Southerly airflow at last
A change in the wind direction should see a few more migrants arriving or passing through, so far the early Spring has been dominated by a northerly influence, it is also still quite early in the season, we will be seeing or hearing a handful of individuals until it gets busier late in April. Today the following migrant species have been noted.
Yellow Wagtail- a male dropped in briefly onto the South Lake causeway
Wheatear- three males on the Dumbles.
Willow Warbler- three singing males noted.
Common Sandpiper- two.
Swallow- one through NE.
Sand Martin- two through NE
Highlights around the site included
Top New in Piece
The Glossy Ibis was still feeding on the lawn near to Van de Bovenkamp Hide, calling Water Rail on territory in the reeds below the hide, 2 Common Sandpiper roosted and then fed on the islands, single Snipe, 49 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Ruff (moved to South Lake), 7 Lapwing, 43 Avocet, a sitting Crane on the island + a few Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler and Shelduck.
Bottom New Piece
Seven Wigeon, 6 Lapwing, Teal and Shoveler on the field and flood, the pair of Kingfishers were mating at the nest bank, viewed from Kingfisher Hide.
South Lake
At least 60 Avocet, the Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Ruff have relocated here, Kingfisher, Crane pair (Ruby/unringed male) have built a nest and laid an egg, a pair of Little-ringed Plover and Green Sandpiper were from Hogarth Hide, the latter was rather mobile visiting other scrapes +6 Teal, 10 Shoveler. At least five Cattle Egrets were resting on the deep lake islands and causeway late morning.
Estuary Tower
A male Wheatear at Middle Point with Meadow Pipits early morning, increased to three, 8 Avocet, 9 Teal, pair of Oystercatchers and Little Egret on the scrape, 6 Golden Plover, 19 Curlew, Peregrine, Buzzard and 12 Lapwing on the Dumbles + female Reed Bunting in the hedge.
Rushy Hide
Pair of mating Little-ringed Plover, 10 Avocet, 12 Black-headed and Common Gull, Redshank + singing Willow Warbler.
Tack Piece
Now only 6 Wigeon, a singing Little Grebe (unusual for here), 9 Avocet, three Black-tailed Godwit, three Redshank, 19 Teal,30 Shoveler, Pintail, 17 Shelduck and 4 Tufted Duck. The Green Sandpiper fed here this afternoon.
