Latest sightings
Spoonbill reported...
Spotted Crake It wasn't seen on a ten minute look at 0845hrs, no subsequent reports from visitors to 1400hrs at least though it may still be present and unreported. Zeiss Hide A Spoonbill was reported to visitor centre staff at lunchtime. Other birds note
26 September 2016
Autumnal...
Overnight showers and cooler air had given the reserve a more autumnal feel, this is reflected by the increase in wildfowl and seeing the small passerines, tits, warblers, Treecreeper, Goldcrest etc flocking together. Spotted Crake The juvenile continues
25 September 2016
Spotted again
The Spotted Crake remains in front of the Van de Bovenkamp Hide on the South Finger, showing well on the small dragonfly pool feeding on any invertebrates it can find in the vegetation. Spotted Crake, Slimbridge South
23 September 2016
Spotted Crake is still here...
Van de Bovenkamp Hide The juvenile Spotted Crake continues to show well on the small drained dragonfly pool adjacent to the hide and path. Please note that we are currently repairing and replacing the wheelchair access bay at the North end of the hide. Th
22 September 2016
Overnight arrivals
** Update **: Spotted Crake showing well on and off from Van de Bovenkamp Hide. Volunteers on site to help. An obvious increase in Wigeon overnight on the Top New Piece with at least 520 birds present this morning from the Zeiss Hide. A Wood Sandpipe
21 September 2016
A new Spotted Redshank...
Zeiss Hide/Top New Piece We have dropped the levels of the flood to coincide with the high tides, over 1000 Teal were roosting and wader interest was good as usual. An adult Spotted Redshank has arrived, it was fishing in the shallows. The two juvenile Li
20 September 2016
More high tide waders
We're currently having a short run of high tides around the 9 to 10 metre mark, pushing birds off the river and on to the reserve, particularly the Top New Piece as seen from the Zeiss Hide. Today's highlights included 2 Little Stint amongst 135 Dunlin,
19 September 2016
Big tides, great birding...
Peng Observatory/Rushy Pen Hide The two Little Grebe, fishing Kingfisher (favours Scott House gutters and Swan pipe), Wigeon. 10 Snipe, 6 Ruff and 70 Teal. Robbie Garnett Hide 70 Teal. Holden Tower 3 Yellow Wagtail among the cattle, 2 Peregrine on the edg
18 September 2016
Great Wader watching over high tide.
Zeiss Hide A good high tide (09.00 ish) helped to push waders into here. There were 61 Dunlin with 3 very active Little Stint among them. A group of 27 Knot roosted in a very tight group on one of the Islands among 34 Black Tailed Godwit and 4 Ringed Plov
17 September 2016
It's a duck day
There seems to have been an increase in duck overnight, or possibly before the fog yesterday? Highlights were 2 Garganey on the Top New Piece as viewed from the Zeiss Hide, amongst the 500+ Teal. There are also a few more Pintail and Wigeon on the res
16 September 2016
Wigeon in the fog
A very foggy start has made counting difficult this morning but a few birds could be picked out. With the forecast sun, it should burn off soon to reveal the birds. Wigeon in the fog Rushy Pen Over 100 Teal could be
15 September 2016
A thousand Teal
An influx of Teal today with 1275 counted from the hides, Chiffchaff are also much in evidence with 35+ seen or heard on the rounds, how many are actually present today is anyone's guess. Rushy Pen Hide A busy spot with 7+ Snipe, 7+ Ruff (this flock come
13 September 2016
Increase in Shoveler numbers
Rushy Pen At least 8 Ruff continue to feed on the wet mud, a few Snipe were hiding among the vegetation. At least 40 Teal are loafing in the shallows with a few other duck species present on the top pond. Tack Piece/Robbie Garnett Hide/Martin Smith Hide A
12 September 2016
Today's Sightings
Another good morning for warblers along the Holden Walkway with lots of Blackcap and Chiffchaff seen and heard plus Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Cetti's Warbler and Willow Warbler. The group of 13 Ruff remain on the Rushy Pen, tending to favour t
11 September 2016
Today's Sightings
Rushy Teal 68 Shoveler 4 Wigeon 1 Ruff 3 Black Tailed Godwit 2 Snipe 5 Kingfisher 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Robbie Garnet Egyptian Goose 2 Greylag 167 Teal 120 Green Sandpiper 1 Ruff 1 Holden Tower Little Grebe 1 (Long ground pool)Buzzard 1 Crow 32 Wheatear 2 Blac
10 September 2016