Super Sylvias
Yesterday's showers seemed to ground many of our migrating warblers, with the bulk of the number being chiffchaff and willow warbler. Birds were calling everywhere and there were even flocks of these great little warblers in the hedgerows - one flock of 20 chiffchaff was next to the Discovery Hide.
This morning's sunshine is a marked change in the weather, and the birds have changed too. There are still chiffchaff and willow warbler around, but today has been dominated by the larger warblers of the Sylvia family - blackcap, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat and garden warbler.
Rushy Hide
At least 3 green sandpiper were on the lower pond this morning along with a single juvenile ruff, black-tailed godwit and 2 wigeon at the back of the pond. A little grebe was on the upper pond in front of the Peng Observatory and a grey wagtail was on the island outside the Scott House studio windows. A kingfisher was perched on the fencing to the left of the swan pipe.
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Robbie Garnett Hide
Few birds compared to late with only a single green sandpiper, ruff, 14 teal and 20 gadwall present.
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Holden Tower
The copse and hedgerow along the Summer Walkway were alive with warblers this morning. At one point a single group of at least 15 blackcap moving along the hedgerow. Also seen were at least 3 lesser whitethroat, a reed warbler and 2 whitethroat. A flock of 8 linnet. Three cranes were out on the Dumbles, a marsh harrier was perched on a fence post near the river which was mobbed by two buzzards are they flew past.
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Knott Hide and Willow Hide
The hedgerow leading from the Long Ground Pool to the hides was also busy with birds. A pair of cetti's warbler were very showy, with the male giving regular bursts of song as he followed a female around the hedgerow. At least 3 whitethroats were also seen.
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South Lake Hides
Some disturbance yesterday as we completed the late Summer cut of the scrape and duck marsh ahead of the Severn Wader Festival in two weekends time. Birds have already returned including 115 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Ruff and 28 Redshank. A kingfisher flew past and on to the edge of the deep lake.
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Zeiss Hide
Duck numbers are gradually creeping up, most notably teal with over 400 birds now present on the Top New Piece scrape alone. We've been scanning them for garganey, but no sign yet. Two redshank dropped in mid-morning to join 52 black-tailed godwit and a ruff.
