WeBS count (Wetland Bird Survey) and other sightings
Shelduck productivity is looking good. At least 83 fledged or older fluffy young have ben counted, it's more likely to be over 100 young on the reserve this season. The Rushy Pen flock is very impressive, a single pair are looking after 31 ducklings from at least four different broods.
Super-crèche
WeBS count totals
Little Grebe 16
Great Crested Grebe 3
Cormorant 13
Little Egret 11
Grey Heron 5
Mute Swan 73
Greylag Goose 146
Canada Goose 16
Barnacle Goose 17
Shelduck 184
Gadwall 74
Teal 265
Mallard 679
Shoveler 44 (+6 ducklings on the Top New Piece)
Pochard 10
Tufted Duck 77 +70 ducklings
Water Rail 2
Moorhen 195
Coot 147
Oystercatcher 28 (19 on the Severn over the high tide)
Avocet 72 (16 young on the Rushy Pen)
Little ringed Plover 3 on the South Lake
Lapwing 288
Dunlin 64
Ruff 11 (10 males and an adult Reeve in breeding plumage on South Lake/Top New Piece)
Snipe 2 on TNP
Black-tailed Godwit 146
Curlew 135 on the Severn
Redshank 35
Green Sandpiper 11
Common Sandpiper 1
Black-headed Gull 1220 (1100 feeding on the Severn at low tide)
Yellow-legged Gull 1 4cy on the Severn.
Common Tern 6 + 4 young unfledged.
Other news- juvenile Cuckoo seen from Kingfisher Hide on 15/7, the bird near Willow Hide was being mobbed by Jackdaws over the weekend and was becoming very mobile.
Short-eared Owl on the seawall near the Holden Tower on 16/7.
Yellow Wagtails seen on the Dumbles and Top New Piece 16/7.
