Surprise Snow Goose flock
The unusual occurences of Snow Geese across the UK has continued, with seven birds arriving on the reserve this afternoon
The unusual occurences of Snow Geese across the UK has continued, with seven birds arriving on the reserve this afternoon. Flocks and individuals have been recorded right across the UK this year and no one really knows where they're all coming from.
Estuary Tower
The flock of seven Snow Geese dropped in to the Dumbles scrape early afternoon before moving to the Tack Piece. Also on the scrape were a pair of Avocet wit two chicks and a Little Ringed Plover. A Cuckoo was still singing from the Decoy Wood, showing occasionally on the edge of the trees. The Little Grebe still have two chicks on the Pillbox Pool.
Zeiss Hide
An eclipse drake Garganey was on the Top New Piece along with 12 Avocet and at least one chick. Teal numbers are slowly building now as failed breeders and males return to the reserve to moult, along with good numbers of Gadwall with over 120 seen here yesterday. A brood of Shelduck were also noted.
South Lake
A female Gadwall was with six new ducklings this morning, and a female Tufted Duck with a brood of eight. The wader scrape held well over 100 Avocet including adults and chicks, the male Ruff was still present with the Black-tailed Godwit flock, and a single Redshank, pair of Little Ringed Plover and the Oystercatchers were also noted. A pair of Great Crested Grebe and a pair of Little Grebe were on the deep lake with a drake Wigeon.
Grounds
A new Oystercatcher chick with its parents on the 'lawn’ near Wellyboot Land.
Rushy Hide
The lower pond held 12 Avocet with six chicks. The Oystercatcher pair here still have at least two chicks and the Little Ringed Plover pair remain incubating in their protective cage. Up to five Wigeon have been present here too.
