WWT Slimbridge and local sightings 25-27 August 2007

I have now returned from a succesful WWT expedition to Iceland where we have fitted 7 satellite transmitters to Whooper Swans and and managed to catch 376 birds in total. I will add a trip report with images to the relevant section when I get the chance.

27 August 2007 At WWT the South Lake held 7 Ruff (4 juveniles, 3 adults), 3 adult Spotted Redshank, 20 Redshank, 75 Black-tailed Godwit, 100 Lapwing, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Greenshank. A Wheatear was on the Dumbles and the 100 Acre had a Whinchat and 2 Hobby, one of which was colour ringed. 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and 24 Great Black-backed Gulls were notable on the high tide, 8 Ringed Plover and 12 Dunlin joined 60 Curlew. At the end of the day 2 Golden Plover were off Middle Point.

26 August 2007 At WWT the South Lake is stilll the magnet for most waders, a Common Sandpiper, 99 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Spotted Redshank, 20 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 4 Ruff, 150 Lapwing and plenty of wildfowl were all showing well all day. I did have a juvenile (unringed) Mediterranean Gull arrive at 1605. Also on site were an adult non-breeding Mediterranean Gull (river am), Yellow Wagtail (over the Rushy), 7 Green Sandpiper and at least 4 Yellow-legged Gulls. Southern Hawker was at the South Finger and at least 30 Migrant Hawker were noted.

25 August 2007 I added three new species to my Whitminster garden list today, Yellow Wagtail, Common Tern and Migrant Hawker.