WWT Slimbridge sightings 28 September 2006

Still can't get enough of them!
Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the Dumbles 28 September 2006 M.J.McGill.

28 September 2006 The South Lake had a juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit, 100 Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Redshank, 3 Ruff (1 juvenile), 1 Spotted Redshank and 400 Teal.

On the estuary from 0900 to 1200 there was the 2 juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpipers, 3 juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Sanderling, 5 Little Stint, 15 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 11+ Grey Plover, 7 Golden Plover with a single flying over later, 2 Wheatear, an adult Yellow-legged Gull (low and high tide off Middle Point) and a juvenile Arctic Tern.

At Townfield Lake, Frampton on Severn a Black Tern was still present on 29 September 2006.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 25 to 27 September 2006

Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper on the Dumbles 26 September 2006 M.J.McGill

Juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the Dumbles 27 September 2006 M.J.McGill
Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper on the Dumbles 26 September M.J.McGill
27 September 2006 The two juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpipers were still present today although they did not appear until after 1100. Two Peregrines have been persistently attacking the waders today. Three Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Golden Plover, 200+ Curlew, 2 Sanderling, 2 Little Stint and a few Dunlin and Ringed Plover were all that was on the river today. It was very quiet. South Lake had a Spotted Redshank, 1 Ruff, 20 Redshank, 101 Black-tailed Godwit and 400 Teal as well as lots of other wetland species but no Pectoral Sandpipers. Two Wheatear were on the Dumbles.

26 September 2006 A Pectoral Sandpiper was still on South Lake with the other waders and two Buff-breasted Sandpipers were still along the edge of the Dumbles. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Sanderling, 20 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plover, 2 Peregrine, 3 Buzzard, 1 Hobby, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Wheatear were also seen.

25 September 2006 Two Pectoral Sandpipers were on South Lake and what were probably the same two were present on the Dumbles at 1600. The two Buff-breasted Sandpipers were seen on the Dumbles to early afternoon but not later. A group of six Whinchat, 2 Stonechat and a Redstart were in the 100 Acre and all viewable from the platform.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 24 September 2006

Buff-breasted and Semi-palmated Sandpiper at WWT Slimbridge 24 September 2006 M.J.McGill

Look out for the partial webbing between the toes on the 'peep'


South Lake had 4 Pectoral Sandpipers, 1 Spotted Redshank, 40 Redshank, 90 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Ruff (two adults) and 350 Teal at 0710.

The Dumbles produced at least 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Golden Plover, 9 Grey Plover, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, 150 Curlew, 2 Ruff, 2 Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 1 Semi-palmated Sandpiper, 20 Ringed Plover, 30 Dunlin, 12 Little Egret, 1 Black Tern and 3 Wheatear.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 23 September 2006

Buff-breasted Sandpiper at WWT Slimbridge 2006 P.E.Marshall

Little Stint on the Dumbles WWT Slimbridge 23 September 2006 Many birders walked past this bird on route to the Semi-p and BBSands.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the Dumbles WWT Slimbridge 22 September 2006 P.E.Marshall
and again

23 September 2006 More american waders were logged on site today, the Semi-palmated Sandpiper returned to roost but remained hidden for a long period. The 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers flew in at 0845 with a third seen flying around with the Dunlin flock at the same time. Dave Paynter has 4 Pectoral Sandpipers on the South Lake. No time to check for the common birds but 1-2 Sanderling, 12 Grey Plover, 40 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, 5+ Little Stint, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Wheatear and Peregrine all noted.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 22 September 2006 Semi-palmated and Buff-breasted Sandpiper special

Another first for Gloucestershire and WWT; Juvenile Semi-palmated Sandpiper on the Dumbles WWT Slimbridge 22 September 2006 M.J.McGill

At last! another Glos lifer for Maisie McGill (14 months) as she pulls back Buff-breasted Sandpiper on her older brother Joseph who was 6 months old when he saw the 2000 bird in the same spot. Pic by J.S.Lees
What a pair of little beauties! Buff-breasted Sandpipers on the Dumbles saltmarsh WWT Slimbridge 22 September 2006 M.JMcGill
The juvenile Semi-palmated Sandpiper M.J.McGill
The Buff-breasted Sandpipers, fourth record for WWT Slimbridge. M.J.McGill.
22 September 2006 After having to give up on going out early today I left Leesy to cover the tide alone and thought that I may live to regret it. The weather looked good and we had made plans for a first light vigil on the river.The Semi-palmated Sandpiper has been on most Glos birders agenda recently as it has been a record year for them. Despite intensive searching this and in previous years, one finally showed up. Fortunately everything fell into place for me and and the bird was looking good for Semi-p as I arrived on site. James had scoped for it ages waiting for it to show off some features but it had remained unhelpful for a while, he was now feeling positive with a glimpse of it's bill.

With Dave Paynter on site also we were all happy with it and the news went out. This bird was very tired, it slept on the saltmarsh for a long time before heading out to feed on the estuary at low tide. 11 Grey Plover and 9 Black Terns were also seen as well as a flock of Ringed Plover, Dunlin and 9 Little Stint. After an hour or so two Buff-breasted Sandpiper dropped in calling as they did so, I was back at the centre while James was on crowd control and soon got back out there. The boy Lees was on a high, I hope he can sleep tonight after two firsts for Glos in a fortnight...I am getting fitter and will be back in action soon, can't have him hogging the birds.

Three juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper on South Lake brings the WWT reserve 'yank' total to 6 on site that we know of!.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 21 September 2006

21 September 2006 On the estuary over high tide and around the scrapes the following totals were counted. 9 Little Stint, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 45 Dunlin, 28 Ringed Plover, 7 Grey Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 97 Black-tailed Godwit, a Little Ringed Plover, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, 8 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank,30 Redshank, 10 Little Egret, 3 Ruff, 3 Wheatear, 3 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 1 Grey wagtail, 126 Tufted Duck, 1 Greater Scaup and 2 Peregrine.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 20 September 2006

One of three juvenile Pectoral Sandpipers on South Lake 20 September 2006 M.J.McGill.

20 September 2006 Above Pectoral Sandpiper showing size comparison with Eurasian Teal. A group of three are now present on South Lake often giving excellent views. This is a record count for the reserve. With more suitable weather on it's way we could get more before the autumn is over! The South Lake also has four Spotted Redshank, 50+ Redshank, 100 Black-tailed Godwit including a colour-ringed bird that was caught in Iceland during the summer by Slimbridge Waterbird Researcher Richard Hearn. This seems to be the same bird that was seen by myself and Jeremy Squire at Sharpness Pier on Saturday.

Teal were numerous here with 300+ and 30 Shoveler, the lake is looking good.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 17-19 September 2006

The two juvenile Pectoral Sandpipers on South Lake WWT Slimbridge J.S.Lees

19 September 2006 At least one Pectoral Sandpiper still on the South Lake with 54 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruff, 114 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 male Red-Crested Pochard, 1 Greater Scaup and 1 Green Sandpiper in the Rushy.

18 September 2006 The two Pectoral Sandpipers were on South Lake.

17 September 2006 2 Pectoral Sandpipers on the South Lake, Redstart one 1st winter male from the Holden Tower, Wheatear 2 at Middle Point, Whinchat 3 in the 100 Acre from the safari, Grey Plover 3 Middle Point, Little Stint 1 Middle Point, Dunlin 25 off Middle Point, Ringed Plover 10 Middle Point, Spotted Redshank on the 3 Long Ground Pool, Green Sandpiper 1 on the Rushy, Ruff 2 on South Lake, Black-Tailed Godwits 87 South Lake, Pintail 25 around the reserve, Wigeon 145 around the Reserve, Reed Warbler 2 at the Holden Tower, Chiffchaff 25 around the reserve, Blackcap 6 at the Holden Tower, Peregrine 2 Holden Tower, Hobby 1 Hundred Acre, Tufted Duck 57 South Lake and Greater Scaup 1 .

WWT Slimbridge and local sightings 14 and 15 September 2006

Somebody has got a new lens! The two juvenile Arctic Terns at Townfield Lake, Frampton on Severn. J.S.Lees.

15 September 2006 At Sharpness Pier from the car park five Black-tailed Godwit (one colour-ringed), 5 Redshank and 2 Blackcap.

14 September 2006 The South Lake at WWT Slimbridge had the juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was on South Lake with the Greater Scaup, 3 Ruff, 3 Spotted Redshank, 10 Greenshank, 79 Tufted Duck, 60 Shoveler, 350 Teal and 4 Pochard.

At CWP Pit 57 a flock of 35 Pochard and 2 Hobby were the highlights.

Two juvenile Arctic Terns were with the Commons at Townfield Lake.

WWT Slimbridge 14 September 2006

14 September 2006 4 The South Lake had 1 Garganey, 3 Ruff (2 adults and a juvenile), 87 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe, 300 Teal, 1 Greater Scaup, 10 Pintail. 1 Spotted Flycatcher on the Tack Piece, 2-3 Hobby and 2 Common Terns over the 100 Acre. Three Spotted Redshank were on the Long Ground Pool.

WWT Slimbridge 14 September 2006

14 September 2006 4 The South Lake had 1 Garganey, 3 Ruff (2 adults and a juvenile), 87 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe, 300 Teal, 1 Greater Scaup, 10 Pintail. 1 Spotted Flycatcher on the Tack Piece, 2-3 Hobby and 2 Common Terns over the 100 Acre. Three Spotted Redshank were on the Long Ground Pool.

WWT Slimbridge and local sightings 13 September 2006

Gloucestershire Tern-fest 13 September 2006

Juvenile Common Tern M.J.McGill
Juvenile Arctic Tern M.J.McGill
Adult winter Little Tern M.J.McGILL

13 September 2006 At WWT Slimbridge the Pectoral Sandpiper and a Garganey on South Lake (three yesterday), 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Avocet, 4 Wheatear and 1 Yellow-legged Gull at Middle Point. At Townfield Lake Frampton on Severn a Little Tern, 1 juvenile Arctic Tern and 11 Common Terns were feeding at midday.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 11 September 2006

Adult winter Bonaparte's Gull (right) on the Dumbles WWT, Slimbridge 10 September 2006 JSLees

11 September 2006 After what one ex-Glos county recorder described as his best day of birding in the county ever, things calmed down again. The floods on the Dumbles have attracted 200 Lapwing, 200 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Avocet, 5 Black-taield Godwit, 1 Little Stint, 120 Shelduck, 15 Ringed Plover, 15 Dunlin, 12 Pintail, 100 Wigeon, 30 Teal, lots of Black-headed Gull and a mixture of larger gulls and the fence at Middle Point had 4 Wheatear and 2 Whinchat.

I do not know what was on the scrapes and yesterdays Wryneck at Frampton on Severn was not seen this morning.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 10 September 2006

10 September 2006 A good day at the trust and just the lift I needed after a week of illness and some serious damage to my ankle. I had the call that the Dumbles had flooded over the night tide and an adult Bonaparte's Gull was present amongst the busy scene. Congratulations to James Lees on his first, first for Gloucestershire, he has now joined the club! Shame I wasn't at work but he was rubbing his hands together at the news of my invalidity and scored with a great find. I was fortunate enough to be near carried to the Holden Tower by good friends and bagged this long overdue county first. Also I saw the Pectoral Sandpiper and a Garganey on the Dumbles with 2 Greenshank and c30 Wigeon, 5 Pintail and40 Teal.

2 Spotted Flycatcher were along the Tack Piece hedge, a Whinchat and 3 Wheatear were at Middle Point fenceline and a juvenile Black Tern was at the 100 Acre during the safari.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 9 September 2006

9 September 2006 Hot news for today was the discovery of a Pectoral Sandpiper on the South Lake among the other waders (Graham Maples). It is apparently showing well, so digiscopers may be in luck.I was out early and had 5 Sedge, 4 Reed, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, a Hobby and a juvenile Spotted Redshank at the 100 Acre. At least four Spotted Redshank were on South Lake plus a juvenile Mediterranean Gull.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 7 September 2006

Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper WWT Slimbridge 7 September 2006 MJMcGill.

7 September 2006 The Osprey was seen flying upriver at 0900 from Berkeley Shore (Bob Radford) heading towards the trust. This is the third day in a row that it ha been seen around this time of day. The waders had tailed off a little, a search from 0630-0800 produced the 3 Curlew Sandpiper, c30 Sanderling, 2 Turnstone, 80 Curlew, 150 Dunlin, 180 Ringed Plover, 7 Knot but no sign of the Little Stint or Ruddy Shelduck. A Wheatear was at Middle Point.

South Lake had 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Snipe, 1 Ruff, 10 Greenshank, 30 Redshank, 100 Black -tailed Godwit and a Garganey among the 200 Teal. 2 Reed Warbler and a Sedge Warbler were seen here also but we had to disturb the lake late morning to the end of the day to carry out the first stage of seasonal work.

Top New Piece marsh had a male and female juvenile Ruff, 3 Greenshank and a Little Grebe, it is close to drying up ready for the island construction.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 6 September 2006

Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Sanderling and 2 Curlew Sandpiper (can you spot the latter).
Migrant Hawker (still very common around the reserve with c100 present)
Ruddy Shelduck off the Dumbles WWT Slimbridge (can't get near them so far)

6 September 2006 Over the high tide (0630-0800) a flock of 240 Ringed Plover (lots of juveniles) , 200 Dunlin (one small, very grey morph juvenile lacking belly spots/flecks), 31 Sanderling (30 juvenile, 1 adult) , 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 1 juvenile Little Stint, 7 juvenile Knot, 4+ Yellow-legged Gull, 2 juvenile Turnstone, 1 Yellow Wagtail over and 2 Wheatear on the Dumbles. In the evening 15 Knot, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and Mike King reported 3 Arctic Terns from further upriver heading down. Nearly all of these waders were seen from the Middle point hide at low tide as well as 5 Common Terns.

The Top New Piece had 3 Greenshank, South Lake held adult and juvenile Spotted Redshank, male Ruff, 104 Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Redshank, 6 Greenshank and lots of duck. The Tack Piece had 5 Green Sandpiper. The hedges have plenty of warblers today but we did not get the time to check any out.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 5 September 2006

Osprey off Middle Point, WWT Slimbridge 5 September.

5 September 2006 South Lake had an adult and juvenile Spotted Redshank, 126 Black-tailed Godwit, 26 Redshank plus 200 Teal. The river had all the action with an Osprey sat atop a dead tree in the middle of the estuary for at tleast 1.5 hours this morning. This bird was found by Neil Smart. Waders were much in evidence with 270 Ringed Plover, 180 Dunlin, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Stint, 2 Turnstone, 4 Greenshank and more. At lunchtime 2 Ruddy Shelduck were flighty about the estuary with 250 Shelduck.