Date:
29th-30th January
Location:
Daglingworth, Slimbridge, Newton St Loe.
29th-30th January
Location:
Daglingworth, Slimbridge, Newton St Loe.
Weather:
overcast with Some blue skies.
overcast with Some blue skies.
Species Highlights:
Great Grey Shrike, Curlew, Shoveler, Bewick Swwan, Bullfinch, Whooper Swan, Blackcap
Observation:
Great Grey Shrike, Curlew, Shoveler, Bewick Swwan, Bullfinch, Whooper Swan, Blackcap
Observation:
29th Wednesday I headed up to see the Great Grey Shrike in Gloucestershire, Daglinworth. On arriving met another birder who'd already seen it we waited on the road waiting for it to return to it's patch, 20 mins past and we had distant views but it then disappeared only to fly over our heads perching a bit closer with a Kill!
I've cropped image to show you the small bird, I posted on Twitter the consensus seems to be either, Linnet, Stonechat, Robin, Corn Bunting?
What do you think?
Answers on a postcard to the usual address.
It caught 2 birds while we were watching, diving down to its lair to pluck the birds, leaving feathers drifting on the breeze.
On way home I headed to Slimbridge, a Green winged Teal was on show from the Zeiss hide. It's amazing that I've never seen a Green Winged before the Chew Valley bird but now in just over 2 months I was looking at my second one, not any closer but tick! ( tiny white stripe in middle of frame...really)
From the hide I stared into the distance hoping for something else to add, this non-ringed Common Crane landed, I think the only wild Crane there?
From the other hides had good views of Curlew a fine looking bird.
A few flocks took to the skies put up by two Peregrines which i couldn't see and still not on my year list.
Barnacle Geese.
Black tailed Godwits with a odd one out.
One of my favorite duck is the Northern Shoveler, very smart duck
Almost better than the Red Arrows!
The day was a mixture of sunshine and grey overcast, the sun was shining from the Rushy hide, this Male Pintail always looks fabulous.
Any trip to Slimbridge this time of year you can't fail to spot a few Bewick Swan.
Mostly Black Headed Gulls from the Rushy and a single Common Gull, another top bird.
Lots of photographers in hide when this "just a Buzzard" floated over, its never just a Buzzard, surely. no one else took a picture of this fine bird!?
Thursday I was back on Patch it started with 2 Bullfinches in the garden and 4 more in through Bath Mill. Treecreeper along the brook,Not much up over fields but Common gulls flying over. Down onto Globe fields more gull species here, Lesser Black Backed and Black Headed washing and chilling.
Down towards Send a Cow more Bullfinch and all the normal species.
Signs of spring on the way with Snowdrop and Primrose starting to come into flower along the banks of top lake.
A surprise to see Grey Heron in nest, previous year date are:
21/02/2016
07/02/2017
21/02/2018
21/02/2019
Hope this year its more successful than last years 3 nests.
After two conversation with professional dog walkers letting their 10 dogs run wild along and into the top lake!!! it a permissive path and dogs must be kept on a lead, AAARRRGGGGG!
Sort of pleased the Whooper swan is still there, I think maybe he should be going but with Mutes seen to be chasing and him at the other end of lake now, don't think it'll be too long now till he departs.
So another week over, next week Lauren but on the ticking thing hoping for a few good ones, check back next Friday for a update.
Whilst working from home, Lauren spotted a stunning Male Blackcap on the Home Feeders. We managed a few shots before it got flushed by the neighbour walking past.
Wayne Year Bird List: 110
Lauren Year Bird List: 101
I've cropped image to show you the small bird, I posted on Twitter the consensus seems to be either, Linnet, Stonechat, Robin, Corn Bunting?
What do you think?
Answers on a postcard to the usual address.
It caught 2 birds while we were watching, diving down to its lair to pluck the birds, leaving feathers drifting on the breeze.
On way home I headed to Slimbridge, a Green winged Teal was on show from the Zeiss hide. It's amazing that I've never seen a Green Winged before the Chew Valley bird but now in just over 2 months I was looking at my second one, not any closer but tick! ( tiny white stripe in middle of frame...really)
From the hide I stared into the distance hoping for something else to add, this non-ringed Common Crane landed, I think the only wild Crane there?
From the other hides had good views of Curlew a fine looking bird.
A few flocks took to the skies put up by two Peregrines which i couldn't see and still not on my year list.
Barnacle Geese.
Black tailed Godwits with a odd one out.
One of my favorite duck is the Northern Shoveler, very smart duck
Almost better than the Red Arrows!
The day was a mixture of sunshine and grey overcast, the sun was shining from the Rushy hide, this Male Pintail always looks fabulous.
Any trip to Slimbridge this time of year you can't fail to spot a few Bewick Swan.
Mostly Black Headed Gulls from the Rushy and a single Common Gull, another top bird.
Lots of photographers in hide when this "just a Buzzard" floated over, its never just a Buzzard, surely. no one else took a picture of this fine bird!?
Thursday I was back on Patch it started with 2 Bullfinches in the garden and 4 more in through Bath Mill. Treecreeper along the brook,Not much up over fields but Common gulls flying over. Down onto Globe fields more gull species here, Lesser Black Backed and Black Headed washing and chilling.
Down towards Send a Cow more Bullfinch and all the normal species.
On through woodland and out onto Butterfly alley leading to fishing lake, another Bullfinch making 8 birds, a influx!
Signs of spring on the way with Snowdrop and Primrose starting to come into flower along the banks of top lake.
A surprise to see Grey Heron in nest, previous year date are:
21/02/2016
07/02/2017
21/02/2018
21/02/2019
Hope this year its more successful than last years 3 nests.
After two conversation with professional dog walkers letting their 10 dogs run wild along and into the top lake!!! it a permissive path and dogs must be kept on a lead, AAARRRGGGGG!
Sort of pleased the Whooper swan is still there, I think maybe he should be going but with Mutes seen to be chasing and him at the other end of lake now, don't think it'll be too long now till he departs.
So another week over, next week Lauren but on the ticking thing hoping for a few good ones, check back next Friday for a update.
Whilst working from home, Lauren spotted a stunning Male Blackcap on the Home Feeders. We managed a few shots before it got flushed by the neighbour walking past.
Wayne Year Bird List: 110
Lauren Year Bird List: 101
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