Slimbridge - Jack Snipe 20/03/2018

Date: 20/03/2018

Location: Slimbridge WWT

Weather: Grey Skies, but warmer

Species Highlights: 
Jack Snipe, Chiffchaff, Black Tailed Godwit, Ruff, Redshank.

Observation: 
On Monday a Jack Snipe had been found at Slimbridge and seemed to be showing quite well so i thought i'd head up on the off chance, my previous shot of a Jack Snipe was poor and i'd last seen one 15/01/2012 at Chew Valley Lake.

See, pretty bad!

So almost any picture would beat my previous, on heading towards the Knot hide spotted this rather smart Chiffchaff and my first of the year.

Had a scan through reeds but apart from a Snipe nothing of note so checked Holden hide and a group of Black Tailed Godwits feeding, great looking birds.

With Redshank, Oystercatcher and this lovely Ruff also showing.

Headed back to Knott hide and Les Ditchburn @Lesditch had just got a scope view of the Jack Snipe! Brilliant, after some distant obscured shots went to Willow hide, could just see it but then it darted across wet patch.

 It didn't feed just sat, but still Jack Snipe.

Such amazing camouflage.

This zoomed out view, just to show how difficult it was to see.

A cracker for sure.

Had a wander around, Crested Screamer feathers.

Velociraptor or Muscovy Duck.

Went back for a last look at Jack Snipe and did a video, even a bit of bobbing.

Press here
You Tube -Video

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Black Tern + Kingfisher @ Slimbridge

Date: 22nd August 2016 

Location: WWT Slimbridge

Weather: Cloudy + Windy

Other Species: Cormorant, Redshank, House Martin, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Black-Tailed Godwit, Black Tern, Common Crane, Ruff, Pied Wagtail, Spotted Redshank, Teal, Dunlin, Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Wigeon, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Greenfinch, Long-Tailed Tit, Kingfisher, Little Egret, Barnacle Goose, Shoveler
51 Species Total

Observation: After some stormy weather and some good sightings from WWT Slimbridge, another visit was in order! We headed straight for South Lake on arrival in the hope of the Black Tern. After a few minutes in it flew, giving us some great views!

A single Common Crane was present to the right of South Lake, along with 2 Spotted Redshank and a very brief visit from a group of 19 Dunlin and a single Curlew Sandpiper! They settled in the far corner on the mud but were spooked by a flock of Greylag Geese arriving.

The Curlew Sandpiper has a mottled red stomach which indicated summer plumage.

A few more shots of the Black Tern who seemed to have been inspired by the Olympics practising it's balancing skills in front the hide before it flew off towards Hogarth Hide.

Next up was Rushy Hide, they were undertaking some work here so pretty quiet, the best from this hide was 2 Snipe, Green Sandpiper and Sand Martin.

We changed it up a bit and visited Holden Tower first as it was high tide, no pictures from here but a fly-past Greater Black-Backed Gull and some feeding Rook and Wigeon and lastly a hunting Kestrel who made a few unsuccessful dives but later landed on the stone hut to shelter from the gusty wind!

Robbie Garnet Hide gave us nice low-levels views of some very muddy Black-Tailed Godwit's and a single Common Sandpiper.

A quick scan in the Willow Hide plenty of young Blue Tit's and Great Tit's and a windswept Chaffinch.

Martin Smith Hide didn't disappoint this visit! A Male Kingfisher was putting on a great display on the perches in front of the Hide. Good work WWT!

After showing off in front of the camera's having some wing stretches, it was back to business. After a change of the perch, it was back catching fish!

Slightly tangled with the extra grass attached to the fish, he untangles it but drops the fish and looks slightly confused!

With not many photo opportunities from the other hides we headed back to South Lake for more unfocused shots of the Black Tern. We did manage a few in focus so here they are:

After some slightly improved images under our belt, we had a last scan in the Rushy just as we left a stunning Sparrowhawk caught our eye.

We had to visit Martin Smith Hide before we headed home. After about 5 minutes the Male Kingfisher returned, initially staying out the back, but did return to it's perches. A few more shots and we left him to it!

Another successful day at Slimbridge and great to see the continued hard work from WWT and Slimbridge is still paying off!

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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!

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Ham Wall & Shapwick On the Levels

Date:15/09/2015

Location: 
Ham Wall-Shapwick On the Levels

Weather: Grey cloud rained for 1hr 

Other Species: 
Black Tailed Godwits,Peregrine,Hobby,Buzzard,Marsh Harrier,Kestrel,Great White Egret,Little Egret,Bittern,Lapwing + many more

Observation:

First news of the Nuthatch which was on are tree and feeders for 2 days ,looking at photos of him not in best condition.This morning found dead :( no obvious wounds ?

Today only chance of a bit of birding in the dry so headed to the Somerset levels and first Shapwick, on meare scrape it was all going off !

With this being the reason why,

 a peregrine falcon swooped in to take lapwing !

 very distant but great to watch. The Peregrine then shared the meal with a Crow, Not !

On Noah's counted 4 Black Tern at great distance,Great White Egrets and Marsh harrier

also this chap in the drizzle.

A Great White flypast from the hide.

On to Ham Wall now,Purple Heron and Glossy Ibis about but spotted this Roe Deer ,First one i've seen here.

Then A Bittern bit of a white sky but always nice to see one !

On VP2 (Viewpoint 2) Saw Marsh Harrier hunting made several passes ,not flushing any Glossy's or Purple Herons :(

Flies along then suddenly stops to check it out .

Great tail feathers.

To End a Ruddy Darter a great if slightly damp day .

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