WWT Slimbridge and Gloucestershire sightings 1 and 2 May 2007

The Great Skua that has been present since December last year is still in the estuary into May.

Painted Lady in the Ox Piece image by M.J.McGill

2 May 2007 I checked Saul Warth in the morning where water levels are dropping fast and saw 100 Bar-tailed Godwit and 3 Knot which were in breeding plumage plus 12+ Glossy Ibis, 4 Wigeon, a male Shoveler and pairs of Lapwing and Redshank. There was also Greenshank and Spotted Redshank here. Signs have gone up around the marshes pointing out the fact that it is an important breeding area for waders and ground nesting birds. Access here is only possible on the public footpaths from Fretherne Bridge to the foreshore at the sluice (walk south from the bridge and turn left into a lane) and along the canal towpath (walk left from bridge, south and view from the bank in the hedge). All of the marsh can be viewed from these areas without disturbing the birds.

Please can all local/regular birders politely challenge any irresponsible behaviour and help to point out the correct viewing areas to visiting birders. It is also extremely helpful to educate all that use this area, we can all be ambassadors for conservation by pointing out the wildlife and how lucky we are to have such a magnificent marsh on our doorstep. In this serious drought spring we are suffering it is vital that the waders are given the best chance to hatch and rear young and migrant birds need to rest. It is in our own best interest from a birding point of view as well as conservation that all are pro-active in helping this situation. I have received a number of e-mails, phone calls and had conversations with Gloucestershire birders/a few locals who are concerned about what they are seeing here on a daily basis.

A singing Lesser Whitethroat competed with a Common Whitethroat along the towpath.

At WWT Slimbridge I only noted 4 Sanderling heading up river and a flock of 74 Bar-tailed Godwit that were feeding on the mudflats, these were in addition to the 100 at Saul. A male Lesser Whitethroat contues to sing around the car park field. I did not do much birding today but an Arctic Skua was seen on the estuary. Two Hairy Hawkers were around the 100 Acre viewing platform with another male in a nearby ditch. The Painted Lady was the first of the year for me. Excellent news came in the form of a pair of territorial Redshank on the new Bottom New Piece floods.

1 May 2007 Three Greenshank and a drake Garganey joined the 12 Glossy Ibis at Saul Warth, I also recorded 16 Whimbrel migrating North. I watchedthe tide from Middle Point and saw 1 and 6 Swift heading N, the undoubted highlight was watching a pair of Garganey migrating N upriver , they flew in at 0723 and headed toward the marshes, 19 Arctic Tern also went N before I go there along with small parties of Dunlin, a few Ringed Plover and a flock of Sanderling.

In the evening I guided a Dursley Birdwatching and Preservation Society group around the reserve where highlights were the Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua (dark and pale phase) that flew in and harrassed the gulls, a male Yellow Wagtail, 6 Arctic Terns, 1 and 3 Whimbrel N and Common Sandpiper and displaying Black-tailed Godwit on South Lake. A party of 6 Swift headed N. I saw my first Whitminster Swift today. Additional note: Paul Marshall saw the skuas fly over Severn Bridge an hour earlier and Nick Goatman saw an Arctic Skua in the estuary on 30 April.