WWT Slimbridge sightings 30 April 2006

30 April 2006 A few species arrived en-masse today after a lull in the passage. Sedge Warblers were very much in evidence with at least 40 singing males logged. Swift reached 120 over the 100 Acre by the afternoon and unfortunately for one of them was joined by a pair of Hobby. These dashing falcons chased the hapless Swift and eventually forced it into a copse, something we have never witnessed before. A supporting cast of mostly singing males numbered, 12 Reed Warbler, 2 Common Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 16 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff and only 2 Willow Warber. A total of 5 Yellow Wagtail flew over today, 2 Wheatear along the foreshore and a minimum of 36 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 16 Curlew, 24 Oytercatcher and 5 Bar-tailed Godwit. At least 8 Little Egret were around the reserve.