WWT Slimbridge sightings 27 March 2006

27 March 2006 A blustery and very wet day but most welcome from a wetland management and drinking water point of view. We had at least 50 Sand Martin (20 South Finger, 20 in the 100 Acre, 10 Holden Tower) on site between 0900-0945 with others moving through during the day. Two Chiffchaff were in song at the South Finger with the first summer drake Greater Scaup on the flash. Nine Golden Plover were mobile being seen in the 100 Acre and from Holden Tower. Also from Holden Tower 0730 to 0800 were 11 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 40 Dunlin, 1 Little Stint and 10 Oystercatcher over the tide. A female Kingfisher was at the Holden Tower also with another in the 100 Acre and the breeding pair active at the South Finger nest site. A Little Egret was also at the latter site. Tufted x Pochard and White-cheeked Pintail x Cape Teal hybrids were on the Top New Piece. The South Lake held 7 Ruff and three Lesser Redpoll in the Alders by the bridge. The reserve count of Wigeon shot up to 1300 today after being around 500-600 last week.