WWT Slimbridge sightings 12 March 2006

12 March 2006 A snowy start to the day. Visibility was poor but a female Merlin, 15 Sky Lark (22 later) 10 Meadow Pipit, 1 Dunlin and a Pied Wagtail were the only birds on the Dumbles. A total of c500 Golden Plover and 300 Lapwing were still around the fields The South Lake held 1 Bewick's Swan, 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Ruff, 1 Dunlin and 250 Lapwing.
At least 6 Bewick's Swans were on the Top New Piece. The 100 Acre had 250 Teal, 200 Wigeon, 10 Snipe, 50 Shoveler and lesser numbers of the commoner wildfowl. At least 21 Skylark and 23 Linnet fed on the seeds put out for them. At least 225 Shelduck fed on the estuary along with the regular Eurasian Shelduck x Australian Shelduck hybrid.This bird has been seen on and off for three years. Things are certainly getting quieter by the day. MJM.