WWT Slimbridge sightings 17 April 2006

17 April 2006 Another day with a trickle of migrants moving through. The river was very quiet with most species being seen over the high tide. At least 100 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 7 Knot, 4 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, 8 Ringed Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 female Wheatear, 3 White Wagtail over, 8 Oystercatcher, 80 Shelduck and immature male Peregrine were all present on the Dumbles edge.

The highlight of the day for me was a Nuthatch (6th reserve record and first for me) at Middle Point. It was in the hawthorn hedge and eventually flew out calling as it headed higher and out over the estuary. After reaching a third of the way across it 'bottled it' and returned back over me to the Turkey Oaks. This could be the same bird that was seen on 8 April at the 100 Acre.

In the 100 Acre viewable from the WWT platform at least 6 Little Egret, 9 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 12 Redshank, 36 Lapwing, 100 Teal, 26 Shoveler, 12 Wigeon and 8 Gadwall were on view with Cetti's and Sedge Warblers singing nearby. A single White Wagtail flew over with two single Yellow Wagtails also recorded today. A Common Tern was back on site by the evening.

At least ten Hares were seen in the 50 Acre with three more in the 100 Acre.

Around the centre scrapes a flock of 64 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper and 10 Oystercatcher with Sedge Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 8 Willow Warbler and 10 Chiffchaff singing in the hedges. The first-summer male Greater Scaup was on the South Lake this afternoon showing very well. A Little Grebe and two displaying Great Crested Grebe were also at this site. A pair of Black-headed Gulls have taken a terrritory on the left hand island rather than on the rafts. This will hopefully be a good chance to establish a large colony on the lake.