WWT Slimbridge sightings 30 May to 1 June 2006

The apparent first-summer Purple Heron at WWT Slimbridge 30 May 2006 M.J.McGill.

1 June 2006 An adult male Ruff in full breeding plumage was the highlight. It joined the single first-summer Black-tailed Godwit, 3 pairs of Oystercatcher (two have chicks), Lapwing with chicks, Common Terns (nest scraping on raft) and Little Grebes on South Lake. 120 Black-headed Gull, 1 Shoveler, 2 Little Egret, breeding Oystercatcher and Lapwing were all on the Top New Piece. Some birds are flocking already. The Greylags are up to 146 at least. The Kingfishers are great at the South Finger due to them feeding young. You only have to wait a few minutes for them to arrive with a fish.

We also added 2 more nesting platforms for the 4 Common Terns as seven pairs of Black-headed Gull have claimed the rafts in the 100 Acre. A male Cuckoo sang here also.

31 May 2006 At least five broods of Shelduck are on the river with two broods in front of the Holden Tower. 8 Shoveler remain on site. I saw two Bar-tailed Godwit (one breeding, one non-breeding plumage) on the estuary with 3 first-summer Grey Plover. 30 Ringed Plover and 30 Dunlin were seen in the morning. Two Whimbrel were seen at 1630. A Black-tailed Godwit was in the 100 Acre with one at South Lake. Two Hobby were displaying over the 100 Acre at 1415.

30 May 2006 The Purple Heron was again in one of the reserve ditches see www.wwt.org.uk/visit/slimbridge/reserve.asp for details. A female Wheatear remained along the foreshore. I had an e-mail from Graham Watson who had a great morning from the WWT 100 Acre viewing platform from 0600. He logged a female Marsh Harrier, a singing Quail and 3 Common Terns. A Fox was seen out on the marsh and was probably looking for wader nests.