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Yesterday's BIG surprise
It's not often that a quick spot of birding at lunchtime results in a County rarity being found...
It's not often that a quick spot of birding at lunchtime results in a County rarity being found, but yesterday Martin headed out to the Estuary Tower and whilst scanning the Dumbles found a Stone Curlew! This is only the second record for the reserve and the 7th county record.
Sadly the bird was not seen again today, as it often the case with these night-time migrants. Today's sighting did include...
South Lake
Up to five Cattle Egret were on the deep lake islands during the day, along with a Little Egret this morning and calling Little Grebe. The wader scrape held 40 Avocet. Later this afternoon one of the Glossy Ibis dropped in, and a Mediterranean Gull as seen.
Zeiss Hide
One of the Glossy Ibis was feeding below hide this morning. Out further on the Top New Piece were our nesting pair of Cranes at their island, a Great Egret and Little Egret were fishing nearby, and a total of 84 Black-tailed Godwit were feeding across the area along with 48 Avocet, 14 Tufted Duck and three male Lapwing busy displaying.
Kingfisher Hide
Several singing Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler are all around the hide, also singing here are Willow Warbler plus a few Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Another six Avocet and two Redshank were on the Bottom New Piece.
Estuary Tower
A total of 69 Shelduck were visible on the riverbank as the tide dropped away this morning along with two Curlew, who were later joined by another 12 birds and a single Bar-tailed Godwit. A Peregrine was sat on the southern crossfence, and on the Dumbles scrape were 22 Avocet plus a pair of Mandarin, four pairs of Shoveler and 17 Teal.
Rushy Hide
A pair Little Ringed Plover were on the causeway again, and laid their first egg this afternoon. A protective nesting cage has now been deployed which allows the birds access to the nest but keeps them safe. Our Crane pair are still at their new nest on the upper pond with 14 Tufted Duck here too. On the lower pond were 24 Avocet, a pair of Shoveler, four Gadwall and three Black-tailed Godwit.
