WWT Slimbridge sightings 15 and 16 August 2006

Little Stint (juvenile) near Middle Point WWT Slimbridge on 15 August 2006 M.J.McGill.

The Top New Piece has become quieter due to lower water levels, we are drying it to construct two islands, additional problems with pumps and a general lack of water due to the drought. The stint has been seen on this site with Dunlin on 14 August but appears to prefer the Middle Point area.







16 August 2006 The waders and duck around the scrapes showed little increase but a few new individuals have arrived. The South Lake had the usual suspects, 20 Redshank, 140 Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank and a male and the first juvenile Ruff of the year.

The edge of the Dumbles and the spartina island on the river had 3 Turnstone, 10 Greenshank (number 11 roosted on the Top New Piece over high tide), a juvenile Ruff, an adult Golden Plover and 150 Curlew. A flock of 51 Ringed Plover and 40 Dunlin were just south of Middle Point (they feed north off the hide at low tide) and further flocks were seen upriver on the safari.

The scrapes had 11+ Green Sandpiper with 2 juvenile Little-ringed Plover and Snipe scattered on all scrapes. Migrant warblers were seen around the hedges. 10+ Migrant Hawkers seen around the southern end of the reserve.

15 August 2006 A Spotted Flycatcher was at the South Finger with many migrant warblers and tits. It was seen hovering and collecting elderberries. A Yellow Wagtail flew over heading south. The waders remained much the same. A Manx Shearwater was present off Middle Point at 0915 before floating upriver on the tide.