Today's sightings
Holden Tower
Two Peregrine at 0800hrs, later over high tide the Dumbles flooded again and distant views (telescope required) of 1 Curlew, 11 Whimbrel, 1 Sanderling, 41 Ringed Plover and 40 Dunlin (another flock of 40+ Ringed and a few Dunlin flew around), 1 Red Knot and 7 Grey Plover could be had.
An Egyptian Goose flew in from the N with Canada Geese and settled on the Dumbles. Four Common Sandpiper were along the edge of the Dumbles. Earlier in the day 20 Grey Plover, 7 Sanderling and a Turnstone were seen on the mud flats.
A pale phase Arctic Skua flew upriver at 1036-1038hrs, it buzzed the gulls then carried on NE inland.
Estuary
Late news for yesterday- On the Land rover safari (2-4pm) we noted a number of GCP Cranes, a Red Kite through East, 2 Hobbies (some brilliant views of them catching insects), distant views of the Glossy Ibis, 5 Grey Plover, a Curlew Sandpiper and 3 Greenshank as well as the usual breeding Redshank, Lapwing etc.
Tack Piece
A female Teal, 2 Greenshank, 4 Shoveler and 4 Avocet were the pick of the birds here.
Rushy Pen
32 Avocet present this morning, 10 nests occupied.
South Lake
8 Avocet, the roving Black-tailed Godwit flock of c30 birds, 4 Oystercatcher, 8 Shoveler and 21 Gadwall on the wader scrape. A Black-headed Gull with white rather than a grey back was also present.
Zeiss Hide
The same Black tailed Godwit flock, 12 Redshank, 8 Avocet and the usual gathering of gulls. Lapwing could be seen in the grassland area, keep an eye out for chicks as they should be hatching now. A Common Sandpiper was also feeding on the islands and scrape.
Big Pen (Swan Lake)
The Oystercatcher pair have three chicks, very easy to see on the island outside the visitor centre.
Willow Hide
Very showy Reed Warblers here this morning.
Knott Hide
A male Lesser Whitethroat was singing opposite the hide.
