Today's sightings
The Glossy Ibis was in front of the Martin Smith Hide again this morning, showing very well in the early morning sunshine until it took wing around 8:20am, gained height circling and then flew north. The bird has been seen locally at Frampton so it may remain in the area or reappear.
Martin Smith Hide
As well as the Glossy Ibis, a pair of Cranes (Monty and Sedge) were preening on the island before disappearing into the channel at the back of the pool. Out on the Tack Piece, a third Crane (Evie) dropped in. Also around the scrape were 2 Redshank and a Common Sandpiper. Another three Cranes flew over the hide (Cotton, Slim and an unringed bird).
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South Lake Hides
A flock of 85 Black-tailed Godwit were present this morning along with 8 Avocet, a Ruff, 2 Oystercatcher and a first-winter Mediterranean Gull (white darvic 3PJE from Netherlands). Two Oystercatcher were seen, presumably the off-duty birds from the nesting pairs in the area and a Crane was incubating from Hogarth Hide. A Little Grebe was on the deep lake. There was no sign of the adult and second summer Mediterranean Gulls first thing, but they returned by mid-afternoon. A Common Sandpiper was also seen.
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Holden Tower
A total of 72 Avocet were on the scrape with pair Oystercatcher. Three Cranes (Evie, Slim and an unringed bird) were on the Dumbles along with several singing Skylark and a few Swallows feeding low. A Peregrine was sat out on the river bank to the south.
Zeiss Hide
A pair of Crane (Oakie and Sherbert) were prospecting an island on the scrape for a potential nesting site. Also on the scrape were 16 Avocet, 142 Black-tailed Godwit and 24 Teal, whilst in the reedbed were singing Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler.
