The tide is high

The second half of this week is dominated by tides reaching 9m or more, pushing birds off the river and onto the pools and scrapes around the reserve, particularly the Top New Piece scrape viewed from the Zeiss Hide.

The Severn Bore (c) WWT

Zeiss Hide

High tide pushed a nice selection of birds onto the Top New Piece scrape including 165 Dunlin, 18 Ringed Plover, 4 juvenile Sanderling, a Knot, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Redshank.  Already present were 3 Green Sandpiper and 13 Ruff, only 2 of which were adults.  A group of 22 Shelduck also dropped in to joining the 488 Teal and 14 Wigeon.  A Cetti's Warbler was calling from the reedbed.
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South Lake Hides

The Black-tailed Godwit flock contained 143 birds this morning, all of which were busy feeding across the wader scrape.  Amongst them were 9 Ruff, 33 Redshank and over 100 Lapwing.  Six Green Sandpiper were in front of the Hogarth Hide and a Little Grebe was on the deep lake from the Discovery Hide.
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Rushy Hide

Following yesterday's autumn vegetation cut a host of birds have returned very close to the hide.  At least 7 Snipe were next to the hide this morning feeding on the freshly cut shoreline.  We appreciate that our work here has caused some disturbance and isn't ideal for our visitors, but without it the reserve would not be as good for wildlife, or visitors to enjoy.  Also on the lower pond were 3 Green Sandpiper.  Another 2 Snipe were on the upper pond islands along with 28 Lapwing.  A Grey Wagtail was on the weir in front of the hide and a Little Grebe was by the swan pipe entrance.
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Holden Tower

A Peregrine was sat in its usual place on a fence post on the Dumbles.  As the tide rose a flock of 64 Shelduck flew down river to roost.  A Wheatear was on the Mid Point fence and another bird on the southern boundary on the Dumbles.

 

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