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Latest sightings

Busy on the estuary

Busy on the estuary

It has been a busy day on the estuary with lots of birds moving around and passing through in between (and during) the showers. A few birds were pushed onto the South Lake, but the estuary held the bulk of the action.

8 May 2019

Spoonbill and Black Tern

Spoonbill and Black Tern

The Spoonbill that arrived yesterday afternoon is still present but very mobile, it has been seen on the Dumbles, Rushy, Middle Point and Top New Piece. A national influx of Black Terns today produced our first of the year, a breeding plumage adult spent

7 May 2019

Early May bank holiday notes

Early May bank holiday notes

Rushy Hide Stoat along the lane (pictured), the second calendar year Mediterranean Gull was being rather boisterous with the Black-headed Gulls again. At least 14 Avocet on the lower pond. The pair of Oystercatcher were nest scraping on the isthmus.Tack P

6 May 2019

Wood Sandpiper new in

Wood Sandpiper new in

Zeiss Hide/Top New PiecePlenty of wader activity here today, ten male and eight female Lapwing present on the field and flood edge, at least three broods were foraging and one nest is still active. A smart newly arrived Wood Sandpiper proved popular on th

5 May 2019

Ruff on the rise

Ruff on the rise

We've seen an increase in the number of Ruff in recent days with a small group of reeves (females) arriving on the reserve.

2 May 2019

Hobbies

Hobbies

At least three Hobby were seen feeding over the reserve today, the warm weather certainly offered them insects to hunt on the wing. Other raptors noted included a Marsh Harrier, Red Kite and a few Buzzards.Dumbles/Top New Piece from Zeiss Hide7 Cranes and

29 April 2019

Multiple or mobile drake Garganeys

Multiple or mobile drake Garganeys

The scarcest duck species on the site at the moment (that we know of) is the Garganey, a mobile male has been seen for well over a week now, however this morning drakes were noted on the Tack Piece scrape and Top New Piece opposite the Van de Bovenkamp Hi

28 April 2019

High Winds

High Winds

South Finger and Zeiss HideVery strong 40+mph winds today with several limbs down on the access tracks so area closed for the morning. Winds are due to abate so will re-assess the situation at midday. Sorry for the inconvenience.Tack PieceStill quite Duck

27 April 2019

Garganey and Cranes

Garganey and Cranes

Zeiss HideLots of activity from the lapwing. At least one family has hatched of, still 3 incubating birds and lots of chasing of Corvids. Odd pairs of Shoveler prospecting into the fields. Black Tailed Godwit looking great in summer plumage 2018 heer and

26 April 2019

Change in the weather

Change in the weather

Some much needed rain is forecast for today and subsequent days, hopefully enough to top up the drying scrapes.Some highlights for today followGrounds/Duck DecoyCuckoo singing todaySouth LakeThe adult breeding plumage Little Gull continues to give brillia

24 April 2019

Migrant arrivals and Lapwing hatch young

Migrant arrivals and Lapwing hatch young

MigrationA flock of 45 Bar-tailed Godwit arrived over high tide and dropped in with the Curlew, another group of 8 were seen nearby. Three each of Sanderling and Dunlin also made a brief appearance on the Severn. One Whimbrel accompanied the 16 Curlew on

22 April 2019

Little-ringed Plovers nest scraping

Little-ringed Plovers nest scraping

Little-ringed Plovers have bred on the reserve in the past but not for a very long time, we have improved many of the wetland areas to try to entice them back in recent years with particular focus on the Rushy Pen and the South Lake. During the last coupl

21 April 2019

Little Gull

Little Gull

South Lakequiet here except for a stunning adult Little Gull with just a blush of pink. Otherwise just 2 Avocet a common sandpiper and the Great and Little Grebes were on the lake. An osprey was reported heading north around 11.00RushySo busy with several

20 April 2019

A flush of godwits

A flush of godwits

We've seen our Black-tailed Godwit numbers drop over the last few days since the peak on Monday, but this afternoon another wave arrived this afternoon bringing us back up to over 600 birds!

19 April 2019

Look out for wagtails

Look out for wagtails

The Reserve Team have been finishing off fencing for a new habitat corridor today that will run along the Tack Piece, and were treated to at least 6 Yellow Wagtails buzzing around with the cattle.

17 April 2019