Recent Sightings (24th-27th March)
British Steel Hide
Wader counts from the British Steel Hide have included 2 Spotted Redshanks, 431 Black-tailed Godwits, 231 Knot, 184 Redshank, a Snipe, 4 Greenshank, 1 Dunlin and a Curlew. Wildfowl have included a Mute Swan, 8 Greylag Geese, 5 Dark-bellied Brent Geese (estuary), 29 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 21 Tufted Ducks, 2 Pochard and 58 Wigeon. Wigeon numbers have been steadily decreasing in recent weeks as they head back to their breeding grounds. Other birds seen have included 3 Spoonbills and 2 Great White Egrets on Sunday (25th).
Millennium Wetlands
The consistently mild weather has finally brought us some hirundines in the form of 10 Sand Martins that were feeding over Deep Water Lake on the 27th. There are still a good few singing Chiffchaffs around the northern loop/fishing platforms area. Some nice flocks of waders have been frequenting the main island of Deep Water Lake, counts including c.90 Redshank, 10 Lapwing, 19 Knot and 69 Black-tailed Godwits. Up to 5 Snipe have been seen from the Peter Scott Hide. The female Ring-necked Duck was still present on Deep Water Lake on the 25th. Wildfowl numbers are fluctuating a little bit with many of the ducks dispersing to breeding habitat. Counts from the Peter Scott Hide have included 17 Pochard, 23 Tufted Ducks, 4 Shoveler, 5 Teal, 3 Coot, 8 Shelducks, 2 Gadwall and 4 Little Grebes. Other birds have included 2 Sparrowhawks, 4 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and 118 Black-headed Gulls on the stony islands.
Birds to look out for soon
With migration now really beginning to hot up, its time to look out for some migrant birds. An Osprey was seen flying over Machynys on the 26th, and during the next few weeks, many individuals will be passing over Britain as the return to breeding grounds, so keep your eyes to the skies. Gulls and corvids can often tip you off to passing Ospreys as they will often fly up and mob the migrating Ospreys. Other birds that may arrive within the next few weeks include Willow Warblers, Swallows, Blackcaps, Garganey and possibly Little Ringed Plover.
