Great Whites
Great White Egrets
Although two have summered on the reserve an extra arrival of this large white heron species is rather obvious today, dispersal from breeding areas has become 'normal' in France and the UK in July. At least four present today and touring the pools. They have been seen on the Long Ground Pool and Top New Piece. One juvenile has a red ring with white letters- AAL. It is likely to be from the Somerset Levels breeding population.
Rushy Hide
Four Avocet families with broods of 4, 2, 1 and 1. Broods of Tufted Ducks on top pond, the large brood of Shelduck and an increase in Green Sandpiper here to 6 as water levels rise. Single Redshank and Grey Heron.
Tack Piece
35 Lapwing, 1 Avocet, 7 Green Sandpiper and a few Teal.
Holden Tower
Peregrine.
South Lake
Early morning there was 3 Mandarin Ducks with 6 Shoveler, a few Teal and c30 Gadwall. 28 Redshank, an Avocet, Green Sandpiper, two Black-tailed Godwit and two Ruff also seen but may have moved to the other scrapes. Seven Ruff came back in later. The Crane family were seen (both young). 20 Pied Wagtails on the scrape. The Great Crested Grebe family on deep lake.
Zeiss Hide/Top New Piece
4 Common Gull, 56 Lapwing, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Heron, 33 Dunlin, 107 Black-tailed Godwit, 26 Redshank, 4 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 12 Ruff, 40 Teal.
This is a great place to see Reed Warblers with inquisitive young and adults feeding begging young.
Bottom New Piece
The Crane pair were seen in the long marsh grass on west side of the field near the flood. We presume the chick is still with them.
