What do you do on a rainy day....
...you come to WWT Slimbridge.
Yet more heavy rain has raised levels in the field causing soil invertebrates especially worms and leather jackets to become more accessible to the vast flocks of wintering waders
Waders
A massive build up of Golden Plover over the last couple of days, at least 3000 here yesterday with around 3500 Lapwing and 2000 Dunlin. This huge very mobile flock is feeding across the site with best views from the Estuary walkway hides and the Zeiss Hide. Check out the Robbie Garnett Hide where a flock of over 40 Redshank and 20 Ruff are resting every day. The high tide Curlew roost is around 300 and the majority of these are choosing to feed in the Tack Piece along with all the other waders described above and a fantastic flock of 436 Black Tailed Godwit which commute between their roost on the South lake and feeding in the Tack Piece.
This is an awesome time to come and witness this amazing wildlife spectacle.
Geese
Whitefronts showing well over the last couple of days with the bulk of the flock feeding in the Four Score Field viewed from the Kingfisher Hide. Several Hundreds each of Greylag, Barnacles and Canada are all over the site with best views from the Kingfisher Hide as well where the Cackling Canada has finally been giving some excellent views. Some excellent photos show it is an adult and definitely unringed. What ever its origins its a cracking bird and well worth a look. No sign of the Tundra Bean Geese for a few days but the 5 adult Pinkfooted Geese were seen on the Dumbles yesterday.
Others
Wigeon very mobile with large numbers using the estuary 3045 counted yesterday. Fantastic mixed flocks of Tufted, Pochard, Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler and Pintail from most hides. Peregrine and Buzzard daily, Water Rails squealing all over but showing best from Willow Hide, Still good flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare around and the Mistle Thrush puts in regular appearance at the Estuary Hide. Several pairs of Stonechat are wintering on the site including a pair the show at the Zeiss hide regularly.
