WWT Slimbridge sightings 26 and 27 June 2007

Brown Hare in the Bull Ground images M.J.McGill

Broad-bodied Chaser next to the 100 Acre viewing platform

27 June 2007 I never did any bird rounds but conducted a limited access Landrover safari to the 100 Acre. Ground conditions are terrible with so much flooding, the Holden Tower path and South Finger have been flooded. We saw a feeding Hobby, 3 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 30 Swift and Reed Bunting/Warblers, a male and female Broad-bodied Chaser, 10 Ruddy Darter, 10 Common Darter and a male Black-tailed Skimmer plus Common Blue, Azure and Blue-tailed Damselflies. The Bee Orchids have gone over but the Pyramidals are still looking great. Two Grey Plover were on the estuary, one in full breeding plumage, the other had a black face and throat but pale belly.

26 June 2007 I spent the morning with visitors and a BBC filmcrew that were filming with Bill Oddie at the South Finger. c10 Black-tailed Godwit were feeding on the Bottom New Piece along with Green Sandpiper, Lapwing plus chicks and 20+ Teal, a few Shovleler and Gadwall. The Kingfishers are feeding young at the nesting bank. Little Egrets and 3 Curlew flew over the site whilst watching here. Later in the afternoon I saw a Southern Hawker at the back of the South Lake.