WWT Slimbridge sightings 19 and 20 July 2006

20 July 2006 A hot and humid day, a reserve record 16 Little-ringed Plover were present with 2 on the Tack Piece and 14 on the Top New Piece. A minimum of 23 Green Sandpiper were counted with the peak site being the Tack Piece with 11. At least two Dunlin were seen on the river. A couple of juvenile Little Egrets were seen around with adults. The South Lake had 76 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Redshank and 50 Lapwing. The Top New Piece had a pair of adult Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and the assorted wildfowl and gulls.

The 100 Acre birds were busy in breeding mode, the four pairs of Common Terns are all still incubating. Three Pochard were present, two pairs of Great Crested Grebe had young. On the river a flock of 120 Shelduck feeding on a decent patch of mud had 44 adults only, the rest were ducklings of various ages.

19 July 2006 The Top New Piece held 7 Little-ringed Plover (two adults, five juvenile), a pair of adult Ruff in breeding plumage, 4 Snipe, 2 Spotted Redshank. A flock of 21 Dunlin were on the river. A total of 9 Green Sandpiper were counted.