A touch of winter
There was another touch of winter on the reserve this morning with the first Wigeon on the Top New Piece
There was another touch of winter on the reserve this morning with the first Wigeon on the Top New Piece, as viewed from the Zeiss Hide. There was an eclipse drake in the Hundred Acre Reedbed on the Wild Safari last Thursday, but this bird is the first back in a traditional wintering area.
Middle Point / Summer Walkway
At least 63 Curlew remained feeding in the mud on the river this morning whilst the bulk of the flock (200+ birds) moved up to the Dumbles to forage in the grassland. From the shelter of the Shepherd's Hut were 2 Wheatear on rockys of the old breakwater at Middle Point along with a couple of small flocks of Dunlin and Ringed Plover close in on the mud.
Zeiss Hide
A flock of 257+ small waders were on the river from the Zeiss Hide, with what looked like at least 10 Sanderling but distance and heathaze made it difficult to confirm. A pair of Cranes were on the Dumbles (Monty and Evie) and Hobby was sat on a log with prey. Totals from the Top New Piece included 138 Lapwing, 4 Grey Heron, a Snipe, a juvenile Little-ringed Plover, 23 Shoveler, 59 Teal, 38 Barnacle Geese, 7 Ruff, a Redshank and 6 Avocet.
South Lake
An increase in the roosting Redshank flock with 77 birds present this morning. By comparison only a single Ruff was seen along with 357 Black-tailed Godwit and the adult Little-ringed Plover with a well grown chick. Two Pochard were on the deep lake.
Robbie Garnett Hide
A total of 8 adult and 1 juvenile Black-tailed Godwit were busy feeding in the channel this morning. The cattle were close to the water's edge and at least 15 Yellow Wagtail were busy feeding along the muddy shoreline along with 24 Pied Wagtail and 3 Meadow Pipit. Also present were 18 Teal, a juvenile Dunlin, 3 Green Sandpiper and 10 Shoveler.
Rushy Hide
A reduced number of Green Sandpiper this morning with only 4 birds noted. Also counted were 16 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler and a Little-ringed Plover.
