Ortolan and Temminck's Stint
Ortolan Bunting, a reserve first
Whilst unlocking and checking the site prior to opening called in a the Estuary Tower and climbed to the top viewing gallery, a scan of the Dumbles revealed a few birds feeding on newly flooded areas of the Dumbles thanks to the high overnight tide. A flock of 8 juvenile Ruff, Black-headed Gulls, Curlews, Starlings, Rooks and Jackdaws all present. A few Cranes and a flock of Canada and Greylag Geese were grazing the newly cut hay sections, no doubt seeking sanctuary from the local shooters.
As I was preparing to leave to open up the members gate I heard a very distinctive call from a bird leaving the bushes below the hide, perhaps having roosted there, the call made me stop in my tracks, I managed to quickly locate the bird which was very close to the hide but it flew off down the Summer Walkway towards Middle Point with two Goldfinches I realised it was an Ortolan Bunting. I had to go back to open the gate where one member was already present and let him know that there was an Ortolan about and headed straight for Middle Point.
Nearing the Goose House hut a bunting came off the track where it was gritting and flew into the hedge, I looked from the seawall and Tack Piece side but couldn't see it. I had now been joined by the member when the bunting flew out f the hedge. circled and was calling and dropped into the reeds near the shore, then dropped down, presumable after the seed bearing plants. A short time after it flew up chased by Reed Buntings and circled the Shepherds Hut area a few time giving close passes in great light, it was calling all the time. It flew low along the seawall to the Severn Ground barley/winter passerine survival crop. I had to go to meet guests booked on the Severn Bore Safari so dashed off.
Despite a search of the crop and area it hadn't been seen by midday. This is likely to be a second record for Gloucestershire.
A check of the Top New Piece late morning added another scarce bird to the reserve's tally, a juvenile Temminck's Stint was feeding on the newly exposed mud on the main flood along with many other waders, read on for counts. (MJM).
Top New Piece
At midday there were five Spoonbill (one darvic ringed white NC7H and may be from the Netherlands), three juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Sanderling (adults and juveniles), c60 Dunlin, 180 Ringed Plover, 8 Avocet, juvenile Wood Sandpiper, two Green Sandpiper, juvenile Spotted Redshank, 16 juvenile Ruff with one nbp adult male, 5 Wigeon, Pintail, 667 Teal, 5 Little Egret were basking in the sunshine and a few Yellow Wagtails were with the cattle.
South Lake
Uncounted Black-tailed Godwits (c200+), Common and Green Sandpiper, 4 Ruff, flock of Lapwing, Teal.
Rushy Hide
Garganey, two Great Egrets, Spotted Redshank with Redshanks, 3 Ruff, Snipe.
Tack Piece
Up to 3 Spotted Redshank early am, Black-tailed Godwit Common + 5 Green Sandpipers.
Knott Hide
A juvenile Water Rail.
Martin Smith Hide/Rushy Hide
Two Kingfishers fighting over territories and occasionally hover fishing.
Kingfisher Hide- pair of Kingfishers now feeding young, this is very late in the breeding season but the fishing is great thanks to new habitat.
Morning Severn Bore safari
Several Little Egret, 20+ Curlew, 2 Knot, 4 Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Wheatear, Cormorants, Greatand Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Grass Snakes, Hare, Migrant Hawkers.
