We didn't expect that
Today's unquestionable highlight was an Osprey on the river. Although a regular passage species for the reserve and estuary, we didn't expect this bird to be sat on a log and floating up river on the incoming tide this morning. It was flushed off by a low flying helicopter around 10am and was then seen to fly inland heading east.
In all, 16 species of waders have been recorded today on the reserve: Lapwing, Snipe, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Little-ringed Plover, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Little Stint, Ruff, Greenshank, Golden Plover.
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South Lake Hides
Two Greenshank flew in early morning to join the wader flock. The birds were reasonably vocal and flighty, not settling in any one place for too long. One of these birds, or possibly a third was seen on the Rushy later in the morning. Other waders included 130+ Black-tailed Godwit, 43 Redshank, 8 Snipe, 39 Lapwing, 9 Ruff including 1 juvenile and a Green Sandpiper. A Grey Heron seemed to doing its best to spook the birds on the wader scrape as it hunted the margins for amphibians and small mammals, but the Greylags took unkindly and saw to chase it off.
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Rushy Hide
A nice selection of waders present this morning including the Wood Sandpiper, 2 juvenile Little-ringed Plovers, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpiper, 9 Snipe, 7 Lapwing, juvenile Ruff, Redshank. A Greenshank was also seen later in the day. A Little Egret was present first thing.
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Robbie Garnett Hide
The Wood Sandpiper has moved to the Rushy but left behind 4 Green Sandpiper. At least 2 Yellow Wagtail were seen with the cattle in the Tack Piece.
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Holden Tower
A Peregrine was hunting at high tide, disturbing the Curlew roost which included at least 122 birds. An Oystercatcher flew up river and an unexpected highlight as a single adult Golden Plover circling over the Dumbles and calling. A Green Sandpiper was on the Dumbles scrape and 2 Tree Pipit were also feeding in the shoreline vegetation. A Cetti's Warbler was singing from the Long Ground Pool and at least 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and a Lesser Whitethroat were in the copse in front of the tower.
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Zeiss Hide
High tide pushed a few waders on to the Top New Piece including 455 Dunlin, 120 Ringed Plover, juvenile Little-ringed Plover and a gorgeous adult summer plumaged Little Stint. A Ruff and 4 Redshank were also present. A group of 8 Cranes spent time either on the Bottom New Piece or on the Dumbles and at least 4 Yellow Wagtails were with the English Longhorn cattle. A Green Sandpiper was also seen.
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Mid Point and Summer Walkway
Apart from the Osprey floating past, the strong breeze was keeping the birds down at Mid Point so no reports of Wheatear or Whinchat today. Two Common Sandpiper flew past at high tide along with a mix of Dunlin and Ringed Plover.
