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.