News
Double Ibis
Glossy IbisOur regular wintering Glossy Ibis settled in a routine after giving everyone the runaround for a few weeks, it favours the roadside fields near to the canal and has visited this area daily since before Christmas. In recent days speculation that
4 April 2022
April delivers the coldest night since January.
The cold night certainly seemed to have an impact on the breeding/territorial activity around the reserve, the Black-headed Gulls abandoned interest in the colony, Lapwings and Avocets formed 'winter' flocks again and ice covered much of the shallow water
3 April 2022
Influx of first summer Black-headed Gulls
Numbers of Black-headed Gulls increased with 260 first winter/summer birds arriving to feed in the fields and floods and rest on South Lake. At least 370 birds were counted mid-morning. Estuary TowerA light Meadow Pipit passage Northbound (16 birds in 10
30 March 2022
First Swallows of the year
Our first Barn Swallows arrived today, initially two birds feeding over the Long Ground with Sand Martins but by mid morning numbers of both species increased, they fed over the South Lake and visitor centre though the day.Passage MigrantsFive Arctic Skua
29 March 2022
Kingfishers are still digging the nest hole
Kingfisher HideThe pair of Kingfishers continue to excavate the nest hole opposite the hide. Picture by Lisa Presland.South LakeA second and third calendar year Mediterranean Gull, 135 Black-headed Gull (52 pairs), 2 Little and a single Great Crested Greb
28 March 2022
First Willow Warbler of the year
Willow WarblerA Willow Warbler was in the blackthorn bushes below the Estuary Tower at lunchtime today, this row of trees has come into blossom and is attracting numerous insects. The weather in Spain and light headwinds in the UK seem to have stalled mig
27 March 2022
Jack is back
Jack Snipe on the cut rush island from Martin Smith Hide with a Common Snipe.
24 March 2022
Garganey
GarganeyOur first pair of Garganey (picture from library) arrived today, these summer visitors are always a welcome sight. A pair were resting and feeding on the Tack Piece for much of the day.Tack PieceSpoonbill, 3 Snow Geese, 15 Shoveler, 2 Lapwing, 2 O
23 March 2022
Spoonbill and a few passage birds
PassageA Brambling flew over Estuary heading NE, our first Sanderling of the year was on the rising tide with 20 Dunlin, a Grey Plover was also seen with 6 Ringed Plover on the far 'saltpan' pool on the Dumbles. Four Little-ringed Plover were seen again,
22 March 2022
Plovers
Estuary TowerFour Little-ringed Plover flew low past the tower in the direction of the South Lake and appeared to drop in, another was calling in flight with Ringed Plover and eventually ended up on the mud in the middle of the Tack Piece. At least five R
21 March 2022
March 2022 WeBS count
WeBS Count14 Cormorant, 9 Little Egret, 4 Great Egret, 6 Cattle Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Bittern (hunting voles along a hedge but not viewable from any hides), 11 Cranes, 125 Mute Swans, 2 Pink-footed Geese (Dumbles), 207 Russian and 2 Greenland White-front
20 March 2022
Kingfishers are busy this morning
The pair of Kingfishers down at the Kingfisher Hide have been busy this morning excavating their new nest hole
19 March 2022
Avocets on the increase
After a cold and wet day yesterday, the return of sunshine has bought with it more Avocet to add to the reserve count
17 March 2022
Winter's last days
A chilly grey morning, but with temperatures set to hit the mid-teens in the coming weeks, the last of our winter wildlife is getting ready to go
16 March 2022
Black-headed Gulls on the South Lake breeding islands
A calm and sunny day encouraged our 'soon to be breeding' birds to take up their display and territoriality a notch. Black-headed Gulls covered the South Lake breeding islands on the deep lake and were very vocal. Avocets were sitting down on gravel islan
14 March 2022