Catch the Tide Part Two- Spoonbill
Catch the Tide Part Two
The weather wasn't as kind as yesterday and the tide flooded over half of the Dumbles, it was still a good day to catch up with the wintering birds in the area as they all ended up here.
Yay, Spoonbill!
The first Spoonbill sighting of the year was of a flying bird over the Rushy from Peng Observatory, it flew off towards the Tack Piece and relocated on the Top New Piece but moved to the Bottom New Piece to feed, it could be seen distantly from the Estuary Tower but closer views were had from Zeiss, Van de Bovenkamp and Kingfisher Hides. This is a very early return passage (Spring) migrant stopping for a rest and feed. *Note that we used a stock photo from last year*
From the Estuary Tower the following species were seen.
160+ Russian White-fronted Geese and the attendant Barnacle Goose in the Goose House Ground and Ox Piece through the morning but have been disturbed by aircraft twice. Look over the north Tack Piece hedge to find them. Single Grey Plover among the Golden Plover flock, Spotted Redshank feeding on the tidal floods with the Redshank flock, a Merlin caught a small bird over the Dumbles. At least one Ruff, 18 Redshank, 3 Snipe among 1000s Dunlin, Golden plover and Lapwing, juvenile Dark- bellied Brent Goose with Barnacle Geese + Ross's Goose and the two Barnacle x Canada and Snow x Bar-headed Goose hybrids.
Grounds
At least 100 Siskins in roaming flocks about the grounds, a few Lesser Redpoll and 30 Goldfinch too.
South Lake
A pair of Goldeneye, at least 42 Avocet and 12 Cattle Egret early morning, 12 Cormorant, 33 drake and 4 duck Pochard, 31 Tufted Duck, 12 Gadwall, 5 Wigeon, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 90 Shoveler and Great Crested Grebe. Reed Bunting singing in the Duck Marsh area.
Kingfisher Hide
A pair of Kingfishers at the nest bank (please be quiet and careful in the hide) + Kestrel. Spoonbill in the Bottom New Piece flood. Water Rail, two singing Reed Bunting, female Stonechat, Kingfisher fishing the dragonfly ponds near to the path.
