Carew/Cresswell WeBs

Echoing Richard's comments, noted similar species whilst doing the monthly WeBs counts. There were more dunlin around today, compared with a few weeks ago. A flock, estimated to be at least 1,000+ up at New Shipping Point on the Carew as the tide was falling. A year ago, the January WeBs count on 16th produced c.1200 dunlin, so numbers today were pretty similar. Some duck numbers were not quite so high compared with the equivalent Sunday last winter: e.g. 127 shelduck today (291 Jan 16th 2011); c.320 wigeon today (last January 512); teal numbers 397 today (425 last January) were generally similar - they can really tuck themselves away in Spartina-vegetated areas and can be missed.

Lapwing numbers were quite reasonable - about 250 coming and going between the estuary and nearby farmland. There seems to have been a drop in grey plover numbers this winter so far - just 6 noted today on the Carew; usually at least 12-15 birds roosting at high tide in most previous winters. Are there many yet at the Furzenips - a one time regularly good winter site?

One of the oystercatchers seen today was noted to have lost its left foot - loss of a foot being not that an uncommon occurrence in this species. Feeding in pasture areas, they seem prone to getting feet entangled in sheep wool etc. This one seemed to be coping ok at present but I guess this is likely to reduce its longer term survival chances.