News
Dragons and damsels
The sunny weather is encouraging lots of odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) onto the wing.
26 July 2019
Another Lesser Emperor
Another male Lesser Emperor was seen briefly on the Wild Safari this morning.
25 July 2019
Bittern
A surprise today with the first summer record of Bittern for 2019. One present in reeds below the Zeiss Hide.Rushy HideA Snipe, a small flock of Lapwing, an Oystercatcher, Green Sandpiper and c7 Avocet on the lower pond. Two Common Tern noted over top pon
22 July 2019
Young falcons
We've reached that time of year when young Hobby and Kestrels can be seen around the reserve, they are mainly focused on catching insects. Today at least three Hobby and six Kestrel were seen from various parts of the reserve. Good weather always makes it
21 July 2019
Today's sightings
The Little-ringed Plover chicks were entertaining visitors with their high-speed foraging on the South Lake.
19 July 2019
Sightings from the hides
Rushy HideA juvenile Common Sandpiper was with at least 4 Green Sandpiper and the Avocet broods, 3 Oystercatcher also on the causeway. Pied Wagtail pairs feeding young on the mud.Tack PieceLittle Egret from Martin Smith Hide and Knott Hide, a Greenshank w
16 July 2019
Stint in
A few new arrivals about the scrapes today, post or failed breeding birds arriving back in the area to moult or feed.Top New Piece/Zeiss HideAdult breeding plumage Little Stint, 29 Dunlin including the first juvenile of the year, (juveniles lack the black
15 July 2019
Catch the Kingfishers at the nest while you can
The Kingfishers have begun to fledge their second brood of youngsters, they may only be around the nest site for another week or so, they tend to roam widely after leaving the nest. It could be it for the 2019 season unless a third breeding attempt occurs
14 July 2019
New roost site for Little Egrets.
Tack Piece A new roost site on the northern edge of the field held 6 Little Egret this morning, 3 of which stayed in the Tack Piece to feed. Also an Oystercatcher 2 Green Sandpipers and a Greenshank in the scrape. Some great Reed Warbler activity close to
13 July 2019
A few more Green Sandpiper
We've seen a few more Green Sandpiper arrive overnight
10 July 2019
Post breeding waders arriving to moult
The last couple of weeks have seen adult waders returning to our scrapes and the Severn estuary, many of them arriving to complete the post breeding moult. It's great to see a number of juvenile waders also appearing in the flocks, some reared here on the
9 July 2019
July WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) count
Another warm sunny day, plenty of butterflies on the wing included many Marbled Whites (pictured). We didn't have the staff or time to cover the July 2019 WeBS count yesterday so it was carried out today. Results as follows...12 Little Grebe, 6 Cormorant,
8 July 2019
Evenings on the Estuary
It's been a busy weekend of events with our annual Evenings on the Estuary offering great birding against the sunset over the Severn.
7 July 2019
Kingfishers feeding young
Zeiss HideReed Bunting and Warblers close to the hide. 19 adult Avocet and at least 5 youngsters, Redshank 54, Black tailed Godwit 43, Shelduck broods of 6 and 7 youngsters, Ruff 1, Dunlin 3, Little Grebe and mixed flock of moulting ducks.Kingfisher HideH
6 July 2019
Another warm one
Temperatures this morning were already high as the morning rounds started
5 July 2019