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New arrivals
A few new arrivals on the reserve today with another increase in the number of Avocet, including two colour-ringed birds, and a small flock of at least 10 Knot on the South Lake
A few new arrivals on the reserve today with another increase in the number of Avocet, including two colour-ringed birds, and a small flock of at least 10 Knot on the South Lake.
South Lake
Two colour-ringed Avocet were present this morning, but one flew with the rest of the flock to the Top New Piece. Eight birds remained including the second colour-ringed bird red H9. Now a regular breeder with us, the bird was originally ringed as a chick in Cambridgeshire in 2011. Over the years the bird has also been seen in South Wales, Lincolnshire and across in the Netherlands.
Also on the wader scrape this morning were at least 10 Knot nestled in with 437 Black-tailed Godwit but viewable only from the Hogarth Hide. A pair of Oystercatcher were on the causeway in front of the Hogarth Hide. At least 20 Common Gull and 106 Shoveler were across the area and a pair of Great Crested Grebe were on the deep lake.
A Cattle Egret dropped in later in the morning to join a Little Egret roosting on the edge of the deep lake, to the left of the Discovery Hide. Later the Cattle Egret was on the causeway in front of the hide, partly hidden behind the bank.
Zeiss Hide
A flock of 47 Avocet were on the Top New Piece this morning, having roosted on the South Lake. Also present were two pairs of Oystercatcher, 306 Wigeon, 500+ Lapwing, 200+ Dunlin and 38 Golden Plover. One of our Crane pairs, Oakie & Sherbert, were in the Bottom New Piece.
Estuary Tower
The White-fronted Goose flock are to the north this morning, three fields from tower in the Stall House. At least 87 were present last night. The first pair of Avocet were prospecting the island on the Dumbles scrape this morning, also present were 198 Wigeon. Five Oystercatcher were on the riverbank, arguing over who gets to claim the territory.
Robbie Garnett Hide
Waders this morning included 155 Curlew, 25 Ruff, a pair of Oystercatcher and 47 Redshank amongst the Wigeon and Teal flock.
Rushy Hide
Our single Bewick's Swan, Navalny, is still with us along with 58 Shelduck, 84 Pochard, 108 Pintail, 43 Tufted Duck. This morning there were also 12 Redshank on the lower pond.
