Autumn bird influx
A few more species have arrived
A few species that are associated with autumn movements or may well have arrived to spend the winter with us were observed today. A high tide count was disrupted by a hunting Marsh Harrier that rested for a time on the spartina island out on the Severn. Whilst is patrolled low over the saltmarsh vegetation it disturbed a number of passerines including Skylarks and Meadow Pipits, a Lapland Bunting also took flight and flew around calling, it headed back to the island and dropped into the cover. Despite waiting for a while it only took flight when the Marsh Harrier rose up to move on to hunt another area, once again it dropped onto the island and could't subsequently be seen.
Shortly after our first Rock Pipit record of the autumn/winter was noted and up at the Goose House Ground a female Merlin managed to catch a small passerine, it chose to devour it perched atop a log on the seawall.
Other highlights today included
South Lake
The two juvenile Spotted Redshank were seen plus 45 Black-tailed Godiwt, 12 Ruff, a few Redshank, 50 Teal, a Pintail, 4 Pochard and a selection of common waterbirds.
Knott Hide
Great White and Little Egret on the pool early morning but not later.
Tack Piece
120 Teal, single Pintail and Wigeon and 20 Gadwall, single Snipe and 2 Redshank
The Dumbles
At least three Wheatear, a single Golden Plover flew over South calling +a flock of c170 Golden Plover were over the reserve fairly high up, they drifted off inland. 200+ Greylag Geese fed on the grass. The cattle are back on for now.
Goose House Ground
The two Whinchats and at least 5 Stonechat were along the fenceposts and feeding in the weedy areas (new headland). A Kingfisher was see, as well as two Little Egret, Mute Swan and three Swallow and four House Martins.
Severn Estuary off the Dumbles/Middle Point
Increase in Wigeon with 350+ over high tide + 25+ Pintail and a few Teal. At least 84 Shelduck roosted on the saltmarsh shelf and the Snow x Bar-headed Goose hybrid with the feeding Barnacle Geese.
A limping adult Yellow-legged Gull was with the Great Black-backed Gulls and 4 Grey Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 280+ Dunlin, 6 Little Stint, 10 Ringed Plover and a Curlew Sandpiper were also seen.
Rushy Hide
230,Teal, 8 Shoveler and 5 Pintail, 7 Redshank,12 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit + at least 6 Ruff feeding on the field or cut vegetation areas with the Greylag Geese.
