New birds
Although it started off as a chilly morning (compared to recent days), the bird activity soon picked up with a little sunshine. The walkway to the Holden Tower was again the place to be for warblers, with Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat two of the most regularly seen species feeding in the trees. Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and Garden Warbler were also all seen.
Elsewhere on the reserve highlights included 2 Whinchat on the Tack Piece (look out for them from Robbie Garnett Hide), 6 Curlew Sandpiper from the Zeiss Hide which later increased to 9 birds in the afternoon and an Osprey passed over the site just after lunch. A Great White Egret was also reported from the Zeiss Hide.
South Lake Hide
Waders included 30 Redshank, 6 Ruff (including 3 juveniles), 145 Black-tailed Godwit and the ever growing flock of Lapwing. A female Pintail was also present and 4 Cranes dropped in late afternoon to give excellent views as they preened on the causeway in front of the hide.
Rushy Pen
Two Ruff and 2 Green Sandpiper were present along with a Little Grebe and Grey Heron. There are lots of Teal and a few Gadwall on the Rushy at present, some giving excellent views very close to the hide.
Robbie Garnett Hide
Two Whinchat were feeding out in the taller vegetation on the Tack Piece and a Peregrine was seen hunting a Stock Dove.
Knott Hide
Lots of warbler activity as described including Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat and Blackcap.
South Finger (walk to Kingfisher Hide)
A Water Rail was heard in the reedbeds along with 3 Cetti's Warbler. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen along with a Goldcrest, Willow Warbler and 3 Whitethroat.
Holden Tower
A flock of over 160 Shelduck were loafing on the island at high tide along with a single Curlew. On The Dumbles were 2 Skylark, at least 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Crane, 30 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, a single Wheatear, 2 Grey Heron and 2 Little Egret. Both Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat were showing well in front of the tower, feeding in the hedgerow.
Decoy Hide
Three Mandarin were on the pool.
Zeiss Hide
The morning hide round found 86 Dunlin, 6 Curlew Sandpiper, 6 Ruff, 2 Avocet, 3 Ringed Plover, 28 Shoveler, 217 Teal, 20 Lapwing, a single Little Egret and 2 Grey Heron. Later in the day a total of 9 Curlew Sandpiper were present. A Great White Egret was reported briefly flying past the hide and ultimately landing out of view further south.
