Goosanders (male and 2+ female) and Goldeneye (male and 2 female) are the only diving ducks on the river. Counts of 60 Teal and 120 Wigeon have passed their winter peak and returning Shelduck are now in double figures - 14 today.
A flock of 250 Lapwing drops in on the falling tide from surrounding farmland - 40 Curlew and 40 Redshank feed in the estuary. Two Black-tailed Godwits are wintering on the reserve where up to 100 Snipe are often rather showy at lower tides. 1 Greenshank appears to be the only wader of note in the estuary, and rarely do we see a Dunlin or a Ringed Plover this winter.
Only 1 Meditteranean Gull currently amongst the 200 Common Gulls - a total rising daily. Little Egrets haven't started to return - a current winter population of just 2-3.
A few Redwings are on the reserve, hugely out-numbered by Blackbirds this winter, an easy 20+ on visits to the reserve. At least 5 Chiffchaffs are wintering, 1 Blackcap and Cetti's Warblers are vocal - an excellent year for Cetti's with ringing showing at least 45 different individuals.