Monday, May 29, 2006

WWT Slimbridge sightings 28 and 29 May 2006


Apparent first-summer Purple Heron at WWT Slimbridge 29 May 2006 M.J.McGill.

29 May 2006 I was fortunate enough to visit Poland last week so had not been able to update the site. It was a great birding experience and good company with seven of my friends. I will add a report when I get the time. At WWT today I noted 8 Little Egrets, 5 Shoveler, 1 Wigeon, 40 Gadwall including the first brood, the Purple Heron, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Sanderling, 50 Dunlin, 50 Curlew, 5 Ringed Plover, 1 Willow Warbler and 150 feeding Swift. A violent squall passed through at 1620 and left a kind of rainbow mist behind it, see pic below. The male Greater Scaup was on the Top New Piece with 20 Tufted Duck. A Marsh Orchid was in flower in the Decoy and a female Hairy Dragonfly was seen by the 100 Acre viewing platform.

View to 100 Acre from Middle Point after heavy wind/rain squall passed through.

28 May 2006 I did a Birdwatch Morning event which included the high tide and we saw the following...1 Ringed Plover, 50 Dunlin, 9 Sanderling, 3 Black-tailed Godwit amongst the breeding birds. Later 1 Whimbrel, 41 Curlew, 1 Hobby, 10 Little Egret and a female Wheatear were also seen.

Other notable sightings whilst I was away include 3 Mediterranean Gulls 23/24 May, 1 25-27 May. Whimbrel 2 on 23 May, 1 on 25, 3 on 27 and 1 on 28 May. A Wheatear has been seen daily from 23 May to 28th.

Monday, May 22, 2006

WWT Slimbridge sightings 22 May 2006

One of the seven first-summer Mediterranean Gulls on South Lake 22 May 2006 M.J.McGill.

22 May 2006 Another wet day but some new arrivals brightened it up. On the estuary 19 Sanderling, c35 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstone, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Black Tern, 2 Common Terns, 7 Little Egret, 15 Curlew and 293 Shelduck.

The South Lake held 4 male Shoveler, male Teal, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 7! first-summer Mediterranean Gulls (a record May count), 1 Common Gull, 60 Black-headed Gull.

On the roadside fields the seven Mediterranean Gull commuted through the day and a first-summer Little Gull fed over the floods in the morning. A male Garganey was on the Top New Piece and visited the scrape in front of the Holden Tower. A Willow Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat sang from the Goose House copse.

All marshes, fields and scrapes are flooded to a high level due to the heavy rainfall.

Sunday, May 21, 2006

WWT Slimbridge sightings 18-21 May 2006


Leucistic Black-headed Gull WWT Slimbridge 21 May 2006

This bird has been seen around the reserve for a few weeks this spring. See the Mediterranean Gull pic below. The Black-headed Gulls are well established with 7-10 pairs on territory. They bred (1 pair) for the first time in 2003.








21 May 2006 M.J.McGill.
Two of the group of five first-summer Mediterranean Gulls that spent the day on the roadside field with70 Black-head Gull, 1 Common Gull and a few Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Two were ringed, one sported a darvic ring which was red with white letters/numbers. This is a high count for May. Other species noted today include 2 Black-tailed Godwit on the South Lake plus Oystercatcher with four chicks. A male Cuckoo was in the 100 Acre but otherwise it was quiet. The rain appears to have washed many of the wader nests out especially Lapwing and Little-ringed Plover. The estuary had 5 Little Egrets, 250 Shelduck, 20 Curlew, 6 Ringed Plover, c30 Dunlin and 6 Turnstone.
Up to 250 Swift fed over the fields and marshes.

20 May 2006 A male Garganey was on the Top New Piece. Mike King logged 4 adult Gannets during the gales, each one appeared over the high tide and frustratingly for me one apparently flew over where I live. I was on the M5 in Somerset at the time! See the Gloster Birder website for details.

19 May 2006 The Garganey was on the Top New Piece marsh.

18 May 2006 A large flock of c300 small waders remained miles out of sight and I only managed to get a look at a third of them. 9 Ringed Plover, c250 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, 249 Shelduck, 28 Curlew and a Little Egret were all seen on the creeks and mud. A first-summer Little Gull fed over the 100 Acre and a single male Yellow Wagtail was on the deck at Middle Point. A pair of Little-ringed Plover were in the 100 Acre with a third on South Lake.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

WWT Slimbridge sightings 16 and 17 May 2006



Avocets at WWT Slimbridge 17 May 2006 M.J.McGill

17 May 2006 Again it was quiet on the river with only 30 Dunlin and 20+ Curlew seen at low tide. The pair of Avocet were seen on the pool in front of the Holden Tower until 0945 when they flew out onto the mud off Middle Point. The 100 Acre held a Little-ringed Plover, singing Cuckoo and the breeding Lapwing, Redshank, Black-headed Gull and Common Terns.

On the South Lake 8 Black-tailed Godwit, a Shoveler, 50 Black-headed and 1 Common Gull and breeding Common Tern, Lapwing and Oystercatcher.

The Top New Piece held a Wigeon, a Teal, 10 Gadwall, a Little Egret, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 40 Mallard and breeding Lapwing. A male Teal was also on the Rushy.

16 May 2006 A small flock of 9 Dunlin and 23 Curlew were the only waders in the estuary. A first-summer Little Gull was on the estuary in the morning and feeding over the 100 Acre during the afternoon with Common Terns and B H Gulls. A female Wheatear remained on the foreshore. Three Black-tailed Godwit were on South Lake and a drake Garganey was on the Top New Piece. The Purple Heron was reported from the 100 Acre viewing platform during the afternoon. Please view from the allocated areas and do not enter the reserve.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

WWT Slimbridge sightings 14 May 2006


Green-winged Orchid a first for WWT Slimbridge.

15 May 2006 No sign of the Purple Heron from 0900-1630 but 2 Garganey, 2 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 100 Dunlin, 56 Ringed Plover, 7 Sanderling, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 23 Curlew, 1 Little-ringed Plover, 3 Grey Plover, 26 Oystercatcher, 1 Turnstone, 1 male Whinchat, a pair of Wheatear (female large and very dark orange-brown), 2 Yellow Wagtail and at 1615 I saw the Little Tern that Jeremy Squire had found at Frampton on Severn earlier in the afternoon. It was over the river and 100 Acre pools before flying inland in the company of Common Terns, of which up to ten have been seen today.

14 May 2006 I had a good start to the day with the discovery of a sub-adult Purple Heron in the WWT 100 Acre. It was a very flighty and nervous bird. It was seen on many occasions throughout the day. It was somewhat dissapointing that a few individuals chose to ignore signs and go into areas where breeding gulls, terns and waders are established. The majority of birders along with the regular Glos crowd led by example and managed to watch the bird from the platform as it fed in the rushes or were fortunate enough to have it flying over during the Landrover safari's.

Also around the reserve was a single Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Hobby, 6 Common Tern, male Garganey, 4 Wigeon, Oystercatcher had hatched young on South Lake. A pair of Little-ringed Plover in the 100 Acre marsh.

In the evening I also saw a pair of adult Ruff (the male in breeding plumage), 3 Greenshank, 1 Knot and single Black-tailed Godwit at Frampton on Severn. A pair of Yellow Wagtail are also on territory.

Saturday, May 13, 2006

WWT Slimbridge and local sightings 10-12 May 2006



Black Tern over WWT 100 Acre J.S.Lees.

12 May 2006 JSL had three Black Terns hawking over the 100 Acre from 0715 to 0805 at least. They were also seen on Frampton Townfield Lake later. Also around the WWT reserve were 4 Common Terns, 2 Whinchat both females on the fence line by Middle Point, 1 Wheatear ,a male on fence around the 100 acre pools, 1Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 8 Sedge Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 15 Reed Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Garganey males Top New Piece, possibly 3 Garganey 100 acre (DBP), 2 Wigeon TNP, 91 Shelduck over high tide, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Greenshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little-Ringed Plover South Lake with a pair on the 100 Acre, 1 Spotted Redshank an adult in full breeding plumage on the Bottom New Piece flood and later at the 100 Acre, 1 Ringed Plover, 40 Dunlin, 14 Oystercatcher, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Raven, 3 Little Egrets.

In the evening MJM recorded 1 Yellow Wagtail male, 3 Little Egret, 2 Little-ringed Plover, 4 Greenshank, drake Garganey, 10 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Black-tailed Godwit (limosa), 5 Sanderling, 60 Dunlin, 15 Ringed Plover, 20 Curlew, 6 Oystercatcher, 2 Turnstone, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Grey Plover and a first-summer Mediterranean Gull in the 100 Acre and Frampton area.

11 May 2006 MJM had a first-summer Mediterranean Gull and two second summers (paired) three pairs of Common Tern plus 16 singing Reed Warbler around the 100 Acre.

A breeding wader survey between the 100 Acre and Fretherne proved encouraging. A pair of Yellow Wagtail, 2 drake Garganey, 4 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit were all seen as well as the female Cape Shelduck. Two pairs of Great Crested Grebe are nest-building on the Top New Piece scrape, due to the improvements on the reserve we in conjunction with the Environment Agency have doubled the breeding population to six pairs.

10 May 2006 In the morning two Sand Martin flew north, a first summer Little Gull (two present later), 2 Dunlin were all in the 100 Acre and a Yellow Wagtail went north over Middle Point. 50 Dunlin were on the river. A female Cape Shelduck was seen around today.

Breeding Great Crested Grebe WWT Top New Piece 11 May 2006 J.S.Lees.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

WWT Slimbridge and local sightings 10 and 11 May 2006

11 May 2006 I did a breeding wader survey this morning 0530-0815 along the Frampton to Fretherne shore and things still look pretty stable. No wader chicks seen but plenty of pairs. A pair of Yellow Wagtail are on territory plus 4 Greenshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit were present. The female Cape Shelduck flew over with 2 Mute Swans. A Whimbrel was heard with at least 4 Curlew also present.

The 100 Acre held 16 singing Reed Warbler, 6 Common Tern, a first-summer Mediterranean Gull (central part of the marsh), 2 Curlew and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit flew over. A Little-ringed Plover was also present. A pair of second-summer Mediterranean Gull were milling around off the 100 Acre before heading upriver. They were calling to each other all the time.

10 May 2006 At least two Little Gull were hawking over the 100 Acre today. Four Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail were seen here also.

Drake Garganey and Greater Scaup were seen on the Top New Piece today.

2 drake Garganey, 4 Greenshank and a singing Yellow Wagtail were also seen at the Frampton marshes.

WWT Slimbridge and local sightings 10 and 11 May 2006

11 May 2006 I did a breeding wader survey this morning 0530-0815 along the Frampton to Fretherne shore and things still look pretty stable. No wader chicks seen but plenty of pairs. A pair of Yellow Wagtail are on territory plus 4 Greenshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit were present. The female Cape Shelduck flew over with 2 Mute Swans. A Whimbrel was heard with at least 4 Curlew also present.

The 100 Acre held 16 singing Reed Warbler, 6 Common Tern, a first-summer Mediterranean Gull (central part of the marsh), 2 Curlew and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit flew over. A Little-ringed Plover was also present. A pair of second-summer Mediterranean Gull were milling around off the 100 Acre before heading upriver. They were calling to each other all the time.

10 May 2006 At least two Little Gull were hawking over the 100 Acre today. Four Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail were seen here also.

Drake Garganey and Greater Scaup were seen on the Top New Piece today.

2 drake Garganey, 4 Greenshank and a singing Yellow Wagtail were also seen at the Frampton marshes.

WWT Slimbridge and local sightings 10 and 11 May 2006

11 May 2006 I did a breeding wader survey this morning 0530-0815 along the Frampton to Fretherne shore and things still look pretty stable. No wader chicks seen but plenty of pairs. A pair of Yellow Wagtail are on territory plus 4 Greenshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit were present. The female Cape Shelduck flew over with 2 Mute Swans. A Whimbrel was heard with at least 4 Curlew also present.

The 100 Acre held 16 singing Reed Warbler, 6 Common Tern, a first-summer Mediterranean Gull (central part of the marsh), 2 Curlew and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit flew over. A Little-ringed Plover was also present. A pair of second-summer Mediterranean Gull were milling around off the 100 Acre before heading upriver. They were calling to each other all the time.

10 May 2006 At least two Little Gull were hawking over the 100 Acre today. Four Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail were seen here also.

Drake Garganey and Greater Scaup were seen on the Top New Piece today.

2 drake Garganey, 4 Greenshank and a singing Yellow Wagtail were also seen at the Frampton marshes.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

WWT Slimbridge sightings 9 May 2006

9 May 2006 Some good birds arrived today. MJM and JSL began the day at 0630 by installing a pump at the 100/50 Acre marshes to add water to the rapidly drying pools. It costs £160.00 for a weeks hire, conservation does not come cheap! Hopefully this will extend the life of the floods and perhaps even attract more birds in to breed. Many Lapwing are on the verge of hatching young. On the river 236 Dunlin, 9 Sanderling, 3 Grey Plover, 1 Knot, 8 Ringed Plover, 8 Common Tern were joined by a Sandwich Tern briefly at 0715. The 100 Acre had 1 Wheatear, 1 Little-ringed Plover, 3 1st-summer Little Gulls (roosted), 4 Common Terns, 5 Little Egrets, drake Garganey, a Yellow Wagtail and 3 Hobbies.

At lunchtime 1300-1400 a Little Tern was fishing between Middle Point and Fretherne and in the company of 4 Commic Terns at times.

The Top New Piece looks fantastic with breeding Lapwing (4-5 pairs), 2 Wigeon, 5 Shoveler, 2 drake Garganey, 1 Dunlin, a pair of breeding Great Crested Grebe, 10 Gadwall, 2 Little Egrets and many other common species present this morning.

Another Hobby was over Middle Point at 1400 and this afternoon whilst putting up a fence at the Holden Tower a Nuthatch called from the Decoy wood. Leesy called it in and it perched above us along the walkway. It has to be the same bird we both saw in different parts of the reserve last month. It is still a rare bird here. A Willow Warbler sang from here also, they are scarce now with the main migration over.

The South Lake held 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Terns among the many breeding wildfowl.

Monday, May 08, 2006

WWT Slimbridge and Gloucestershire sightings 8 May 2006

Grasshopper Warbler on the Cotswolds 8 May 2006 M.J.McGill.

Nightingale at the CWP 8 May 2006 M.J.McGill


8 May 2006 An early start for little reward today. The low tides did not really produce much. Later in the day the rain brought in a few more birds. The 100 Acre held 1-2 Yellow Wagtail, 70 Swift, 4 Common Tern, 4 Shoveler, 2 first-summer Little Gulls, 50 Black-headed Gull with six pairs on territory.2 Little-ringed Plover. A male Garganey was on the Top New Piece with seven Shoveler, 8 Teal and 10 Gadwall. The Greater Scaup was on South Lake with five Black-tailed Godwits. A further two were in the 50 Acre. Around ten Little Egrets were seen today.

On the river at least 17 Ringed Plover, 13 Whimbrel later joined by 19 more that flew in from the south (1700) and included an albinistic one, 5 Sanderling, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Curlew, 50 Dunlin. A Little Tern was also seen at Frampton today.

Myself and James went to the Cotswold Water Park to pick up a WWT landrover and managed to see 15 Hobbies and 31 Common Terns together at the same time. A couple of Nightingale and Garden Warblers were also seen in our brief visit. On the return joruney across the Cotswolds we heared a Grasshopper Warbler reeling on the side of the road. We stopped and got some good views of this skulker.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

WWT Slimbridge sightings 7 May 2006


First-summer Little Gulls on South Lake J.S.Lees

7 May 2006 A very calm and sunny day. Little migration but good to see local birds settling into territories. Around the centre hides today a brace of first-summer Little Gulls, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Common Sandpiper and a singing Lesser Whitethroat on South Lake but no sign of the Ring-necked Duck. At least four drake Garganey were on show. At the 100 Acre three Little Egrets, 1 Cuckoo, a Little-ringed Plover, 1 Little Gull ( a South Lake bird), 2 Common Terns, 3 Hobbies and a Lesser Whitethroat. Warbler totals today include 55 Reed Warbler, 16 Sedge Warbler, 13 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Whitethroat 1 Common Whitethroat. A Greenshank flew into the 100 Acre this afternoon and was also seen on South Lake this evening.



Pistols at Dawn The two first-summer Little Gulls on South Lake M.J.McGill

One of the four male Garganey around the centre hides 7 May 2006 J.S.Lees

Saturday, May 06, 2006

WWT Slimbridge sightings 6 May 2006

Male Ring-necked Duck on South Lake 6 May 2006 J.S.Lees

Great Egret (Great White Egret) on the WWT 100 Acre marsh 5 May 2006 J.S.Lees.


6 May 2006 A male Ring-necked Duck was discovered by Dave Paynter on South Lake this morning. He is having a good run this spring, James and I put in about five hours birding a day before and after work and he bags the two top birds in work time! Still it is great to see one of these smashing aythya at WWT again. Also c15 Black-tailed Godwit on the same lake. At least two Garganey possibly three on site from Holden Tower and Zeiss Hide. Belated news of a possible small crake captured by a non-birder member of WWT staff and released into the reeds adjacent to the Barclay's Hide yesterday (5th May). It was initially thought to be a young Water Rail but the finder is now very doubtful of this.

Friday, May 05, 2006

WWT Slimbridge and local sightings 5 May 2006

5 May 2006 I checked Townfield Lake this morning and had a Turnstone on the pontoon, an Arctic Tern and Common Tern were also present. The Great Crested Grebe pairs are building up and displaying.

I also saw 2 Hobby and 2 first-summer Little Gulls hawking with a Common Tern and 40 Black-headed Gull over the 100 Acre. I got the call that Dave Paynter had found a Great White Egret on the 100 Acre marsh. It was showing well from the platform. Please do not enter the fields here and view only from the lane or platform. This was the first one I had seen on the reserve and the third record for the site. A Little Egret was present for comparison. A Cuckoo was active on the fencelines dropping down and feeding on hairy caterpillars. A Lesser Whitethroat, singing Willow Warbler and other common warblers were present. A Large Red Damselfly was along the Green Lane.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

WWT Slimbridge sightings 3 and 4 May 2006

Female Whinchat above and Black and Arctic Terns WWT Slimbridge 4 May 2006 M.J.McGill. You may have to zoom in to see the blurry but distinctive markings.


4 May 2006 The forecast was great for today but did not quite come off as expected. It was still a good day. MJM and JSL began birding at 0600 and logged 1 Wheatear, 37 Whimbrel and a Black-tailed Godwit at Fretherne the first Spotted Flycatcher of the year at the back of South Lake. A flock of 20+ Black-tailed Godwit were also here. Only 1 Willow Warbler was heard today. 1 Cuckoo, 3 Common Tern, 2 Snipe and 1 Little-ringed Plover on the 100 Acre were the highlight from this area. On the river 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 75 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover and 12 Curlew were seen, over high tide a flock of 18 Arctic and 4 Black Terns flew in past Middle Point and rested on the sands to the north. A second flock of 40-45 flew in and headed high upriver, in addition to this a flock of 18 Black-headed Gull were also on the move. Most of these were seen off Berkeley Shore earlier by Bob Radford. A Yellow Wagtail headed north with a extra pair seemingly on territory with the male singing. A female Whinchat was along the Top New Piece hedge, up to 4 Wigeon and 50 Teal remained on site. A total of 5 Wheatear were seen on the reserve.

3 May 2006 A Hobby went over the A38 by Claypits at 0640. The aythya I recorded as an apparent Redhead yesterday is after further consideration and some extra consultation is likely to be a hybrid, some experienced birders have suggested a Scaup x something. I will try to log some more images of this bird soon. Also this morning I saw a Marsh Harrier headed north at Middle Point at 0716, 2 Avocet were in the 100 Acre at 0730 before flying off towards the centre (they were off Middle Point later), 1 Whimbrel, a Little-ringed Plover and two Snipe were also here. On the river 1 Turnstone, 17 Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderling, 138 Dunlin, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Grey Plover, 2 male Whinchat, 9 Wheatear, 60 Sedge Warbler, 30 Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

WWT Slimbridge sightings 1 and 2 May 2006

2 May 2006 Apart from the apparent first-summer female Redhead an number of migrants were noted today. Up to 280 Swift were seen with 10 Sand Martins, 120 House Martin and 200 Swallow, 10 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Greenland type Wheatear, 1 Jack Snipe, 280 Dunlin on the river, one heard over South Lake, 15 Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderling, 32 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 4 Pintail, 3 Wigeon, 2 Common Tern on South Lake, 1st summer male Greater Scaup, 6 pairs of Great Crested Grebe.

1 May 2006 Up to 7 Wheatear today including another Greenland type. 1 Yellow Wagtail, 14 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Knot, 130 Swift, 1 Common Sandpiper, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, 27 singing Sedge Warblers, 14 singing Reed Warblers plus 1 Common Tern over the tide.

Apparent 1st-summer female Redhead at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre 2 May 2006






All images are of the 1st summer female Redhead at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre 2 May 2006 M.J.McGill. The pale feathering at the base of the bill is exaggerated by the digital camera. It is not as pale in the field.

I discovered the bird at 0740 while checking the Lapwing nests from the Hogarth Hide. It is keeping company with Tufted Ducks and proved to be very mobile through the day. It has been seen on most of the favoured Tufted Duck pools and lakes today that are sheltered (it was very windy). It is unringed, fully winged and wary. It did fly off with Tufted Ducks on most occasions and seems to mirror what they do and where they go. This is not unusual for lost or single ducks. The lake adjacent to the centre is one of the best places on the whole 800 acre site for Tufted Duck and has held many Greater Scaup, Smew and even Ring-necked Duck in the past. I have seen many species of wild duck, geese and swans in the collection area where there fear is less or non-existent of humans, this is likely to be down to the calm behaviour of the other species present. There are two rather inbred female Redhead on the centre pond where it turned up this afternoon. Up to 250 Tufted use it in the winter with 30-40 present in the spring/early summer.

A reminder of one WWT ringing recovery concerns a male Ring-necked Duck at Slimbridge (the second for Glos after Phillipa Scott's first for the Western Palearctic 12-14 March1955, also in the enclosures) was trapped and ringed on 1 March1977 and was recovered in south east Greenland on 23 May 1977. This proved the return migration attempt of this transatlantic traveler.

There are no Pochard on site to compare as they all departed weeks ago but we have captive adult Redhead in the collection. These are all likely to be from the same lineage so do not vary as much as wild birds. No Redhead were reared in the summer of 2005 so this bird is not from Slimbridge, all ducks are hand reared at WWT Slimbridge.

It was seen back on the lake next to the centre this afternoon before flighting to the South Lake where it was still present at 1840. It will be searched for in the morning. M.J.McGill.