Waders and warblers

It has been a busy morning for migrating waders and warblers

It has been a busy morning for migrating waders and warblers. Waders including Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Dunlin and Ringed Plover can be seen across the reserve and estuary, and this morning the hedgerow and reedbed from the Knott Hide were busy with warblers including Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler.

From Monday 6th September we will be able to restart early access for members. Access is from 8:15am to 9:30am via the Members' Gate and allows access only to the Rushy Hide and Peng Observatory, hides to Estuary Tower (Martin Smith, Robbie Garnett, Willow, Knott, Stephen Kirk and Estuary Tower) and Summer Walkway whilst it remains open. There is no access to the South Lake Discovery, Hogarth, Zeiss, Van de Bovenkamp, Decoy or Kingfisher Hides until after 9:30am. Our staff and volunteers will be checking membership cards, so please have them available for inspection.

Rushy Hide
This morning's counts included three Snipe, 73 Teal, 25 Gadwall, eight Black-tailed Godwit, ten Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, drake Shoveler, four Avocet and a Grey Heron. Later through the morning these were joined by two Greenshank and one of the Spotted Redshank. A juvenile Little Grebe was on the upper pond near the Swan Pipe.

South Lake
One of the Spotted Redshank was here briefly but then flew towards the Rushy. Also of note were ten Ruff, 96 Lapwing, a Green Sandpiper and an Avocet, 76 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Shoveler, two drake Pochard, 108 Teal, 52 Tufted Duck and a Mandarin.

Zeiss Hide
A Water Rail was heard calling this morning. On the Top New Piece were 71 Barnacle Geese along with the Snow Goose x Bar-headed Goose hybrid, 12 Wigeon, 14 Gadwall, 519 Teal, seven Ruff, 11 Shoveler and three Redshank. Both Spotted Redshank were here briefly but at least one moved one to the South Lake and then the Rushy. Over the fence on the Bottom New Piece were another 77 Barnacle Geese along with the Ross's Goose.

Estuary Tower
A total of eight Common Crane were on the Dumbles this morning whilst the family of four were on the mudflats of the estuary. The Spoonbill was also viewable from the hide out on the estuary. A Little Egret, juvenile Ruff, two juvenile Black-tailed Godwit and two Snipe were on the Pillbox Pool with nine Teal.

Middle Point / Summer Walkway
The Spoonbill was asleep on mudflats amongst a small flock of gulls. Two Greenshank were in the tidal pool near the end of the walkway and a single Redshank was along the creek to the north. South of Middle Point were ten Curlew and nine juvenile Ruff. Scattered to the north of Middle Point were a flock of small waders with the other Curlew flock along with 68 Shelduck and five Pintail.

Knott Hide
A good morning for warblers in the hedgerow and reedbed with Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, several Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler all noted with the tit flock.

Martin Smith Hide
A Kingfisher has been seen here on the perches regularly over the last couple of days, and again this morning.

Decoy Hide
Ten Gadwall were on the pond this morning.

South Finger Walkway (to Kingfisher Hide)
Both Chiffchaff and Cetti’s Warbler were singing here this morning

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