Head for the South Lake
With the wind and the rain many birds are taking shelter, with some of the day's highlights on the South Lake
With the wind and the rain many birds are taking shelter, with some of the day's highlights on the South Lake.
South Lake (Discovery Hide)
On this morning's hide round our new volunteer, Julian, found a drake Garganey showing very well on the wader scrape just a few feet from the hide at times (photo from Guide in the Hide, Tim). Over the causeway sheltering out of the wind was at least one of the breeding plumage Cattle Egrets, the second may well be hidden around the corner. Shortly before lunchtime our Guide in the Hide, Dot, found the Glossy Ibis feeding around the edge of the wader scrape. The bird was last seen on Wednesday so it is good to know it is still in the area.
Also noted were a single Little Ringed Plover, 53 Avocet and 12 Black-tailed Godwit whilst on the deep lake was a Great Crested Grebe. Also on the deep lake by lunchtime was the drake Goldeneye.
Estuary Tower
The Dumbles scrape held 19 brave Avocet this morning, all hunkered down against the wind with a few Black-headed Gulls. A pair of Oystercatcher were near the scrape and a third bird was further out feeding in the longer grass. To the south of the hide two Great Egret were roosting in the willow trees around the Long Ground Pool.
Zeiss Hide, Kingfisher Hide, Van de Bovenkamp Hide, Reedbed Walkway and South Finger Walkway
Unfortunately we've had to keep these hides and walkways closed this morning due to the strong winds. We'll reassess as the day goes on whether we can safely reopen them. Check the latest news on our Twitter feed here.
