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Latest sightings

The lingering Brent

The lingering Brent

The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was on the river again this morning, whilst the Egyptian Goose was on the Dumbles with the Greylags.  An Osprey was also seen distantly flying up the river mid morning. Robbie Garnett Hide The Tack Piece is a very different p

9 May 2018

Oystercatcher chicks

Oystercatcher chicks

. Rushy Hide The Lapwing family continues to survive on the wildflower meadow, all three chicks present and correct this morning. A pair of nesting Oystercatcher at least two pairs of Avocet still on nests. The female Wigeon and hybrid male partner. Tack

8 May 2018

Brent still here

Brent still here

Rushy Hide Pair of Oystercatcher, three pairs of Avocet, two male and one female Shoveler, female Wigeon with hybrid male, 15 pairs of Black-headed Gull, pair of Lapwing, 16 Tufted Duck and c20 Shelduck. Tack Piece Pair of Shoveler, 11 Canada Geese, 14 Gr

7 May 2018

Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Mid point Summer Walkway Opened for the first time this year, great to be able to get out to the estuary again. Bit quiet for birds but lots of Shelduck a Heron, Reed and Sedge Warbleres anda Wheatear along the Dumbles edge. Holden Tower and Walkway Avoc

5 May 2018

Friday birding

Friday birding

Shelduck (c) Roger Byng South Lake Hides Four Mediterranean Gulls again this morning, although the pair do not look as though they have yet laid any eggs.  Also of note were 16 Tufted Duck, an Oystercatcher, 20 Sheld

4 May 2018

More Crane action

More Crane action

Along with our two pairs of Crane on the South Lake and Rushy, another pair were back prospecting the island from the Zeiss Hide.  Fingers crossed for another nest here soon.  Also of note was a Dark-bellied Brent Goose on the Dumbles, presumably the bi

3 May 2018

A wet start

A wet start

It was a very wet start this morning with heavy downpours passing up the valley.  Many of the birds kept a low profile until the weather cleared and the sun came out for the afternoon. Sedge incubating through the rain

2 May 2018

Today's sightings

Today's sightings

Oystercatcher- at least 7 pairs are nesting. Holden Tower 1 Curlew on the spartina island, pair of Peregrine, 8 Lapwing and 75 Avocet on the Dumbles. Rushy Hide Nine pairs of Black-headed Gull are now nesting as well as the Crane pair and three pairs of

1 May 2018

Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Drake Shoveler from Discovery Hide South Lake Pair of Shoveler, pair of  Teal, 7 Gadwall, pair of Great Crested Grebe, 120 pairs of Black-headed Gull,  84 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 male Ruff, 11 Avocet, pair of Oystercatcher plus broods of Greylag Geese.

30 April 2018

Extra warbler arrivals

Extra warbler arrivals

Sedge Warbler Migrants At least four Willow Warbler were seen/heard today marking a fall of new birds, as far as I'm aware none have been noted since 23rd April. An increase in singing Sedge Warbler is also of note, 20+ in song today. A walk through surv

29 April 2018

Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Holden Tower and Tack Piece. Several Shoveler and Gadwall pairs, A Common Sandpiper from Robbie Garnett hide. A constant trickle of Swallow, House and Sand Martins drifting northwards and stopping to feed in sheltered spots, about 100 along the Tack Piec

28 April 2018

A wet one

A wet one

Its a rather wet start out on the reserve today, and it doesn't look like it'll get any better as the day goes on. Holden Tower Most of the Avocet were hunkered down on the scrape with 43 counted this morning.  The Oystercatcher was also sat tight.  Ba

27 April 2018

Bits and bobs

Bits and bobs

It feels like Spring migration has stalled a little as we wait for the next wave of birds to pass through.  The only sign of migration today was an Arctic Tern which dropped in to the South Lake several times over the day.  A few more Reed Warbler were

26 April 2018

Today's sightings

Today's sightings

The Glossy Ibis was in front of the Martin Smith Hide again this morning, showing very well in the early morning sunshine until it took wing around 8:20am, gained height circling and then flew north.  The bird has been seen locally at Frampton so it may

25 April 2018

Today's sightings

Today's sightings

Rushy Hide Now eight pairs of Black-headed Gull on nests on the lower pond and five half hearted nests on the top pond island. Three pairs of Avocet are on nests, 12 birds in total on the lower pond. A pair of Oystercatcher and a pair of Lapwing still pre

24 April 2018