose?I can't add very much to the sightings already posted, except Little Grebe became two.
The White-fronted Goose ie its head and upper neck, was just visible from the boardwalk at the Flashes: it appeared to be in a depression in front of the 'new hide' and may well have been out of sight since appearing to land at the Flashes this morning. Visitors to the Flashes, some of whom were new to the reserve or holiday visitors and expecting to use the hide, were told of the presence of the goose and advised to view at a suitable distance.
Des.
Cheers Des - what time did you last see the goose?
The lack of a hide after eight weeks (and seemingly another couple until it and all the associated works are completed) is woeful and deeply embarassing. I am glad I am no longer a warden and have to try to explain away this monumental &%#@ up.
At about 14.45 Phil.
Des.
Ta Des - hopefully in will latch onto the resident goose flock like the 2009 bird did and give more recent converts such as Gavo a chance to catch up with it.
Cheers Des - what time did you last see the goose?
The lack of a hide after eight weeks (and seemingly another couple until it and all the associated works are completed) is woeful and deeply embarassing. I am glad I am no longer a warden and have to try to explain away this monumental &%#@ up.
EDIT: I note that the Trust website is now reporting that "the new hide is expected to re-open by the end of January 2012"
I'm not sure what it will take to shake the Trust out of their apparent complacency. We have informed them that the Avocets are now returning in mid-February and if the hide isn't finished before then there will be a lot of very dissatisfied customers.
A further ad hoc work party may be required if there are additional "tidying up" works need upon the eventual completion of the hide.
Best book that one in for October then :-O:-O:-O