Latest sightings
Bewick's Swans count down to 65
Further departures of our wintering birds noted, including our Bewick's Swans, only 65 were on site today along with two Whooper Swans.Sightings today include the following.Tack PieceSingle Spotted Redshank, 38 Redshank and 12 Ruff along the scrape edge.
25 February 2024
Egret roost count
The increasing UK population of egrets is very welcome, a group of birds that are doing well. We've seen a rise in numbers of these beautiful birds and host firmly established winter roost site for them. The roost moves about the site so it can be tricky
21 February 2024
Further departures, very few Lapwing left
In just two short weeks we've seen our Lapwing flock drop from 2600+ to a few hundred, the Tack Piece is typically carpeted with them but we seem to be shifting to to last of the wintering birds and those that remain to breed on the reserve. It won't be t
19 February 2024
Large scale departures of waders and ducks
Since the end of January we have noticed peak counts dropping but this last week has seen a large scale reduction in Lapwing, Golden Plover, Teal and Pintail. The reserve is still very busy as we see return passage birds appearing to stopover, perhaps bes
18 February 2024
Soggy day birding, dry in the hides.
Definitely a day to spend using the hides, the weather wasn't too helpful today but the birds are enjoying it. Image of Pill Box Pool and the Long Ground Pool.Estuary TowerPink Footed Goose, Ross Goose, Snow Goose all on the Dumbles with Barnacle and Can
14 February 2024
Catch the Tide Part Two- Spoonbill
Catch the Tide Part TwoThe weather wasn't as kind as yesterday and the tide flooded over half of the Dumbles, it was still a good day to catch up with the wintering birds in the area as they all ended up here. Yay, Spoonbill!The first Spoonbill sighting o
13 February 2024
Catch the Tide Part One
Catch the TideWe were rewarded with a really good tide this morning, the surge came over and flooded the Dumbles, the birding was brilliant in the winter sunshine. Another chance tomorrow.Estuary Tower25+ Skylark, 3+ Meadow Pipit, 2 Goldfinch, Redwing, ju
12 February 2024
Feb WeBS
Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) Count for Sunday 11 February 202412 Cormorant, 13 Little Egret (missed the early roost), 2 Great Egret, 10 Cattle Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 7 Crane, 143 Mute Swan, 2 Whooper Swan (one on Tack Piece and one Rushy, latter remained all
11 February 2024
Water levels back up after the rains
The water levels have returned to peak height following some very heavy rainfall but is of course providing the perfect conditions for feeding wildfowl and waders. Estuary TowerThe juvenile Dark-bellied Brent Goose was on the Dumbles saltmarsh with the Ba
8 February 2024
Otters and Goshawk
The Otter family were again seen down at the South Finger today, the channel that we de-silted a couple of years back has been a popular fishing ground for them this winter. A male Goshawk was seen this morning from the South Finger hides, it's likely to
7 February 2024
Earliest ever Kingfisher breeding activity!
Kingfishers on the WWT Slimbridge reserve Following on from a busy 2022/23 winter for Kingfisher sightings we had a brilliant breeding season in 2023, three broods reared at a minimum of two nest sites, we even recorded our latest ever breeding attempt w
5 February 2024
Lapwing and Golden Plover counts
A couple of notable counts today 2673 Golden Plover and 2494 Lapwing on the reserve around midday. Estuary Tower1288 Lapwing and 260 Golden Plover on the Dumbles, Dark-bellied Brent Goose on the scrape this afternoon. 250+ Pintail on the Severn. Rushy Hid
4 February 2024
Hello February
Tack PieceThis is the busiest spot for waders this morning, close views of 1000 Dunlin, 880 Lapwing, 1000+ Golden Plover, Ruff and Redshank, 900+ Wigeon and Bewick's Swans (115 on site today) + Weasel near to Robbie Garnett Hide.
1 February 2024
Sightings for the last day of January 2024
Tack Piece223 Russian White-fronted Geese roosted on the Tack Piece with single Barnacle and Snow Goose. Fifteen Bewick's Swans roosted. Rushy Hide/Peng Observatory99 Bewick's Swan roosted with a Whooper Swan at dawn. Another single Bewick's and Whooper S
31 January 2024
Discovery Hide update- work on hold until later this week
The contractors that are due in to replace the Discovery Hide windows have pushed back the start date until 'later' this week. Sightings for today as followsSouth Lake260 Lapwing, 6 Avocet, 5 Oystercatcher, 32 Pochard + Shoveler, Teal and Tufted Ducks amo
30 January 2024