Latest sightings
Cranes hatch.
Crane pair 'Bart and Ruby' have hatched at least one chick. They were standing over the nest looking like something had appeared in the nest early this morning. The nest site can be seen from Hogarth Hide on the South Lake Duck Marsh. Our Guide in the Hi
22 May 2018
Today's sightings
Rushy Hide 13 Avocet + brood of 2. Pair of Lapwing, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, Crane, 6 Gadwall, 17 Tufted Duck, female Wigeon and hybrid male, 31 Shelduck + brood of 12, 3 Greylag, 4 Coot, 2 Moorhen and 2 drake Shoveler. Middle Point/Severn Estuary 68 Sheldu
20 May 2018
Wildlife Safaris begin...... .
11.30 and 14.00 Wildlife Safaris Great first safaris today highlights included two Great White Egrets at least 3 Hobbys and 2 Cranes. Lapwing and Redshank were very active and a Kingfisher was seen briefly along the ditch. Reed Buntings, Reed and Sedge Wa
19 May 2018
Avocets prospecting on South Lake
Avocets over the grounds Rushy Hide A couple more Avocet pairs were looking at potential nest sites to add to the two pairs already nesting. A few Black-tailed Godwit and a pair of Oystercatcher also present. 20+ Shelduck, 10+ Tufted Duck as well as Mall
15 May 2018
Avocets keep hatching and walking
Holden Tower The Avocet colony is very busy, what is likely to be the fifth brood has hatched today with many more nests yet to hatch. The parents spend a day or two at the scrape then lead the young to nearby scrapes or even the estuary. Lapwing (with br
14 May 2018
Hoopoe!
Hoopoe Whilst walking to start work at the Conservation Breeding Unit, staff member T. Grigg came across a Hoopoe in the car park, it flew off to the north. A subsequent search eventually relocated the bird back in the car park as it fed between the dit
13 May 2018
Kingfishers have hatched
Kingfisher Hide Lots of feeding activity yesterday with tiny fish and insects going into the borrow. Feeding events were roughly every half hour but this should increase dramatically over the next few days. The next two weeks should be a great time to co
12 May 2018
More chicks
Activity at the Kingfisher Hide this morning would suggest that the pair have hatched young. Both the male and female were seen together carrying small fish into the nest hole. Elsewhere on the reserve the first Avocet chicks have now hatched and at l
11 May 2018
The lingering Brent
The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was on the river again this morning, whilst the Egyptian Goose was on the Dumbles with the Greylags. An Osprey was also seen distantly flying up the river mid morning. Robbie Garnett Hide The Tack Piece is a very different p
9 May 2018
Oystercatcher chicks
. Rushy Hide The Lapwing family continues to survive on the wildflower meadow, all three chicks present and correct this morning. A pair of nesting Oystercatcher at least two pairs of Avocet still on nests. The female Wigeon and hybrid male partner. Tack
8 May 2018
Brent still here
Rushy Hide Pair of Oystercatcher, three pairs of Avocet, two male and one female Shoveler, female Wigeon with hybrid male, 15 pairs of Black-headed Gull, pair of Lapwing, 16 Tufted Duck and c20 Shelduck. Tack Piece Pair of Shoveler, 11 Canada Geese, 14 Gr
7 May 2018
Great White Egret
Mid point Summer Walkway Opened for the first time this year, great to be able to get out to the estuary again. Bit quiet for birds but lots of Shelduck a Heron, Reed and Sedge Warbleres anda Wheatear along the Dumbles edge. Holden Tower and Walkway Avoc
5 May 2018
Friday birding
Shelduck (c) Roger Byng South Lake Hides Four Mediterranean Gulls again this morning, although the pair do not look as though they have yet laid any eggs. Also of note were 16 Tufted Duck, an Oystercatcher, 20 Sheld
4 May 2018
More Crane action
Along with our two pairs of Crane on the South Lake and Rushy, another pair were back prospecting the island from the Zeiss Hide. Fingers crossed for another nest here soon. Also of note was a Dark-bellied Brent Goose on the Dumbles, presumably the bi
3 May 2018
A wet start
It was a very wet start this morning with heavy downpours passing up the valley. Many of the birds kept a low profile until the weather cleared and the sun came out for the afternoon. Sedge incubating through the rain
2 May 2018