WWT Slimbridge and local sightings 17 and 18 April 2007

18 April 2007 A mass emergence of Large Red Damselfy occured in one particular 100 Acre ditch, at least 30 were noted. The first-summer Spoonbill remained in the 100/50 Acre marshes although it can be mobile. Lesser Whitethroats were singing at the 100 Acre platform and the car park hedge at WWT. A Cuckoo sang in the 100 Acre and surrounds for most of the day. Little Stints, Dunlin and Spotted Redshank were all seen in the marshes here. A flock of 17 Dunlin, 56 Curlew and 25 Dunlin were on the Dumbles edge. At least three Wheatear were in the Bottom New Piece. At least 7 Sedge Warbler and 2 Reed Warbler were 'in' and other migrants included 2 Yellow Wagtail, 20+ Sand Martin, 10 Swallow and a flocks of Herring and Lesser BB Gulls.
We all conducted a full breeding wader survey and I coverered the Frampton Pill to Fretherne section. I saw a few migrants and breeding birds in this area which included singing Lesser Whitethroat, 2 second-summer Mediterranean Gull that went straight upriver and over Fretherne at 0810, 8 Sand Martin north, a Little-ringed Plover north, a female Wheatear, single Yellow Wagtail over, 5 Little Egret, a singing Cetti's Warbler. The Great Skua was on the river as were 7 surfers, a backup boat and jetski that looked to be attempting the longest world surfing record. 3 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Dunlin were also seen. The marshes between 0700-0800 at least held the Marbled Duck, a Ruff (still in non-breeding plumage), a Little-ringed Plover, 6 pairs of Redshank and 9;3 Lapwing (these birds are highly sensitive and the landowner and land managers request that it is only viewed from the canal towpath and viewing bank). More breeding waders should colonise as the water levels drop.

At Townfield Lake this evening there was two first winter/summer and an adult Little Gull. Yesterday there were also 3 tern sp and 2 Common Sandpiper.

17 April 2007 2 male Garganey were in the 100 Acre flashes and marshes.

Late news includes a male Pied Flycatcher at the South Finger on 15th (we found out on 16th), a flock of 78 Curlew migrated north on 15th and were independently seen by two other observers over Frampton on Severn. The Spoonbill arrived during the evening of 16th (NP Goatman) a Whimbrel was also seen.