Bright and breezy
The weather is gradually changing from the warm and sunny clear blue skies we've seen for the last few weeks, to overcast and rather windy at times. It is a bank holiday afterall!
South Lake Hides
A first-winter Little Gull was present this morning, much to the excitement of birders who had booked on to the Advanced Birders session. The Black-tailed Godwit flock has increased to 337 birds, with 28 Avocet and two pairs of Oystercatcher present. Just before lunch a Common Sandpiper was foraging along the causeway and another two pairs of Oystercatcher dropped in resulting in a loud argument between the arrivals and the pairs already claiming their territory.
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Holden Walkway
The two Egyptian Geese were again on the Tack Piece, but bizarrely no Cranes until later this afternoon. The Tack Piece scrape is dominated by Shoveler but there are also a few Gadwall, Teal and Shelduck present too. Listen out for Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Cetti's Warbler on your walk - they can all be heard singing here.
Out on the Dumbles four Wheatears were along the Mid Point fence, including one Greenland race bird. Several Skylark and Meadow Pipit were singing and the high tide pushed 27 Curlew and a single Knot up on to the island before their refuge was taken under and the birds then flew around the estuary before flying to the south.
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Rushy Hide & Peng Observatory
The Little Gull made a brief appearance here this morning but was continually mobbed by Black-headed Gulls and Jackdaws. Six pairs of Avocet were on the scrape, including at least 2 nests where the birds appear to be sitting.
