A change in the weather
After a run of hot and sunny days, the weather has turned as cloud, rain and wind return
After a run of hot and sunny days, the weather has turned as cloud, rain and wind return. This morning we counted at least 18 broods of ducklings from five species - Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Shelduck.
Zeiss Hide
The pair of Garganey were present again this morning, with another pair later found by our Guide in the Hide Jonathan, bringing us to two males and two females. Also noted this morning were 80 Gadwall, 16 adult Avocet and a near fledged chick, seven Lapwing, a pair of Wigeon, 16 Teal, five Redshank, a brood of four Shelduck with parents, a brood at least four Shoveler with a female and a single Oystercatcher. The male Ruff later moved here with the Black-tailed Godwit flock.
Decoy Hide
A Little Egret was roosting on the log and two Little Grebe were on the pond with a few Tufted Duck and Shelduck.
Estuary Tower
The last brood of Avocet were on the Dumbles scrape, along with a single Oystercatcher and Redshank. Five Curlew were on the estuary and a pair of Cranes were in the long grass on the Dumbles - Oakie & Sherbert).
Knott Hide
The two juvenile Little Grebe now appear to be looking after themselves with no sign of the adults. A Great Egret was here briefly this morning and then flew to Long Ground Pool. The same bird, or another, was seen flying over the Tack Piece later this morning.
Rushy Hide
The pair of incubating Little Ringed Plover were still present but spending lots of time away from the nest. If they are to hatch, they are due in the next day or so at most. The Oystercatcher pair were with their two chicks. On the upper pond were a drake Shoveler and a drake Teal, with the lower pond holding two broods of Shelduck, three broods of Avocet, three Lapwing and four broods of Mallard.
South Lake
At least 72 adult Avocet were counted this morning with a minimum total of 30 chicks. Photo above from Guide in the Hide Tim. The male Ruff was with the flock of 39 Black-tailed Godwit, who later moved to the Top New Piece viewed from the Zeiss Hide. On the deep lake were a drake Pochard and 23 Gadwall. A brood at least nine Tufted Duck ducklings were noted along with two drake Teal, and two families of Oystercatcher with chicks. A total of 53 Shelduck were also counted.
