One of the best days in a long time spent at Slimbridge today. Sunny skies with a little cloud and even a shower plus a rainbow. The morning started at the Rushy Hide and we worked our way down through the other hides towards the Holden Tower. Plenty of ducks, waders, swans, Curlews and Cranes out on the Tack Piece. Great views of the White fronted Geese from Robbie Garnet Hide plus a close flypast made our day. In fact this whole area was simply alive with birds today. Occasionally a mass flock of Lapwings, Golden Plover, Godwits and Dunlin would take to the air, a brilliant sight. Plenty of Teal, Wigeon and Pintails also on view. The sights and sounds of calling and whistling from the birds today was just pure magic!
We also had a couple of good views of a Water Rail from the Willow Hide screen and the Kingfisher Hide, haven't seen one in ages.
Our visit took us to all of the hides on the reserve but the Tack Piece area was the most productive and saw us making a return visit. By this time it was starting to cloud up a little producing a shower complete with a rainbow. What a brilliant atmosphere so many birds and colours against dark skies, sun and rain an amazing scene unfolding before our eyes.
A last visit to the Holden Tower and the large flock of Barnacle Geese had moved in a little closer. 2 foxes suddenly came into view and ran off across the estuary I guess the Geese and Cranes a little big for them.
With 58 species of birds seen what a fantastic and memorable day, I think the rainbow brought us our pot of gold!
Bewick's Swan
Lapwings and Shelduck
Pintail flemale equally striking with more subtle tones
Graceful Lapwing
Shoveler greeting!
Pairing up for Spring?
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