Sightings and news to week ending 11 May
The Brown Hare population has bounced back in recent years, with many mating couples around the reserve it is likely to increase further. These animals can be encountered along the hide pathways and fields. The pair featured in the image were in the Goose House Ground close to the Shepherds Hut hide on 4 May.
Monday 5 May
Rushy Hide
Common Sandpiper and a least 31 Avocet (4 nests), single male Shoveler among the Gadwall, Shelducks, Tufted Ducks and Mallards.
South Lake
At least 109 Avocet (38 nests), 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 drake and single female Teal. 13 Sand Martin and 6 Swallows. Regular fly-pasts by Kingfisher. Little Grebe on the deep lake.
Top New Piece
Four Greenshank and four Ruff (one male), the Spotted Redshank and Wood Sandpiper still but these birds are also visiting the Bottom New Piece flood, the 2cy Glossy Ibis, 15 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 6 Redshank and 2 Lapwing defending against a Fox. Singing Sedge and Reed Warblers. Skylarks over the field and a few Swallows hawking insects. A pair of Cranes early morning but moved to the Dumbles.
Bottom New Piece
A pair of Garganey and a spare male, probably best to try to view from Zeiss Hide. 12 Lapwing on the field with 6 Redshank. Pair of Kingfisher making regular visits to the nest hole with small fish from Kingfisher Hide.
Middle Point
The singing male White-spotted Bluethroat still.
Up to 12 Cranes on the Severn Ground to NE.
