18 April 2016

53 Species Count - Slimbridge

Date: 18th April 2016
Location: WWT Slimbridge - Gloucester
Weather: Patchy Cloud, Sunny Intervals, Warm
Other Species: House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Greylag Goose (+ Goslings), Black Tailed Godwit, 14 Common Crane, Tufted Duck, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Gadwall, Cetti's Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 5+ Chiffchaff, 2 Mediterranean Gull, Teal, Shoveler, 1 Skylark, 2 Willow Warbler, Oystercatcher, 31+ Avocet, 2 Cormorant, Barnacle Goose, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Pintail, Pochard, 4 Starling - Of Note - 53 Species Total

Observation:
We visited Slimbridge today after having a 3 months absence from here! We started on the Rushy, plenty of action on here including lots of aggressive Black-Headed Gull who were collecting nesting material.


Also a family of Greylag Geese with some Goslings, who come in close at times, very cute!


Onto Martin Smith hide, there were 14 Common Crane (1 was un-ringed), they were actively flying and feeding on the Tack Piece.



WWT have provided so much support for these stunning birds! Lovely to see them in the wild and doing so well.

Further up at Robbie Garnet hide, we had some stunning Shoveler fly past us just as the sun came out.



At the Willow hide, a singing Willow Warbler was high in the trees, name of the hide fits perfectly!


Before we headed around the Western side of the reserve we had a quick return to the Rushy, were 2 of the 14 earlier Common Cranes, had moved there, alot close than on the Tack Piece.


Moving around the reserve there were plenty of newly hatched Mallard ducklings and Greylag Goose goslings enjoying the sun.


At South Lake, we had a good look for the Mediterranean Gull's but couldn't see them (until we got home found 2 adult Med Gull's distant in a picture).

They are there if you look closely.... Promise!


there were also 31 Avocet present on South Lake, largest number we have seen in a long while!


No visit to Slimbridge is complete without a few promised shots of the captive birds!


We were even lucky enough to see both families of Hawaiian Geese goslings who were having a good stretch!


Thanks For Looking !

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