Sunshine birding
The weather forecast has seemingly got it right as we're bathed in glorious sunshine and 20oC+ temperatures. The sun broke through the clouds this morning in time for the high tide, peaking today around 10:30am at just over 9m. A Curlew roost of around 40 birds gathered on the Dumbles with 3 Whimbrel and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit amongst them. A small mixed flock of Ringed Plover and Dunlin along with a single Turnstone was buzzing around over the river, occasionally landing on the Dumbles to the south near the cross fence. There has also been an arrival of Sedge Warblers overnight, with many new birds singing around the reserve
Holden Tower
Along with the high tide action, our Cranes were busy this morning too. New arrivals Cherry and Cleg were on the Tack Piece with an unringed adult. Slim was on the Dumbles, before moving to the Tack Piece. All the birds then moved to the Ox Piece were they joined Monty and Sedge. Further north over in the Severn Ground feeding in the stubble field were Tamsin, Chocolo and Wendy. Across the Dumbles were several Skylark, a few incubating female Lapwing and displaying males, a pair of Oystercatcher and at least 74 Avocet on the scrape. A Common Sandpiper was also feeding along the shoreline. Singing passerines included Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Dunnock from the hide.
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Zeiss Hide
A Little Gull was seen briefly this morning along the Top New Piece before heading out to the river. Also present were 138 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Avocet, 22 Shelduck and an Oystercatcher. As with all parts of the reserve, several singing Sedge Warblers were noted.
