Gloucestershire sightings 10-15 July 2007

First-summer Mediterranean Gull, WWT Slimbridge, South Lake

15 July 2007 At WWT a total of 15 species of wader were noted today with some high counts this week of note. 20 Oystercatcher, 30 Lapwing, 2 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 130+ Redshank, 100+ Black-tailed Godwit, 130+ Dunlin (100 on Top New Piece, 2 Little-ringed Plover (adult and juvenile), 14 Green Sandpiper, 9 Common Sandpiper (7 on the river) , 1 Red Knot, 1 Turnstone, 130 Curlew 1 Whimbrel and 3 Ringed Plover (latter 5 species on the estuary). At least 4 Yellow-legged Gull, 14 GBB Gull, 112 Shelduck and a very wet Hobby were along the edge of the Dumbles. A dark-phase Arctic Skua flew over the grounds and was relocated on the estuary later (John Budd). The Top and Bottom New Piece and South Lake has all the wader action with a first summer Mediterranean Gull also at the latter site this afternoon.

10-14 July 2007 A number of new arrivals this week with significant large scale arrivals of some wader species. Weather and work have not helped in getting any birding or general wildlife watching time. We did catch and ring/re-process 127 Mallard on the Rushy on 11th.