Spoonbills on tour
The two long-staying immature Spoonbills were touring the reserve this morning
The two long-staying immature Spoonbills were touring the reserve this morning, first seen on the South Lake as the tide was rising before flying over the Visitor Centre and the appearing on the estuary as the tide fell away.
Zeiss Hide
A breeding plumage Red Knot was with 26 Dunlin on the Top New Piece this morning. Also present was a Green Sandpiper, three Avocet, two Oystercatcher, and a flock of Lapwing. Three Little Egret were roosting in hedge opposite the hide, a pair of Cranes were feeding in the long grass, and a Greenshank was over the fence on the Bottom New Piece.
Estuary Tower
At least 145 Curlew were in the roost at high tide this morning, with some breaking away to feed in the long grass. The roost also held four Oystercatcher, 130 Shelduck, four Little Egret and a few Great Black-backed Gull. A Kestrel was hunting the Dumbles, and three Little Egret were roosting on the Long Ground Pool.
Rushy Hide
Two Green Sandpiper were on the lower pond, an Oystercatcher flew over, a Grey Heron was roosting in the willow trees, and three Grey Wagtail (an adult and two juveniles) were on the overflow in front of the hide.
South Lake
The two immature Spoonbill were on the wader scrape this morning, in from the estuary during high tide. The birds departed as the tide fell to feed in the tidal pools that remain. The wader scrape also held the two Spotted Redshank, 57 Redshank, 289 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 male Ruff, two Little Ringed Plover (one juvenile) and five Oystercatcher.
