Today's sightings
I am pleased to say that it is difficult to find anywhere on site where you will be unable to hear Reed Warbler singing. With a number of Sedge Warbler, Common and Lesser Whitethroat territories now established we have quite a daytime chorus. A few Cetti's Warbler and Blackcap are still singing as are the Cuckoos. The latter giving daytime bursts of song which can be encountered anywhere.
The Common Terns are back and can be seen with fish offerings to strengthen the pair bond. The Black-headed Gull colonies are now in full swing. It seems that the first wave of wader chicks have been heavily predated, a male Sparrowhawk is the main culprit. Avocet colonies persist on the Dumbles and a new one has developed in the Rushy Pen. Avocets can be seen on all of our scrapes.
Most of the duck are 'off-duty' males that wait for females to leave the nest to shadow them. It will not be long before ducklings are in evidence.
Some of the highlights today include...
Rushy Pen
Avocet 16
Lapwing 2
Oystercatcher 2
Redshank 2
Shoveler, Shelduck and Tufted Ducks.
Common Sandpiper 1
Tack Piece
Barnacle Goose 3
Crane 2 GCP
Avocet 6
Little Egret 1
Holden Tower
Avocet 16
Peregrine 1
Lapwing 12
South Lake
Avocet 3
Black-tailed Godwit 37
Lapwing 4
Oystercatcher 4
Common Tern 2 pairs
Zeiss Hide
Crane 1 GCP
Avocet 7
Shoveler 2
Foreshore
Wheatear 1
Little Egret from Robbie Garnett Hide