WWT Slimbridge sightings 13 to 15 June 2006

15 June 2006 Highlights include a first summer Mediterranean Gull over the 100 Acre, 9 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Redshank on the South Lake, a pair of Garganey, the male Greater Scaup and an early Pochard on the Top New Piece. A new brood of 4 Lapwing chicks join the 2 two week olds and the nearly full grown chick. A flock of 29 Shoveler, 80 Gadwall and 15 Teal are also present. The high tide produced only 42 Curlew.

14 June 2006 A combined effort to survey the breeding waders of the area produced mixed results, as was expected. At least four pairs of Redshank have young in the 100 Acre but Lapwing have had a bad time with only one pair with young. Two post-breeding flocks have developed, 18 in the 100 Acre and 16 on the Top New Piece. Three Garganey were on the Top New Piece. A Greenshank was in the 100 Acre area.

I was tasked with surveying the Frampton Marsh/Saul Lodge area and although 64 Lapwing and 10 Redshank were present only a pair of each had chicks. Two first-summer Mediterranean Gull were with the flock of 120 Black-headed Gull (one had a black hood developing). On the river off WWT the four Sanderling were seen as the tide came in.

13 June 2006 A Green Sandpiper was in the 50 Acre and four Garganey (one female) were on the Top New Piece.