A great day's birding

A busy reserve today with lots of species to catch up with from the hides

A busy reserve today with lots of species to catch up with from the hides today, including Bittern, two Spoonbill, Cattle and Great Egret, and a great selection of waders over the high tide period.

Whilst waders and heron species seem to be the bulk of the attraction today, the hedgerows and trees around the Estuary Walkway and South Finger Walkway are busy with Chiffchaff too.

Zeiss Hide
The Bittern was showing well towards Van de Bovenkamp Hide this morning, sat in the tops of the reeds before flying closer to the Zeiss Hide. Also present were a Great Egret, two Spoonbill, 27 Wigeon, 718 Teal, two Pintail, a Spotted Redshank with three Ruff, a Green Sandpiper, a Grey Heron, 11 Shoveler and three Snipe. The high tide roost later included a Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint and three Sanderling with the Dunlin and Ringed Plover flock. Four Avocet and three Greenshank were also counted.

South Lake
Two Garganey were preening on one of the deep lake islands this morning with an adult Cattle Egret roosting on the other. The deep lake also held three Pochard (one female) and 27 Tufted Duck. The wader scrape is looking a little better after the overnight rain and included a flock of 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 134 Teal, a Snipe, 25 Ruff and a Green Sandpiper.

Rushy Hide
A Spotted Redshank was busy feeding on the lower pond this morning. A Pintail was asleep amongst 60 Teal and three Shoveler. Other birds included a Green Sandpiper, eight Ruff, an Avocet, 52 Black-tailed Godwit, two Snipe, eight Gadwall, 15 Redshank and a Grey Heron. Later over high tide five Greenshank dropped in.

Middle Point
A Whinchat and a Wheatear were seen from the Shepherd's Hut this morning and several Yellow Wagtail were noted.


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