Catch it while you can

Image- Sedge Warbler- MJM

'Showy' males continue to sing at the Sanderson bridge near Discovery Hide and in the Matrix.

White-spotted Bluethroat- Catch it while you can.

Based on previous years experience, there might only be a week or two to catch a reliable view of the male White-spotted Bluethroat. Although this bird has changed it's behaviour since first arriving four years ago, it will be entering what should be a quieter time of year for this species. Sadly it looks like it won't be feeding young once again this season, it hasn't found a mate. It usually prefers to keep a lower profile from early July, if it stops singing, it will of course become harder to see.

Other sightings and reports as follows.

Dumbles foreshore

Some higher tides this week, the high tide roost on the Dumbles foreshore has attracted the usual gathering of gulls including 16 Great Black-backed Gulls today. Shelduck, a few Grey Herons and Little Egrets and Cormorants also join the other birds and although uncounted, a flock of 60-70 Curlew also present on 24th.

Middle Point

Low tide offers views of the feeding egrets, herons, Curlews, Shelducks and at least four gull species (GBB, LBB, Herring, Black-headed) but a Yellow-legged Gull was seen last week. A flock of 445 Rook were on the sands at low tide on 23rd.

Top New Piece from Zeiss Hide

A further increase with 52 Redshank and the breeding plumage Spotted Redshank.

Kingfisher Hide/Bottom New Piece

A pair of Cranes with two chicks and the Kingfisher are incubating eggs again, the male has been taking fish into the nest hole.

Rushy Hide/Peng Observatory

The numerous breeding wetland birds here seems to largely keep the Herring Gulls and Carrion Crows at bay, at least 36 Avocet chicks counted yesterday plus broods of Black-headed Gull (some now flying), three broods of Tufted Duck, two broods of Shelduck, broods of Mallard and Gadwall. Single drake Pochard, Teal and Wigeon also seen here most days with a large flock of moulting Gadwall.

South Lake

The hatching Avocets continue to struggle due to predation, a small party of up to 23 Black-tailed Godwit continue to favour this scrape, two Little-ringed Plover here on 23rd with three on 22nd. Green Sandpipers are calling in to feed but are mobile. Four drake Pochard on 23rd. A pair of Common Tern flew over the Rushy to South Lake yesterday. At least 37 Coot and 71 Gadwall gathering on the deep lake at the moment. A pair of Cranes have two chicks.

Wild Safaris

Grass Snakes, dragonflies and damselflies, Hobby's and Marsh Harriers all being seen especially on warmer, sunnier days.

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