Latest sightings
A wet one
Its a rather wet start out on the reserve today, and it doesn't look like it'll get any better as the day goes on. Holden Tower Most of the Avocet were hunkered down on the scrape with 43 counted this morning. The Oystercatcher was also sat tight. Ba
27 April 2018
Bits and bobs
It feels like Spring migration has stalled a little as we wait for the next wave of birds to pass through. The only sign of migration today was an Arctic Tern which dropped in to the South Lake several times over the day. A few more Reed Warbler were
26 April 2018
Today's sightings
The Glossy Ibis was in front of the Martin Smith Hide again this morning, showing very well in the early morning sunshine until it took wing around 8:20am, gained height circling and then flew north. The bird has been seen locally at Frampton so it may
25 April 2018
Today's sightings
Rushy Hide Now eight pairs of Black-headed Gull on nests on the lower pond and five half hearted nests on the top pond island. Three pairs of Avocet are on nests, 12 birds in total on the lower pond. A pair of Oystercatcher and a pair of Lapwing still pre
24 April 2018
Sunday birding
A great sunny start to the morning with lots of bird action too. There seems to have been a small arrival of Reed Warbler with several new in singing males around, especially in the South Finger reedbed - listen out for them on your walk to the Kingfish
22 April 2018
A not so glossy ibis
A very thick mist covered the valley this morning and reduced visibility to a few metres and reduced counts from the hides. By lunchtime the reserve was once again bathed in sunshine, and the Glossy Ibis seen yesterday reappeared in front of the Zeiss H
20 April 2018
Birds and the butterflies
It's been another lovely sunny day with temperatures reaching the mid 20s. Along with bird activity, butterflies have been very notable today with a range of species seen including Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Holly Blue,
19 April 2018
Sunshine birding
The weather forecast has seemingly got it right as we're bathed in glorious sunshine and 20oC+ temperatures. The sun broke through the clouds this morning in time for the high tide, peaking today around 10:30am at just over 9m. A Curlew roost of aroun
18 April 2018
Little Terns and another Sandwich Tern
Holden Tower Two Bar-tailed Godwit, a Whimbrel, 8 Curlew, 7 Ringed Plover and a Redshank over the high tide, a Sandwich Tern flew downriver. 60 Avocet on the scrape with 4 Oystercatcher and a pair of Teal. 14 Great Black-backed Gull roosted with 10 Canad
17 April 2018
Nesting Mediterranean Gulls, a reserve first.
Rushy Hide The pair of Oystercatcher, a few pairs of Teal and Avocet and the female Wigeon (with hybrid male partner) among the highlights. A pair of Lapwing are also on territory here. One Redshank feeding on the islands. Tack Piece The water levels are
16 April 2018
WeBS count
It was the monthly Wetland Bird Survey count day, the following numbers were counted. Little Grebe 24 Great Crested Grebe 5 Cormorant 8 Little Egret 2 Grey Heron 9 Mute Swan 122 Greylag Goose 76 + broods 2, 5, 5 Canada Goose 17 Shelduck 258 Wigeon 21 Gadw
15 April 2018
Lovely spring morning
Tack Piece Tack PieceWater levels dropping slowly but still a good selection of duck. Shelducks prospecting everywhere, Wigeon still 32 about 18 Teal the last pair of Pintail and 29 Shoveler. The Slimbridge bred crane was here and 3 others were in the Rus
14 April 2018
A warbler day
The hedgerows are full of warblers this morning, so looks like we've had a bit of an arrival overnight. The South Finger Walkway down to the Kingfisher Hide was alive with Willow Warblers - loads of them! A few Blackcap and Chiffchaff were also presen
13 April 2018
Murky Thursday
The weather has been rather miserable for a few days now, but at least today looks as though it'll stay dry is just grey and overcast. University of Bristol joined us for a dawn chorus walk this morning with several species singing despite the murk. T
12 April 2018
Sandwich Tern again
Migrants Plenty of Swallows over the pools and scrapes today, a few Sand Martin with them. A Sandwich Tern over the Severn at 0845am kept the near daily run of sightings going. A Reed Warbler was singing near the Holden Tower, Sedge Warblers were singing
10 April 2018