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Post breeding dispersals
This week has seen a few significant counts or sightings of birds that are now dispersing after breeding or have sadly failed. Lapwing, Teal and Curlew numbers have increased and a few more Green Sandpipers arrived, at least seven counted together yesterday. Many of our breeding warblers are feeding young or singing to prepare for a second attempt, the Kingfishers are in the same situation.
The third Golden-ringed Dragonfly for the reserve turned up at Middle Point this morning. Image-M.J.McGill
Middle Point
Little Tern was resting on the mud bank but flew off downriver towards Purton, an adult Yellow-legged Gull was among 11 Great Black backed Gull + 60 Herring/Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 7 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, a Great Crested Grebe was also floating on the Severn. The male White-spotted Bluethroat still singing and displaying along foreshore reedbeds, it has been ranging widely but showing very well. *Note no access out of hours and via the visitor centre when we are open*.
Shepherds Hut Hide
Kingfisher on the fallen elms along Goose House Ground ditch, singing Sedge and Reed Warblers.
Tack Piece
The adult Wood Sandpiper that arrived on 19th was still here today, 5 Green Sandpiper (seven yesterday) 4 Great and 2 Little Egret, two drake and one duck Teal, duck Shoveler, 3 Lapwing and 7 Redshank. An Egyptian Goose remains. A Spoonbill spent the day here on 19th.
Rushy Hide/Peng Observatory
The Spotted Redshank arrived here yesterday but moved on to the other scrapes. At least 24 Avocet chicks with stressed attendant parents, also drake Pochard and Wigeon, two drake Shoveler, 66 Gadwall, broods of Mute Swan, two broods of Tufted Duck, a brood of Gadwall, two broods of Shelduck and two broods of Mallard.
Top New Piece
The breeding plumage Spotted Redshank, 32 Redshank, 30 Teal, 18 Avocet. A flock of 41 Lapwing had gathered by 17th.
Bottom New Piece
The Crane family continue to feed here.
South Lake
116 Avocet (20 nests), 8 Teal, 4 Shoveler, the Crane family. A party of 12 Black-tailed Godwit are favouring the wader scrape.
Cuckoo can still be heard singing here and elsewhere on the reserve.
