Spring showers
There have been a few damp periods this morning, but the weather looks to be brightening up for the rest of the day. The drizzle bought a few Sand Martin and Swallow down over the Dumbles, with the birds busy outside the Holden Tower. The weather didn't put off some of our newly arrived Willow Warblers either, with up to three birds singing away along the Holden Walkway, along with a couple of Blackcaps.
A total of seven Sandwich Tern were seen flying inland over the reserve and the Brent Goose reappeared as the high tide pushed it on to the Dumbles from the riverbank.
Holden Tower and Walkway
Three Cranes were out across the Tack Piece - Monty, Chip and Slim chick. Further back in the goose fields were another 5 Cranes - Squidgy, Chocolo, Tamsin, Albert and Wendy. Most of the Wigeon flock, or what is left of it at 68 birds, were down on the scrape outside the Robbie Garnett Hide along with 38 Shoveler.
Out on the Dumbles, the aforementioned Brent Goose reappeared at high tide. A Peregrine was sat out braving the showers and many of the breeding Lapwing were displaying too. Three Curlew flew over.
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South Lake Hides
A different second summer Mediterranean Gull was on the scrape this morning amongst the Black-headed Gull colony. Only 18 Avocet were counted as many had moved over to the Top New Piece viewed from the Zeiss Hide. This wasn't the same for the Black-tailed Godwits with only 6 birds present first thing, but these may reappear with the incoming tide.
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Zeiss Hide
A pair of Raven have been busy stripping a goose carcass of meat and heading back to their nest site to feed waiting chicks. A total of 20 Avocet were on the scrape along with 4 Oystercatcher and a single Redshank. A pair of Great Black-backed Gulls were prospecting on the island.
Three Little Egret were feeding in the field before moving in to the ditch and the remaining flock of Wigeon now numbers 62 birds. A pair of Great Crested Grebe were on the reed fringed pool towards the Van de Bovenkamp Hide.
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Kingfisher Hide
A busy morning with both male and female Kingfishers in and out of the holes, digging away. A pair of Little Grebe are also present and a fox was crossing the arable field to the right of the Kingfisher bank.
