With the current cold snap, the Whooper Swans have started returning to the Whooper Pond once more for the feeds. Having said that, they were slightly reluctant to leave their roosting area on the Folly Pond first thing this morning! The Back Pond and
28 December 2017
The snowfall overnight was nearly all gone this morning at Slimbridge, but the surrounding hills still had a dusting of white adding to the scenery. On the reserve the rain and snow have pushed water levels up to their highest so far this winter, and th
27 December 2017
Whooper swan Mute swan Pochard Wigeon Mallard Coot Moorhen Little egret House sparrow Tree sparrow Reed bunting Goldfinch Robin
27 December 2017
Tide level, a.m.: high Wader Lake Shelduck 15 Lapwing 12 Eurasian teal 18 Tufted duck 5 Canada goose 20 Black-headed gull 25 Lesser black backed gull 4 Herring gull 12 Saline Lagoon Redshank 1 Hawthorn Wood Bullfinch 6 Chaffinch 8 Nuthatch 1 Dunnock 1 Blu
27 December 2017
2 Bittern - main lake N shore, sheltered lagoon E shore 80 Teal - marsh 82 Wigeon - marsh 5 Fieldfare - south route 1 Skylark - over W 30 Redwing - over NW 1 Kestrel - sheltered lagoon December bird highlights: Jack Snipe, Goldeneye, Little Egret, Gre
27 December 2017
Its a glorious morning across the reserve with thousands of birds to enjoy, many of which you'll see above you as the Peregrine has been very active this morning and unsettling the ducks and waders. During the 8am Rushy feed, a Peregrine bolted across t
26 December 2017
Bewick's swans - 8 on the main lagoon this morning Whooper swans - 300 on the main lagoon Wigeon Teal Pintail Shoveler Shelduck Pochard Tufted duck Black-tailed godwit Redshank Lapwing Starling Reed bunting Cormorant Marsh harrier - 2 Tree sparrow
26 December 2017
A lovely day after all the rain yesterday. If you are visiting, it would be advisable to pack a pair of wellies as the path to Saltcot Merse Observatory is flooded. The female Greater Scaup is still on Whooper Pond. Whooper numbers are currently dow
26 December 2017
Wader Lake (AM, high tide): Shoveler (male) 1 Eurasian teal 50 Shelduck 25 Canada geese 50 Greylag 1 Canada/greylag hybrid 1 Black-headed gull 25 Lesser black-backed gull 10 Herring gull 8 Greater black-backed gull 1 Grey heron 1 Saline lagoon: Cur
26 December 2017
1 Bittern - main lake N shore (from WWF hide) 1 Jack Snipe - wader scrape 2 Shelduck - wader scrape 4 Siskin - wildside and flying over W 12 Fieldfare - south route 1 Bullfinch - entrance lake 8 Meadow Pipit - over SW 1 Chiffchaff - wildside December
26 December 2017
a.m. mid tide Wader Lake Shelduck 21 Shoveler (female) Herring gull 5 Teal 9 Black headed gull 151 Saline lagoon Common seal (on river 11.30am) Teal 12 Hawthorn Wood Great spotted woodpecker 3 Jay 2 Magpie Willow tit Nuthatch Treecreeper 2 Bullfinch 20 Go
24 December 2017
Happy Christmas to you all out there. We are coming down to the last few sightings up date before 2018 commences. If we get it together we'll do a highlights of 2017 before the end of the year. Happy Christmas! (A winter s
24 December 2017
2 Bittern - main lake 1 Jack Snipe - wader scrape 1 Goldeneye - main lake 3 Shelduck - wader scrape, main lake 4 Pintail - main lake 7 Siskin - sheltered lagoon 1 Stonechat - grazing marsh 14 Redwing - entrance lake 2 Fieldfare - South route No
24 December 2017
Very mild start to the day, Summer walk now closed as water levels are higher all hides and footpaths remain open. Sightings so far today: Bewick's swan Mute swan Whooper swan Canada goose Greylag goose Gadwall Pochard Shoveler Teal Tufted duck Wigeon M
24 December 2017
Zeiss Hide and South Finger The south end of the reserve is getting close to its best with huge flocks of waders and wildfowl all over the flooded fields. Barnacle Goose 180 Red Breasted Goose 1 ( close to Kingfisher hide) Greylag 4 Teal 490 Wigeon 200 P
23 December 2017