Thursday, August 24, 2006

WWT Slimbridge sightings 24 August 2006

24 August 2006 The South Lake remained the same with the male Ruff, single Spotted Redshank, 23 Redshank and 123 Black-tailed Godwit, 150 Teal, 30 Shoveler and the Greater Scaup.
The Top New Piece had up to 7 juvenile Little-ringed Plover, 4 Green Sandpiper, 2 Ruff (a juvenile male and female), at least 4 Greenshank, a flock of 36 Redshank appeared mid morning and they may be a new flock, a Garganey with 30 Teal. 2 small waders that were probably Little Stints were seen briefly. In the South east corner where we were working I heard a Spotted Redshank flying over, 2 Kingfisher were present all day, 2 juvenile Whitethroat and 10 Reed and 1 Sedge Warbler. Yellow Wagtail also flew over. 30 Migrant Hawker were along the ditch extension project along with numerous Common Darter and a few Ruddy Darter. The hawkers and Common Darters were laying eggs and many were in tandem.

On the river/edge of theDumbles a flock of 274 Ringed Plover, 180+ Dunlin, 4 Sanderling, 1 Little Stint, 2 Knot, 1 juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Oystercatcher (very scarce now), 124 Shelduck and 300 Curlew were roosting over high tide. 2 Yellow Wagtail were among the cattle.

The 100 Acre had no migrant warblers during a lunchtime visit but 2 Whinchat and 2-3 adult Hobby were actively feeding. 50+ Migrant Hawker were busy mating and feeding.