South Lake continues to be a hot spot
South Lake
Following the seasonal work and essential management tasks last week, South Lake has been brilliant, the waders and wildfowl have been very easy to see on the newly opened up causeways and islands across the scrape, many birds are coming very close to the hides. Highlights on this morning's count included the following.
Juvenile Cattle Egret on the causeway, it has been visiting daily.
Adult Spotted Redshank- now almost in non-breeding plumage but dazzling nonetheless.
54 Redshank- 2 juveniles.
256 Black-tailed Godwit
3 Lapwing (more visit as they are feeding in the newly harvested wheat field).
84 Dunlin (numbers vary, more should arrive over the tide.
Little Stint (not seen on the morning round today but they've been coming in over high tide).
Little-ringed Plover (juvenile).
2 Avocet (juveniles).
2 Oystercatcher.
12 Ruff (a new reeve has arrived so we have two among the 10 males).
6 Pied Wagtail.
2 juvenile Shelduck.
Large gathering of moulting/feeding duck- Mallards, Gadwall, Teal and Tufted Duck, look out for the summering female Pintail.
The Dumbles
7 Crane and at least 18 Skylark seen.
Rushy Hide
5+ Green Sandpiper
Tack Piece
Wood Sandpiper ( the juvenile was showing nicely from Robbie Garnett Hide)
12 Green Sandpiper
5 Lapwing
A few Pied Wagtail feeding on the scrape edge.
Top New Piece
Very quiet today, tractor work all day yesterday but 5 Little-ringed Plover, an eclipse drake Garganey and the Avocet family (4 chicks). We have another work party out there this morning, removing the electric fence (this protected the Avocet colony), hand weeding the two large islands and strimming one other. The rush topping tractor work is still to be finished.
A brood of two Tufted Duck on the scrape. 12 Canada Geese.
Bottom New Piece
129 Canada Goose
Middle Point
Wheatear on the fence
