In record time – Friday 25 May
Never in the history of the spoon-billed sandpiper expeditions has the journey from Moscow to Meinypil’gyno been as swift. The town of Anadyr, Gateway to Chukotka, is notorious for weather and bureaucratic delays. But thanks to Nikolai’s quick logistical maneuvering, to fast and sweaty teamwork hauling mountains of gear in endless stages to the helicopter, … Continue reading
Whales and cabbage – Saturday 26 May
What do gray whales and fermented cabbage have in common? The same unbelievable stench! Clear blue skies and wind continued today as most of the team crossed the dubious rotting ice over the channel to explore parts of the 50 kilometers-long alongshore gravel spit to the east of the village. It was a day for … Continue reading
In record time – Friday 25 May
Never in the history of the spoon-billed sandpiper expeditions has the journey from Moscow to Meinopilgyino been as swift. The town of Anadyr, Gateway to Chukotka, is notorious for weather and bureaucratic delays. But thanks to Nikolai’s quick logistical maneuvering, to fast and sweaty teamwork hauling mountains of gear in endless stages to the helicopter, … Continue reading
Spoon-billed sandpiper marathon report
Huge congratulations to Nigel Hewston, who ran the London Marathon in aid of the spoon-billed sandpiper. You can still support Nigel at http://www.justgiving.com/sandpiper Now that he’s caught his breath, he’s posted a report of his race. I won – hope you’ll be cheering for me at the Olympics! Not quite, but it would have been … Continue reading
One of our spoon-billed sandpipers gives its first adult call, and some sadder news
Our flock of spoon-billed sandpipers are showing clear signs of maturing. All the birds have started to moult from juvenile into their first winter plumage, which is a polished silvery white like a suit of armour. During a recent evening feed all the birds were being particularly noisy, producing lots of sharp, high-pitched calls. The … Continue reading
New footage of the spoon-billed sandpipers
Enjoy this video of the birds enjoying a splash in the pool in their new room.
The sandpipers move to their new enclosure
Nicky writes: It has been a particularly exciting week at spoon-billed sandpiper HQ. After a couple of weeks’ preparation work, the 2nd wintering room was ready for the birds to move into. The heaters were cranked up to optimum temperature, the heat lamps hung, the pool filled with circulating, filtered water and the river sand … Continue reading
Spoon-billed sandpiper health screening
Nicky writes: I’ve just returned from handling all the sandpipers, something we do fortnightly to assess their physical condition and general well-being. The good news – we were happy with today’s health check. Nigel, Rebecca, Michelle – our resident vet – and I rounded up the birds using a soft sided corral and handled them … Continue reading
Spoon-billed Sandpipers Enjoying Their New Facility
By Nicky Hiscock, Conservation Breeding Assistant The sandpipers have been in their new home now for just over a month and they’re making good use of the surroundings we’ve carefully designed for them. The facility was built just in time for their arrival in 2011 and consists of two indoor enclosures where they can be … Continue reading
Please support our spoon-billed sandpiper appeal
Saving the Spoon-billed sandpiper 
See the spoon-billed sandpipers live via CCTV
By Nicky Hiscock, Conservation Breeding Assistant This is our 38th day of showing live footage of the spoon-billed sandpipers to the public via a CCTV link at the conservation breeding facility. Each day at 2.30pm, when the birds are fed, visitors to WWT Slimbridge can watch live video shown on large screen in a 90-seat … Continue reading →
Filed under aviculture, Birds, Conservation, Featured, Spoon-billed sandpiper · Tagged with aviculture, CCTV, cinema, commentated feed, conservation breeding, live footage, slimbridge, Spoon-billed sandpiper