Today's sightings
The reserve seems to have been coming alive over the last few days with the warmer weather. This morning the Holden Walkway was alive with bird song of the resident species including Dunnock, Robin, Wren and Song Thrush. As the morning progressed there were lots of waders over the reserve, including around 600+ Golden Plover.
Holden Tower
Part of the White-fronted Goose flock were on the Dumbles this morning with 106 counted. With the rain and higher water levels the Dumbles were very busy with over 1000 Lapwing and 250 Dunlin mixed in amongst them. A Peregrine was sitting out on a log on the river as the tide came in. A few Cranes started to drop into the Tack Piece mid morning where a Little Egret was also seen.
The Tack Piece was gradually filling up with birds including 12 Curlew, single Redshank, 100+ Lapwing and over 200 Wigeon.
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South Lake Hides
The Goldeneye was back this morning, a reasonably rare bird for the reserve. On the wader scrape were over 800 Lapwing, 5 Wigeon and 26 Shelduck which were joined by a Spotted Redshank and a Redshank. Two Great Crested Grebe graced the deep lake and a Little Grebe was also seen.
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Zeiss Hide
Some great wader action including 96 Black-tailed Godwit, 437 Dunlin, 26 Snipe, 600+ Lapwing, 15 Curlew and the Golden Plover flock joined them later in the morning, although they spent most of their time in the skies. Ducks included 400+ Wigeon, 850+ Teal and 16 Pintail.
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Kingfisher Hide
A pair of Little Grebe were on the pond along with a Shoveler. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was on the feeders. Out on the scrape and Bottom New Piece field were 60 Curlew, 250 Lapwing and a Cetti's Warbler was calling from the reedbed.
