Latest sightings
12th -16th of March Wildlife of Slimbridge
It's been feeling distinctly spring-like at WWT Slimbridge this week. Friday 16th Holden Walkway Hides Glaucous Gull Chiffchaff Tree Creeper Water Rail European White-fronted Goose 121 Red Breasted Goose Redshank 38 Black Tailed Godwit 3 Buzzard Peregrine
16 March 2018
Avocet increase and first Sand Martins
Avocets Two high counts over the last couple of days, 42 yesterday (combining counts from South Lake and TNP) and 41 together on the Top New Piece flood today. Pairs have formed and we've noted increased interest in the islands as they fuss over favou
12 March 2018
Displaying birds
Another night with heavy rain spells helped to top up levels on the fields, following on from the heavy deluge the night before which saw water levels peak at the highest point this winter period. The wildfowl and waders certainly don't mind, for them i
11 March 2018
Loads of rain and highest flood levels of the winter
Ver high flood levels and the place looking great. Rushy Over 80 Pochard and Pintail still here but Avocets increasingly starting to prospect here, 10 yesterday afternoon and 3 this morning. 11 Snipe were in there usual spot on the left hand bank. A pair
10 March 2018
Today's sightings
The glaucous gull was seen on the river before high tide, flying north at around 9am. After a foggy start which restricted visibility over the Dumbles, there was a touch of Spring could be felt across the reserve with avocets on the Rushy, displaying la
7 March 2018
Glaucous Gull again
Holden Tower A few flighty Bewick's Swans, one settled on the Dumbles and a pair were feeding early morning. We may only have nine left on site. The Dunlin flock was still present but dispersed after a Peregrine took a bird, a single Ringed Plover flew by
6 March 2018
Thaw continues
The rapid thaw was welcomed, many birds were struggling with the intense cold and snow covering feeding areas. Perhaps the worst affected species has been Lapwing. The warmer conditions allowed many of our bird species to finally feed again. The Severn c
4 March 2018
Snow Melting Birds Returning
A busy couple of days clearing snow and feeding birds but all looking good for an re-opening tomorrow. Lots of waders and duck have moved onto the estuary but are starting to come back into the now flooding fields. Rushy Looks great, over 250 Pintail and
3 March 2018
'Beast from the East' is biting
Many areas were frozen over (deep water the exception) the duck flocks managed to keep some sections open. Tack Piece 400 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 30 Pintail, 10 Shoveler and an Oystercatcher. Holden Tower The Red-breasted Goose was among 214 Barnacle Geese,
27 February 2018
Glaucous Gull
Holden Tower A second calendar year (2cy) Glaucous Gull was on the sands until 0840 when it flew upriver 124 European or Russian White-fronted Geese flew in to feed at 0850am, the Red-breasted Gosse was among the Barnacle Geese. A few Skylark were on the
26 February 2018
Sunny Sunday
Drake Pintail on the Rushy Pen Russian White-fronted Geese flying in Rushy Hide and Peng Observatory Little Stint, 80 Pintail and 70+ Bewick's Swans here today (83 still on site) Tack Piece 500 Wigeon, 9 Redshank, 120 Dunlin, a few Golden Plover, up to
25 February 2018
Increasing Avocets
Returning Avocets (below) are a 'sign of spring' feature at this time of year, they tend to come and go with cold weather events, the forecast suggests they may be facing a period of icy mornings which may move them to the Severn estuary/Bristol channel
22 February 2018
1, 2, 3, doh
This weekend is the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) date for February. Counters across the UK are surveying their sites for ducks, geese, swans, waders and other wetland species to help build a picture of how populations are fairing this year for our winteri
18 February 2018
Tack Piece still at its best.
More stunning birding on the Tack Piece. Whitefronted Goose around 90 flew in from the north and stayed on view for 30 minutes before heading back again. Wigeon 900 Teal 300 Pintail 300 Shoveler 20 Golden Plover 700 Lapwing 1600 Dunlin 600 Ruff 11 Redsha
17 February 2018
Cold but sunny
A cold start this morning with many open areas of water frozen including the lower pond of the Rushy, Dumbles scrape and most of the surface of the scrapes at the South Lake and Zeiss Hide. As they have thawed through the morning birds have begun to mov
16 February 2018