Carew/Cresswell rivers and Bosherston Lake

A visit (on 19th) to count waterfowl etc on Carew and Cresswell rivers produced generally fairly modest numbers of birds - fewer wigeon than of late (about 150 today) but shelduck numbers were much higher than usual (306 - including a river-side high-tide field roosting flock of about 200. Wader numbers were generally quite low though it was pleasing to see about 90 lapwings, 30+ golden plovers and a few grey plovers. Single green and common sandpipers still resident nr Carew and Cresswell Quay respectively.

At Carew Millpond an actively-feeding/calling firecrest was an unexpected bonus below the PCNP car park over-looking the millpond. Might have missed it but for its contact call - heard as I was getting out of my vehicle.

On 20th at Bosherston, waterfowl numbers have returned to the more or less pre-freeze up level, though notable that the 26 goosanders are still here but the extra 7 here (in a flock of 33) prior to the cold snap were not there today. Coot numbers now up to around 130-140 level (still quite low really) and others included 17 gadwall, 3 shovelers, 10 wigeon and 16 goldeneye. A minimum of 28 little grebes today - a record (based on 30/40 years of waterfowl counts at this site)! Typically, at least 3 firecrests around plus a couple of chiffchaffs heard/seen. Also still plenty of wintering thrushes about.