South Finger makeover

The South Finger Walkway and associated hides have been getting a makeover today thanks to our hardworking volunteers

The South Finger Walkway, which leads to the Kingfisher Hide, has been getting a makeover today with the Reserve Team volunteers hard at work to get the area ready for winter.

Path edges of been cut back, some work has been started on opening up the dragonfly pools and views through the reedbed have been cut in the hope a Bittern or Water Rail will be seen during the winter months. We also have some fencing to replace to enable our farmers to effectively manage thier cattle and better support the management of these grassland areas for wildlife.

Van de Bovenkamp Hide
Despite the work nearby a juvenile Cattle Egret was in the Tin Shed Ground with English Longhorn cattle, and also viewable from the Reedbed Walkway.

Zeiss Hide
A Great White Egret was on the Top New Piece this morning along with a Buzzard on a kill. Duck included 37 Wigeon, five Shoveler and 738 Teal whilst waders were represented by just 71 Lapwing, a Snipe and eight Ruff. Also noted were a Grey Heron, Cormorant and singing Cetti's Warbler. Ten Cranes flew in this morning and landed on the Dumbles over the seawall.

South Lake
The wader scrape held 110 Lapwing, eight Redshank, eight Ruff, 60 Black-tailed Godwit and 18 Shoveler. On the deep lake were six Cormorant, 18 Shoveler, 25 Tufted Duck and five Pochard.

Summer Walkway / Middle Point
An autumn hay cut was taken from along the Summer Walkway path before opening to the public today, with birds of note seen including an adult male Stonechat following the tractor, plus flocks of Goldfinch and Linnet, and a Chiffchaff in the hedgerow.

Two Whinchat, another Stonechat, a Wheatear and a few Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting were on the cross fence at Middle Point. A female Marsh Harrier flew low heading south towards the Top New Piece.

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