Biggest tides of the year

High tide today was forecast to be around 10.7m, one of the biggest tides that we will see on the river​ this year and pretty much as big as the river gets.

High tide today was forecast to be around 10.7m, one of the biggest tides that we will see on the river this year and pretty much as big as the river gets.

Estuary Tower
With such a big tide the Dumbles was completely underwater by 9am, the tide peaking at 9:30am. A flock of 146 Curlew roosted on the Tack Piece having been forced off the river, a Peregrine that made a kill also had to relocate here too to stop its breakfast getting rather wet. At least 14 Oystercatcher were also forced off river. Before the tide washed in 10 Avocet prospecting the islands on the Dumbles scrape along with 192 Wigeon and 3 Redshank.

By mid-morning the flock of 127 White-fronted Geese (including two Greenland race) were showing well in the sunshine on the Tack Piece. The Barnacle Geese were here too, but no sign yet of the Pink-feet.

Kingfisher Hide
pair Kingfishers showing this morning, pair Little Grebe, pair Gadwall, singing Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Heron, 150 Curlew in Bottom New Piece

Zeiss Hide
188 Wigeon on Top New Piece, also Avocet, 18 Shelduck, 2 Ruff, 4 Redshank, 3 Oystercatcher, 10 Golden Plover, 30 Dunlin, 12 Curlew, 18 Lapwing, 100+ Teal

South Lake
70 Avocet, 475 Black-tailed Godwit, 38 Shoveler, 2 pairs Oystercatcher, Redshank on wader scrape, pair of Goldeneye on deep lake with 23 Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, 8 Pochard

Robbie Garnett Hide
215 Barnacle Geese on Tack Piece with 8 Redshank, 125 Wigeon, 16 Mute Swan. Three Roe Deer (adult female, juvenile female and juvenile male) along seawall

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