Today's sightings
Another lovely sunny day with things getting warmer again for the weekend. Its a great time to catch up with insects across the reserve with lots of dragonflies and damselflies now on the wing. Look out for butterflies and moths too. This Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen roosting next to Wader Shore this morning.
Rushy Hide
The flock of Black-tailed Godwits has built to 98 birds this morning, all of which were just a few feet away from the hide. At least two Mediterranean Gulls were present, a first-summer and a second-summer, along with the Black-headed Gull colony which is growing in size as chicks fledge and join the adults exploring the area. The two Oystercatcher chicks were busy foraging and occasionally being fed by a parent too.
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South Lake Hides
Seven Redshank have returned to the wader scrape, presumably failed or non-breeding birds returning for the Autumn. Avocets numbered 46 including adults and their chicks of various ages. Many of our duck are starting to return too ready to moult, with numbers of Gadwall the most notable.
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Zeiss Hide
A flock of 22 Avocet were present this morning along with 51 Barnacle Geese, 55 Shelduck (including three broods of ducklings), 4 Lapwing (including a fledged chick), at least 40 Gadwall, 14 Shoveler and a few Teal. A Reed Warbler family were busy feeding in the reedbed near the hide.
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