Latest sightings
Clear blue skies and again more sunshine
Again the day started warm but with barely a cloud to be seen in the sky. Temperatures are still set to stay high so looks like another day of lovely weather. Rushy At least 9 avocets were seen here, 2 of which are on eggs, and 3 little chicks can be seen
26 May 2017
Another Day of Sun
Yesterday started warm with again more sun and temperatures increasing. But even with the increasing heat there are still lots of birds to see. Rushy Lots of shelduck and tufted duck were present here, with a brood of shelduck ducklings. There were also c
26 May 2017
Breeding season birding
As we approach the end of May and head for June we are seeing much reduced migration, our local birds settling in to breed or starting to feed their young. House Martins and Swallows are busy collecting mud for their mud cup nests on the centre buildings,
22 May 2017
Settling into summer
South Lake The Avocet colony is still defending their nests and chicks, we have broods of 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the lake with at least seven more nests to hatch. The Crane pair 'Bart and Ruby' continue to incubate two eggs near Hogarth Hide, please move slowly
21 May 2017
Cuckoo, Cranes and Avocets!
Rushy Avocet 12 with three young feeding on the lower pool. Several tufted ducks and a couple of gadwall. Lapwing 2 on the causeway. Little gull 1 in front of InFocus No sign of the med gulls by 10:30. Tack Piece Cattle egret 1 with the cows. Lapwing pa
20 May 2017
Avocet Heaven
Rushy Some great birding here this morning, five 1st summer Med Gulls and one adult. The Little Gull was also present here along with a redshank also being present. 12 Avocets were here, with 4 little chicks also running around. Robbie Garnett This morni
18 May 2017
A downpour
As you may have noticed, its been a very wet day with near constant rainfall at least in this part of the world. We're watching water levels on several pools to make sure we keep enough water for the birds, but not enough to flood out some of our ground
17 May 2017
Sightings update
South Lake A few Swifts and c30 House Martin feeding over the alder trees, the Black-headed Gull colony (mostly on deep lake islands) has 60-80 occupied nests. The wader scrape held a male Ruff in breeding plumage and 100+ Black-tailed Godwit as well as
15 May 2017
Today's sightings
Rushy Pen Up to five different Mediterranean Gulls, the nesting Avocets including a brood of 4 chicks and a few Lapwing. No reports of the Lapwing chicks but we hope they are hiding out there somewhere. Tack Piece A pair of Lapwing with a brood of three c
14 May 2017
A really nice birdwatch morning
A group of 15 enjoyed a morning walk event around the site today Rushy Avocets were great here with 5 incubating pairs and a family of 3 young still doing ok. A fine 2nd Summer Med Gull was a first for many of the group. A Little Ringed Plover was in here
13 May 2017
Three Cuckoos and a Spotted Flycatcher
Some of today's sightings from the early morning hide round: Rushy Hide Mediterranean Gull - 2, Avocet - 12, Oystercatcher - 3 Holden Tower - On hide tide Grey Plover - 2, Sanderling - 4, Ringed Plover - 15+, Dunlin - 10+, Whimbrel - 1, Oystercatcher - 8,
12 May 2017
Sandpiper trio
Rushy Pen A sure sign that it's May with the arrival of our first three Wood Sandpiper on the lower pond late morning. Other good news is that the Lapwing family still have young and the first Avocet chicks (x2) have hatched here. Four Cattle Egret chos
8 May 2017
Black Tern
South lake Some pretty special bird watching here this morning. The Black Tern was very active on the lake often very close to the hide, there was a group of 8 Ruff many males with full ruffs of various colour all interacting and displaying. The Black tai
6 May 2017
Northerly wind
Its a bit blustery out there but birds are braving the wind across the reserve, not least the 8 Swifts that were battling north over the Dumbles this morning. South Lake Hides The Black-tailed Godwit flock numbered 166 this morning, with the bulk of the b
4 May 2017
Today's sightings- Black Tern
South Lake A Black Tern (see image above) spent the day feeding and resting on the lake. The ten Ruff including the 6 breeding plumaged males were present during the morning at least, up to 175 Black-tailed Godwit fed on the scrape but also moved to Top
1 May 2017