Friday's sightings
After a rather wet and windy Thursday night the weather has broken to leave a sunny if not slightly blustery Friday morning. A very early start on the river failed to produce any stray seabirds blown up the river over the high tide, but a small group of 8 Sanderling were seen along with 3 Whinchat on the fence line at Mid Point.
Zeiss Hide
A Crane was on the southern island of the flood amongst the 109 Barnacle Geese. Also on the Top New Piece were 2 Ruff, 570 Teal, 45 Wigeon, Greenshank, 4 Redshank and 4 Grey Heron. A Buzzard was sat in the trees near the old pillbox. Two groups of Cranes also dropped in on the Dumbles, our family of Oakie Sherbert and their juvenile along with new arrivals Cookie and Pepe. The family chased off the newbies, with the juvenile being particularly feisty!
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Mid Point
Three Whinchat were perched on the fence this morning and a small group of Swallow moved through heading south. Out on the river at high tide were 8 Sanderling and a single Dunlin, along with a Little Egret. Later around mid-morning on the river were at least 59 Dunlin, a single Knot and Turnstone and another flock of a dozen waders too quick to identify before they dropped out of sight.
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South Lake Hides
The three Spotted Redshank were on the wader scrape this morning along with 39 Redshank, 11 Ruff, 2 Snipe, 45 Shoveler, 125 Teal, 75 Lapwing, 2 Grey Heron, an Avocet and 92 Black-tailed Godwit. A total of 9 Cormorant were on the deep lake perches with only Tufted Duck of note on the water. Our Guide in the Hide Nigel reported the three Spotted Redshank flew towards the Zeiss Hide late morning.
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Martin Smith Hide
Our Guide in the Hide Dot found a Garganey asleep on the island and saw a Water Rail.
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