Kingfisher news and our latest arrivals
Holden Tower
A 'new in' Greenshank dropped in mid morning and then toured the scrapes. Over the high tide a Whimbrel and 8 Curlew arrived on the foreshore. A male Wheatear was on the Dumbles as was 12 Lapwing, a Buzzard and Peregrine. 35+ Sand Martin and 10 Swallow fed over the estuary. Willow Warbler and Blackcap were singing and a pair of Reed Bunting were in the hedge.
Tack Piece
2 Cranes, 10 Wigeon, 15 Shoveler and 10 Teal were on the scrape as well as the mobile Greenshank for a time.
Willow/Knott Hide
A singing Sedge Warbler was showing well.
South Lake
The second calendar year (2cy) Little Gull was still about as well as 400 Black-headed Gulls. On the scrape up to 260 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Ruff, 4 Redshank, 6 Oystercatcher and 5 Lapwing were seen, the godwits come and go. 20 Avocets were nest-building. A pair of Great Crested Grebe are still on the deep lake.
Zeiss Hide
Small numbers of Teal, a few Wigeon and pair of Pintail remained. A gathering of gull s were on the islands as well as 4 Lapwing.
Kingfishers
The pair at the Kingfisher Hide bank are still in attendance today, evidence points to the female being in the process of laying eggs. The male is still trying to feed her but she isn't always interested. This is the most crucial time for them to settle so we appreciate all attempts to move slowly and talk quietly in this hide.
The windows have been closed to reduce potential disturbance, it has rewarded watchers with brilliant views and regular encounters as well as being able to study their breeding behaviour. A 'Guide in the Hide' may be present to point out the birds and let you use optical equipment to gain better views, you can see them without binoculars bringing your own pair really helps to gain excellent views.
We have had a few incidents which are not welcome and could cause problems to the birds, if you witness any one not viewing them from inside the hide please call the Duty Officer number displayed in the hide for WWT staff to deal with it. Please note that our tenant farmer or WWT staff may possibly pass by in a tractor or landrover whilst checking or moving cattle stock, checking fences or water troughs. The birds are used to seeing our vehicles and machinery briefly pass by, they may move off for a short time.
In the distance you may see WWT staff and volunteers surveying for Water Voles or Dragonflies or adjusting water controls, they will not be close enough to the nest to disturb the nest bank. We really hope to see the Kingfisher hatching young in a few weeks where things will get busy for the pair. A second pair are nesting near South Lake, Discovery Hide, the male can be seen passing a few feet in front of the hide as he visits favoured fishing spots on the NE and E side of the lake.
