Birds and the butterflies
It's been another lovely sunny day with temperatures reaching the mid 20s. Along with bird activity, butterflies have been very notable today with a range of species seen including Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Comma and Orange-tip. Bird highlights included a Glossy Ibis seen on the Tack Piece before moving to the Top New Piece, and a Cattle Egret flying over the centre late afternoon.
Holden Tower
High tide saw the 3 Whimbrel again roosting on the edge of the Dumbles, whilst closer to the hide on the scrape were 71 Avocet with pair Oystercatcher.
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South Lake Hides
With most of the Avocet on the Dumbles, just 6 were left behind on the scrape from the Discovery Hide. A pair of Oystercatcher are now incubating to the left of the hide and the first Black-headed Gulls are also on eggs. At least 3 Mediterranean Gulls were present, a pair made up of an adult and second summer and another adult on the other island
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Zeiss Hide
Out on the scrape were 27 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Redshank and 10 Avocet A pair of Oystercatcher were in front of the Van de Bovenkamp Hide were 2 Wigeon were also seen. At least 2 male Sedge Warbler were singing away in the reedbed, seemingly pursuing a female.
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Kingfisher Hide
A bird was seen to leave the nest hole, so they may well be incubating now or very soon. Out on the scrape on the Bottom New Piece were 220 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Redshank, 2 Avocet and 8 Wigeon. A Reed Warbler was singing near the hide, as was a Cetti's Warbler.
