Midweek update

With a wet and windy week the reserve team have been occupied with fallen trees, we had to shut the Kingfisher Hide to make them safe. The Bottom New Piece has become rather quiet over the last week. the grass has been grazed out and most birds are feeding in the fields to the North of the Tack Piece (Goose House Ground and Ox Piece). The newly restored paleo channels (Part of Slimbridge 2020 project) and the good grass has really pulled in the wetland birds.

So, down at the South Finger we have some seasonal work to carry out, as it is not being used much by the birds at present we will take the opportunity to do the following...

Clear the vegetation to access the Kingfisher nesting bank so we can re-face and carry out maintenance with an excavator (Drainage Board) in readiness for 2020 breeding season.

Trim the hawthorns along the South Finger Extension ditch (the berries have now all been eaten by thrushes) so that the excavator can de-silt part of the choked main drain.

Strim out some vegetation to create improved views from the hide

Another seasonal job now the leaves have all fallen- we will be path scraping along the South Finger path to pick up the soil and fallen leaves. Say hello to the reserve team if you are down there, this week. A small tractor and trailer will be up and down the track to remove the compost we will leave the track in a much tidier condition and improve access for our wheelchair users. This will not affect the birds in this area.

Bird news over the last few days include..

Goose House Ground

This is a favourite spot for feeding geese, the White-fronted Geese have been feeding here but often hidden out of the wind behind the hedge. At least 2 Whooper Swan have been among the feeding Bewick's and Mute Swans with numerous Canada and Greylag Geese and a few Wigeon. Best viewed from estuary tower over the lower gaps in the hedge (sight lines).

Tack Piece

Wigeon numbers have improved with 1200+ being counted here, it gets much busier toward midday and during the afternoon. As usual a variety of other duck species feed or roost with them. Ruff numbers fluctuate here but at least 18 have accompanied the 40 Redshank, Curlew have also been feeding here including some 2019 head started birds, please report any rings you may read. Golden Plover, Dunlin and Lapwing numbers go up and down just like the birds themselves. The White-fronted Geese were on the central flood this morning but headed back the GHG to feed.

Estuary Tower

The eight Pink-footed Geese have been on the Dumbles daily with Canad, Barnacle and Greylag Geese, the Snow x Bar-headed and Bar-headed Goose is still with them. Peregrine is regular on the driftwood, Cormorants on the spartina island and 35+ Great Black-backed Gulls over high tide.

South Lake

Plenty of duck sheltering from the winds, 82 Tufted Duck. 75 Pochard, 56 Shoveler and 150 Teal and the regular flocks of 485 Black-tailed Godwit, 205 Red Knot, 145 Dunlin, 500 Lapwing and 10 Ruff resting here.

Top New Piece/Zeiss Hide

The Bittern was seen here again yesterday in the reeds/bullrush below the hide. Flocks of 100 Wigeon, 703 Lapwing, Dunlin and 245 Teal out on the flood.

Willow Hide

Chiffhcaff and at least 3 Water Rail conitnue to be seen here as well as the passerines around the feeders.

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