Stilts remain
Five Black-winged Stilts were on the reserve this morning. Three were on the South Lake this morning, viewed from the Discovery Hide. A pair were seen nest scraping and mating this morning. Two other stilts were still on the Top New Piece as viewed from the Zeiss Hide but have not been seen since 9am.
South Lake Hides
The Little Gull was seen this morning on the deep lake. Along with the stilts other waders included 343 Black-tailed Godwits which are gradually filtering away to the Top New Piece as viewed from the Zeiss Hide. A pair of Oystercatchers were outside the Hogarth Hide and a total of 32 Avocets were on the wader scrape and the duck marsh with several pairs now on nests. Two Lapwing are also sitting on nests from the Hogarth Hide. Up to nine Ruff are on the wader scrape, including a stunning male in near full breeding plumage. A female Pintail was on the duck marsh next to the Hogarth Hide.
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Zeiss Hide
The Black-tailed Godwits are gradually moving here from the South Lake, with around 200 present mid-morning. Six Avocet were also feeding on the scrape along with 3 Ruff and a pair of Oystercatcher. A pair of Pintail also remain on the scrape. The light rain this morning bought down 8 Swallows and 2 House Martin who were busy feeding low over the pool to the left of the hide. A Great Crested Grebe was also here, hopefully an off-duty bird with his mate sitting on a nest nearby.
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Kingfisher Hide
A pair of Little Grebe were in the back of the rhine along with 11 Tufted Duck. We hope the Kingfisher pair are now incubating as activity is quiet, but with luck in the next few weeks we'll see lots of activity once the chicks hatch out and need feeding!
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Martin Smith Hide
A Common Sandpiper was seen this morning feeding along the edge of the Tack Piece scrape. Two Cranes (Monty and Chip) were also on the Tack Piece along with 8 Shelduck and a few Greylag Geese. At least 2 Sedge Warblers are singing near the hide.
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Rushy Hide & Peng Observatory
A total of 14 Avocet are on the scrape including at least 3 nests. The pair of Oystercatchers are yet to follow their lead but remain feeding on the causeway. The hybrid Wigeon also remains with the female and a couple of Swallows were feeding low over the top pond.
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