WWT Slimbridge sightings 23 April 2007

23 April 2007 A big fall day was on the cards and we got it. The rain had dropped in lots of migrants and between 0700-0930 we had logged a lot of birds. I reached Middle Point after doing an hour of my duties at 0755 and an adult Little Tern was fishing offshore, the river had a few waders with a Grey Plover, 26 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 6 Oystercatcher, 27 Dunlin and 6 Ringed Plover during the day. A flock of 16 Black-tailed Godwit and a Green Sandpiper were also still on the reserve. After admiring the tern I carried on with the rounds and discovered a singing Wood Warbler along one of the hedges, this put JSL on 199 for his WWT list, maybe the champagne will be flowing by the weekend! We both logged the warber fall and came up with at least 50 Sedge, 25 Reed, 7 Chiffchaff,2 Lesser Whitethroat and I had a reeling Grasshopper Warbler actually on the reserve ( reserve tick for me after many years of birds being just outside the boundary or being away etc). 4 Wheatear and a Whinchat were noted plus 4 Yellow Wagtail and a White Wagtail. I also saw a first-summer Mediterranean Gull. We had a Hobby, 45 Swift, 120 Sand Martin, 30 House Martin and 20 Swallow over the 100 Acre. The 17 Glossy Ibis were still present and showed on/off all day from the platform and gate. A Speckled Wood was on the wing at the South Finger and I had Holly Blue yesterday.