Grey Plover with other waders on estuary

A quiet estuary this morning, but a breeding plumage Grey Plover is always nice to see

A quiet estuary this morning ahead of high tide, but a breeding plumage Grey Plover was with a mixed flock of Dunlin and Ringed Plover, and is always nice to see. Later over the high tide period a flock of Kittiwake were seen from Middle Point.

Zeiss Hide
The moulting Spotted Redshank and a Garganey were on the Bottom New Piece this morning, best viewed with the height advantage of the Zeiss Hide but should also be viewable from the Kingfisher Hide. On the Top New Piece four Bar-tailed Godwit joined the flock of 70 Black-tailed Godwit. Also present were 18 Avocet, the immature Spoonbill came in off the estuary, a pair of Oystercatcher were noted, the pair of Cranes were on the nest island, and six Redshank were seen. A Kingfisher flew past the hide, presumably back to feed chicks at the South Finger, viewed from the Kingfisher Hide.

Grounds
A drake Pochard was with the captive Redheads in Eider Pen this morning. A Willow Warbler was singing from the tall trees near Pond Zone.

Robbie Garnett Hide
A Great Egret flew north over the Tack Piece this morning. On the Tack Piece were seven Avocet, a pair of Shoveler, two pairs of Gadwall and three pairs of Teal, with a few hirundines feeding low over the water in the drizzle. A Garden Warbler was singing near the hide along the walkway.

South Lake
A total of 50 Avocet were on the wader scrape plus the unringed Crane on the nest. A male Cuckoo was singing from the oak trees behind the wader scrape, and a Mediterranean Gull was on the causeway outside the Discovery Hide. The deep lake held 17 Tufted Duck, eight Cormorant and a pair of Great Crested Grebe.

Rushy Hide
A pair of Little Ringed Plover were attending their nest, and 22 Avocet were on the lower pond. The Crane was incubating on their nest pn the upper pond island, and a drake Shoveler and female Teal were seen.

Summer Walkway / Middle Point
A Whinchat and four Wheatear were on the cross fence. The immature Spoonbill flew past heading south and was later seen on the Top New Piece. A breeding plumage Grey Plover was with 42 Dunlin and 62 Ringed Plover to the north on mudflats off Frampton breakwater, and a single Curlew was to the south along with a Little Egret.


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