Out for first light this morning so got to the hide for 07:35 lots of activity with 87 avocet being my best count so far this autumn. Wigeon numbers are upto 160+ and similar numbers of teal and 2 shoveler. Wader numbers were good with 120+ Dunlin 3 spotted redshanks(2 adults and a juv/ 1st winter) 35+ bar tailed godwit 650+ black tailed godwit. Star birds this morning were a total of 14 golden plover my best count for the marsh. Also 15+ greenshank 100+ redshank a superb adult peregrine causing panic amongst the waders and a sparrowhawk seen on and off most of the morning the cetti's warbler was again calling well from the reeds on the far side.
At 10:00 made my way down to mudbank lane large numbers of Brent geese and wigeon were close in but by far the best birds were 120+ pintail including 60+ males also 3 great crested grebes and 1 female red breasted merganser.
Nothing rare but good to see the numbers building of are winter visitors.
