Sightings - Slimbridge
Vanishing Knot
A beautifully sunny morning with a slight arrival of birds, not least a considerable rise in the number of Black-tailed Godwit to 328 on the reserve. A flock of 145 arrived around 8am to join the 171 already on the South Lake this morning, and bought wi
22 October 2018
Autumn sunshine
A fine autumn day saw lots of sunshine and warm temperatures, Common Darter and Migrant Hawker dragonflies were seen as well as Small Copper Butterflies. South Lake A trio of Red Knot joined the 27 Redshank, 56 Black-tailed Godwit on the wader scrape, a s
21 October 2018
Early Fog later sunshine?
Heavy fog first thing hope it lifts later Rushy Black Tailed Godwit 3 Redshank 1 Little Grebe Mallard 150 Pintail 2 Teal 110 Martin Smith Snipe 3 Jack Snipe 1 Water Rail 2 Cettis Warbler 1 South Lake Pochard 6 Passing over Redpoll 1 Redwing 1
20 October 2018
Thursday's sightings
South Lake Hides Greenshank, 27 Redshank, 21 Ruff, 2 Crane, 158 Lapwing, 254 Teal, Wigeon, 6 Pintail, 91 Shoveler, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Pochard, 16 Shelduck, 9 Snipe. . Zeiss Hide Digger work continuing today but still 5 Dunlin, Redshank, 9 Ruff on
18 October 2018
Wednesday's sightings
A great Autumn morning with calm, dry weather and a bit of sun poking through the haze. The digger work will continue on the Top New Piece from the Zeiss Hide, although birds are still around once they get used to the machinery. South Lake Hides Birds o
17 October 2018
A few more finches
Holden Tower A pair of Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, tit flock and 4 Magpies in the bushes, three Chaffinch flew out. On the Dumbles a Peregrine and 2 Buzzard were seen with a small flock of both Barnacle and Greylag Geese. Knott Hide Water Rail and Chiffchaff.
16 October 2018
Spoonbill
Zeiss Hide/Top New Piece A Spoonbill was roosting on the islands in the morning but moved off elsewhere. The Little Stint was again on the islands with c100 Dunlin coming in over the tide. Three Cranes, 40 Golden Plover and small numbers of Ruff were seen
15 October 2018
Rising water levels after a wet weekend for the WeBS count.
South Lake The south end of the wader scrape is busy with feeding birds especially Mallard and Teal. Bart and Ruby and their two offspring were also joining in. Other counts (as it was a WeBS day) 5 Pochard, 39 Tufted Duck, drake Mandarin, 2 Cormorant (7
14 October 2018
Jack Snipe showing well
Martin Smith Hide Jack Snipe showing well to left of pools. Also 2 Snipe and a Water Rail. Robbie Garnett Teal, Shoveler and Pintail very close taking shelter from the wind. A few lapwing and 2 Redshank. Holden Tower Big flocks of Greylag and Barnacle Gee
13 October 2018
Friday's sightings
A bit and very windy this morning, all combining with a reasonably high tide of 9.6m so our Guides in the Hide will be out checking for the high tide wader roost from the Zeiss Hide and Holden Tower, and anything more unusual that gets blown up the river.
12 October 2018
Thursday's sightings
A Jack Snipe was asleep on the island from the Martin Smith Hide this morning, occasionally waking to feed and bounce. Another big high tide pushed a nice selection of waders on to the Top New Piece. Jack Snipe (c) S Pet
11 October 2018
Wednesday's sightings
A blip in the weather today with temperatures forecast to head over the 20oC mark giving the reserve a more summer like feel. A Clouded Yellow butterfly flew across the Four Score field near the Kingfisher Hide and several Red Admiral are also still on
10 October 2018
Big tides
Holden Tower The Marsh Harrier was hunting over the spartina island for a prolonged spell over the very high tide. Peregrine and 4 Buzzards did their best to stir things up. The 10 Grey Plover flew in again. A roost of 278 Curlew and 278 Shelduck, 3 Dunl
9 October 2018
Redwings
Holden Tower Four Cranes included two unringed adults. Over the tide a party of 10 Grey Plover, c10 Dunlin, 212 Shoveler, c30 Curlew, 14 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 7 Pintail and c40 Wigeon were pushed up by the tide. A Peregrine and Marsh Harrier kept th
8 October 2018
Sunday sightings
Migrants today included a Redwing and Wheatear. Holden Tower Song Thrush and Blackcap. 90+ Linnet, 2 Peregrine and a Buzzard on the Dumbles. A Siskin was calling from the Decoy. Two Marsh Harrier remain on the reserve and could be seen in flight to the N
7 October 2018