The girls are back
The herd of Longhorn Cattle have returned to the reserve, with new calves in tow
The herd of Longhorn Cattle have returned to the reserve, with new calves in tow. The girls will be grazing the southern areas of the reserve over the next few months, moving between different fields as the season progresses. At present they're getting settled in the Tin Shed Ground, showing very well from the Reedbed Walkway.
You'll see cattle across the reserve through the late spring and summer, helping us keep the grass down and create a patchwork of vegetation across the pastures. These tussocky areas can be great places for our breeding waders and other grounds nesting birds to make a nest, and later in the year can provide invaluable shelter for chicks and young birds.
Estuary Tower
At least three Whimbrel were on the Dumbles with nine Curlew, plus an Oystercatcher feeding nearby. The scrape in front of the hide held 33 Avocet and a pair of Oystercatcher. Down on the Tack Piece, the Ross's Goose was present with a few Barnacle Geese.
Summer Walkway / Middle Point
Five Arctic Tern flew down river shortly before 8am. Out on the mudflats to the north of Middle Point were four Sanderling, a Little Stint, 22 Ringed Plover and 24 Dunlin, whilst to the south were nine Ringed Plover and eight Dunlin.
South Lake
A second calendar year Mediterranean Gull was roosting on the rails over the deep lake. The bird has a metal ring from a foreign ringing scheme, possibly Poland, but as yet the bird is too far away to read the ring. Also on the deep lake were three adult Little Grebe and the pair of Great Crested Grebe. Later in the day the two Cattle Egret dropped in and were showing well.
The wader scrape held at least 43 Avocet, including several broods of chicks being sheltered from the rain and cold. Nine Black-tailed Godwit were also noted, and a Grey Heron was over the causeway on the Duck Marsh.
Knott Hide
The Little Grebe was on the Pillbox Pool with four chicks.
Rushy Hide
The pair of Little Ringed Plover have spent most of the day trying to chase off a third bird. The pair of Oystercatchers here have also had to dispute their territory with another pair. Two Black-tailed Godwit and at least 29 Avocet were on the lower pond this morning.
