WWT Slimbridge and local sightings 5 and 6 September 2007

6 September 2007 The four Sedge Warblers were still present in the Top New Piece along with an adult Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail, single Ruff and Greenshank flew over and three male Black-tailed Skimmer were on the wing.

5 September 2007 This well marked Sedge Warbler was in the company of three other standard looking Sedge Warblers, two Whinchats, 1 Yellow Wagtail, seven Pied Wagtail and two Reed Buntings this afternoon from the cab of our tractor whilst cutting hard rush and the back bank on the Top New Piece. I saw it through bins and then set up the scope and camera whilst turning the mower/tractor engine off where it remained for a while before dropping down into cover. I did not see the mantle, rump or tail but noted bubblegum pink legs. I radioed Dave and James and headed in to the centre as I had to go home, James and Neil Smart went out to search for it but only saw the three Sedge Warblers. They searched until 1930 hrs but did not relocate it. A thorough search will be made tommorow to see if we can get more views. A Brown Hawker, 40 Migrant Hawker, 10 Common Darter and two Blue-tailed Damselfly were also present.

On the morning reserve rounds to the 100 Acre I noted 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, 3 Ruff, 2 Pochard, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Hobby and a 2 Kestrel. At the Tin Shed I saw a Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and a Reed Warbler. I also saw (26) 13 juvenile and 13 adult Little Grebe around the pools and flashes. A further 7 were on the South Lake/Top New Piece/Long Ground making it a reserve record count of 33.