Look out for Garganey

A drake Garganey was seen on the Rushy this morning, our first of the year

A drake Garganey was seen on the Rushy this morning, our first of the year.

Summer Walkway / Middle Point
At least 18 Bar-tailed Godwit were on the river to the north of Middle Point just before high tide - thanks to @GlosHobby on Twitter for the sighting. Earlier this morning a small group of around 40 Shelduck were feeding close to Middle Point.

Grounds
The wild areas in between the Living Collection exhibits are often overlooked, but this morning the pockets of reedbed and scrub held singing Reed, Sedge, Willow and Cetti's Warbler near the otter pool. It is also easy to pick out Chiffchaff and Blackcap throughout the site. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming loudly in the Spinney this morning.

Safari Trailer (next to Canoe Safari hut)
Our Crane pair are again incubating at least one egg on southern island, hopefully this attempt will be successful. Other birds of note included nine Avocet, 20+ Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Shoveler, plus singing Reed and Sedge Warblers can be heard here too.

Estuary Tower (roof terrace)
The 12 Cattle Egret roosted on the Long Ground Pool last night and left the roost around 8:30am. They were then seen in the field with the cattle on the approach road to the centre. A singing Whitethroat was in the copse below the hide this morning, possibly our first of the year, whilst singing Sedge and Reed Warbler were in the Pillbox Pool reedbed. A pair of Oystercatcher and a pair of Avocet were negotiating tenancy of a favoured island for nesting on the Dumbles scrape.

Rushy (look through the new viewing slots)
A displaying male Little Ringed Plover was whizzing around the area calling. On the lower pond were 14 Avocet, 22 Black-tailed Godwit and a pair of Oystercatcher.

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