WWT Slimbridge 30 July and Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 31 July, 1-2 August 2007

30 July 2007 A first day at WWT Slimbridge for a while and 100 Dunlin, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank including a juvenile, Black-tailed Godwits and 5+ Green Sandpiper amongst other waders. The waders on the estuary included 3 Sanderling and a Whimbrel. I did the gulls with McGill event in the evening and logged 30+ Yellow-legged and 4 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adult breeding, 1st summer and a white darvic ringed juvenile, JSL had a red darviced juvenile the day before on South Lake). A few Sanderling and 2 Red Knot were on the river with 3 Whimbrel and the Curlew flock.

31 July 2007 I traveled to WWT Welney with JSL for a three day Reserve Managers meeting. We had a look around the flooded Welney reserve where most species have failed due to high water levels. We still saw Hobby, 30 Common Terns, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper and plenty of Snipe. Turtle Doves are to be found along the bank hedges. 10 Yellow Wagtail were around the centre and dragonflies were much in evidence particularly lots of Brown Hawker. We also had a tour with RSPB Welches Dam warden to view the wader breeding areas.

Turtle Dove at WWT Welney M.J.McGill This reserve is the best place I know to see this species in numbers and in the open.

1 August 2007 Lots of Turtle Doves around Welney followed by a very interesting visit to Chippenham Fen NNR which was productive, highlights aprt from the Water Buffalo were Emerald and Azure Damselfies, the habitat itself and a Fen Fragrant Orchid. The afternoon/evening was spent at RSPB Lakenheath which was quiet for birds but good for drags and we did see a Golden Oriole whilst looking closely at the development of this site.

Water Buffalo wetland management at Chippenham Fen NNR These animals are amazing, huge beasts but very placid.

Fen or Bog Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia densiflora, Chippenham Fen NNR

2 August 2007 A female Marsh Harrier was quartering the fields next to the WWT Welney visitor centre 0830.