White-spotted Bluethroat
Our third record of Bluethroat for the reserve and first confirmed White-spotted.
White-spotted Bluethroat
A visiting birder (W.Booth) photographed a male White-spotted Bluethroat C. s. cyanecula at Middle Point yesterday morning (picture featured with thanks) but despite searching there was no further sightings. This morning I came in earler to see if it was still present, after the drizzle ceased I could hear snippets of song from the Shepherds Hut Hide which is on the seawall near the Goose House Hut. Moving to the foreshore I could hear the song more clearly, the bird sand intermittently from various foreshore reed bed vantage points but always stayed low probably because of the breeze. It is easier to see the bird from the seawall thanks to the vantage point but much easier to hear it nearer to the shore. It ceased singing when the weather closed in again and hadn't been seen or heard to mid afternoon at least.
It is quite shy, we would recommend keeping quiet when in the shore area, it is likely to show and sing with calmer and sunny weather. We have explored the possibility of earlier opening but haven't been able to resolve this due to the Covid compliance rules, if we can find a way to offer early opening at all, the news will be posted here and on our Twitter feed.
Link to ticketing page https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/... to book a visit.
Link to Twitter page https://twitter.com/slimbridge_wild updates
Our previous two records were...
15 April 1951 - a male red spotted C.s. svecica seen at close range in Hawthorn hedge bordering the sea-wall.
30 October 1976 - a female or immature seen by L.P Alder.
Other sightings from around the reserve today include
The Dumbles
Ross's Goose with the Barnacle Goose flock.
Middle Point
Lots of Reed Warbler and Reed Bunting activity as they busily feed young.
Eight Ringed Plover, 36 Curlew, 2 Avocet and 3 Oystercatcher among the feeding Black-headed Gull on the estuary.
Rushy
The Little-ringed Plovers continue to incubate their eggs, Avocet broods on the lower pond, Green Sandpiper, flocks of Gadwall, a few Lapwing and female Wigeon on the Top Pond. Two Common Terns called in.
Top New Piece
Two Great White Egret resting on the islands early morning, single Garganey and Hobby also seen. Large flock of Avocet, a few Redshank forming a moult flock and broods of Tufted Ducks.
Estuary Tower
An immature Goshawk toured the reserve creating panic.
South Lake
Male Ruff in breeding plumage, 30+ Black-tailed Godwit, Avocet plus broods and up to 8 Redshank.
