Coming to the end

We've seen the first of our Bewick's Swans leave us in the last week, with just 41 birds remaining this morning

We've seen the first of our Bewick's Swans leave us in the last week, with just 41 birds remaining this morning.

That said, we've seen a varying number of birds in the last few days with just 35 present on Wednesday, but 36 on Thursday and now 41 this morning (Friday). This is not birds starting migration, aborting and turning round to come back to Slimbridge. At this time of the year we see birds start to head out to the fields early in the morning, before we arrive to start our day. This means we don't see every bird every morning like in the depths of winter, and with the longer day length we also see fewer birds returning at 4pm for the afternoon feed. It just so happened that this morning all the birds remained on the pond a little later, until after 7am and could be identified and counted by our researcher.

Nearly all the remaining birds are in family groups, with 22 cygnets present. It will soon be time for them to leave us to, heading back up to their breeding grounds in Russia. All our Bewick's Swans had gone by 22nd February in 2021!

The rest of today's sightings include...

Robbie Garnett Hide
The three Snow Goose were on the Tack Piece this morning, roosting on the shoreline. The White-fronted Goose flock were also in the Tack Piece towards the Goose House. The flock included 188 Russian White-fronted Geese, three Greenland White-fronted Geese, two Pink-footed Geese and later the Dark-bellied Brent Goose joined the flock. Other counts this morning included 400+ Wigeon, three Curlew and 41 Shelduck. Up to three Buzzard have been in the fields to the north, along with two Little Egret. A Goshawk was reported flying over the barns too.

South Lake
The drake and a single female Goldeneye were on the deep lake this morning along with 24 Pochard, 83 Shoveler and 18 Tufted Duck. A flock of 27 Avocet and 41 Black-tailed Godwit were on the wader scrape, whilst a pair of Oystercatcher were towards the Hogarth Hide. This afternoon the Glossy Ibis made a very briefly visit before returning to the roadside fields. A Red Kite was also seen passing over the fields from the Discovery Hide mid-morning.

Kingfisher Hide
The Bottom New Piece was very busy this morning with the bulk of the Black-tailed Godwit flock feeding here or flitting over the hedge to the Top New Piece. Hundreds of Golden Plover and Dunlin were also present. A pair of Sparrowhawk were seen from the hide and at least 13 Snipe were showing in the arable field to the left of the nesting bank.

Zeiss Hide
As the Kingfisher Hide, busy with flocks of Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin and Wigeon moving between the fields. Also of note were five Avocet, seven Knot, two Ruff, a singing Cetti's Warbler and singing Reed Bunting.

Estuary Tower
A Peregrine was on the Dumbles this morning, and later was seen to make a kill in front of the Zeiss Hide. A second bird also made a kill shortly after. A pair of Raven were also on the Dumbles, along with Crane pair Oakie & Sherbert. At least 119 Shelduck were on the estuary, along with 11 Curlew.

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