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.