Mist and murk
A very murky start to the day but still some good birding to be had
A very dull (weather wise) start to the day saw relatively poor visibility over the estuary, whilst the Forest of Dean and Cotswolds was lost in the murk.
Martin Smith Hide
A Kingfisher was seen and heard this morning hunting on the pond and nearby ditches.
Decoy Hide
A few duck on the pond this morning with six Shoveler, two Gadwall, two Teal and six Tufted Duck present.
Estuary Tower
A Green Sandpiper and Snipe were on the Pillbox Pool with three juvenile Black-tailed Godwit, a Little Egret and a Grey Heron.
Middle Point
A Wheatear was foraging along the seawall near the Shepherd's Hut and a Stonechat was seen along the hedgerow of the Summer Walkway. The morning has seen a steady passage of Swallows heading along the riverbank and down river. Out on the mudflats and in the creeks and channels were a Great Egret, four Little Egret and a Greenshank. Over the far side of the river were a small flock of 14 Golden Plover with a mixed small wader flock (Dunlin and Ringed Plover) off the bank at Awre. To the north were 168+ Curlew, 120 Shelduck and four Grey Heron.
Robbie Garnett Hide
Two Green Sandpiper were feeding close to the hide. Duck included a Wigeon, 68 Teal and 25 Gadwall.
Rushy Hide
Two Spotted Redshank were on the lower pond this morning along with three Greenshank, a Ruff, 16 Redshank, a Snipe and an Avocet, and 203 Teal. A Cetti's Warbler was calling from the reedbed at the back of the Rushy and a Black-tailed Godwit was feeding very close to the hide.
South Lake
A Garganey was asleep on deep lake amongst the other duck which included 18 Shoveler and 53 Tufted Duck. On the deep lake islands were an adult Cattle Egret with two juveniles. The wader scrape held 152 Teal, 88 Black-tailed Godwit, 16 Ruff and a Snipe.
