Head for the Zeiss Hide
Another cracking morning weather wise, and plenty of birds around for a great day out too. Our single Bewick's Swan was still on the Rushy this morning, but could do with a few companions to help it deal with the upset Mute Swan pair who don't like to share the pond.
Zeiss Hide
If you're visiting today I'd recommend the Zeiss Hide. We've got at least 1500 waders on the scrape this morning of 12 species including the probable Semipalmated Sandpiper, 745 Lapwing, 300+ Golden Plover, 500+ Dunlin, 36 Knot, 22 Curlew, a Spotted Redshank, 73 Black-tailed Godwit, 25 Ruff, Redshank, 2 Snipe and 3 Little Stint. Along with 700+ Wigeon and 400+ Teal plus the odd Shoveler and Shelduck and its starting to feel a lot like winter! A Brent Goose dropped on to the scrape briefly before flying off over the Dumbles heading for the river.
.
South Lake Hides
A single Avocet was on the island in the wader scrape this morning with other birds feeding on the scrape including 51 Black-tailed Godwit, 324 Lapwing, 2 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, a Spotted Redshank and a Ruff. Three Snipe were in front of the Hogarth Hide where the Duck Marsh is becoming much more ducky as water levels rise - 198 Teal were present this morning. Four Pochard were on the deep lake from the Discovery Hide along with a Great Crested Grebe and 12 Cormorant. A Water Rail was heard calling from the deep lake area too.
.
Rushy Hide
Ducks here this morning included 99 Pochard, 40+ Pintail, 110 Shelduck, 120+ Teal and over 250 others, mainly made up of Mallard and Tufted Duck. A single Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank were on the lower pond where the Bewick's Swan was taking refuge from the Mute Swan pair.
.
