New bus service launching this summer, with access to WWT Slimbridge. Find out more.
Post breeding waders arriving to moult
The last couple of weeks have seen adult waders returning to our scrapes and the Severn estuary, many of them arriving to complete the post breeding moult. It's great to see a number of juvenile waders also appearing in the flocks, some reared here on the reserve, some from other breeding populations. Crane pairs have become a bit more obvious as the hay is cut and they are less prone to keeping a low profile during the breeding season.
South Lake
On the wader scrape at least five Little-ringed Plover present today, the nesting pair and three juveniles. 170+ Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Oystercatcher, 4 Avocet, 6 Lapwing and 9 breeding plumage Dunlin. A flock of 106 Gadwall were on the deep lake.
Zeiss Hide/Top New Piece
Of the 62 Redshank present at least 5 were fresh plumage juveniles (can be mistaken for Wood Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs!), 3 breeding plumage Dunlin, 5 Green Sandpiper, 20+ Avocet, 2 male Ruff, 14 Blac-tailed Godwit and plenty of Reed Warblers in the reeds below the hide.
Kingfisher Hide
The Kingfisher have been feeding young here today.
