Northerly wind
Its a bit blustery out there but birds are braving the wind across the reserve, not least the 8 Swifts that were battling north over the Dumbles this morning.
South Lake Hides
The Black-tailed Godwit flock numbered 166 this morning, with the bulk of the birds on the wader scrape from the Discovery Hide and the 35 birds in the shallows of the duck marsh from the Hogarth Hide. This is where most of the Ruff were too. If you're visiting these birds are a real treat to see as every single bird is looking completely different with completely black birds, through to orange, grey and even a completely white-headed individual. They're busy feeding at the southern end of the area.
Other birds of note included a pair of Little Grebe on the deep lake, a total of 27 Aovcet, 4 Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwing and a brand new brood of Mallard ducklings right in front of the Discovery Hide.
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Rushy Hide
No sign of the Little Gull or Smew today, although both were seen yesterday. The Smew was up the reserve but flew back towards the Rushy late afternoon. Fifteen Avocets were on the lower pond along with a single Redshank. At least one Oystercatcher was on the causeway along with the hybrid Wigeon pair. Two Barnacle Geese have also taken to hanging out in the Rushy.
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Holden Tower
It was windy over the Dumbles this morning and a young Peregrine was hunkered down on a log to the south. Eleven Lapwing were across the area, including a male and female nest scraping for a replacement clutch that was lost to the high tides a few days ago. At least 4 Skylark were whipping about, including one singing male. Out on the river were 70 Shelduck along the muddy margins.
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Zeiss Hide
The Cranes flew in and landed on the island this morning, one of our regular trios of Cotton, Oakie and Evie. Two pairs of Avocet were feeding to the north of the pool and a pair of Oystercatcher were also on the island. In the reedbed, both Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler were still in full song and a Cetti's Warbler was singing from the reedbed in the South Finger.
