WWT Slimbridge and Gloucestershire sightings 21 April 2007

Glossy Ibis at the WWT Slimbridge 100 Acre reserve.

Part of the impressive flock in flight over the WWT Slimbridge 100 Acre marsh.
Another very welcome county lifer, Stone Curlew on Cleeve Hill

Stop press; see video footage of the Glossy Ibis and Great Skua on the photos/gallery page. Click on the icon to and use buttons to play.

21 April 2007 What a morning.....!!!! the 17 Glossy Ibis performed for all gathered, a wonderful moment especially for Reserve Manager Dave Paynter when they fed in one of the ponds he had dug out in the early nineties. 2 Yellow Wagail and Whinchat were also seen here and Cuckoo was calling. I was on site from 0600-0845 when I was tempted to Cleeve Hill for a great find by Mark Dowie, thanks to him for giving my 7 year old son Joseph McGill and I our first Gloucestershire Stone Curlew. I was much impressed by how the finder and Duncan Dine had it pinned down where it was not being disturbed at all, everyone that turned up while I was there saw it well as it rested in the grass. At least 2 Ring Ouzel were seen but were elusive due to the bikes, dogs, joggers, walkers and birders present..we all want a piece of the hill. A quick jaunt to Hawling gave us and our companions Neil Smart and Mike King, 20+ Fieldfare, a pair of Curlew, 3 incubating Lapwing, Wheatear, Yellowhammer and 5 Corn Bunting (two jangling). A fantastic 24 hour period and still time for more.