And they're off, nearly...
This morning our seven remaining Bewick's Swans appeared to start their migration, but then five birds turned back
This morning our seven remaining Bewick's Swans appeared to start their migration, but then five birds turned back.
Bewick's Swan update
Our Swan Researcher found all seven swans on the Tack Piece this morning around 7am, with all the birds then flying off towards the Severn Estuary at 7:15am. By 8:20am the birds were seen again in flight over the northern fields, circling to then head towards the Rushy before turning again and heading off north, gaining height. The flock made good progress and fast becoming small dots in the scope view. The flock then turned east, heading inland before suddenly turning and starting to come back towards the reserve. Eventually the seven broke up with two birds starting to again head north and eventually lost to view, but the other five returned and landed on the Tack Piece before moving to the Rushy by mid-morning.
The remaining five are the pair of adults Farlington & Grubby, along with the three 'lost' juveniles who have been left behind by their parents. Hopefully all five will stick together and start their migration this evening.
Other sightings new from this morning included...
Zeiss Hide
Counts this morning included 214 Wigeon, two Marsh Harrier, a mobile flock of Black-tailed Godwit and 24 Avocet.
South Lake
A Cattle Egret was with three Little Egret on the edge of the scrape this morning. Also of note were 66 Avocet and 258 Black-tailed Godwit with a single Knot. The female Goldeneye was on the deep lake.
Estuary Tower
A Great Egret was roosting in the willows around the Long Ground Pool. Duck here included 24 Tufted Duck, eight Pochard and three Gadwall, and a Little Grebe was calling.
Robbie Garnett Hide
The five Bewick's Swan returned and settled here briefly before moving back to the Rushy. The flock of 198 White-fronted Geese dropped in early morning having left fields to the south of the reserve. Also of note on the Tack Piece were a single Avocet, 15 Tufted Duck, 559 Wigeon, 38 Teal, a pair of Pochard, eight Shelduck, 31 Curlew, four Redshank, 19 Black-tailed Godwit, 22 Shoveler and a juvenile Crane. A flock of 100+ Sand Martin were feeding over the north fields.
Estuary Tower
A singing Chiffchaff was in the copse and flycatching in front of hide. This is one of at least four singing birds on the reserve so far this morning. Six Avocet were on the Dumbles scrape and a pair of Cranes were noted.
