New bus service launching this summer, with access to WWT Slimbridge. Find out more.
Early May bank holiday notes
Rushy Hide
Stoat along the lane (pictured), the second calendar year Mediterranean Gull was being rather boisterous with the Black-headed Gulls again. At least 14 Avocet on the lower pond. The pair of Oystercatcher were nest scraping on the isthmus.
Tack Piece
9 Wigeon, 7 male Gadwall, 2 male Teal, 6 Tufted Duck and a pair of Mallard and Redshank.
Dumbles
Three pairs of Oystercatcher, four Curlew, probably 5 broods of Lapwing and 58 Avocet on the Dumbles scrape.Three Cranes early morning.
Middle Point/Summer Walkway
Male Whinchat and a pair of Wheatear on the fence, 11 Curlew, 12 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 4 Turnstone, Peregrine, 2 Yellow Wagtail N with another heard in the Tack Piece. C. Whitethroat singing along the hedge/path.
General
Two Red Kite over N late morning. c40 Swift feeding over the N end of the reserve.
South Lake
Three Ruff, 6 Avocet, 75 Black-tailed Godwit and a Common Sandpiper early morning. Two pairs of Little Grebe and pair of Great Crested Grebe. The Kingfisher has been busy whizzing back and forth with fish.Cuckoo heard singing here and in the Duck Decoy. Probably the same bird.
Top New Piece/Zeiss Hide
The South Lake godwit flock (116) relocated here and took the Ruff with them. It looks like yesterday's Wood Sandpiper and 6 reeves have moved on. Three pairs of Wigeon, 4 male and two female Teal, c12 Shoveler, c30 Shelduck, Oystercatcher and 4 Redshank. A pair of Cranes late morning.
Kingfisher Hide/Bottom New Piece
Two Roe deer, the pair of Kingfishers feeding young, Cuckoo singing, Cetti's and Reed Warbler.
