Collared Pratincole still here
Our rare visitor remained throughout the weekend despite the wet weather, and has now found the South Lake to its liking
Our rare visitor remained throughout the weekend despite (or maybe because of) the wet weather, and has now found the South Lake to its liking offering great views from the Discovery Hide roosting on islands and rocketing around the skies feeding.
The photo above was taken by our Guide in the Hide volunteer, Jonathan. Check out his tweet here.
Redwing flocks are continuing to move overhead this morning, with some feeding in hedgerows too. A few Chaffinch and Siskin are also on the move, and several calling Chiffchaff and Goldcrest are in the hedgerows around the reserve.
South Lake
The supporting cast for the Collared Pratincole early this morning included 143 Shoveler plus the usual Teal flock, 87 Black-tailed Godwit and the Lapwing flock, six Pochard, 14 Tufted Duck, eight Shelduck, two Grey Heron and an unseasonal Great Crested Grebe - we don't have many records in winter. A Great Egret dropped in mid-morning, and the Black-tailed Godwit flock also increased.
Kingfisher Hide
A flock of Lapwing and 32 Ruff are in the Bottom New Piece. Also noted were eight Snipe and two Skylark. A flock of 51 Black-headed Gull were loafing in the arable field.
Zeiss Hide
The flock of 25 White-fronted Geese were on the Top New Piece this morning, including five juveniles. High tide pushed in a small flock of 40 Dunlin and two juvenile Little Stint, seven Redshank, a Black-tailed Godwit plus the Lapwing flock. Two Raven were also seen.
Robbie Garnett Hide
A Marsh Harrier flew through this morning flushing duck on Tack Piece.
Rushy Hide
Birds of note this morning included 17 Shelduck along with one of the Cape Shelduck hybrids, three Shoveler, a Redshank, two Avocet, five Snipe and a Grey Heron.
Estuary Tower
Three White-fronted Geese were with the Greylag flock on the Dumbles this morning until they were flushed by a helicopter and flew inland. The high tide roost included 48 Curlew, 20 Grey Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit with 300+ small waders buzzing around. Also noted were ten Little Egret, 16 Great Black-backed Gull and the Shelduck flock with the second Cape Shelduck hybrid.
