3 Whoopers still on Noah’s today plus a female Goldeneye.; 15 Pochard and 5 Pintail were the other ducks of note among the 1000+ duck present. 2 female and one male Marsh Harrier were stirring up the duck from time to time   .Natural. England are work in progress with large amounts of bark chippings trying to improve the very muddy path to Noah’s hide

Two Whooper Swans still on Noah’s lake today, together with !000+ duck , mainly Wigeon , with Shoveller Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Teal (furtive) a few Pochard and Pintail and Mallard, with Canada and Greylag Geese and a couple of G.C. Grebes. Flyover Marsh Harriers and G.W.Egrets plus a single Bittern. Distant Otter seen briefly on a couple of occassions

The Glossy Ibis flew past Noah’s hide at 4.10 yesterday afternoon and continued south until lost from view to the left of the hide. No Egrets roosting there either.

Three Whooper Swans visible a couple of times in four hours today plus 10 Pochard among the large number of usual duck present but only 4 Pintail picked out.
Incidentally if you want to get to Noah’s hide it would be wise to wear Wellies as the path is now deep in mud in a couple of places but when you get there you will see a brand new sign telling you you have arrived at Noah’s hide, unfortunately the hide isn’t new!

A single Whooper Swan on Noah’s Lake today in sight for a long period but no sign of a second of the species despite considerable efforts to find one!  Duck numbers have increased towards 1500+ including 4 Pochard.

a.m. visit Mon 4 Jan.  Marsh Harriers 2 (Fem and juv) : Sparrow Hawk 1 male; Bittern 2;  Mute Swan 30 ; Otter 1 distant:
Large nos. of Teal Wigron , Gadwall Shoveller ,Tufted Duck and Coot. with a good no. of Pintail and Mallard . NO Pochard seen! and no sign of the Whoopers ( I haven’t seen them since 23rd. Dec.) Total duck present must be at least 1000.

Well rewarded with an early visit to Noah in 2016

1. Wave upon wave of starlings flying from the roost site, low over the water and almost through the hide!
2. Glossy Ibis that was feeding about 200 yards in front of the Old Peat cutter shed
3. Glossy Ibis which then flew over hide
4. Otter that appeared from the reeds to the right of the hide and promptly ate a small fish (Many thanks to Rob ? for spotting it)
5. Marsh Harrier flyby
6. Goldeneye (only visible to those with a scope)
7. Grey Heron landing in the reeds in front of the hide
8. Kingfisher perched in the bush to the left of the hide
5. Great White Egret seen from the main track

Happy new year to everyone,  Robin