Latest sightings
High Tide = more Dunlin
South Lake Oystercatchers 2 Avocet 2 Lapwing 11ad 1 juv Tufted Duck Brood 1 Great Crested Grebe 2 ad 1 juv Zeiss Hide Crane both adults well grown young. Ruff 6 all males in summer plumage Redshank 37 ad and 2 juvs Black Tailed Godwit 173 Avocet 54 Dun
13 July 2018
Today's sightings
The warm dry weather continues and some of our pools and scrapes are really struggling as we're unable to maintain levels much higher without some inflow. Sadly the South Lake, Tack Piece and Pillbox Pool are drying but the scrape on the Top New Piece f
11 July 2018
Struggling for water
Above- Kingfisher and Green Sandpipers. We are going to dig a connecting channel from the Tack Piece scrape to the pipe that feeds the Pill Box Pool today in an attempt to prevent it from drying up. It may not work. Some disturbance in front of the Robb
10 July 2018
Heatwave Sunday
Typical view of the juvenile Cuckoo (MJM). Willow Hide The Cuckoo (above) continues to be fed by Reed Warblers hosts. Tack Piece 5 Teal, Shelduck brood, 15 Lapwing and 2 Green Sandpiper. Pill Box Pool Little Egret and 7 Green Sandpiper. Holden Tower Cran
8 July 2018
Cuckoo and Cranes
Holden Tower and Walkway. Juv Cuck showing well close to path near Willow Hide Lapwing 21 ad + 5 young Avocet 5 Green Sandpiper 11 mainly on drying Pillbox pool to left of Holden. Shelduck Broods Teal 3 Barnacle Goose 5 Little Egret 1 Crane 1 South Lake
7 July 2018
Young Cuckoo
Holden Tower and Hides Fantastic views of a Juvenile Cuckoo being fed by Reed Warblers along the walkway close to the Willow Hide, Guides will be here with a telescope to give amazing views through the day. At least 9 Green Sandpipers From the Robbie Gar
6 July 2018
Today's sightings
Another sunny day out on the reserve. We're managing out water levels as best we can to keep our scrape and pools topped up for the birds but the weather isn't helping. Rushy Hide Several broods of duck were out on the Rushy this morning including two M
4 July 2018
Cuckoo juvenile still begging
Rushy Hide At least 12 Avocet chicks from 5 pairs. Lapwing and Green Sandpiper as well as Shelduck, Gadwall, and Tufted Duck broods. Martin Smith Hide Drake Wigeon and a Lapwing. Tack Piece 97 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Lapwing, 10 Teal, 14 Avocet, 3 Pied Wag
2 July 2018
Juvenile Cuckoo continues to show
Common Tern fishing over the South Finger settling pool, from viewing screen. Rushy Hide Avocet, Shelduck and Tufted Duck families and loafing Black-headed Gulls. Tack Piece 154 Black-tailed Godwit (commuting to South Lake), 8 Avocet, 1 Green Sa
1 July 2018
Chicks and ducklings
Its been a busy day for new families on the reserve with a few new arrivals seen and some unexpected treats. First off was a female Shoveler with 2 ducklings on the pool in front of the Martin Smith Hide, using the loafing edges we created just a few
30 June 2018
28th and 29th June Sightings
Thursday 28th June Zeiss hide 10 Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, 27 Avocet, 22 Lapwing, 26 Redshank, Oystercatcher, 8 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall plus brood ducklings, Little Grebe South Lake 146 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, Oystercatcher, 12 Redshank,
29 June 2018
Out in the sun
The mowing season is well and truly underway and the Reserve Team are hard at work opening up views from hides and selectively cutting small areas to improve habitat for our wildlife. Yesterday the team were working in front of the Martin Smith Hide and
27 June 2018
24-26 June sightings
Returning waders are appearing on the scrapes, some in stunning breeding plumage. A single Greenshank has been favouring the Dumbles scrape and Tack Piece scrape, a smashing Spotted Redshank was see yesterday (25th) on the Top New Piece and two male Ruff
26 June 2018
Spoonbill on the Tack Piece
Tack Piece 2 Spoonbill in front of the Robbie Garnett Hide along with 2 Little Egret, 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Lapwing and 2 adult Avocet with 2 well grown young. Rushy 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Oystercatcher, 3 families of Avocet, 2 Lapwing, a brood of 10 Sh
23 June 2018
Swift Awareness Week and Swifts at WWT Slimbridge
Swifts are a familiar species here at WWT Slimbridge, we expect to see large numbers migrating north in the Spring and often spot them from mid April. We usually have large feeding flocks over the reserve in the summer, presumably birds from local towns
19 June 2018