Spring Equinox
Spring is springing!
We've seen such a great change this last week, the last Bewick's Swan has departed although the Russian White-fronted Geese were all still here on the 19th with 196 present at least. Numerous signs of early spring are all around us, flowers peeking out, Brimstone Butterflies and Bees on the warmer days. Many spring migrants are arriving with the early birds being Chiffchaffs and Sand Martins, at least 25 of the former were singing out their names on 19th with many flocks of Sand Martin through or lingering to feed when the weather is poor. Other highlights over the weekend ans early this week include.
18th March
First Wheatear of the year on the Dumbles from Estuary Tower.
19th March
First Swallow of the year through the Rushy
Our fourth Spoonbill of the year which flew out to the Severn.
Three Mediterranean Gulls on the South Lake including a pair of displaying adults.
Three Ruff on the Dumbles.
Cranes - at least 18 Cranes noted on the Dumbles with one resident pair not accounted for (on this day at least), this includes seven un-ringed older/adult birds and three of the juveniles that were reared by their parent here. We may have recruited some extra birds from the wild population.
20th March
South Lake
Five Mediterranean Gulls, three third calendar year (second winter/summer) birds and a pair of adults that have been displaying, absolutely gorgeous birds in breeding plumage. Avocet numbers have jumped-at least 140 on site with 119 together on the South Lake and 21 on Top New Piece, they have been mobile as they show interest in the Rushy and Dumbles scrape. 280 Black-headed Gulls including the lovely pink blushed bird, 50 Common and 20 Herring gulls, a single Black-tailed Godwit early morning was joined by 50 later as flocks return from feeding in the fields, 3 Snipe, 2 Lapwing, a drake Pochard, 45 Shoveler, and a Kingfisher.
Top New Piece
Four male and a female Pochard, 170 Wigeon and 24 Teal, a few Lapwing displaying.
Tack Piece
100+ Russian White-fronted Geese, 5 Pintail, 466 Wigeon, 50 Teal, Redshank and 22 Shoveler.
Rushy
32 Pintail remain with the drake Mandarin and dwindling numbers of Tufted Duck, Mallard and Shelduck.
The Dumbles from Estuary Tower
Ross's and Snow Geese, 111 Wigeon, 23 Teal, 11 Shoveler, 25 Curlew (one flagged), 83 Shelduck, 6 Oystercatcher, 29 Avocet + Canada, Barnacle and Greylag Geese.
Kingfisher Hide
The Kingfisher pair were busy digging out the nest hole again this morning, also a pair of Gadwall, pair of Tufted Duck + two fly-catching Chiffchaff in the bullrush bed, a pair of Bullfinch in the plum tree blossom and two singing Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting and Cetti's Warbler about the hide.
Raptors
The female Merlin was seen each day over the weekend, Red Kite over on 19th, the Marsh Harriers are still about with a couple of Kestrel, 6+ Buzzards and an immature Peregrine.
