26th of May sightings
The rain held off for the majority of today, much better than the stormy predicated forecast. Lots of lovely things to see around the reserve.
South Lake
Today on the South Lake there were 17 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 male Teal, 86 Avocet, a Mute Swan family with 7 cygnets and two Great Crested Grebes to the left of the lake. Some of the Avocet are sat on nests and a few more Black-headed gull chicks are out and about exploring. The Crane family were sticking to the back bank.
Kingfisher Hide
From the Kingfisher Hide the male Kingfisher was visible in the morning, drying off after a rainy night. Later in the day a youngster was seen flying past the hide and the female went inside the nest. There was also a Grey Heron, a Gadwall family with 7 ducklings, and a male Shovelr.
Rushy Hide
Looking onto the Rushy Lake there were 27 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Male Pochard, 39 Avocet and around 10:30 a Grass snake was seen swimming from the pebbles bank into the water.
Martin Smith Hide
Looking onto the Tack piece from the Martin Smith Hide a little Egret was visible fishing in the shallow water, and there is a lovely display or orchids on the bank directly in front of the hide.
Robbie Garnett Hide
Looking onto the Tack piece from the Robbie Garnett Hide a Great Egret in Breeding Plumage was standing on the bank surrounded by 20 Shelduck, 14 Barnacle geese, 5 Mute Swan and a lone male Shoveler.
Estuary Hide
From the Estuary tower looking onto the Dumbles there were two rung Adult Cranes, Monty and Evie as well as 52 Canada Geese, 9 Shelduck and an array of gulls.
Shepherd's Hut
From the Shepherd’s hut Sedge and Reed Warblers were singing, Reed bunting too, a Kestrel flew over, and later in the morning a mixed flock of 110 waders flew into the estuary with 1 Sanderling, 4 Ringed Plover and Dunlin in their breeding plumage among them.
