Sightings - Slimbridge
A Wigeon revival
Flock of Eurasian Wigeon taking flight by David White Wigeon Somewhat lower numbers of Wigeon over the past week but a real return to form today. At least 4000 birds in impressive flocks at the Robbie Garnett, Holden
24 December 2016
Busy Peregrines
At least two Peregrines have been busy this morning, especially in front of the Zeiss Hide where most of the waders are taking shelter from the strong winds we're experiencing today. The Peregrines are putting thousands of birds into the skies, a specta
23 December 2016
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Rushy Hide & Peng Observatory A count of 111 Bewick's Swans this morning, with many birds already heading out on the fields to graze, including a family with 3 cygnets on the Tack Piece. Most of the swans are currently heading for The Dumbles, but w
21 December 2016
Highlights for 20th December 2016
Holden Tower The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was still on the Dumbles with Canada Geese and a flock of 1200 Wigeon were on the scrape. Zeiss Hide/Kingfisher Hide 2500+ Lapwing feeding and of course flying about when disturbed by raptors. A flock of 2
21 December 2016
Wetland Birds Survey (WeBS)
Although I managed to get an early start, the count was made very difficult when fog rolled in mid morning, this blocked out the estuary and distant fields. Fortunately it cleared enough to get the missing wader counts in the afternoon, all were vey mobil
18 December 2016
A cast of Falcons
Lots of Peregrine activity this morning, a small adult male was hunting lwaders over the Zeiss Hide followed shortly after by a young female that harassed the wader flocks for half an hour. An adult female left a kill in front of the Kingfisher hide to a
17 December 2016
1, 2, 3, 4...
We've seen a bit of an increase in our bird numbers recently, not least our waders and particularly Lapwing. The skies over the Zeiss Hide have been filled with these fantastic birds over the last few days as a Peregrine and Merlin have taken to hunting
16 December 2016
A busy and sunny day
Its been a busy one here at Slimbridge with lots of birds out in the sunshine and lots of activity. Out on The Dumbles we've had thousands of waders, mainly Lapwing and Golden Plover with a few Dunlin mixed in too. Rushy Hide & Peng Observatory A gr
14 December 2016
Today's sightings
Holden Tower Hedge and ground feeding birds at dawn included four Blackbird, 4 Chaffinch and a Dunnock. Out on the Dumbles salt marsh and pasture the goose flocks offered Greylag, Canada and Barnacle Geese. Wigeon and Lapwing numbers are increasing here
13 December 2016
Goosander sighting
Holden Tower Low tide during the hide round period produced a drake Goosander, it was viewable distantly through the murky weather from the tower, it was loafing and preening on one of the low tide pools/creeks. Other birds seen included a flock of 91
12 December 2016
Missing Tundra Bean Goose
Rushy Pen At feed times, 0800hrs and 1600hrs the lake is alive with birds. Over 100 Bewick's Swans are on site, most of them can be seen here. The flock dispersed to the road fields, Dumbles and out to the estuary at low tide during late morning/early aft
11 December 2016
Saturday Sightings- Otter and Little stint
A damp and cloudy start to the day gave some great views of the birds on site as well as an otter which was showing very well between 9:00 and 10:00 this morning from the Zeiss Hide. It was last seen going into the reed beds in front of the hide, althou
10 December 2016
Wader watching
Now that temperatures have started to rise again we're seeing some of our waders return, particularly the Golden Plover. Today's best wader action is out at the Zeiss Hide with 7 species of wader recorded. Zeiss Hide The Spotted Redshank has retu
9 December 2016
Geese
The cold weather continues which means the ice remains, many ponds are still frozen and the ice is very thick. The hotspots (although not temperature wise) are the South Finger settling pool, Rushy Pen, South Lake and some ice free zones near Zeiss Hide
5 December 2016
Still cold
Its been another chilly night and morning with most of the pools and scrape still freezing. Despite the cold its turning in to a lovely sunny day, perfect for a visit to see our Bitterns! Rushy Hide & Peng Observatory A count of 81 Bewick's Swans t
4 December 2016