White-spotted Bluethroat back on territory

The Bluethroat is back

We are really pleased that a male White-spotted Bluethroat has returned to it's territory for a third consecutive year, this bird has again been singing in the Middle Point area and hopefully he'll manage to attract a mate. Bluethroat song has been heard on a couple of occasions, we felt it best to give the bird some time to establish itself again this Spring and for the weather to improve.

At this stage we have kept the access path to Middle Point open, we've close the area with benches for now and are asking that visitors avoid lingering in this section of path. The bird is extremely shy and is typically difficult to see. Signs are in place to help, we'll monitor it through the season and adapt to suit the bird, this could even lead to path closure for a time.

We will be placing the Shepherds Hut Hide out on the seawall bank soon, the ground has been too waterlogged to tow it out there so far this Spring. Once in place it offers some shelter from the elements and is a good place to 'hide' from the singing birds. Views of the Bluethroat are typically brief, it is shy and periods of song are often short and hard to hear. The carefully placed hazel sticks have been a help as it encourages the bird to sing above the reeds, especially on a calm day.

Opportunities to see/hear this bird are greatly improved by the following....

View from the seawall bank
Be quiet and move slowly, stay low if you can to avoid 'sky-lining' or use the hide as a backdrop or inside when it's in place.
Scan the tallest reeds, posts and sticks as it likes to perch up at times.

Please do not use playback recordings or listen to song on your phone in this area and if heading out to the point avoid lingering between the seawall and sign adjacent to the roped off area. Any sightings we make or hear of will be posted on our Twitter feed here https://twitter.com/slimbridge_wild

Opening times/access for WWT members from 08:15am, please have you membership card available.

Non-WWT members access from 09:30am through admissions.

See here for details https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/...

Thank you for reading and good luck, fingers crossed for young Bluethroats in 2023!

Other sightings and news today included the following...

South Lake

3cy and 2cy Mediterranean Gulls, at least 61 adult Avocets and 21 chicks, 61 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 drake Shoveler, drake Pochard and the Cranes have hatched their first chick.

Top New Piece

3 Lapwing, 9 Avocet, pair of Cranes with chicks, singing Reed and Sedge Warblers

Estuary Tower

Redshank and Lapwing on the Dumbles.

Middle Point

100+ Ringed Plover, 100+ Dunlin on the mudflats with a couple of Sanderling and a Curlew, singing Reed and Sedge Warbler + Reed Bunting in the reeds.

Tack Piece

A Little-ringed Plover was seen, six drake Shoveler and one female noted, a few pairs of Tufted Duck and Avocets continue to feed here.

Peng Observatory

House Martins were collecting mud pellets from the largest island to make nests on the buildings, a 2cy Mediterranean Gull was seen collecting plant material and flew off to South Lake (perhaps offering this during courtship?), a drake Pochard and Teal were on the top pond with a few Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Mallard.

Rushy Hide

A drake Shoveler, Avocets still incubating eggs + a few chicks have hatched. Tack Piece- five drake and single female Shoveler, 6 Avocets.

Duck Decoy/Canoe Trail

Singing Cuckoo this morning.

Duck Decoy

Female Red-crested Pochard

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