Sightings and news to week ending 5 April 2026
Image- Cattle Egrets and Black-headed Gulls, South Lake- MJM.
Upcoming Events
Moth Morning - Tuesday 31 March - Join us in the Estuary Shoreline Garden
Birding for Beginners - Friday 17 April
Wild History Walk - Friday 17 April
Guided Birdwatch Walk - Saturday 18 April
Come and see our wild Kingfishers!
We now two pairs of Kingfishers digging holes or refurbishing nest sites and viewable from the hides, please be very quiet in the Duck Decoy Hide and Kingfisher Hide to help them settle in and remain calm. In a good season we expect two broods per pair but a third attempt is not unheard of. The best time to see them is now, catch them whilst they are pairing up, actively digging and while they begin to lay eggs, once incubation of the eggs begins the male will visit with fish for the female, the visits increase when the chicks hatch with both then feeding young until they fledge (leave the nest). You might walk into a hide and the birds are present and showing superbly or have to wait until one visits.
It can be quiet for a week or two until they decide to nest again. Timing will help with a successful sighting, they are small birds so carefully look in the low trees and branches as they are often sat nearby. We will have Guides in the Hides present on and off to help you spot one.
Please note that the hide windows are closed up, any photographs taken will be through glass. The South Finger nest bank is around 40-45m from the hide, the Decoy bank is around 60m. We will clean the windows around the birds incubation period, when it's a quiet period..
Saturday 4 April
South Lake
Greenshank
Decoy Hide
Male Kingfisher, 9 Shelduck, 1 female Tufted Duck.
Kingfisher Hide
1 Kingfisher, 4 Roe Deer & 2 male Lapwing on guard on Bottom New Piece, Willow Warbler & Chiffchaff singing along walkway, Little Grebe in channel
Top New Piece
28 Shelduck, 1 Gt. Egret, 25 Teal, 7Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, male & female Reed Bunting, 4 Sand Martins
1 Sand Martin, 1 Spoonbill, 2 Great Egret, 26 Shoveler, 18 Shelduck, 46 Barnacle, 2 Avocet, 16 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 1 Cettis Warbler, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Pintail, 9 Redshank, 1 Snipe out from Martin Smith hide
Dumbles
1 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 DB Brent, 2 Oystercatcher, 9 Great Black Back Gull, 4 Avocet, 3 Curlew, 2 Skylark, 1 Long Tailed Tit and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker near Long Ground Pool
Friday 3 April
Rushy
2 green sandpipers, 2 Redshanks, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, 2 Sand Martins and 2 Swallows
Dumbles Scrape
6 Teal, 2 Avocet, 1 pair Shoveler, 4 Shelduck
Dumbles
19 Barnacles +1 hybrid, 2 Oystercatcher, 11 Curlew, 13 Shelduck, 56 Canadas, 30 Greylag Geese
Pillbox Pool
6 Tufted Duck, 2 pairs Shoveler, 2 Shelduck.
Long Ground Pool
21 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, 2 Shelduck.
Estuary Walkway
2 Willow Warblers
Tack Piece
53 Shoveler, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 pair Pintail, 11 Teal, 1 Spoonbill, 2 Avocet, 19 Shelduck, 8 Greylag, 11 Barnacle geese, blackcap, Chiffchaff singing.
Thursday 2 April
Rushy
Whooper Swan, 33 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 4 Shoveler, 14 Teal, 2 Oystercatcher, 6 Shelduck
South Lake
from Discovery Hide, 7 Canada Geese, 12 Greylag Geese, 21 Gadwall, 24 Teal, 23 Shoveler, 14 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 14 Shelduck, 5 Coot, 29 Avocet, 2 Redshank, 178 Black-headed Gull, 3 Herring Gull, 3 Common Gull and 4 Cormorant
Top New Piece
from Zeiss Hide, 43 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 9 Shoveler, 34 Shelduck, 1 Buzzard, 3 Lapwing, 1 Ruff, 2 Redshank, 5 Canada Geese
Kingfisher
Male and female Kingfisher, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Mallard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Coot
Bottom new piece
1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 3 Skylark
Pill Box Pool
7 Tufted Duck
Dumbles
2 Buzzard, 24 Oystercatcher, 5 Little Egret, 24 Shelduck, 14 Great Black-backed Gull, 13 Avocet, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 27 Curlew, 6 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 6 Lapwing, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Hare and 3 Roe Deer
Tack Piece
from Robbie Garnett Hide, 1 Spoonbill, 6 Pintail, 5 Wigeon, 43 Shelduck, 45 Shoveler, 16 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 2 Barnacle Goose, 2 Buzzard
Wednesday 1 April
Rushy
1 Green Sandpiper
Dumbles
From Estuary Tower, 2 Red Kite, 6 Avocet on the scrape, 1 Peregrine hunting Wood Pigeon, 9 Curlew, Skylark, 2 Oystercatcher and 1 Buzzard
Martin Smith Hide
1 Snipe and Skylark singing
Tack Piece
From Robbie Garnett Hide, 1 juvenile Spoonbill, 7 Pintail, 5 Wigeon, 2 Redshank, 2 Egyptian Geese.
On the Estuary Walkway - Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap and Chiff Chaff singing
Decoy Hide
Both Kingfishers seen and active this morning
South Lake
From Discovery Hide 24 Avocet, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 25 Shoveler
Top New Piece
from Zeiss Hide, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Avocet, Redshank, Lapwing, male Reed Bunting calling. 3 Roe Deer on the Seawall
Bottom New Piece - 6 Roe Deer
Four Score
From Kingfisher hide 4 Crane Oakie, Sherbert and 2 unringed Crane
Tuesday 31 March
South Lake
18 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag Geese, 14 Shelduck, 10 Shoveler, 9 Gadwall, 5 Mallard, 22 Teal, 22 Tufted Ducks, 2 Moorhen, 2 Coots, 1 Oystercatcher, 34 Black-headed gulls, 3 Cormorants
Top New Piece
3 Mute swans, 10 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 37 Teal, 4 Tufted Ducks, 1 Great Egret and a Water rail
South finger
2 Gadwall, 1 Moorhen, 2 Kingfisher, 1 Water Rail, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers singing
Dumbles
31 Greylag geese,17 Canada geese, 3 Barnacle geese, 4 whitefronts, 1 Ross’s hybrid, 35 Shelduck, 8 Great black-backed gull, 3 Herring gull, 5 Curlew 2 Oystercatchers, 1 Lapwing, 8 Cranes - 6 unringed, 2 Skylarks, 2 Magpies
Tack piece
1 Oystercatcher, 1 Cetti’s warbler, 3 Mallards, 12 Shelduck, 50 Shoveler, 31 Teal, 5 Wigeon, 2 Tufted duck, 41 Barnacle geese, 3 Greylag geese, 5 Mute swan, 1 Spoonbill
Long ground pool
20 Canada geese, 11 Greylag geese, 38 Tufted duck, 3 Shoveler, 2 Coots, 2 Mute swans
Martin smith
2 Canada geese,1 Mute swan, 5 Greylag geese, 1 Barnacle goose, 2 Coots, 2 Black-headed gull, 2 Teal
Willow hide
2 Moorhen,1 Blue tit, 1 Dunnock
Decoy
6 Shelduck, 20 Tufted duck, 10 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 6 Greylag, 1 Moorhen
Monday 30 March
Dumbles
From Estuary Tower 6 Shelduck, 41 Greylag, 18 Canada geese, 2 White-fronted Geese, 1 Curlew, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Great Tit, 3 Wood Pigeon, 1 Peregrine and 6 unringed Crane. On the river 44 Shelduck, 5 Great Black-backed Gull and 70 Black-headed Gull
Long ground pool
29 Tufted Duck, 8 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag Geese, 1 Mute Swan. Knott hide - 6 Tufted Duck, 5 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 4 Teal, 1 Cetti’s Warbler. Willow Hide - 3 Blue Tits, 1 Great Tit, 3 Chaffinch and 2 Mallard
Tack Piece
1 Buzzard, 1 Spoonbill, 1 Magpie, 24 Teal 2 Wigeon, 43 Shoveler, 21 Shelduck, 38 Barnacle Geese, 10 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag Geese, 4 Mute Swan, 2 Redshank and 3 unringed crane
South lake
13 Greylag Geese, 11 Canada Geese, 1 Oystercatcher, 7 Black-headed gull, 21 Tufted Duck, 4 Mallard, 7 Gadwall, 4 Shelduck, 40 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 5 Cormorant and 2 Coot
Sunday 29 March
South Finger Walkway
It’s been lovely to hear the Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff singing again along the walkway, a Buzzard flew over the Tin shed ground too.
Kingfisher Hide
A lone Brown Hare went by on route to the Top New Piece, both male and female Kingfisher were active around the bank and 2 Gadwall, 1 Great Egret, 7 Greylag and 2 Shelduck were also seen.
Top New Piece
From Zeiss Hide there was a female Marsh Harrier, 2 Cranes, 17 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 29 Teal, Skylark and Reed Bunting singing, 4 Gadwall, 2 Coot, 17 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon and 2 Lapwing.
Rushy
From the Rushy Hide there were 2 Avocet and 2 Redshank on the wader scrape, 4 Pochard and 2 Pintail and a Red Kite circled a few times before heading north.
Dumbles
From Estuary Tower there was 1 Swallow and 3 Sand Martin spotted in the morning.
Tack Piece
In the afternoon there were 4 Swallows seen flying low over the water.
South Lake
Still low numbers of waders since a juvenile Peregrine has been frequenting the area, with 12 Gadwall, 6 Avocet and 4 Pochard seen from Discovery Hide and a Willow Warbler was heard in the trees outside.
Saturday 28 March
Rushy Pen
7 Pochard (1f), 2 Pintail, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 25 Tufted Duck, 8 Shelduck
Bottom New Piece
Cranes Oakie & Sherbert defending their territory, 12 Shoveler, 37 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 17 Shelduck, 2 Avocet seen from Zeiss hide
Dumbles
15 White-fronted Goose, 12 Shoveler, 9 Teal, 5 Crane, 2 Lapwing, singles of Marsh Harrier and Lesser Black-backed Gull, Cetti’s Warbler and Bullfinch calling
Tack Piece
42 Shoveler, 11 Teal, 14 Shelduck, 4 Pintail, 2 Gadwall, 70 Barnacle Goose, singles of Lapwing, Redshank, Little Egret and Crane, Cetti’s Warbler calling
Kingfisher Hide
both birds present male with fish, pair of Stock Doves interested in the owl box, 3 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 1 Cormorant.
South Finger Reedbed
11 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Cetti’s singing
Decoy Hide
Both Kingfishers by bank, 17 Tufted Duck, 2 Cormorants and Willow Warbler singing
South Lake (from Discovery hide)
1 Knot, 56 Black-tailed Godwits, 137 Black-Headed Gulls, 11 Shelduck, 14 Tufted, 10 Gadwall, 26 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 2 Oystercatchers, 16 Greylag Geese, 11 Canada Geese, 8 Cormorants, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Herring Gull and 1 Mute swan
Friday 27 March
South Lake
17 Avocet, 71 Black-Tailed Godwit, 12 Tufted Ducks, 4 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 1 Oystercatcher, 11 Herring Gulls, 6 Barnacle Geese
Top New piece
11 Tufted Ducks, 14 Shoveler, 105 Teal, 3 Sand Martin, Reed Bunt singing, 2 Redshank and 3 Lapwing, 4 Roe Deer
South Finger and Kingfisher Hide
Tree Creeper by gates. Plenty of song from Chiffchaff and a Blackcap. Pair of Teal, 2 pair of Tufted Ducks. Cettis Warbler and 5 Roe Deer. Song from Skylark, Willow Warbler and calling Redshank.
Decoy Hide
Kingfisher male right of bank
Pillbox Pool
6 Tufted Duck.
Long Ground Pool
6 Tufted Duck, 3 Greylags, 3 Canadas.
Dumbles Scrape
12 Teal, 10 Shoveler.
Dumbles
30 White Fronted Geese, 7 Shelduck. Very hazy out towards the river.
Tack Piece
1 Spoonbill, 15 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, 2 Oystercatcher, 39 Shoveler, 11 Teal, 1 pair Pintail, 2 male 1 female Pochard, 9+ Sand Martin, 86 Barnacle Geese + hybrid, 3 Greylag Geese
Thursday 26 March
South Lake
From Discovery Hide there were 2 Cranes, 24 Tufted Duck, 33 Teal, 8 Shelduck, 20 Shoveler, 9 Gadwall, 5 Mallard, 12 Canada Geese, 13 Greylag Geese, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Avocet, 71 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Cormorant, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Mute Swan, 2 Coot and 186 Black-headed Gull.
Top New Piece
From Zeiss Hide there was 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 4 Lapwing, 8 Canada Geese, 5 Greylag Geese, 1 Mute, 13 Shoveler, 4 Tufted duck, 11 Shelduck and 23 Teal.
Kingfisher Hide
In the morning the male Kingfisher was visible and active along with 2 Mallard, 3 Teal, 2 Mute Swan, 8 Greylag, 1 Cormorant, 1 Wren, 1 Blue Tit and 1 Coot. Whilst on the Bottom New Piece there were 2 Marsh Harrier and a Red Kite seen passing through.
Dumbles
From Estuary Tower there were 78 White-fronted Geese spotted, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose with the Canada Geese, 7 Teal, 9 Shoveler, 2 Oystercatcher and 2 Buzzard.
Tack Piece
From Robbie Garnett Hide there was just the 1 Spoonbill seen, 68 Shoveler, 50 Teal, 7 Pintail, 1 Redshank, 7 Wigeon, 12 Tufted Duck and 93 Barnacle Geese.
Estuary Walkway
By the Estuary gate there were 2 Song Thrush in the ivy, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler and Willow Warbler all singing, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Bullfinch too.
Rushy
On the Rushy there were 61 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 13 Teal, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Gadwall, 18 Shelduck and a Kingfisher was seen flying and calling across the water.
Car Park
In the car park there were 4 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler singing away and 18 Sand Martin flying overhead.
Wednesday 25 March
Top New Piece
A Marsh Harrier was seen flying along the seawall first thing whilst on the scrape there were 14 Shelduck, 4 Lapwing, 6 Gadwall, 20 Wigeon, 113 Teal, 24 Shoveler and 1 Red Kite.
South Lake
On the deep lake there were 21 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 12 Shoveler, 24 Teal, 9 Gadwall with 131 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Avocet, and 2 Oystercatcher on the wader scrape. Sand Martins were flying over head and the Crane pair Ruby and her wild mate were on territory too.
Kingfisher Hide
On the water there were 6 Tufted Duck, 8 Teal, 2 Mute Swan and 8 Gadwall. Two 2 Stock Dove were still in the area 1 female Kingfisher.
Tack Piece
On the edge of the water there were 3 Spoonbill along with 16 Wigeon, 2 Curlew, 3 Redshank, 2 Brown Hare, Roe Deer, 95 Barnacle Geese and 30 Shoveler.
Dumbles
Viewed from Estuary Tower there were 124 White-fronted Geese and 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose.
Decoy Hide
The Kingfisher pair were showing well throughout the day.
Tuesday 24 March
Estuary Tower
176 Russian White-fronted Geese + 2 Barnacle Gese, adult Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 19 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 3 Curlew, Peregrine + pairs/groups of Shelduck, Greylag and Canada Goose.
Rushy Hide
Pair of Avocet, 81 Tufted Duck, 13 drake and 3 duck Pochard, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher.
South Lake
30 Sand Martins feeding over, 130 Black-headed Gull (56 pairs) and Common and 5 Herring Gulls, 9 Cormorant, also 89 Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and 2 Avocet but all flushed by Peregrine. From the Hogarth Hide there were 16 Gadwall, 9 drake and 15 duck Tufted Duck, 87 Teal, 35 Shoveler. Two pairs of Oystercatcher.
Top New Piece
30 Teal, 3 Redshank, 10 Shoveler, 13 Shelduck, 2 Coot, 5 Tufted Duck, 14 Wigeon.
South Finger Reedbed
Three pairs of Tufted Duck on settling pool.
Duck Decoy
Kingfisher near the nest hole.
Monday 23 March
Around 15 singing Chiffchaff on site this morning.
South Lake
The territorial pair of Cranes (Ruby and wild recruited male) appear to have laid an egg in the duck marsh area. The deep lake islands are busy with territorial Black-headed Gulls including the rosy pink individual.
Kingfisher Hide
Pair of Kingfishers, male presented a fish to female near nest bank.
Top New Piece
Singing Reed Bunting, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, breeding plumage Reeve, 4 Redshank, 164 Teal, 60 Wigeon, 27 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall.
Tack Piece
Spoonbill + a few hundred ducks- mostly Wigeon and Shoveler with 5 Pintail and a few Gadwall and Teal. Flock of Barnacle Geese on the field.
Martin Smith Hide
Three Snipe on the pool edge.
Rushy Hide/Peng Observatory
Two Redshank, Lapwing, 12 drake 4 duck Pochard, 50 Tufted Duck, 17 Pintail, drake Mandarin. Black-headed Gulls on territory.
Estuary Tower
Adult Dark-bellied Brent Goose with Canada Geese, 177 Russian White-fronted with 2 Barnacle Geese, 11 Golden Plover with 4 Lapwing and 4 Curlew on the Lower Dumbles, Marsh Harrier, Red Kite and 2 Buzzard, + 4 Lapwing on the Dumbles, 70 Wigeon on the scrape, c8 Skylark singing/displaying over. A Merlin was seen late morning.
Pair of Little Grebe on Long Ground Pool + drake Pochard.
