Our first Bewick's Swan has arrived
Meet Allington, a three year old male who arrived on Saturday 30th October
Meet Allington, a three year old male who arrived on the Rushy on Saturday 30th October. The bird is the offspring from a well-known pair, By-brook and Keynell. Allington first came to the reserve with his parents as a cygnet in 2018, and has returned each year since with them. This is the first year he has arrived alone.
The photo of Allington was taken by Paul Masters and shared with us on Twitter. See the tweet here.
South Lake
A flock of at least 40 Red Knot were bobbing around and acting more like ducks as they sheltered in the Black-tailed Godwit flock. The recent heavy rain has filled the scrape right up and the Red Knot are struggling to find anywhere shallow enough and still be with the godwits. A Greenshank was also with them and a flock at least ten Dunlin made a brief visit before heading back towards the estuary.
Kingfisher Hide
A Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler were calling from the reedbed, and a small charm of Goldfinch were on the feeders.
Zeiss Hide
Two Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler were very vocal in the reedbed, with the rails occasionally showing well feeding in the new rides. Duck included six Shoveler and eight Gadwall on an otherwise very quiet Top New Piece.
Estuary Tower
After one of this morning's downpours visibility improved to reveal 713 Teal, five Pintail and 293 Wigeon on the Dumbles scrape. Further out there were 172 Shelduck and 119 Dunlin on the estuary, along with a Grey Heron and several Great Black-backed Gull. A Peregrine was also sat out on the mudflats towards Purton.
Rushy Hide
Our single Bewick's Swan, Allington, is still on the Rushy and enjoying the easy food from the morning feed. Also counted were 46 Pochard, 200+ Tufted Duck, 38 Pintail, 47 Shelduck, nine Black-tailed Godwit, a Ruff, and the Black Swan.
Stephen Kirk Hide
The Spoonbill was feeding on the Tack Piece scrape in front of the hide this morning.
