WWT Slimbridge sightings 19/17 February 2006

19 February 2006 Highlights on todays Wetland Bird Survey included the first winter male Greater Scaup which is now moulting rapidly. It has added a fair bit of the grey, vermiculated (barred) plumage on the mantle. It was on the deepened scrape from the Zeiss Hide this morning. Perhaps this is where it goes when not on South Lake and the European Enclosure. The Dark-bellied Brent and Pink-footed Geese were in the roadside fields with at least 700 E. White-fronted Geese, 101 Barnacle and the Bar-headed Goose. The E. White-fronted with the white breast bar was very close to the road today. Also two Hares were in the fields here. Watch only from a car or near the car park to avoid flushing them. 217 Bewick's Swans were on site at 0800. A Little Egret flew along the canalside ditch heading north at 1548. A Great White Egret was reported at the South Finger yesterday afternoon. At least two Little Stint, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Ruff and 21 Redshank were seen this morning. I saw three Stonechat on the 100 Acre fences with a Kingfisher along the ditch. A flock of 45 Chaffinch and 34 Reed Bunting fed under the flailed hedges. The Ferruginous x hybrid was on the Rushy. MJM.

17 February 2006 The first winter female Greater Scaup was on Frampton Townfield Lake today with c30 Tufted Duck, three female Goldeneye and two Pochard. MJM. The first winter male Greater Scaup was on the European enclosure pond today with the Dark-bellied Brent and Pink-footed Geese seen from Holden Tower. JSL.