Highlights of 2023

2023 wildlife review for WWT Slimbridge

Reserve firsts *

January

We reached our peak count of 114 Bewick’s Swans on 20^th, 127 Russian White-fronted Geese, 667 Black-tailed Godwit on 15^th was notable, up to five different Goldeneye noted with the South Lake and Grounds being the favourite haunt, the first winter drake Scaup remained to February, a Little Gull on 10^th, Guillemot on 14^th and run of Kittiwake sightings due to the storms, the mild weather allowed Avocets to winter as well as a small flock of Grey Plover, a Danish ringed Spoonbill arrived on 15^th, a Water Pipit was on the Tack Piece on 16^th, although they winter every year it is an elusive species. A Goshawk or two hunted on occasions.

February

A first winter White-rumped Sandpiper from 14 February to 7 March was a rare example of overwintering in Europe, only a handful of December to January records exist. This proved popular, at times it was very close to the Discovery Hide on South Lake but visited much of the reserve.

A first winter (2cy) Caspian Gull on South Lake on 21^st.

193 Russian White-fronted Geese on 19^th and many of the wintering birds from January continued through February.

March

A Spoonbill on 2^nd with two on 5^th, further sightings followed, a drake Green winged Teal on 21st it or another from 27^th to 4 April. 197 Russian White-fronted Geese on 12^th, the flock remained to the end of the month. At least four Mediterranean Gulls noted.

Spring migrant arrival dates

Ringed Plover 22^nd, Little-ringed Plover 22^nd, Bar-tailed Godwit 22nd, Swallow 23^rd, Sand Martin 23^rd, House Martin 28^th, Garganey 28^th, Willow Warbler 29^th, Sanderling 31^st, Wheatear 31^st, Brimstone 27^th, Greenshank 31^st.

April

A Red-rumped Swallow was only the second record for the reserve on 12 April, it was briefly over the South Lake and seen whizzing through the Big Pen and Arctic Adventure exhibits in awful weather, sadly it moved on.

A reserve first came in the form of a *Savi’s Warbler in the Five Acre Filtration beds on the morning of 13^th, unfortunately it didn’t stay to hold territory despite reeling a few times on the initial sighting and wasn’t seen again despite searching later and on subsequent days.

The male White-spotted Bluethroat was singing at Middle Point on 30 April.

843 Black-tailed Godwit on 2^nd, Spoonbill on 6^th, a Greylag x White-fronted Goose hybrid on 4^th, 120 Bar-tailed Godwit NE on 17^th, Corn Bunting on 19^th, 20+ Common/Arcitc Tern on 19^th, Yellow-Legged Gull 2cy on 24^th, A Spotted Redshank remained for the month.

Spring migrant arrival dates

Sedge Warbler 2nd, Osprey 7/4, Yellow Wagtail 9^th, Reed Warbler 11^th, Kittiwake singles 11/4 and 12/4, Arctic Tern 12/4, 16/4, three on 19th and 30 on 17/4, Whimbrel 10/4, Common Tern 10/4, Little Gull, 2 and 26 NE on 19^th, 12, 11, 24, 20, 11 all NE on 20^th, Swift on 20^th, Whinchat on 21^st, Whitethroat 23^rd, Lesser Whitethroat 23^rd, Common Sandpiper 23^rd, Hobby 25^th, Grasshopper Warbler 30^th.

May

Grasshopper Warbler on 2^nd, A White Stork circled over the grounds on 7^th at 1410hrs and headed to Frampton on Severn before returning south past South Lake later.

The male White-spotted Bluethroat sang on 9 May and then on many dates from 17-31^st.

A male Black-winged Stilt was on the Tack Piece on 21^st and remained to 19 July.

Two Pomarine Skuas were seen flying up the Severn on 23^rd, one was a dark phase adult with a full tail, the other a pale phase with what appeared to be a damaged or undeveloped tail.

Two Wood Sandpiper on 3^rd, Spotted Redshank to 3^rd, Goldeneye to 8^th, Red-crested Pochard 8-10^th, Glossy Ibis flew over the Rushy on 16^th and settled in the Fifty Acre for the day.

Hairy Dragonfly from 1^st, Scarce Chaser 16^th, Broad-bodied Chaser 17^th, Four spotted Chaser 22^nd.

June

The male White-spotted Bluethroat sang and showed on 11^th and daily between 17 and 28^th at least.

*First Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly for the reserve on 13 June in the Bottom New Piece.

*First Green-eyed Hawker (Norfolk Hawker) for the reserve on 25th.

Grasshopper Warbler on 19^th, Wood Sandpiper on 18^th.

Black-tailed Skimmer from 13^th, Marbled White 18^th, Brown Hawker 18^th, Emerald Damselfly on 22^nd, Ruddy Darter 25^th, Banded Demoiselle 25^th.

July

Slow Worm on 5 July, a juvenile Rock Pipit 11^th, Harbour Seal from 18^th.

Breeding season

Our first ever breeding of Bitterns was successful with at least one but likely two fledged.
140 Avocet on territories with around 25 fledged in 2023.

Two pairs of Little-ringed Plover, nine pairs of Oystercatcher, 12 pairs of Redshank, 15 breeding female Lapwing sadly only one fledged.

Five pairs of Cranes nested, four pairs hatched young with two chicks fledged, (four fledged in 2022).

August

An adult Pectoral Sandpiper graced the South Lake from 10-15 August, Common Scoter on 22^nd, Grey Partridge from 24^th into September, 3 Arctic Tern on 24^th, Osprey and Yellowhammer 29^th and seen again on a later date.

September

A double whammy day with an *Ortolan Bunting early morning followed by a juvenile Temminck’s Stint on 3-4th^,. Two Wood Sandpiper from at least 11^th, Curlew Sandpipers from 26^th.

On the 30^th what appeared to be an adult Pectoral Sandpiper called in for the morning tide on the Top New Piece. Five to seven Spoonbill (probably 20 birds noted this year).

*First Willow Emerald Damselfly on 22 September.

October

A brief Leach’s Petrel was over the tidal channel off Middle Point and a juvenile American Golden Plover was on the estuary and Dumbles on the afternoon of 8^th, what was presumably the same bird again on 15^th and reported on other dates after.

A Pectoral Sandpiper was seen on the Dumbles on 9^th with a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper on South Lake on 12^th, this bird remained until 19^th but could be elusive and was very mobile.

A reserve first, a first-winter *Barred Warbler spent much of its time in the bushes below the Estuary Tower between 9-12^th.

Hawfinch 18^th, possible calidus/tundrius Peregrine 9^th and 13^th. Russian White-fronted Geese arriving from 17^th.

November

A Great Northern Diver was on the Severn off Middle Point on 6^th with an adult on 19^th, two Whooper Swans from 9^th to end of year, first returning Bewick’s Swans from 16^th, 2cy Yellow-legged Gull 13^th, 9 Kittiwake on 13^th, Siberian Chiffchaff 11-14^th, 10 Cattle Egret 14^th.

Record count of 1078 Black-tailed Godwit on 20^th.

Incredibly our second White-rumped Sandpiper of the year showed up, a juvenile was identified on the Rushy on 6^th but it was present on the South Lake the day before. It remained on the reserve to 25^th November favouring the Dumbles and South Lake.

Late Brimstone, Migrant Hawker and Common Darter on 23^rd.

December

Two Dark-bellied Brent Geese for most of the month. Two Little Stints and three Ringed Plover wintering, up to 34 Avocet. Three 'daytime' Otters at the South Finger.

Some brilliant sightings and breeding successes, around 183 bird species were noted in 2023, we hope you managed to connect with at least some of these sightings and all the wildlife that make WWT Slimbridge their home throughout the year, do make sure to visit in 2024.

Keep an eye on https://twitter.com/slimbridge_wild on Twitter for sightings or here for updates and news.

Best wishes for 2024.

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