Big tides and some great wader numbers.
High Tide
A good high tide this morning covered all of the lower saltmarsh and forced the big flock of passage waders onto the Dumbles and into the scrapes. Good views especially from the Zeiss Hide at around 08.40 on the very top of the tide. Tomorrow should be even better with a bigger tide so get to the Zeiss as soon as possible. Approximate totals as follows;
Ringed Plover 420
Knott 50
Dunlin 580
Curlew Sandpiper %
Little Stint 3+
Sanderling 3
Turnstone 4+
Curlew 130
Holden Tower
Distant views of the above waders, may well be worth watching from Mid Point as the tide drops. A Juv Marsh Harrier looked great among the waders and 2 Herons and 4 Little Egrets were also there. Around 70 Shelduck most of which are this years youngsters. There is a big flock of Yellow Wagtails with the cattle (at least 40).
Zeiss Hide
Again many of the waders mentioned above including all the Little Stint and Curlew Sandpipers. A flock of 50 Knot was especially noteworthy. Also in here were 7 Greenshank and single Wood and Green Sandpipers. There were 435 Teal this morning and a single Pintail.
South Lake
Very crowded in here with over 200 Black Tailed Godwit this morning many of which are new juveniles, over 200 lapwing, 25 Redshank and a single Spotted Redshank, 5 Knot were especially unusual 3 Ruff more expected. The Greylag flock is still impressive over 400 here this morning.
Others
Water Rail showing well at the Martin Smith hide, Kingfisher here briefly as well. Two Cranes in the Rushy with 6 Green sandpipers and two Ruff. Watch out for Grey Wagtail here.
All round great birding with the prospect of plenty more tomorrow.
