A belated WeBs count was eventually undertaken yesterday (we were away in the snowy Midlands over the weekend). Waterfowl numbers have increased since the November count. There were at least 450 wigeon, 350 teal and 85 shelduck. In the region of 520 herring gulls were bathing in pools at Carew Millpond but there was no sign of last months Iceland gull.
There were small roosts of redshank in several places although overall numbers were not especially high. However there were at least
18 greenshanks roosting at one of their favoured Carew River spots. Looking at the WeBs database this appears to be the highest greenshank count in the Carew/Cresswell system since records were first entered from c.1970 onwards. A couple more were noted in the Daugleddau and also at Cosheston Pill.
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| Part of a mixed greenshank/redshank roost - a distant view to avoid disturbance |
A quick look at Holyland wood this afternoon produced a couple of firecrests, a female blackcap and two chiffchaffs. They were all feeding in the same area, more or less together alongside blue and long-tailed tits and a couple of wrens. One of the chiffchaffs (generally quite a pale bird) was initially feeding in the grass and scrub near the car-park. Neither of the chiffchaffs called.
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| The chiffchaffs spent several minutes feeding on the ground out in the open |
