Tuesday 7 March update- possible South Lake work party!
On Sunday we had two Spoonbills on site, both were adults, they haven't been seen since so appear to have continued their migration.
South Lake
This has been a very busy spot for wading birds but one of the Peregrine Falcons has sussed this and is making regular visits to catch a meal, as a result some of the waders have begun to move back to the fields with the Bottom New Piece being a favourite spot for the Golden Plover and Dunlin. Some impressive counts totalling over 2000 waders have been made, at least 444 Dunlin were feeding here on Sunday 5th. The first winter White-rumped Sandpiper remains on site but does disappear when the raptors make a hunting attempt, it's been favouring the North causeway and can at times be close to the hide. At least 35 Avocet, 220 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Ruff, 9 Snipe and two pairs of Oystercatcher have been present. A pair of Goldeneye were still present yesterday.
We have some cold weather forecast for a couple of days, if the scrape freezes it is highly likely that the birds will move off to the Severn estuary until it thaws, we have some seasonal work to fit in here, some of it unfinished from the autumn/early winter and some to buy us time this autumn to carry out some projects. This weather window allows us to tackle these tasks in the period between the end of the winter and before the breeding season begins. It's very likely that we won't disturb the waders at all due to the location of the tasks. If all is OK weather wise we aim to do the following.
Clear trees that have fallen onto the fence.
Clear the access track between the Discovery Hide and centre.
Coppice willows on the East shore of deep lake
Raise the pipes to allow the deep lake to fill.
Strim the perimeter fence along deep lake to car park
Clean the windows and clear pipes
The access track needs to be restored as we have a window and window frame replacement project coming up in the autumn as well as anti-erosion work to protect the hide.
Other sightings include the following
Rushy Hide
Peng Observatory- 90 Bewick's Swans (114 still yesterday) and the drake Greater Scaup
Tack Piece
Marsh Harrier through North early morning, 18 Curlew, Redshank, 500 Wigeon and 5 Pintail among the birds on the scrape and field.
Estuary Tower
At least five Redwing (one singing), 2 Reed Buntings and a few Blackbirds in the hedge below. Barn Owl at Middle Point early morning, Marsh Harrier resting on the Dumbles, 139 Pintail floating on on the Severn, a flock of Russian White-fronted Geese in the Stall House Ground, they came to drink in the Tack Piece later in the day, 27 Canada, 1 Ross's and 60+ Barnacle Geese on the Dumbles.
Grounds
Siskin and Lesser Redpolls on the Loopway, a Great Egret (relocated to South Lake), Egyptian Goose and Grey Wagtail all noted early morning.
