Sightings and news to week ending 4 May
28 April
Our first Hairy Dragonfly of the year was patrolling the Goose House on thing following an emerged Broad-bodied Chaser at the Shepherds Huts from last week.
Cuckoos are singing on site but highly mobile, at least two males about.
Top New Piece
The 2cy Glossy Ibis was feeding again with territorial Redshanks, Avocet and Lapwings all defending against bothersome Jackdaws. Pair of Shoveler and a couple of pairs of Teal and Gadwall. Sedge and Reed Warblers singing.
Estuary Tower
A Whimbrel, 9 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Curlew and 5 Oystercatcher over the high tide. Around 50 gulls present, mostly immature Herring Gulls. A Peregrine hunted over with a Wheatear on the large dried up saltpan at the south end. Lesser Whitethroat singing and showed really well below the hide, it is mobile though.
South Lake
Around 30 pairs of nesting Avocets including birds using the new islands. Around 15 Black-tailed Godwits moving between here and Top New Piece. A few pairs of Teal and Gadwall, Cormorants, Tufted Ducks, Greylag, Canada Geese and a nesting pair of Cranes.
Tack Piece
The 2cy Spoonbill, two drake Garganey among the handful of Teal, two leftover Wigeon, couple of pairs each of Gadwall and Tufted Duck and three male Shoveler joined Shelducks, Greylag, Canada and Barnacle Geese. A single Ringed Plover was on the central flood briefly over the tide.
Car Park
Singing Lesser Whitethroat at the east end, singing and dispalying Greenfinches, two Red Kite over middle of the day.
