Recent Sightings (7th-10th April)
British Steel Hide
Wader counts from the steel hide including 738 Black-tailed Godwits, 231 Redshank, 17 Greenshank and 121 Knot. 3 Spoonbills have been present up until the 8th, and then there were 2 present on the 9th. A Peregine, 7 Shoveler, 20+ Tufted Ducks and 3 Wigeon have also been present.
Millennium Wetlands
The first Reed Warbler of the year was heard singing on the 9th near the Welsh Water Hide, and there were two there on the 10th. A Common Whitethroat was seen on the northern loop on the 10th. Counts of 20 Chiffchaff, 15 Blackcap and 2 Willow Warblers have also been taken from the reserve. A flock of 60-70 Swallows and Sand Martins was noted on the 7th. Two Red Kites and two Common Buzzards have been seen passing over too. Up to three Mediterranean Gulls have been seen on the stone islands from the Peter Scott Hide, including an Irish-ringed adult (2XE6). This brings our tally of Med Gulls up to at least 6 different individuals. Waders on the reserve have included 29 Redshank, c.150 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Snipe and 10 Lapwing. A Raven and a Green Woodpecker have been seen fairly regularly and wildfowl have included 2 Wigeon, 6 Pochard, 3 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, 16 Tufted Ducks, 7 Little Grebes, 6 Teal and 24 Shelduck. The Ring-necked Duck was rather bizarrely seen on the small pond behind the Swans Nest Maze on the 7th.
