Crane winter flock gathering
The winter flock of Cranes is now gathering with birds often seen together on the Dumbles, although today nine birds were in the roadside fields as you approach the site.
The winter flock of Cranes is now gathering with birds often seen together on the Dumbles, although today nine birds were in the roadside fields as you approach the site. This is another sure sign that their breeding season is over and they will group together for the coming months before spreading out back to their breeding territories in late winter and spring arrives.
South Lake
A total of 49 Redshank were roosting on the wader scrape with the adult Spotted Redshank hidden amongst them. Also present were 32 Dunlin, a single Oystercatcher, 253 Black-tailed Godwit and nine Ruff. A single Barnacle Goose was also seen. The well-grown Great Crested Grebe chick was with an adult on the deep lake.
Middle Point / Summer Walkway
Out on the river this morning were 53 Black-tailed Godwit, five Little Egret, 104 Curlew and a single Ringed Plover. A juvenile Lesser Whitethroat was seen in the hedge by the Goose House.
Robbie Garnett Hide
The Wood Sandpiper was reported here this morning but couldn't be found. It may have flown to the Rushy but wasn't seen here either. On the Tack Piece were eight Green Sandpiper, five Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank.
Rushy Hide
A flock of 34 Black-tailed Godwit was joined by another group during the morning bringing the flock here to 100+ birds. Four Green Sandpiper were also noted.
Zeiss Hide
The eclipse drake Garganey was with the duck towards the Van de Bovenkamp Hide, with a brood of Tufted Duck also here. On one of the islands was a very very yellow male Yellow Wagtail whilst the Avocet pair still have at least one chick, although more may have been behind cover. Now the field has been cut the local corvids were taking the chance to search for food with 413 Rook and 24 Jackdaw here.
