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 remain in the area or reappear.
As well as the Glossy Ibis, a pair of Cranes (Monty and Sedge) were preening on the island before disappearing into the channel at the back of the pool. Out on the Tack Piece, a third Crane (Evie) dropped in. Also around the scrape were 2 Redshank and a Common Sandpiper. Another three Cranes flew over the hide (Cotton, Slim and an unringed bird).
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A flock of 85 Black-tailed Godwit were present this morning along with 8 Avocet, a Ruff, 2 Oystercatcher and a first-winter Mediterranean Gull (white darvic 3PJE from Netherlands). Two Oystercatcher were seen, presumably the off-duty birds from the nesting pairs in the area and a Crane was incubating from Hogarth Hide. A Little Grebe was on the deep lake. There was no sign of the adult and second summer Mediterranean Gulls first thing, but they returned by mid-afternoon. A Common Sandpiper was also seen.
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A total of 72 Avocet were on the scrape with pair Oystercatcher. Three Cranes (Evie, Slim and an unringed bird) were on the Dumbles along with several singing Skylark and a few Swallows feeding low. A Peregrine was sat out on the river bank to the south.
A pair of Crane (Oakie and Sherbert) were prospecting an island on the scrape for a potential nesting site. Also on the scrape were 16 Avocet, 142 Black-tailed Godwit and 24 Teal, whilst in the reedbed were singing Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler.