Cheltenham & Slimbridge

Date: 22/01/2015

Location: Cheltenham, Pittville Park & Slimbridge

Observation: As Lauren the other half of NSL-BIRDING and daughter is in New York getting new ticks on her list thought I'd better try to do the same, so headed to Cheltenham to see the long staying Dartford Warbler within minutes of getting there spotted bird being followed by two other birders from the Peak District ! 135 miles away !

               After seeing bird, hide, pop up, fly off, return, it landed for a few shots.

The Stonechats were always there marking him.

and a flight shot !

Watched him devourer a caterpillar ! 

After about an hour headed down to Slimbridge, it would be rude to pass it by!

With hope of the Water Pipit headed straight round to Kingfisher hide :( no Pipit. So went around reserve towards my favorite hide Willow.

The resident Water Rail didn't disappoint making a visit into the open every 10 mins or so

 Other birds here Reed Bunting, House Sparrow, Greenfinch and Tits.

On the tack piece it was FULL of birds Wigeon, Plover, Lapwing and Godwits making up most of the numbers.

Jam Packed

With Curlew 10+ at the Holden Tower 

 Last hide of the day was Rushy, a few Bewick's washing and chilling in the sun. 

A great day And 1 tick !

Weather: Hazy sunshine + mostly cloudy

Other Species: 

Cheltenham- Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Dartford Warbler

Slimbridge- Oystercatcher, Barnacle Goose, Lapwing, Curlew, Buzzard, Common Crane, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Bewick’s Swan, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pintail, Water Rail, Reed Bunting + more

Thanks for looking now say hello !