We set off down the track towards the Holden Tower stopping off at the various hides along the way. Some great numbers of birds out on the fields - ducks, swans, geese and waders. All of these put up in the air to great flocks now and again by perhaps a hunting raptor. The calls from the many Wigeon and Teal is amazing as is the haunting call from the Bewick's, beautiful!
The highlight of the day had to be at the 'Willow Hide' where we were hoping to get a glance of a Water Rail. No Water Rail here but out of nowhere a stunning Sparrowhawk swooped in making all other birds dive for cover. The Sparrowhawk stayed for no more than 10 seconds then flew off again. What a moment though!
As always Slimbridge is a wonderful place to walk around and the hides are brilliant to watch and observe the many wild birds that visit. Our total for the day was 50 species including a Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Barnacle Geese, Cranes, Snipe, Avocets, Black Tailed Godwits, Golden Plover, Wigeon, Teal, Curlew, Redshanks, Dunlin, Lapwing, Water Rail and a single Ruddy Shelduck an escapee or wild?
Bewick's Swans - they have a wonderful haunting call
Teal - the fields are full of them. Great colours on this little duck
Black Tailed Godwits and Lapwings - quite flighty at times maybe due to a predator fly past
Spring is on the way!
Sparrowhawk - what an eye, what a look!
Golden Plover flock - fantastic when the light hits their colours
The awesome Cranes coming in from the fields to Slimbridge
Greylag Geese - always quite vocal geese.
Avocets a long way off but a nice surprise to see this lovely elegant bird
The elusive Water Rail - such a pleasure to watch and observe this reclusive bird
Water Rail - great colours and markings
Bewick's Swans
Shelduck splash!
Female Mallard - beautiful
