Singing Siberian Chiffchaff
A handful of new migrants today included a singing male Siberian Chiffchaff, a rare Spring record.
Migrants
The clear start to the day soon turned misty, these conditions produced a few visible migrants, it cleared an hour or so later. Migrants noted included half a dozen Sand Martins and 2-3 Swallows, a single Yellow Wagtail (probably the first of the year) was also noted over North. A couple of Red Kites (one pictured) have been lingering at the North end of the reserve. A party of 20 Sand Martin probably roosted and dispersed early morning.
A few snatches of sub-song led to the discovery of a Siberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus, collybitta tristis near to the Estuary Tower, it sang and showed well mid morning in the Blackthorn blossom, a few Common Chiffchaff and two Willow Warbler also fed and sang in the scrub here.
A flock of 35 Dunlin arrived high over the Estuary Tower and dropped into the South Lake, a few were in breeding plumage and a couple of larger, longer billed birds were noted. At least one Golden Plover was on the Dumbles.
Other highlights today included
Estuary Tower
The Snow Goose, 26 Teal, 29 Avocet, 5 Lapwing, 35 Curlew and 8 GBB Gull over high tide plus a flock of small waders reported. Thirteen Wigeon were on the river over high tide.
Rushy Hide
A moulting Spotted Redshank was favouring the back (North) end of the lower pond scrape, it was feeding and resting with up to five Redshank. Sixteen Avocet early morning, 2 Oystercatcher, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 16 Teal and a drake Pintail present.
South Lake
90 Avocet and 250+ Black-tailed Godwit were joined by the Dunlin flock mentioned above. A first summer drake Goldeneye was on the deep lake and the Black-headed Gulls have returned to the islands.
Top New Piece
Nesting pair of Cranes, 29 Avocet, a Kingfisher, 225 Black-tailed Godwit (moved to SL), 26 Shovelr and 21 Teal.
Canoe Trail
Singing Willow and Sedge Warblers.
Tack Piece
72 Shoveler, 2 Pintail, 4 Avocet, 1 Curlew, 60 Teal and 26 Wigeon.
Knott Hide
Singing Reed and Sedge Warbler + Little Grebes.
South Finger
Singing Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap and 3 Chiffchaff.
