The sun is shining
The sun has come out this morning giving a lovely winter light across the reserve. Highlights so far include the Glossy Ibis which arrived on the South Lake around 8:30am before moving to the roadside fields around mid morning. Yesterday the bird returned to roost around 4pm, so we'll keep an eye out later today.
South Lake Hides
Once the Glossy Ibis departed this morning bird remaining included around 2000+ Lapwing, 100+ Dunlin, 14 Avocet, 4 Ruff, 100 Black-tailed Godwit and at least 25 Snipe.
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Rushy Hide & Peng Observatory
There was no sign of the Whooper Swan this morning but 123 Bewick's Swans were present. A Little Stint was on the island with a Dunlin, and then by lunchtime 33 Redshank, 7 Ruff and the Spotted Redshank were roosting on the island near the hide. The Lapwing flock of around 2000 birds continues to move between here and the Tack Piece.
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Robbie Garnett Hide
A count of 157 Curlew this morning during high tide with around 500+ Golden Plover, 35 Ruff, 31 Redshank, 2000+ Lapwing and several hundred Dunlin all present. Wigeon numbered seemed slightly lower but still well about 1000 with a good number of Pintal, Pochard, Teal and Shoveler amongst them. Four Cranes were on the Tack Piece before moving to the Dumbles.
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Holden Tower
The White-fronted Goose flock relocated to the Dumbles mid morning to join the Barnacle Goose flock for the day. Initially 111 birds were seen down by the Kingfisher Hide, then 105 on the Dumbles and by lunchtime 87 birds were present, so some family groups are moving off to feed elsewhere too. A Peregrine and 2 Buzzards were on the Dumbles over high tide. A Stonechat was on the southern cross fence.
