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Arctic Skua on estuary
A dark-morph Arctic Skua was on the estuary this morning
Estuary Tower
At least 134 Barnacle Geese were on the Dumbles this morning and then moved off to sit on the river. Three Little Egret and a Grey Heron were near the spartina island. The Estuary Tower could be the best place to scan for the Arctic Skua should it return, or better still Middle Point at the end of the Summer Walkway.
Robbie Garnett Hide
Three Green Sandpiper and five Lapwing were on the Tack Piece. A Chiffchaff was calling and a female Sparrowhawk flew through.
Rushy Hide
Three Green Sandpiper were on the lower pond
Zeiss Hide
The Spotted Redshank has relocated to the Top New Piece this morning. Also here were 57 Teal 57, 14 Shoveler, four Redshank and three Green Sandpiper. The two Golden Plover were present mid-morning and a Whimbrel was also reported.
South Lake
A busy wader scrape again with the Wood Sandpiper seen from the Hogarth Hide with a Greenshank, but both flushed towards the Discovery Hide and the Wood Sandpiper was lost. Hopefully it will be refound later this morning. Other counts of the wader scrape included 33 Redshank, 12 Ruff, 263 Black-tailed Godwit and a juvenile Little-ringed Plover. The deep lake held two Pochard, the adult Great Crested Grebe and nearly full-grown chick and five Cormorant.
Middle Point / Summer Walkway
On your way to Middle Point, stop and check the ditches near the Goose House. A Kingfisher was showing well this morning perched in the dead tree. The ditches through the field are also good places to look for Little Egret and Green Sandpiper. Other counts of the estuary were cut short by the Arctic Skua but did include 90+ Curlew and 20+ Shelduck.
