Latest sightings
Three Cuckoos and a Spotted Flycatcher
Some of today's sightings from the early morning hide round: Rushy Hide Mediterranean Gull - 2, Avocet - 12, Oystercatcher - 3 Holden Tower - On hide tide Grey Plover - 2, Sanderling - 4, Ringed Plover - 15+, Dunlin - 10+, Whimbrel - 1, Oystercatcher - 8,
12 May 2017
Sandpiper trio
Rushy Pen A sure sign that it's May with the arrival of our first three Wood Sandpiper on the lower pond late morning. Other good news is that the Lapwing family still have young and the first Avocet chicks (x2) have hatched here. Four Cattle Egret chos
8 May 2017
Black Tern
South lake Some pretty special bird watching here this morning. The Black Tern was very active on the lake often very close to the hide, there was a group of 8 Ruff many males with full ruffs of various colour all interacting and displaying. The Black tai
6 May 2017
Northerly wind
Its a bit blustery out there but birds are braving the wind across the reserve, not least the 8 Swifts that were battling north over the Dumbles this morning. South Lake Hides The Black-tailed Godwit flock numbered 166 this morning, with the bulk of the b
4 May 2017
Today's sightings- Black Tern
South Lake A Black Tern (see image above) spent the day feeding and resting on the lake. The ten Ruff including the 6 breeding plumaged males were present during the morning at least, up to 175 Black-tailed Godwit fed on the scrape but also moved to Top
1 May 2017
Lots of visible migration and Harbour Porpoise!
Visible migration Along the foreshore and from the 'Severn view' at Middle Point there was lots of action over the high tide period. Waders seen in flight due to Peregrine attack included a Common Sandpiper, c15 Grey Plover, c20 Sanderling plus c12 Ringe
30 April 2017
Today's sightings
A productive morning for visitors on our Bird Watch Morning event with 50 species seen on a leisurely walk around the reserve. Find out dates of upcoming Bird Watch Mornings and our Advanced Birder events on our website here. Summer Walkway Access from
29 April 2017
Today's sightings
Rushy Hide & Peng Observatory The redhead Smew was back on the Rushy this morning after its brief excursion out to other parts of the reserve. There was no sign of any Common Sandpipers but a single Redshank, 10 Avocet and a pair of Oystercatcher we
28 April 2017
Thursday birding
Its been a busy day for the Reserve Team with an Advanced Birders workshop and a visit from a group of students to talk about reserve management and surveys that take place at Slimbridge. The Little Gull and a Mediterranean Gull were on the Rushy this m
27 April 2017
A bit chilly
South Lake Hides A busy wader scrape this morning with 303 Black-tailed Godwits, 22 Avocet and 8 Ruff including a couple of great looking males starting to display. A pair of Cranes (Bart and Ruby) were on the island this morning, possibly prospecting a
26 April 2017
Today's highlights include a Smew and Swifts
Black-winged Stilts A pair remain on the reserve and have been seen on the Tack Piece, Top New Piece and South Lake today. Rushy Pen A female Smew was a nice surprise on the top lake, the 2cy Little Gull and a 2cy Mediterranean Gull were also present. So
24 April 2017
Today's sightings
Black-winged Stilts The trio of two males and a female continue to show brilliantly but they are very mobile, they have fed on South Lake, Rushy Pen and Tack Piece today. Godwits and Ruff The flock of 300+ Black-tailed Godwit and 11 Ruff are also mobile
23 April 2017
Amazing views of Stilts
South Lake Great birding here, three Black Winged Stilts with some stunning views as they pass within a few metres of the hide, the Hogarth is also a good spot to get some great close up views. This is part of a black and white wader theme, 45 Avocet incl
22 April 2017
Lots of long legs
Bird news from the reserve is being dominated by birds with long legs. The 3 Black-winged Stilts remain on the South Lake this morning, with a pair showing well from the Discovery Hide and a single birds out from the Hogarth Hide. A Great White Egret
21 April 2017
Stilts remain
Five Black-winged Stilts were on the reserve this morning. Three were on the South Lake this morning, viewed from the Discovery Hide. A pair were seen nest scraping and mating this morning. Two other stilts were still on the Top New Piece as viewed
20 April 2017