Visible Migration (VisMig) including Osprey
VisMig
The morning was dominated by moving Sand Martins and Swallows with 100s of the former (perhaps 400) heading N and 50 of the latter. Smaller flocks stopped to feed over the lakes, reedbeds and flashes to the end of the day. A Wheatear was seen on the foreshore and an Osprey flew N over South Lake during the afternoon. Small numbers of finches and 100+ Meadow Pipit were also logged heading N. Other migrants are listed below.
Rushy Hide
A Little-ringed Plover dropped in briefly this morning but continued N. Six Teal, 84 Black-headed Gull (40 pairs), 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank and 11 Avocet.
Tack Piece
27 Curlew, 12 Redshank, 65 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 10 Mallard, 40 Wigeon, up to 7 Crane, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Avocet, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 27 Shelduck, 5 Mute Swan and 26 Teal. Flocks of feeding Sand Martins over here and the Pill Box Pool, 30+ Swallow through during the morning. The/a female Marsh Harrier has visited a couple of times today.
Holden Tower
Three or four Little-ringed Plover on the distant flood with a Ringed Plover and 3 Dunlin. Five Cranes, 31 Greylag, 5 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 12 Avocet and 49 Black-tailed Godwit were in the scrape early morning, the Godwit flock commuted between the Top New Piece and Dumbles.
South Lake
174 Black-headed Gull (62 pairs), 8 Shoveler, 20 Black-tailed Godwit first thing in the morning with 317 in the afternoon + single Red Knot, 16 Avocet, a Ruff, 50 Sand Martin, 2+ Swallows. A pair each of Little and Great Crested Grebe and male and female Pochard.
Zeiss Hide/Top New Piece
18 Wigeon, 24 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 44 Avocet, 3 Snipe, 2 Redshank, 20 Lapwing and during the afternoon 10 Knot with the godwits. A Water Rail was calling from below the hide and a Reed Bunting was singing.
Kingfisher Hide
Two Stoat, 4 Roe Deer, 215 Golden Plover, 4 Redshank and 20 Teal. Two Little Grebe and a party of Swallows and Sand Martins fed over the pool during the morning. Cetti's Warbler and drumming Great Spotted Woodepcker was also heard.
