Getting colder
A distinct chill in the air this morning but the fog soon cleared at dawn. A few summer species still remain, including the Garganey on the Top New Piece and a Blackcap and Chiffchaff near the Decoy, although these latter two may be wintering birds replacing breeders. This afternoon the adult and 2 juvenile White-fronted Geese were found again on the Dumbles.
South Lake Hides
Birds on the wader scrape included 5 Redshank, 104 Lapwing, 27 Black-tailed Godwit, 83 Shoveler, 56 Shelduck, 239 Teal, Ruff and 5 Snipe. The deep lake held a roosting Little Egret, 9 Cormorant, 19 Pochard, 81 Tufted Duck and a Great Crested Grebe. Our Guide in the Hide added a first-winter Mediterranean Gull this afternoon along with a Kingfisher using the perches in front of the hide.
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Zeiss Hide
The Garganey was with 511 Teal on the scrape along with 21 Golden Plover, 329 Lapwing, 28 Redshank, 16 Ruff and 227 Dunlin. A Cetti's Warbler was singing in the reedbed. A Marsh Harrier flew over the seawall and off towards the Bottom New Piece.
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Holden Tower
Two Peregrine were out on the Dumbles watching the high tide roosts gather. In the build up at least 52 Curlew and 81 Shelduck were noted. A Buzzard was on a kill on the Dumbles. Six Little Egret were roosting on the spartina island.
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Mid Point
A flock of 6 Grey Plover were on the river early afternoon along with 15 Dunlin, 8 Little Egret, 126 Shelduck, 22 Curlew, 72 Wigeon and 3 Grey Heron along with the usual assortment of gulls.
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Martin Smith Hide
A Water Rail was showing this afternoon along with a single Snipe. Two Stonechat were also showing well, foraging in the reeds.
