Yet another Spoonbill
What appears to be our sixth Spoonbill of the year so far was circling the estuary this morning, before dropping in on the Dumbles scrape
What appears to be our sixth Spoonbill of the year so far was circling the estuary this morning, having been seen over the reserve and then up at Splatt Bridge. The bird then returned and dropped in on the Dumbles scrape in front of the Estuary Tower.
If visiting today keep an eye out for a Hooded Crow. A bird was seen to the north of the reserve early this morning, and then seen to fly towards the reserve. See the photos here.
Kingfisher Hide
A pair of Mandarin flew past the hide to the Bottom New Piece. Also noted from the hide this morning were a Grey Heron, a Little Grebe and singing Sedge Warbler. We've seen a good arrival of the latter species across the reserve in the last few days so you will be able to hear them everywhere, along with Blackcap, Chiffchaff and a few Willow Warbler.
South Lake
At least seven Cattle Egret were on the deep lake islands this morning, along with four Little Egret in the trees around the lake. Also on the deep lake were three Cormorant, a calling Little Grebe and a drake Shoveler. The drake Goldeneye was displaying again this morning, but didn't appear to have an audience. The wader scrape held ten Black-tailed Godwit and 44 Avocet.
Zeiss Hide
One of the Glossy Ibis was again outside the Van de Bovenkamp Hide this morning. Across the Top New Piece were also 38 Black-tailed Godwit, four Little Egret, 58 Avocet, our nesting pair of Cranes, and Great Egret was stalking the shoreline towards the south end.
Estuary Tower
The immature Spoonbill eventually dropped in now the on Dumbles scrape in front of the hide, where it was joined by a Little Egret. Also on the scrape islands were 26 Avocet, three pairs of Shoveler and a pair of Oystercatcher. Out on the estuary were a flock of 23 Ringed Plover, 11 Dunlin and a single Sanderling along with 185 Shelduck and 36 Curlew.
Robbie Garnett and Stephen Kirk Hides
A drake Pintail was on the Tack Piece this morning along with three Avocet, nine Shoveler, a Redshank, 18 Black-tailed Godwit and a few Teal. A Little Egret was stalking the new ditch along the hedge and a Whimbrel dropped in briefly before heading off north calling. A flock of chattering hirdundines were overhead before the sun came out and they dispersed to feed.
Rushy Hide
The pair of Little Ringed Plover were on the causeway, favouring a gravel area. We watch and wait for them to settle. Our Crane pair here, Kia & Chocolo, have laid a new egg on a different island. This is their third egg in just over a week, so we shall see how they get on this time. Also of note were a Redshank, 16 Avocet and a pair Shoveler.
