New bus service launching this summer, with access to WWT Slimbridge. Find out more.
Record Black-tailed Godwit count?
Another good count of Black-tailed Godwits
A morning count of Black-tailed Godwits revealed a total of 847 on site, 843 of these all resting or feeding together on South Lake. The rain dominated month has pinned them down with no clear nights and tailwinds to help them on their way to Iceland where the majority of them breed. Perfect feeding conditions locally means that WWT Slimbridge is the main hub of activity. It's likely that this constitutes a record count for the reserve and highlights how important the reserve is for these beautiful migrant waders.
Other highlights today included the following.
Estuary Tower
A singing Sedge Warbler kept a low profile near the Pill box, 18 Redshank, Snow Goose, 5 Lapwing. 26 Curlew, 3 Pintail, 113 Teal, 13 Avocet, 12 Wigeon and 2 Shoveler on Dumbles plus the Ruff appeared here.
Tack Piece
A singing Willow Warbler at Robbie Garnett hide, 117 Teal, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Curlew, 50 Shoveler, 77 Wigeon, Pintail, 2 Redshank. The Russian White-fronted Geese moved to here.
Rushy Hide
A pair of Pochard, pair of Shoveler, drake Pintail, 12 Avocet, 21 Teal, 6 Gadwall + Shelducks amd Mallards.
South Lake
A Ruff (moved to the Dumbles scrape, 67 Avocet, a WHOPPING 843! Black-tailed Godwit, a Spotted Redshank just flew in (first of 2023) but moved off again, probably when two Buzzards intercepted a Red Kite, 82 Shoveler, 9 Gadwall, drake Pochard, 36 Teal, 4 Oystercatcher, singing Blackcap+ a Lapwing. Singing Willow Warbler.
Ox Piece
2 Great and 7 Little Egrets with another Great Egret to the North + Marsh Harrier.
Top New Piece
41 Avocet, 8 Gadwall, 59 Teal, female Pochard, 15 Shoveler, 2 Oystercatcher and 7 Wigeon.
The drake Green-winged Teal was on the Top New Piece from Van De Bovenkamp Hide.
Kingfisher Hide
A pair of Kingfishers at the nest bank and 193 Russian White-fronted Geese, the latter moved to the Tack Piece later in the day.
Grounds
Drake Goldeneye flew out of the pen with the Eider/Goldeneyes and to the Long Ground Pool.
