catch the tide and more Whitefronts
Some great migration yesterday with many hundreds more Redwing passing over to add to the thousands over the past few days. Among them were a few Fieldfares and small numbers of Redpoll, Siskin, Chaffinch, Skylark and Meadow Pipits. Yesterday also saw a steady stream of Whitefronted Geese arriving peaking at 42 by the end of the morning. The first Bittern dropped into the reeds in front of the Zeiss Hide and a Goshawk flashed past.
Great expectations this morning with a high 10.3 meter tide forecast that should of flooded the Dumbles but high pressure kept it to just below the edge. The forecast 10.6 meter tide tonight should be high enough to flood so watch this space and be sure to "Catch the Tide" tommorrow.
Zeiss Hide
A steadily building flock of Golden plover crept up to 240 joining a similar number of Lapwing. About 200 Dunlin came in to roost. There were 2 Ringed Plover and a Little Stint with them. Two Curlew Sandpiper though now seem resident here even when the Dunlin return to the estuary. Great to see the 2 juvenile Spotted Redshank with 20 Redshank and around 10 Ruff. A count of 25 Snipe along the back of the field was nice and yesterdays newly arrived Whitefronted Geese were dropping in to drink here and feed among the Longhorns in the Bottom New Piece and wonderfull to see nearly 400 Wigeon close to the Hide joining 600 Teal. Scouring the reeds produced a Water Rail but no reports of yesterdays Bittern yet.
Estuary Tower
Disappointing that the tide didn't cover the Dumbles but some good birds were seen. A Marsh Harrier put in an early appearance and a big flock of GBB Gull built up to over 50. 10 Little Egret were on the edge of the estuary and big flocks of Barnacle and Canada Geese looked impressive. The waders streamed from the estuary into the Top New Piece and Curlew roosted along the edge of the Dumbles with the Shelduck.
Estuary Walkway
Highlight here was a pair of Stonechat along the walkway giving close views, a little movement of Redwing, Fieldfare, Chaffinch and Sylarks overhead but not patch on yesterdays movement.
South Lake
Pochard have built up to 35 joining a good selection of Shoveler, Teal and Gadwall. Just 45 Black Tailed Godwits here and 120 Lapwing.
Rushy
Some 300 Teal on the pond with a handful of Pintail and Pochard. Star bird was a close Curlew Sandpiper probably extra to the 2 seen from the Zeiss Hide.
