Semi P and Hen Harrier
Zeiss Hide
A reasonably high tide early this morning brought a good number of waders. There were 55 Dunlin with the Semi Palmated Sandpiper was among them. Just one Ringed Plover but 7 Greenshank and 38 Redshank, 80 Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Avocets and 2 Ruff. A flock of 60 Golden Plover dropped in briefly to join around 100 Lapwing. A Kingfisher showed well in front of the hide and a Cettis Warbler was calling. Two Buzzards were along the hedge as usual but a female Hen Harrier and a Peregrine were seen further out over the Dumbles.
Holden Tower
The Hen Harrier and Peregrine would have showed well from here. The 20 White-fronted Geese were quite close and 155 Barnacles a little further out.
Martin Smith Hide
Stunning close views of a Kingfisher here along with a scattering of Teal but most impressive for this species was 600 close in in front of the Robbie Garnett Hide. Two Cranes were on the far side of the Tack piece field
Rushy
Little Crake; Looking hard to relocate this bird along the west side of the scrape and in the ditch around the Martin Smith bridge but no sightings so far today or yesterday. there were 27 Black Tailed Godwit showing very well in here, at least 2 Grey Wagtail and some great mixed flocks of Siskin and Redpoll in treetops around the area.
South Lake
Still working here to improve viewing and breeding potential both from the Discovery hide and the much under-used Hogarth hide, consequently rather quiet with around 200 Teal and a Black Tailed Godwit on the scrape and 70 Tufted Duck, 6 Pochard, 25 Shoveler and single Great Crested and Little Grebe on the Lake.
