Latest sightings
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
Today's sightings
Oystercatcher- at least 7 pairs are nesting. Holden Tower 1 Curlew on the spartina island, pair of Peregrine, 8 Lapwing and 75 Avocet on the Dumbles. Rushy Hide Nine pairs of Black-headed Gull are now nesting as well as the Crane pair and three pairs of
1 May 2018
Great White Egret
Drake Shoveler from Discovery Hide South Lake Pair of Shoveler, pair of Teal, 7 Gadwall, pair of Great Crested Grebe, 120 pairs of Black-headed Gull, 84 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 male Ruff, 11 Avocet, pair of Oystercatcher plus broods of Greylag Geese.
30 April 2018
Extra warbler arrivals
Sedge Warbler Migrants At least four Willow Warbler were seen/heard today marking a fall of new birds, as far as I'm aware none have been noted since 23rd April. An increase in singing Sedge Warbler is also of note, 20+ in song today. A walk through surv
29 April 2018
Arctic Tern
Holden Tower and Tack Piece. Several Shoveler and Gadwall pairs, A Common Sandpiper from Robbie Garnett hide. A constant trickle of Swallow, House and Sand Martins drifting northwards and stopping to feed in sheltered spots, about 100 along the Tack Piec
28 April 2018
A wet one
Its a rather wet start out on the reserve today, and it doesn't look like it'll get any better as the day goes on. Holden Tower Most of the Avocet were hunkered down on the scrape with 43 counted this morning. The Oystercatcher was also sat tight. Ba
27 April 2018
Bits and bobs
It feels like Spring migration has stalled a little as we wait for the next wave of birds to pass through. The only sign of migration today was an Arctic Tern which dropped in to the South Lake several times over the day. A few more Reed Warbler were
26 April 2018
Today's sightings
The Glossy Ibis was in front of the Martin Smith Hide again this morning, showing very well in the early morning sunshine until it took wing around 8:20am, gained height circling and then flew north. The bird has been seen locally at Frampton so it may
25 April 2018
Today's sightings
Rushy Hide Now eight pairs of Black-headed Gull on nests on the lower pond and five half hearted nests on the top pond island. Three pairs of Avocet are on nests, 12 birds in total on the lower pond. A pair of Oystercatcher and a pair of Lapwing still pre
24 April 2018
Sunday birding
A great sunny start to the morning with lots of bird action too. There seems to have been a small arrival of Reed Warbler with several new in singing males around, especially in the South Finger reedbed - listen out for them on your walk to the Kingfish
22 April 2018
A not so glossy ibis
A very thick mist covered the valley this morning and reduced visibility to a few metres and reduced counts from the hides. By lunchtime the reserve was once again bathed in sunshine, and the Glossy Ibis seen yesterday reappeared in front of the Zeiss H
20 April 2018
Birds and the butterflies
It's been another lovely sunny day with temperatures reaching the mid 20s. Along with bird activity, butterflies have been very notable today with a range of species seen including Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Holly Blue,
19 April 2018
Sunshine birding
The weather forecast has seemingly got it right as we're bathed in glorious sunshine and 20oC+ temperatures. The sun broke through the clouds this morning in time for the high tide, peaking today around 10:30am at just over 9m. A Curlew roost of aroun
18 April 2018