Today's sightings
South Lake Hides
A tightly packed flock of mixed waders were on the far shoreline of the wader scrape comprising 145 Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Lapwing, 41 Redshank and 7 Ruff. A total of 7 Oystercatchers were spread across the area.
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Zeiss Hide
After the heavy downpours over the last couple of days much of the exposed mud has now disappeared. A flock of 51 Dunlin were roosting on the edge of the scrape along with 20 Lapwing and just 9 Avocet - many of these are now heading out on to the river to feed or departing to their wintering grounds.
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Holden Tower
High tide pushed a few waders up to be visible on the island in the river including 11 Curlew, 10 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Oystercatchers. A reasonable flock of gulls gathered too, including 1 Yellow-legged Gull. A Peregrine was sat out on the fence post to the north of the tower. Four Cranes briefly dropped onto the island, our regular trio of Cotton, Oakie and Evie being pursued by Bart, one of the South Lake parent birds. All four birds flew north around the tower. Another two Cranes (Slim and Squidgy) were also on the Dumbles. A Little Egret flew out on to the river as the tide dropped.
A Green Sandpiper was on the pool near the hide, also viewable from the Knott Hide.
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Rushy Hide
Much of the exposed mud has disappeared here too but still waders were present. A total of 71 Black-tailed Godwit were present this morning along with 4 Redshank, a single Ruff, 5 Lapwing, 2 Oystercatcher and 3 Green Sandpiper. This afternoon a Little-ringed Plover was also seen. A pair of Cranes (Monty and Sedge) were on the back of the upper pond and a Grey Wagtail was on the overflow channel in front of the hide.
A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was amongst the Black-headed Gulls.
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Robbie Garnett Hide
Scanning with a telescope revealed at least 9 Green Sandpipers along the edge of the scrape. A Little Egret was at the end of the channel towards the fence line.
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