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.