Somerset Wild Walks: February 2018

Forest of Dean 20/2 Grey Shrike

A visit to Gloucester today and the Forest of Dean. Firstly a visit to Plock Court, Gloucester for the Penduline Tit. Several birders had gathered but after an hour here and more than two hours for some the bird was a no show.

Onto the Forest of Dean and our next target the Grey Shrike on Crab Tree Hill. After parking up we took a forest track that led us up to a patch of heathland. Coming down the track were a bunch of friendly birders that had seen the Shrike but it was fairly mobile. It didn't take long for us to spot the Grey Shrike another stunning bird. Although I could only get distant shots we had fantastic views through our binoculars and that's what counts!

No Hawfnches on this visit or any sign of Goshawks from the viewing area at New Fancy so we decided to visit Cannop Ponds. Lovely to see good numbers of the striking and colourful Mandarin Duck.

On our way home we stopped at Aust hoping to see a Short Eared Owl. A good number of birders were gathered also hoping to see the Owls but alas they didn't appear perhaps a bit too windy for them. We did however see a Merlin whizz past.

A grand day out even though we only saw one of our target birds we also met some great birders and enjoyed the magic and beauty of the forest to the full. We will just have to do a return visit soon!

Grey Shrike a first distant view

A little closer a typical Great Grey Shrike pose

Cormorant on Cannop ponds

Warm sunshine on its back the Cormorant closes an eye

A group of Mandarin lurking amongst the tree roots

A handsome fellow

Eye to the sky perhaps looking at a Buzzard overhead

Sails up, the males get these incredible feathers during breeding

Female Mandarin

Bewick's Swans 12/2 Slimbridge

One of our reasons for a visit to Slimbridge was to see the Bewicks before they soon return to Russia. Early at 8:15 there was still a good number on the 'rushy' sorting themselves out for their day ahead.

Usually the swans at the 'rushy' depart in the morning for the fields but later in the day when we returned there were still quite a few gathered in the water.

It was interesting to watch them call and display to each other no doubt affirming bonds before their long journey home.

Early afternoon and a few more swans had gathered on the 'Tack Piece' some of them in family groups though it looked as though some young were being asked to leave.

So the photos below are in honour of the beautiful Bewicks Swans, may they have a safe journey home and we'll look forward to their return late Autumn.

Preening time

Mute aggression

Starting to pair and bond

Interesting to watch the displays

Already a pair?

Take off

Adults seem to be chasing of the young

Flexing

Family squabble

Bathing

Seem to enjoy splashing around

Slimbridge 12/2

Yet again an early start to ensure we could get into Slimbridge through the 'magic gate' at 8.15. A frosty and very sunny start to the day saw a few of us waiting for the gate to be unlocked.

First call was the 'Rushy' where several birds Bewicks, Tufted, Pintail, Mallard, Greylags etc were bathing and preening at the start of their day.

On to the 'Tack Piece' hides where a few birds were gathered. A good number of Redshank but no spotted and several Ruff. Golden Plover, Black tailed Godwits, Lapwings and Dunlin took to the air a couple of times as a massive flock. I'm sure that the restless Lapwings set things off!

At the willow hide we had a fantastic view of 2 Water Rails on the ice. They were trying to pick up the fallen seed from the feeders but they were thwarted by the rats.

Our first visit to the Holden Tower and there wasn't a single bird to be seen. Our return visit would prove more rewarding.

South Hide lake on one side was completely frozen though a flock of BlackWits arrived to the ice. On the unfrozen side were plenty of Pochard, Tufted, Shelduck, Teal and a pair of Oystercatchers on the island. We watched these whilst enjoying a coffee in the comfort of this hide.

Strolling through the grounds our next stop would be the Kingfisher hide. In the tree area we caught a glimpse of a Treecreeper that stopped just long enough for a shot. Love watching these birds scurry up trees.

At the Kingfisher hide Great and Blue Tits, Chaffinch were busy at the feeders. On the lake a Little Grebe caught a fish and was chased off by a pair of Gadwall. In the field were Golden Plover, Wigeon and Redshank plus a couple of Cranes flew over.

After lunch in the comfortable and warm Peng Observatory we returned to the Holden Tower visiting all the hides along the way. Plenty of birds now on the Tack Piece including family groups of Bewicks. (The Bewicks Swans are featured in a separate blog) and a large group of White fronted Geese.

From the tower the Barnacle Geese flock provided pretty close viewing and at long last we saw the Red breasted Goose.

Another brilliant day at Slimbridge, already looking forward to returning in the Spring.