WWT Slimbridge sightings 25-26 June 2006

Lots of mothing at WWT Slimbridge this summer. Keep an eye on the events if you want to see species like the Elephant (left) and Poplar Hawkmoths.

26 June 2006 A definite change in the air....a few more autumn migrants are arriving and the rain has helped to bring a few birds down. At 1245 I found an adult Wood Sandpiper on the Top New Piece after probably hearing earlier in the day while I was clearing an aquaduct pipe. Also on the Top New Piece were a party of nine Black-tailed Godwit which included a colour-ringed bird, they were all adults so appear to be new in. 14 Teal, 1 Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, 30 Lapwing plus 10 chicks, 30 Redshank, 20 Shoveler, 2 Little-ringed Plover (also seen flying around over the Dumbles) 2 Sand Martin and 100 Black-headed Gulls. The Tack Piece scrape held 5 Green Sandpiper one of which was a Slimbridge colour-ringed bird plus a Teal. We have had over 33 broods of Shelduck so far this year. The Barnacle Goose flock have re-appeared with c30 seen on the fields.

The South Lake had 44 Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, pair Oystercatcher with 2 chicks, pair of nesting Common Terns.

The 100 Acre has three pairs of Common Tern that are just settling to nest plus 40 Swift and a few Sand Martin feeding over the pools. A pair of Pochard signal the return of wintering duck. JSL led a Landrover Safari in the evening and saw 6 Yellow-legged Gulls, 172 Curlew, 2 Grey Plover and 8 Common Gull.

Check the following web link for WWT sightings if I have not updated the Anser Birding site. www.wwt.org.uk/visit/slimbridge/reserve.asp

25 June 2006 Up to three Hobby were over the 100 Acre. Two male Cuckoo, one at the Top New Piece and the other in the 100 Acre were still in voice. 30 Redshank on the South Lake plus five Black-tailed Godwit. Four Raven were along the estuary edge.