A week of raptor watching
With a busy week on the ground ahead of reopening, the skies above have been busy too
With a busy week on the ground as we get the site ready to reopen on Monday 12th April, we've been distracted by the skies above with lots of raptor action this week.
We've had at least two Osprey pass up the estuary this week, the first on Wednesday morning when a bird was sat on a fence post on the Dumbles until around 9:30am when it flew north. The second bird was seen today, catching a large fish from the Top New Piece before carrying it off to eat over the seawall and on to the Dumbles. Quite a sight!
Other raptor action has included nearly daily raids by a male Goshawk, which is particularly favouring the Rushy and South Lake. Suddenly there will be panic and everything lifts off from the area in alarm calls and then usually we'd just catch sight of the Goshawk flipping over the hedge and away but a couple of times this week we've also seen a successful hunt with the bird landing on its prey in the water before carrying it off to eat, tailed by the local corvids trying their best to mob this awesome predator.
At least three Peregrine have been out on the Dumbles this week, and we've had occasional sightings of a Kestrel and several Buzzard. Not to be out done by the its larger cousin, a male Sparrowhawk has been hunting the Decoy and central area of the Grounds, often seen sat on posts watching for an easy meal. A Red Kite (photo above) drifted low over the Visitor Centre too.
The aforementioned work on the ground has seen the Reserve Team finishing off the path resurfacing work along the Estuary Walkway, South Finger Walkway, and Spinney path that leads to the Zeiss Hide. The surface is given a rake over to remove the debris, watered to bind the grit and then rolled to compress. The new improved surfaces here should make it easier for everyone to access different parts of the reserve.
Since completing the work we've learnt the sad news that we will be unable to open our hides when we reopen on Monday 12th April. To try and compensate for this we've been working hard today (Friday 9th) and will continue this weekend coming to set up new temporary open-air viewing opportunities for our visitors to still be able to see our wildlife until restrictions are lifted. The Summer Walkway will be open early, so you'll be able to enjoy a walk to the estuary and search the mudflats for wildfowl and waders on spring migration, and we're also able to open the roof terrace of the Estuary Tower for panoramic views across the estuary, Dumbles, Top New Piece and Tack Piece. The Estuary Tower will be manned by our volunteer Guide in the Hide team throughout the day to help keep everyone safe.
Find out more about our reopening, what attractions and facilities are open, and book tickets online on the WWT website here.
Crane update
Some exciting news this week as the breeding season has suddenly gathered pace. The reappearance of Oakie & Sherbert has seen the pair reclaim their breeding territory around the Top New Piece and they've started nest building on one of the islands. Fingers crossed they have another successful season, although our lone bird Sedge is hanging around and causing them trouble, despite continually being chased off by Oakie. You'll be able to watch the action over the coming weeks from the Estuary Tower, or the Wild Safari trailer which has been parked near the Canoe Safari as a viewing deck to look out across the Top New Piece until we can reopen the Zeiss Hide. Look for the directional signage through the Canoe Safari entrance. The Canoe Safari itself will remain closed until at least 17th May when restrictions are planned to change.
Elsewhere on the reserve Wendy & Albert have also surprised us and are now incubating two eggs in their breeding territory. Our other pairs of Kia & Chocolo, Ruby and her unringed partner, Monty & Evie and Phelps & Elizabeth Royal are yet to follow but we will keep an eye on them to see what is happening.
Kingfisher update
Unfortunately we are unable to reopen the Kingfisher Hide until restrictions change, and we can't set up a temporary viewing area nearby without causing disturbance to the breeding pair. Thankfully the activity around the nest site has gone very quiet, so the pair are either still excavating or the female has possibly started laying eggs. If this is the case we would expect to have a very quiet period with very little activity for at least three weeks until the chicks hatch. It appears as though the birds have timed their breeding season perfectly for our hides being closed, as when they are hopefully able to reopen on 17th May (subject to restrictions changing) the pair will be busy feeding growing chicks and making very regular visits to the nest hole. So whilst we're disappointed we won't be able to open the hide next week, we are optimistic that our visitors won't be missing out on the action to come.
Other notable species
The week has seen a steady passage of Swallows and a few Sand Martin most days, with our first House Martins and Yellow Wagtails also seen this week. Around the reserve we now have good numbers of Chiffchaff and Blackcap, a few Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler and our first Reed Warbler was singing in front of the Zeiss Hide this morning. Over the coming weeks we should see many more arrive, joined by Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and maybe a few Garden Warbler or even a Grasshopper Warbler!
Passage waders have included two Bar-tailed Godwit amongst the Black-tailed Godwit flock on the South Lake on Wednesday, and now at least two Common Sandpiper busy buzzing around the Rushy along with up to four Little Ringed Plover.
The female Goldeneye remains on the South Lake, and the Cackling Goose continues to make regular appearances including in full view on the Rushy! Up to 12 Cattle Egret have been roosting with us all week, and at least one Great Egret remains too after the freezing weather. At least two Spoonbill have also been present for most of the week, enjoying the Tack Piece scrape.
