Latest sightings
Monday sightings
Rushy Hide and Peng Observatory 270+ Tufted Duck, 130 Pochard, 80 Bewick's Swans and three Ruff were present at dawn. Tack Piece Large numbers of duck first thing this morning but they dispersed and numbers thinned out when the Buzzards became active, a m
2 January 2018
Last day of 2017
The birding spectacle is brilliant due to the rainfall/snow melt and mild conditions. The shallow depressions on the Dumbles have finally filled with water and many of the fields now have some surface flooding. The Tack Piece and Top New Piece were very
31 December 2017
Flooding and birds
Holden Tower Heavy flooding has attracted lots of birds to the Tack Piece especially. Bewick's Swan 45 Whitefronted Goose flock in fields to north. Barnacle Goose 180 (Introduced resident flock). Red Breasted Goose 1 (probably escaped or feral bird) Greyl
30 December 2017
A wet start
After the downpour this morning the already wet fields are even wetter, much to the delights of the birds. The weather dried up around dawn and then cleared up by mid-morning leaving sunny spells on another glorious winter's day. We saw another new pa
29 December 2017
A perfect winter's day
Glorious, probably the only word to describe today once the ground had thawed. The Tack Piece and Top New Piece once again filled with thousands of birds, delighting hides full of visitors enjoying the winter wildlife spectacle that is Slimbridge. Sout
28 December 2017
Water birds
The snowfall overnight was nearly all gone this morning at Slimbridge, but the surrounding hills still had a dusting of white adding to the scenery. On the reserve the rain and snow have pushed water levels up to their highest so far this winter, and th
27 December 2017
Boxing Day birds
Its a glorious morning across the reserve with thousands of birds to enjoy, many of which you'll see above you as the Peregrine has been very active this morning and unsettling the ducks and waders. During the 8am Rushy feed, a Peregrine bolted across t
26 December 2017
Warm, wet and wonderfull
Zeiss Hide and South Finger The south end of the reserve is getting close to its best with huge flocks of waders and wildfowl all over the flooded fields. Barnacle Goose 180 Red Breasted Goose 1 ( close to Kingfisher hide) Greylag 4 Teal 490 Wigeon 200 P
23 December 2017
Fog-less
Local forecasts suggested dense fog for this morning but we ended up having a very calm, clear sunny day. Above: Greylag Goose Rushy Hide and Peng Observatory 65+ Bewick's Swans at the morning feed, 73 are on site. Tack Piece 350 Teal and 200 Wigeon m
19 December 2017
Monday news
Rushy Hide and Peng Observatory Highlights today included a Whooper Swan that dropped in with the 60+ Bewick's Swans and 2 Little Stint. Some of the Bewick's Swan headed to the Ox Piece to feed for the day, this is the field just NE of the Tack Piece. Ta
18 December 2017
Today's sightings
Rushy Hide and Peng Observatory Two Little Stints reported, one present at 0815am + 120 Dunlin, 200+ Lapwing, 50+ Bewick's Swan (70+ now on site or in the area) and 1000+ duck including Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pintail, Shelduck and Teal. Tack Piece
17 December 2017
More Bewick's Swans
Rushy A nice clear night resulting in several new Bewicks on the pond this morning, at least 72 around the site including 4 wild birds among the Mute and 10 captive Bewick's on swan lake. Pochard, Tufted and Pintail gathering here in the frosty conditions
16 December 2017
Floods and Sunshine
The whole reserve is looking stunning again in the sunshine. Rushy Yet another increase of Bewick's Swan at least 69 overnight. Pochard, Pintail and Teal looking great and a Little Stint was with 4 Dunlin on the central island Holden Walkway What a differ
15 December 2017
Thursday update
Kingfisher Hide Very busy with birds, 4 Bewick's Swans, 40+ E. White-fronted Geese, 200 Golden Plover, 22 Ruff + flocks of Lapwing, Dunlin and Wigeon. Zeiss Hide 750+ Teal, 400 Wigeon and 8 Snipe among the birds present on the flood and flashes. A Water R
14 December 2017
Coldest night of the winter
Above- European White-fronted Geese over the Severn The cold night (-4) caused most of our wetlands to freeze, only the Rushy Pen and South Lake remained open partly due to the large numbers of birds moving about. A few other spots with a water flow rema
12 December 2017