WWT Slimbridge Sightings 15 and 16 January 2006

16 January 2006 A male Red-crested Pochard was on the Long Ground Pool, the Dark-bellied Brent and Pink-footed Goose were with c750 E.White-fronted Goose from the Holden Tower. Two Peregrine mobbed a Buzzard. A single Black-tailed Godwit was seen with 88 Curlew on the Tack Piece. 184 Great Black-Backed Gull and 115 Shelduck were seen on the tide. The three Greylag were feeding on the edge of the Dumbles.

The Greater Scaup was seen on South Lake and again in the European enclosure. The Ferruginous hybrid was on the Rushy. All sightings MJM/JSL/BR.

15 January 2006 A WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) count day and an event to see the gull roost on the Severn (Gulls with McGill). The gulls were dissapointing with most roosting on the main channel and distant. No totals as yet as I have not had time to add them all up. Highlights included 2 Whooper Swans, one Rock Pipit, 4-6 Stonechat, one female Merlin, 2 adult Peregrine which actually hunted and forced the Dark-bellied Brent Goose to ground and harried it further. Other regular WWT birders witnessed it actually hiding beneath a Canada Goose. The Pink-footed Goose was in the road field during the morning along with the DB Brent and 499 E.White- fronted Geese. At least 778 were present today. I refound last Sunday's Greater Scaup on the South Lake and it repeated it's previous behaviour by flying off towards the grounds. On checking the G. Scaup in the European Pen I found it swimming around with them and seems to fly out when the feeder arrives in the morning. Around 15 Bewick's Swans were also feeding here.Waders were in evidence with at least 6000 Lapwing, 16 Ruff and 12 Black-tailed Godwit present today. A flock of 14 StockDove, 11 Fieldfare and between 3-6 Jay were seen around the fields to the north of the Tack Piece. A Chiffchaff moved through the bushes by the restaurant. All sightings MJM/JSL.

The Ferruginous hybrid was on the Rushy.