We've had a flurry of sightings in the past few days, so for all of you out there who like to keep up-to-date with our feathered friends, here's what our lovely visitors have reported recently...
Today, we've seen a Green Sandpiper from Charlie's Hide, and a Mediterranean Gull flying west over the visitor centre (a Mediterranean Gull was mentioned in detail in my last recent sightings blogpost!). A Kingfisher has been spotted both down Cut Lane and behind the Kingfisher Screen, as well as being seen regularly over the past week. A Redshank was seen on Main Bay - these beautiful waders have bright orange-red legs, and an orange base to their bills which are perfectly shaped to hunt for morsels of food in soil and mud. A Chiffchaff (evidence of warmer weather) has been seen near Pickup hide, and a Mute Swan from Pickup itself. Tufted Ducks are everywhere at the moment - they've been seen today from Pickup hide, and I've seen them on numerous occasions recently from Cut Lane.
On Sunday, four Sandmartins were seen near the visitor centre, and a Shelduck was seen from Pickup hide. The famous Mediterranean Gull was seen from Bob Dickens hide, and from the Riverbank Trail someone saw a Willow Warbler - another indicator of our warmer weather. On the flashes (the pools you can see between the visitor centre and Lin Dyke car park) were seen Curlews, a Little Egret, Shoveller, Teal, two Sandmartins, two Redshank, a Dunlin, and Gadwall. A Little Ringed Plover was seen on Big Hole, which is the pool you can see as you walk past the Kingfisher Screen towards the Riverbank Trail.
Saturday saw a Blackcap near Bob Dickens hide, and 24 Avocets on the flashes. Amazingly for this time of year, two Swallows were seen down Cut Lane!
Thanks to all our visitors who put their sightings in our book in the visitor centre - you've seen some fantastic things and we love to hear about them!
Georgina Collins