Amazing visible migration
From first light it was clear that a significant movement of birds was on, anyone with the time to watch from a decent vantage point would have logged a large number of birds at WWT Slimbridge today. A variety of species were noted by reserve team members in between jobs and office sessions.
House and Sand Martins, Swallows, Meadow Pipit, Linnets and Goldfinches were all seen in numbers throughout the day, all heading NNE. What appeared to be an Iceland Gull flew over the Rushy this morning (0825ish) and a flock of 51 Little Gull (1434ish) were seen as they moved through the site, they circled South Lake and the Top Hut before carrying on their way. Other records and reports follow.
Rushy Hide
10 Avocet, 3cy Mediterranean Gull, 5 Black-tailed Godwit and 12 Teal on the ponds with the Black-headed Gull colony remaining busy.
Tack Piece
10 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 25 Shoveler, 4 Redshank and a few Tufted Duck were on the scrape
Robbie Garnett/Willow Hide/Decoy
2 singing Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap and 3 Chiffchaff also in song.
South Lake
Black-tailed Godwits called in and out all day, a possible Bar-tailed Godwit was also reproted but didn't linger. A single Dunlin fed on one of the islands, this species has been rather scarce in the last couple of weeks.A single Snipe, 2 Oystercatcher and at least 18 Avocet were also present with 8 Shoveler, 12 Teal, 3 Great Crested Grebe and 4 Little Grebe. Two Willow Warbler were singing outside the Discovery Hide.
Zeiss Hide/Top New Piece
Great White Egret, 20 Lapwing, 3 Ruff, 429 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Redshank, 30 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 4 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler and 2 Oystercatcher. A pair of Crane on the flood (southern island).
Kingfisher Hide
The pair of Kingfisher were present and correct but only showed occasionally, the female is thought to be incubating eggs. Water Voles were seen here again today.
