Today's sightings

We've got a very active flock of Ruff on the reserve at present, regularly flitting between the South Lake and Top New Piece.  Up to 15 individuals are present so keep an eye out for them if you're visiting.

South Lake Hides

The Ruff were here briefly first thing before heading back to the Top New Piece as seen from the Zeiss Hide.  The flock of Black-tailed Godwits, including some very advanced summer plumaged birds, numbered 190 this morning along with 4 Oystercatchers and 4 Avocets.  Most of the Shoveler were on the duck marsh, seen from the Hogarth Hide.  No sign of the Garganeys yet this morning, but the male was showing well yesterday afternoon.
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Holden Walkway

The flock of Barnacle Geese moved to the Tack Piece yesterday evening, but failed to bring the Brent Goose with them.  This morning the Barnacles were still on the Tack Piece, and the Brent Goose was still out on its own on the Dumbles.  Two White-fronted Geese were also on the Tack Piece, presumably just hiding yesterday on the river bank.

Five Cranes were visible this morning with Cotton, Oakie and Evie on the Tack Piece, occasionally calling and performing a little bit of display.  The colder weather seems to have put the brakes on Spring activity, that is except for the Lapwing which continue to wheel around the skies performing their acrobatic display flights.
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Zeiss Hide

A pair of Avocet were on the scrape along with a pair of Oystercatchers.  A second pair of Oystercatchers were feeding in front of the Van de Bovenkamp Hide with the remaining Wigeon flock which numbers around 120 birds.
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