WWT Slimbridge sightings 13 and 14 August 2006

14 August 2006 A flock of 25 Dunlin and 25 Ringed Plover were off Middle Point at low tide. Up to 13 Little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper, 150 Curlew, the Black-tailed Godwit flock and a Knot were on the estuary also. The Top New Piece attracted 8 Greenshank, a Little Stint, 1 juvenile Little-ringed Plover, 1 Snipe and 5 Green Sandpiper. Around the 100 Acre 32 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 5 Snipe, 2 juvenile Little-ringed Plover and a Ringed Plover were noted. On the safari a Clouded Yellow, 20+ Migrant Hawker (some copulating), Common and Ruddy Darter added the insect interest. The male Ruff was on the Tack Piece with two Snipe at the Holden Tower. South Lake had the Scaup, 138 Black-tailed Godwit and 20 Redshank as well as plenty of duck.

13 August 2006 A WeBS (Wetland Bird Surveys) count day with a Birdwatch morning event with the aim of seeing waders between 1030 to 1230. The weather put paid to any warbler or dragonfly activity. The strong winds drove many birds away from the estuary or caused them to find shelter. A total of 17 species of wader were noted around the reserve today with 16 seen on the walk alone. Four Greenshank, 1 juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit, 180 Curlew, 50 Lapwing and single Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper were present on the edge of the Dumbles over high tide. A flock of 13 Raven enjoyed a dead sheep nearby with 10 Little Egret roosting.

The South Lake had nearly all of the usual waders present. The Tack Piece had 53 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 juvenile Little-ringed Plover, 5 Green Sandpiper, 1 Snipe and an adult Grey Plover.

At the 100 Acre 2 Dunlin, 1 Snipe and a juvenile Little-ringed Plover were noted. On the this afternoon river scattered groups of 2 and 5 Sanderling, 1, 3, 7 and c10 Ringed Plover with 50 Dunlin. A flock of 10 Swift fed over the Turkey Oaks/Tack Piece at 1615 with 3 seen over the A38 at 1645 near the Frampton turning.