New bus service launching this summer, with access to WWT Slimbridge. Find out more.
Departures/preparations for departure?
It looks like the first departures of wintering birds has begun.
This week Lapwing and Golden Plover numbers have been down, we expect to see the wintering birds heading away at this time of year, climate change has condensed the winter period. Greylag and Canada Geese have also dropped in number as they venture off to reclaim nesting territories. The Bewick's Swans spent much of the day sleeping on the Tack Piece, this is another sign of pre-migration preparation.
Highlights today included the following
Raptors
Merlin, Goshawk, Buzzard, Peregrine, Kestrel and Marsh harrier all noted hunting the reserve today.
Rushy Hide/Peng Observatory
First winter drake Greater Scaup, drake Mandarin, 94 Bewick's Swan + c10 flew off SE to the fields, the Snow Goose with Canada Geese, 84 Pochard and c60 Pintail
Estuary Tower
At least five Dark-bellied Brent Geese with the Barnacle Goose flock + Ross's and the Snow x Bar-headed Goose hybrid on the Dumbles with 12 Cranes. 200+ Pintail were on the Severn over high tide.
Top New Piece
132 Russian White-fronted Geese came in to drink at 09:25am, 5 Ruff, Golden Plover, Dunlin and Lapwing all settling here at times, 28 Shelduck (pictured) 3 Pintail, 140 Teal, Snipe and 130 Wigeon among the birds present.
Tack Piece
Ruff, 12 Redshank, 600 Wigeon but they're very mobile today, 3 Roe Deer, Golden Plover, Dunlin and Lapwing on the central flood, 3 Snipe at Martin Smith Hide.
South Lake
Four Avocet, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 430 Lapwing, 70 Teal, 36 Shoveler, 40 Pochard, 19 Cormorant, 5 Common Gulls with the Herring/Black-headed Gulls.
