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Busy at Middle Point
Once again lots of great birds in the Middle Point area today
Middle Point
The Grasshopper Warbler seemed to step it up a gear today and at times began to venture out onto the reed stems, a few singing Reed Warblers and a single Sedge Warbler could also be heard, the Meadow Pipits were displaying and the pair of Greenland type Wheatears could also be seen along ht efenceline or adjacent pasture. A new arrival was a female Whinchat which was using the same areas. Nearby eight Whimbrel fed in the tussocks and dry creeks and a pair of Curlew and four Cranes fed, one of the latter was un-ringed.
The Dumbles saltmarsh shelf over high tide pulled in the roosting waders, a Curlew Sandpiper, two Red Knot, a Grey Plover, c80 Dunlin, 22+ Ringed Plover and 7 Sanderling were joined by a territorial pair of Redshank and two pairs of Oystercatcher. A gathering of immature large gulls, perhaps 60 Lesser black-backed and Herring with a few Great Black-backed Gulls for good measure.
Estuary Tower
The drake Goldeneye was on the Pill Box Pool but flew toward the grounds late morning. Plenty of Reed Warblers could be heard singing here with Blackcaps in full song. Up to six Avocet were on the scrape with a papir each of Oystercatcher and Redshank. A brood of Lapwing walked across the Dumbles and had to be helped across the path to the Tack Piece where the female brooded the young.
Rushy
The male Little-ringed Plover continues to display and nest scrape, the female is still taking things steady. Oystercatchers are still incubating and 20 Avocet included nesting pairs.
Top New Piece
The flood levels is now dropping after the heavy weekend rain, a few Redshank joined the Avocets, two pairs of Shoveler were also present and a pair of Cranes.
No sightings of yesterday's Snow Geese so far today.
