WWT Slimbridge 23 March 2006

Image 1 The WWT Slimbridge wintering female Merlin 23 March 2006 M.J.McGill. This bird can be seen on 100 Acre fencepost tops or from Splatt Bridge gateway on the foreshore driftwood.

The mass clearout of birds is more obvious as each day passes. There are still high numbers of Pochard (200) and Pintail (250) for late March. Three Ruff on 23 March with two Black-tailed Godwit all on South Lake. Only 70 Dunlin and 150 Curlew were present on the river with 100's of Common and BH Gull. The seven Bewick's Swans departed overnight after a very flighty day on 22 March, before this they slept in the same place on the Top New Piece every day for a couple of weeks.

Image 2 Meadow Pipit, one of a handful of displaying/breeding behaviour birds in this cold weather. Many more should now arrive with a break in the weather.