WWT Slimbridge and local sightings 1-3 June 2007

Female Black-tailed Skimmer at the 100 Acre WWT reserve 3 June 2007 images by M.J.McGill

3 June 2007 A great day for dragonflies, at least three Hairy Hawker (inc pair in tandem), 40+ Four-spotted Chaser, 2 male Emperor, male Broad-bodied Chaser, 3 male and five freshly emerged female Black-tailed Skimmer, 8, 3 and 1 Red-eyed Damselfly plus lots of Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselfly all seen in the flashes and pools adjacent to the viewing platform area. On the river 4 Sanderling were seen off Middle Point early am plus a Sanderling, 1 Dunlin and 6 Ringed Plover at 1630. At least two Cuckoo are still in full song. No safari's were possible, the ground is still very wet and boggy.

2 June 2007 Still lots of migrant waders on the river see the WWT website for details and the first returning Green Sandpiper was back. I had an Emperor and 3 Red-eyed Damselfly along the Stroudwater canal at Whitminster.

1 June 2007 A Cuckoo singing and showing well from my garden was an nice addition to the house list, I did hear one on 29th May.