The tides are coming
Over the next few weeks we'll be seeing some big high tides, reaching the 10m mark or more with some 3 and 4 star Severn Bores coming up the river too. The high tide this morning moved lots of waders on to the Top New Piece as viewed from the Zeiss Hide. Golden Plover have increased too.
Holden Tower
Only 7 White-fronted Geese were seen on The Dumbles this morning, but another 13 birds were seen flying over the Martin Smith Hide, heading out to join the Greylag flock in the fields along the driveway to the centre. Also on The Dumbles were a Little Egret, 5 Golden Plover and 2 Goldcrest were feeding in front of the hide.
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Zeiss Hide
The Black-tailed Godwit flock totalled 198 birds this morning, before they flew off back to the South Lake to join other birds. Also present were the Spotted Redshank along with 23 Redshank, 158 Lapwing, 2 Dunlin, 3 adult Ruff and 95 Golden Plover. Two Pintail were amongst the Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler.
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South Lake Hides
Once joined by the flock from the Zeiss Hide the Black-tailed Godwit flock reached 295 birds. Other waders included 179 Lapwing and 27 Redshank. There is a nice selection of ducks on the South Lake at present, and not too many in number to get to grips with. Tufted Duck, Pochard, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal and Shoveler are all present in a variety of plumages. A Kingfisher was seen briefly.
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Kingfisher Hide
The large flock of Wigeon continue to feed in the Bottom New Piece but today were joined not by White-fronted Geese but 5 Curlew were present. Two Water Rail were calling from the reedbed, 2 Goldcrest were working their way along the hedgerow along with a Chiffchaff and the mixed tit flock. A small group of 18 Lapwing were on the scrape at the back of the Bottom New Piece and a Little Grebe was on the pool in front of the hide.
