White-rumped Sandpiper remains
Our North American visitor remains on the South Lake
The White-rumped Sandpiper remains on the South Lake this morning, showing well at times and visiting the islands in front of the Discovery Hide. Elsewhere, on the Rushy, our remaining 84 Bewick's Swans are also still present, along with the drake Greater Scaup.
South Lake
Along with the White-rumped Sandpiper was a small flock of Dunlin, busy feeding across the wader scrape. Also of note were two Curlew on the wader scrape, an unusual sighting here. Other waders include 25 Avocet, seven Snipe, 33 Black-tailed Godwit and 342 Lapwing. Duck across the wader scrape and deep lake included 30 Shelduck, 89 Shoveler, 47 Tufted Duck, 44 Pochard and 22 Teal. A count of 19 Cormorant was also made, roosting on the islands and posts.
Zeiss Hide
Counts from this morning's rounds included 238 Black-tailed Godwit, 130 Dunlin, 70 Wigeon and two Snipe. A Merlin was perched in hedgerow near the old pillbox mid-morning, where a pair of Stonechat were noted earlier. Two Marsh Harrier also drifted through.
Estuary Tower
Only 29 Curlew on today's high tide roost as birds are now departing and heading off to their breeding grounds. A total of 14 Cranes were noted on the Dumbles, including an unringed pair. Earlier this morning before the tide started to run, the Ross's Goose was with 171 Barnacle Geese, and the Snow Goose was towards the riverbank with the Greylag and Canada Geese. The White-fronted Goose flock moved here mid-morning and totaled around 190 birds.
Rushy Hide / Peng Observatory
All 84 Bewick's Swans from yesterday remain on this morning, but they will soon be departing for their breeding grounds. Our commentated feeds will continue as long as the birds are with us - see you at 4pm in the Peng Observatory. A Spoonbill was seen flying north over the Rushy mid-morning. The drake Greater Scaup is still present along with 132 Tufted Duck, 61 Pochard, 119 Shelduck, six Black-tailed Godwit and a pair of Wigeon.
Kingfisher Hide
At least 151 White-fronted Geese were showing well from the hide this morning. Also of note were 250+ Dunlin, 350+ Golden Plover and 150+ Lapwing.
Martin Smith Hide
A Grey Heron was stalking the back of the pond this morning. Five Wigeon were grazing in front of the hide and three Snipe were on the islands.
Knott Hide
A pair of Oystercatcher and 114 Wigeon were on the Pillbox Pool.
Decoy Hide
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in the wood nearby.
Stephen Kirk Hide
A small flock of 11 Curlew were with the Wigeon flock of 582 birds on the Tack Piece this morning, along with the long-staying hybrid Wigeon often mistaken for an American Wigeon. This bird is usually always on the Rushy, but today has ventured out on to the Tack Piece. A Marsh Harrier through the Dumbles and flushed another 173 Wigeon off the scrape from the Dumbles on to the Tack Piece.
