Tuesday 27th June 2023 - Slimbridge

 

Baby Hare (Leveret) Bath Birdwatcher

Our birding trip this week took Bryan and Tony plus Yvonne and Mary to Slimbridge, David was otherwise engaged. Two very special birds had been at Slimbridge for a few weeks but we had not had the opportunity to visit until now, more on these species later. Our trip to Slimbridge was very fraught when at the Cross Hands junction on the A46 was a road closed sign on the road ahead forcing us to follow the diversion signs to Yate but somehow we must have missed a diversion sign and found ourselves in Bristol so it was then M32/M4 on to M5 to Slimbridge . On arrival 1st stop was the restaurant for a coffee and carrot cake and from the window we noted Mute Swan, Swallow, House Martin and Collared Dove. After coffee we started at the Peng Observatory where we saw Coot, Black Headed Gull, Mallard, Herring Gull, Rook, Tufted Duck, and Oystercatcher. Then it was our 1st special bird that we were hoping to see a Black Winged Stilt, the 1st time I have seen this species in this country. This species breeds on the continent and has been a more regular visitor in recent years and has bred in this country on a few occasions. 

Black Winged Stilt - Bath Birdwatcher

We also saw Avocet, Canada Goose, Lapwing, Moorhen, Gadwall and Pochard. From the next hide we added Teal, Goldfinch, Redshank Shelduck and Pied Wagtail.

Shelduck - Bath Birdwatcher

From the Willow hide House Sparrow and Great Tits were on the feeders. Next was a walk on the Summer Walkway adding Starling and Jackdaw. On arriving  at the Shepherds Hut birders were already here so we joined them looking for our 2nd special bird another I have never seen in this country. Almost immediately the bird in question flew up out of the reeds but soon disappeared in more reeds and after a few more minutes it popped out onto a dead branch for all to see a Bluethroat rarer than the stilt but this bird for reasons unknown has spent the last 3 years at Slimbridge with little hope of a mate turning up. In between views of this bird we also found Wood Pigeon, Reed Bunting, Little Egret and Reed Warbler. Lunch was fast approaching so we started to make our way back towards the car but did stop at the Willow Hide where a Great Spotted Woodpecker visited the feeders and where the Stilt was we added Green Sandpiper. As we walked to the picnic area by the Canoe Trail a Magpie flew over and we passed many Greylag Geese and a Carrion Crow. After lunch we left the ladies chatting while we went to Zeiss hide here we saw a Grey Heron and a small flock of Barnacle Geese flew in. A Buzzard must have been out of sight in the long grass as when it flew it scattered many birds but they soon settled back down allowing us to find Black Tailed Godwit and a fly past Stock Dove. I was then lucky enough to spy a Skylark as it floated down to the ground after a song flight. Our last sighting from here was a few Sand Martins feeding low over the water. Last stop South Lake where 3 Ruff were still in partial summer plumage,

Ruff - Bath Birdwatcher

Shoveler, Great Crested Grebe and Cormorant were also seen. Bryan spotted a small wader flying around the lake, it landed in front of us on a small islet allowing us to have good views of a Little Ringed Plover another special bird. One of the Cranes on site showed briefly in the tall weeds. As we returned to the car the day ended with fly over Lesser Black Back Gull and Blackbird.

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