Changeover period

Last of the summer birds leaving on the cold NW winds and a few more wintering birds trickling in.

The cold, clear nights and strong tail winds have encouraged many summering or breeding birds to depart southwards for the winter, we still have a few late birds about or those that are stop off to rest and feed, but not the numbers or variety. House Martins and Swallows were still feeding over the more sheltered parts of the reserve such as the East side of the seawall or around the cattle in the sunny spots near to the canal. A couple of Whinchats were in the Goose House field using the posts and weeds to spot insects, at least one Stonechat accompanied them. At female Wheatear was also seen today, these showy birds may be a little harder to find as they hunker down in the cold wind.

By contrast the presence of Stonechats herald the main passage period for this species, perhaps a little earlier than is usual but likely to be 10+ about the reserve at the moment, they soon settle into their roaming winter territories. Teal numbers may be a little higher but they will also be passing through in numbers.

Notable highlights and counts from the site today include the following

Duck Decoy

2 Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Mallard, Teal and Gadwall all present + a mobile Redpoll in the trees.

South Lake

Two juvenile Spotted Redshank, 7 Redshank, 68 Black-tailed Godwit, 102 Lapwing, 16 Ruff, 5 Pochard, 210 Teal and Tufted Duck and Shoveler.

Rushy Hide

29 Black-tailed Godwit and 140 Teal on the lower pond.

Top New Piece

Calling Cetti's Warbler, 257 Teal, 124 Wigeon and 32 Lapwing.

Kingfisher Hide

Eight Crane feeding in the Four Score field, they were not seen there late morning, up to 15 have gathered on the Dumbles daily in recent weeks.

Fields North of Middle Point

Female Marsh Harrier hunting over the fields and ditches.

Middle Point/Goose House

In addition to the 'chats' a Great White and 4 Little Egret sheltered from the wind along the row of distant willows/hedge.

Curlew and Shelduck feeding on the mudflats with a group of very distant Grey Plover (&), Bar-tailed Godwit (2), Dunlin (2) and a single Ringed plover.

Estuary Tower

102 Shelduck counted on the low tide mudflats, flocks of Barnacle and Greylag Geese (latter flying inland), the Snow x Bar-headed Goose was present. A Redpoll flew over.

Please note that the tower is likely to be closed on Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th September for window upgrades and a change of fire alarm systems.

Tack Piece

Very quiet, the cattle are still grazing here. A Snipe was viewable from the Martin Smith Hide.

Willow Hide

A few calling Chiffchaff

• Share this article