Look out for Gadwall and other duck broods
Duck brood season
Careful scanning along vegetated pond and scrape edges will reveal broods of Gadwall and Shovelers as well as Mallards, Tufted Ducks and the more obvious Shelducks. The Gadwall are easily overlooked. Broods can be seen on the South Lake, Top New Piece, South Finger extension and anywhere else with some cover.
Other sightings today included the following.
Middle Point
Male White-spotted Bluethroat still singing at Middle Point, view from Shepherds Hut Hide on seawall. Note early opening for WWT members from 08:15am, please have membership card available, non members from 09:30am via admissions.
Rushy Hide
Breeding plumage Spotted Redshank, 5 Redshank, 15 adult and 5 juv Avocet, singing Cuckoo, 15 Shoveler, 7 Teal and Mallard, Tufted Duck and Gadwall.
South Lake
Black-winged Stilt, breeding plumage Spotted Redshank but may have moved, 2 Greenshank, 7 Little-ringed Plover, 59 Black-tailed Godwit, pair of Cranes + chick, 51 Avocet (8 juveniles). Green Sandpiper and 4 Oystercatcher, and a Shelduck pair + 3 ducklings.
Top New Piece
40 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, Little-ringed Plover, Sand Martin, 29 Gadwall (two broods), 3 Shoveler and 41 Teal.
