Latest sightings
A very still day
This mornings Birdwatch event (0800-1030hrs) went very well, very calm, still (if a little misty first thing) conditions made is easier to locate and watch species such as Goldcrest and Cetti's Warbler. Most of the birds of the reserve were seen during th
30 October 2016
Cattle Egrets and a big Wigeon count
Highlights A gloomy morning but the 6 Cattle Egret and 2 Little's shone out roosting in the Duck Decoy and were watched on the South Lake until 08.40. Best views through the day in the field opposite Slimbridge school. A large flock of 1420 Wigeon in fr
29 October 2016
Egrets bring a plus 1
Early opening this morning at 7:30am to see the Cattle Egret at roost, but the birds didn't arrive until just before 8am so they must be roosting elsewhere on site and then arriving at the South Lake for a bit of a stretch and freshen up before heading ou
28 October 2016
A nice wader day
The Cattle Egrets roosted again last night on the South Lake and then flew out to the fields opposite the Primary School in Slimbridge village by 8:30am. We've also seen a nice selection of waders on the pools and scrapes today, including a Little Stint
27 October 2016
A 3 Egret Day!
The clock hadn't even struck 8:30am and staff and volunteers had clocked up all three species of egret on site! The 5 Cattle Egret from yesterday were found on South Lake first thing with a Little Egret, which left at 8:04am and flew towards the canal.
26 October 2016
More White-fronts
Most of the White-fronted Geese have taken to feeding with the Wigeon on the Bottom New Piece, giving good views from the Kingfisher Hide. Duck numbers are slowly creeping up on the Rushy now our feeding as started. Kingfisher Hide We've got a la
24 October 2016
A sunny Sunday
Its a lovely sunny morning here today and the big news so far is of a Hoopoe, seen flying south past the Kingfisher Hide just after 11am. The bird didn't appear to land and continued heading south over the tree line and then lost to view. Duck and geese
23 October 2016
First feed on the Rushy
Rushy Lots of activity here over the past few weeks to get everything ready for the arrival of the Bewicks Swans, Several are now in the east of England so they should be with us soon. The cold north winds have brought in more Ducks, there were 11 Pochard
22 October 2016
There's a chill in the air
Winter is fast approaching and we've had news today that the first Bewick's Swans have arrived over at Welney in Norfolk. When will the first birds arrive here at Slimbridge is now the main question! Speaking of winter arrivals, the White-fronted Gees
20 October 2016
Today's sightings
Holden Tower A flock of 27 White-fronted Geese were on The Dumbles this morning with the Greylag and Canada flock. Also out on the floodwater were 500+ Wigeon, 50+ Golden Plover, 7 Ruff, 8 Dunlin, 10+ Shelduck, 80+ Pintail whilst a Peregrine and a Marsh
19 October 2016
All about The Dumbles
Another big high tide and another morning with lots of action on The Dumbles with flocks of several species making the most of the fresh feeding opportunities whilst trying to evade the ever present Peregrine! Holden Tower One of the best p
18 October 2016
Wetland Bird Survey and big tides
At least 28 European White-fronted Geese were grazing near the Holden Tower today The Severn tides flooded over the Dumbles last night and again this morning, a repeat of the high tides again tomorrow. A full WeBS survey was made today, we counted 8,65
17 October 2016
Autumn birding
Rushy Pen Hide/Peng Observatory Although we still have a few things to finish in the Rushy and at the duckery, the island work has been completed, the water levels on top lake are back up and the Peng Observatory is open again. Late in the month we will
16 October 2016
The tides are coming
Over the next few weeks we'll be seeing some big high tides, reaching the 10m mark or more with some 3 and 4 star Severn Bores coming up the river too. The high tide this morning moved lots of waders on to the Top New Piece as viewed from the Zeiss Hide
14 October 2016
White-fronts arriving
Big increase in the number of White-fronted Geese overnight with at least 28 now on site, up from 5 yesterday. More good news is the arrival of our first juveniles, 12 in all. The tides are starting to increase now and the South Lake has been reaping
13 October 2016