Ducklings
Our duck species have been productive this summer, despite heavy predation at times, areas busier with ducks and the spots with much emergent vegetation have seen the young grow to a defensible size. Our section of the Severn has at least six broods of Shelduck including a group of 17, another large brood of 14 can be found in the Rushy. The Top New Piece broods have begun to fly with independent ducklings ranging out the the Severn to feed. Broods of Tufted Duck Gadwall, Mallard and Shoveler can also be seen about the grounds and hides.
Sightings for today included.
Middle Point/Estuary Tower
A few more species on the Severn today- two Whimbrel with at least 61 Curlew, 11 Dunlin and an unusual to see a flock of 113 Redshank on the mud. Peregrine on foreshore posts. 6 Oystercatcher and the usual feeding gulls also present.
South Lake
An adult Mediterranean Gull (with hood in moult) joined the Black-headed Gulls, adult and juvenile Little-ringed Plover, Spotted Redshank, now six male Ruff, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Grebe, 3 Pochard, the pair of Egyptian Geese lost their last two young to a Herring Gull. Ever changing numbers but 55 Black-tailed Godwit early morning, same with Redshank, 80+ Gadwall, 35+ Coot, Avocet and 2 Oystercatcher.
Top New Piece
Pair of Cranes with chick, 6 Green and 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Redshank, 5 Avocet, 57 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin and the brood of 7 Shelduck are now flying + Gadwalls, Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings. A flock of 61 Lapwing flew from the Four Score Ground, many settled here.
Rushy Hide/Peng Observatory
Common Sandpiper and Redshank on the top pond islands, broods of Avocet, Tufted Duck, Mallard and Gadwall.
Tack Piece
Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, 6 Gadwall, 16 Teal, Reed Warblers below Robbie G Hide + 60 Greylag.
