Local Surveys and Slimbridge
Saturday 19th May 2007
Hardwicke
My first stop this morning was Hardwicke to do my Breeding Bird Survey for the BTO. On the way, a Green Woodpecker was near Hardwicke Farm and a male Cuckoo was at Hockley Hill, which was calling frequently, and I saw quite close and again later as it flew across the road near Clarke's Farm. Birds on the survey itself included several Common Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, several Yellowhammers, a Skylark, two Chiffchaffs, several Swallows, and also two Shelducks in flight over heading south. Three Stock Doves were near Clarke's Farm and three Brown Hares were seen in the area.
Arlingham
Next stop Arlingham to carry out a Lapwing survey, again for the BTO. There are no Lapwings yet on the plot, but it is a very pleasant area and I did see another Green Woodpecker in Church Road.
WWT Slimbridge
I finished off the morning at Slimbridge for the high tide. At Mid point, the Grasshopper Warbler was reeling briefly a few times and glimpsed very briefly, the wind wasn't ideal for Gropper-spotting! Very little was seen over the high tide, just three Common Terns, seven Whimbrel and six Curlew. Then it rained so I took shelter back at the Holden Tower where a small wader flock consisting of 50 Dunlin and ten Ringed Plover were on The Dumbles.
Hardwicke
My first stop this morning was Hardwicke to do my Breeding Bird Survey for the BTO. On the way, a Green Woodpecker was near Hardwicke Farm and a male Cuckoo was at Hockley Hill, which was calling frequently, and I saw quite close and again later as it flew across the road near Clarke's Farm. Birds on the survey itself included several Common Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, several Yellowhammers, a Skylark, two Chiffchaffs, several Swallows, and also two Shelducks in flight over heading south. Three Stock Doves were near Clarke's Farm and three Brown Hares were seen in the area.
Arlingham
Next stop Arlingham to carry out a Lapwing survey, again for the BTO. There are no Lapwings yet on the plot, but it is a very pleasant area and I did see another Green Woodpecker in Church Road.
WWT Slimbridge
I finished off the morning at Slimbridge for the high tide. At Mid point, the Grasshopper Warbler was reeling briefly a few times and glimpsed very briefly, the wind wasn't ideal for Gropper-spotting! Very little was seen over the high tide, just three Common Terns, seven Whimbrel and six Curlew. Then it rained so I took shelter back at the Holden Tower where a small wader flock consisting of 50 Dunlin and ten Ringed Plover were on The Dumbles.
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