Look out for the BeesThe garden outside the Martin Smith hide, having an abundance of nectar rich spring flowers, is starting to buzz with insect life. Queen Buff-Tailed Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) and Early Bumblebees (Bombus pratorum) have both been
28 March 2024
Image- Black-headed and Common Gull on South Lake- MJMEstuary TowerTwo Grey Plover, 5 Dunlin and 7 Ringed Plover (Dumbles foreshore), Ringed + 2 Dunlin on the Dumbles pools + 217 R. White-fronted Geese, 70 Meadow Pipit, 2 P. Wagtail, 2 Crane, 39 Shelduck,
27 March 2024
Tack Piece100 Wigeon, 4 Pintail, 4 Little Egret, 11 Gadwall, 4 Curlew, 32 Teal, + 2 Snipe and Ruff (Martin Smith Hide). Six Golden Plover circled this afternoon.Top New Piece from Zeiss Hide34 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Lapwing, 2 Crane, 2 Oystercatcher, 46 T
26 March 2024
Image of Russian White-fronted Geese over Tack Piece - MJM.Another day with a number of newly arrived spring migrants plus those that are staging here. We still have a few winter visitors on site.Rushy Hide/Peng ObservatoryOur first pair of Garganey for t
25 March 2024
Image- Avocet from Discovery Hide (MJM).A number of early migrant birds have been noted over the weekend, following Willow Warbler last Thursday 21 March, another was seen and heard 23/24 March, our first Swallow of the year appeared on Friday 22 March, i
24 March 2024
Further departures from the reserve appears to include the last of our wintering swans, unless they have moved to feed in one of the more hidden fields they have gone. No sign of them on the Tack Piece or Rushy today and this has been very much part of th
21 March 2024
Image- Eurasian Wigeon- departures of this grazing duck this week.The drake Green-winged Teal was relocated today, as expected often hidden in the rushy flood on the Bottom New Piece, a flock of Teal have been feeding and loafing in here but can be hard t
20 March 2024
The Kingfisher Hide was proving it's very well named with four Kingfishers in view at the same time this morning. We have been watching them fight and chase as the resident pair try to chase off the intruders. To top off the scene this morning the three O
19 March 2024
The second calendar year Little Gull appeared again today, it was feeding over the Tack Piece with forays to the Rushy this morning. Estuary TowerA smart male Merlin early morning, two Marsh Harriers, 20 Russian White-fronted Geese on Lower Dumbles and 13
18 March 2024
More birds have left but new arrivals are in, read on for the latest sightings.Late news for yesterday included the drake Green-winged Teal on Tack Piece and a 2cy Little Gull and Mediterranean Gull on South LakeTack PieceAt least 38 Sand Martins fed ove
17 March 2024
We've almost reached the stage when the last Bewick's Swan leaves, only one was present after ten departed last night. The two Whooper Swans are still on site moving between Rushy and Tack Piece.Other sightings today includedEstuary Tower287 Shelduck feed
14 March 2024
Once again today the high tide flooded the Dumbles today, the feeding bonanza was attracting many of the Tack Piece birds. Large flocks of Wigeon were grazing areas they don't noramlly use with flocks of Teal and Pintail among them. At times the Dunlin an
13 March 2024
The very high Spring tide pushed up and over the Dumbles, it flooded the whole area to some depth, the birding was really good with many species close to the Estuary Tower or moving to the Tack Piece. Our first Little-ringed Plover of the year arrived ove
12 March 2024
Rushy Hide/Peng ObservatoryTwo Whooper Swan and 11 Bewick's Swan (one on the Dumbles another on the Tack Piece), Spotted Redshank on the lower pond with a Black-tailed Godwit + Redshank, 57 Pintail among the ducksEstuary TowerThe Dumbles has flooded on th
11 March 2024
Wetland Bird Survey 10 March 2024Canada Goose131Barnacle Goose98Greylag Goose165Russian White-fronted Goose (European - albifrons)229Mute Swan101Bewick's Swan11Whooper Swan2Shelduck189Shoveler228Gadwall79Wigeon1241Mallard237Pintail127Teal297Pochard35Tufte
10 March 2024