4 suits of swans

The last 8 days and we've managed every species of swan! In addition to last weeks bewick's thanks to Erich for this of the whoopers on Sunday:

Followed by black swan yesterday - taken by Brian Spence - and a long way from Australia!:

And that's with the steady mute swans:

I managed a count of 69 on Wednesday, but there are reports of 170 downriver at Pulfin Bog.  We've had respectable counts of most things as the ice has restricted numbers down; 170 gadwall on D res tonight, lots of goldeneye - thanks to Brian again:

Big numbers of wigeon - with these cracking 6 drake pintail on the res this afternoon:

And tufties - but still no sign of that ring-neck:

And we're not sure what the WeBS threshold is for carrion crows on a water body - but we think we've cracked it with 27 on D res tonight!:

The week has also seen snipe, woodcock daily (until today when people came to see them again!!), a male brambling - a major rarity this winter, siskins, little egret at Hempholme and Wilfholme, 5 white-fronted geese yesterday on O res, drake goosander on D and red head smew on Watton today.  Woodpeckers now drumming again:

On Sunday as per the events programme (above) we have a gull roost event - free with standard admission at 3pm.  A chance to experience the majesty of the winter gull roost on D res with some scopes on hand to help enjoy it.  Hopefully we'll have as many to choose from as tonight - 1170 herring gulls on D res with 280 great black backed gulls:

We always try and look for something a bit rarer - a heavy set argentatus race in amongst:

Hopes of a skua dashed - a poor oily common gull:

The event is no booking necessary - so long as the floods don't return!...

Late edit: Otter also seen yesterday on North Marsh (on Erich's blog - I forgot to check the mammal book tonight!).  Also Erich reports yellow-legged gull on the res tonight too.