A Ruff count

Amongst the waders on the reserve and estuary this week are a flock of at least 40 Ruff, maybe even more

Amongst the waders on the reserve and estuary this week are a flock of at least 40 Ruff, maybe even more. The birds are very mobile moving between the Rushy and Top New Piece, as well as out to the mudflats and tidal creeks of the Severn Estuary. Some birds have also taken to the arable fields with the loafing Lapwing flocks. Look out for Ruff from almost every hide!

Middle Point
At least two Wheatear were on the cross fence this morning, along with two Stonechat in the reedbed. A good number of Dunlin were on the mudflats with around 30 Ringed Plover and 15 Grey Plover.

Estuary Tower
The flock of 17 Cranes were seen this morning on the Dumbles. Amongst the Greylag and Barnacle Geese are a few hybrids, plus the Snow Goose and Ross's Goose. A Peregrine was out on the mudflats of the estuary this morning, and closer to the hide a Cetti's Warbler was calling and singing from the copse. A Green Sandpiper was with the duck on the Long Ground Pool.

South Lake
Seven Avocet and 12 Black-tailed Godwit were on the waders scrape, with 52 Shoveler on the deep lake. A Grey Heron flew through, and other birds of note included several hundred Teal, a Grey Wagtail, and the Snow Goose moved here briefly from the Dumbles with the Greylag flock.

Zeiss Hide
Early morning saw a Spotted Redshank, Little Stint, and Curlew Sandpiper on the Top New Piece with three Dunlin, 16 Ruff, an Avocet, eight Gadwall, 364 Teal and 83 Lapwing. Later in the morning Curlew Sandpiper increased to three birds.

Rushy Hide
Three Curlew Sandpiper and three Spotted Redshank were on the lower pond with two Redshank, 54 Black-tailed Godwit, 26 Ruff, an Avocet, 5 Snipe and 79 Teal. Three Tufted Duck were on the upper pond with eight Shoveler.

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