Today's sightings
Migrants
A large fall of spring migrants occurred in the poor weather this morning, at least 40 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackcap, 30 Willow, 10 Sedge a few Reed Warbler were seen/heard without looking too hard. House Martins and Swallows were also feeding around midday in flocks. Best of all were the three Little Gulls on the South Lake, these dainty birds pick flies from the surface of the water whilst on the wing.
Little Gulls-pics by Martin
Holden Tower
Ten Avocet (also feeding in tidal silt pools) and 2 Oystercatcher on the scrape, 15+ Lapwing on the Dumbles and two Ringed Plover on the foreshore. A large gathering of feeding Shelduck, Black-headed Gulls and some loafing large gull species such as Great Black-backed Gull were present.
Long Ground Pool- Look East into grounds over perimeter fence to see the female Goldeneye, she was feeding with Tufted Ducks in the shallows. Also a few Swallows.
Knott Hide/Willow Hide
Cetti's Warbler, 2+ Willow Warbler Blackcap and Chiffchaff all singing
Kingfisher Hide
Swallows looking rather damp this morning. Image-Jacob Peterken.
At least one Kingfisher present as well as 8 Avocet, 15+ Lapwing, 2+ Redshank and 10 Teal on the marsh.
South Finger
Blackcap, 3+ Chiffchaff and 3+ Willow Warbler singing
South Lake
Eight Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Oystercatcher and 2 Avocet on the wader scrape as well as two pairs of second summer and one first summer Mediterranean Gulls. The Great Crested Grebe pair are on the deep lake with Tufted Ducks. Three Lapwing and a gathering of Black-headed Gulls on the islands. Three Little Gulls appeared (two adults, one of which was almost full breeding plumage and a second summer) late morning.
Zeiss Hide
106 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Avocet feeding on the scrape/flood, a pair of Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 12 Teal and 12 Shoveler also on the water.
