Image- Cattle Egrets- MJM
Upcoming Events
Seasonal habitat work, essential maintenance and farming
*Please note that you may encounter farming activity, seasonal habitat management, infrastructure maintenance or survey work around the reserve. This can include the use of machinery. We typically work in one area at a time with a large team to get the job done quickly and safely. We manage the other wetland areas to offer a quiet place to feed and rest, short-term localised disturbance is possible. Our birds simply move to another spot for a time and return once we finish, the first phase of work in the Rushy led to outstanding views of waders on the Tack Piece.
It's important to allow quiet during the evenings and very early mornings when birds are roosting so most work is carried out when a full team is on site between 0800-1630hrs. This work is essential for biodiversity and the annual cycle of the reserve and also to keep the place operational, pumps, filter, pipes and much more need attention. This work also allows us to keep views open to our scrapes and lakes following the breeding season.
*Note that we intend to work on the Rushy this coming week, work begins on Tuesday 6 October to Thursday 8 October.
Greater Flamingo on the River Severn
A second calendar year greater flamingo has been sighted on the River Severn close to WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre. Identified by her green ring ‘LHH’, the young female flamingo belongs to Birdland Park and Gardens, in Bourton-on-the-Water, from where she has recently taken flight and become separated from her flock. Working closely with our colleagues at Birdland, we are monitoring her movements and keeping them updated. She currently appears healthy, coping well and not causing a disturbance to other birds.
Monday 5 October
Rushy Hide/Peng Observatory
Eight Spotted Redshank, 3 Redshank, Greenshank, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Snipe, 6 Lapwing, Little Grebe, Great Egret, Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler and Mallard.
Tack Piece
Juvenile Wood Sandpiper, 7 Ruff at the NE end of the scrape, 22 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 130 Linnet.
Martin Smith Hide
Snipe, Kingfisher, 8 Teal.
Dumbles
13 Cranes but moved to the Severn, flock of Greylag with two paler/robust individuals, Barnacle and Canada Geese, Skylarks and meadow Pipits, Curlew and Peregrine.
Middle Point
560 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, 14 Grey Plover, 5 Golden Plover, 1 Knot, 1 Ruff, 2 Siskins over SW, 5 Reed Buntings, flocks of Curlew Shelducks, Avocets plus Grey Herons and Little Egrets.
Top New Piece
16 Ruff, 2 Spotted Redshank, 32 Lapwing, 90 Teal, 7 Wigeon.
South Lake
Knot, 90 Black-tailed Godwit, 130 Teal, 8 Cormorants, Little Grebe, Tufted Ducks.
