Influx of Curlew Sandpipers and a correction to tide times
At least 10 Curlew Sandpiper
*Correction to tide times posted yesterday*
Add an hour and twenty minutes to the stated times for approx high tide times for Middle Point.
Curlew Sandpipers and reserve management tasks
At least four were on the estuary at high tide with five (then seven) on Top New Piece and a single bird on South Lake at the same time. During the day the numbers fluctuated with six being seen on South Lake in the afternoon and 6-7 feeding on the Top New Piece into the afternoon. At least 9 Ruff and one Spotted Redshank also fed out here and seemed to ignore the first stage of autumn tractor mowing work.
The grazing lawns adjacent to the flood for geese and Wigeon have been cut to get on top of the rush. It also has an added benefit as it improves the views from the hides. A ride was strimmed out below the Zeiss Hide.
Other highlights from this morning and during the day included the following.
Top New Piece
455+ Teal, 7 Curlew Sandpiper over the tide (and through the day) with 6 Dunlin, 6 juvenile Ruff (9 later), 2 juvenile Spotted Redshank, 33 Lapwing, 4 Pintail, 12 Wigeon. Marsh Harrier came through.
South Lake
Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper first thing morning (6 in the afternoon), 13 Ruff, 25 Redshank, 200 Lapwing, 227 Black-tailed Godwit, 110 Teal + Shoveler and Gadwall, 4 drake Pochard on deep lake among the flotilla of Greylag and Tufted Ducks, 4 Cormorant, 2 Green Sandpiper, one flew W (at Hogarth Hide).
Middle Point to Spartina (high tide)
Two Great W Egret, 15 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 190 Dunlin, 1 Knot, 3 Little Stint, 4 Curlew Sandpiper, 30 Ringed Plover, 30 Curlew, Pintail, 8 Wigeon, 73 Shelduck, 360 Canada, 1 Egyptian and 110 Barnacle Geese and unusually, a Green Sandpiper at the point.
Rushy Hide
Water levels have dropped after clearing blocked pipes, plenty of wet mud and 25 Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, 80 Teal and female Wigeon with hybrid male Chiloe Wigeon.
Tack Piece- 4 Wigeon and flocks of Gadwall and Teal. Five Knot came in with the godwits late afternoon and a Green Sandpiper was present.
Estuary Tower
10 cranes on Dumbles including Oakie, Sherbert, Evie, Pepe, Sedge, Kia and an unringed bird. Also 2 yellow Wagtails with the cattle.
