Tuesday 7th November 2023 - WWT Slimbridge.

 

Greylag Geese - Slimbridge (Bath Birdwatcher)

We discussed this weekend where to go on Tuesday and decided somewhere along the Severn Estuary would be the best bet and after looking at Monday’s sightings Slimbridge was decided upon as a White Rumped Sandpiper had been seen which would be a lifer for all three of us and also Little Stints and a Garganey were also present, WELL after looking for about 5 hours and asking many people none of the birds could be found but that didn’t stop us having a good day and were rewarded with 54 species. We didn’t start counting sightings until we reached Slimbridge and while standing in the car park a huge flock of waders flew over, many 100’s of Golden Plover probably close to 1000 also flying were 100+ Lapwing and about a dozen Black Tailed Godwits. As we readied ourselves Jackdaw and Rook were also seen. Walked to the entrance Pied Wagtail, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Moorhen and Mute Swan were all seen. Once in the grounds we headed for the Peng Observatory here the day started well with Coot, Snipe, Redshank, Dunlin, Tufted Duck, Pintail, Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Shoveler Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Teal, Black Headed Gull, Herring Gull, Little Egret, Pochard, Magpie and Mallard all seen. Next Stop Rushy Pen but didn’t find anything that we had already seen, on to Martin Smith hide here we watched Curlew, Wigeon, a single Barnacle Goose,  (we were to see many more later from the new Estuary Tower hide) Starlings, 2 Cranes, Canada Geese. 

Barnacle Geese - Slimbridge (Bath Birdwatcher)

Next the willow hide hoping for a Water Rail, one was seen just prior to our arrival but was a no show for us, but we did add Great Tit to the days total. Robbie Garnett was next and here Bryan spotted a few winter thrushes in the tree opposite and through the telescope we could see they were all Fieldfares, he also found 4 White Fronted Geese well out to our right close to the hedgerow. We were then told that a Spotted Redshank was on view and again found by Bryan. Last stop of the morning was the Estuary Tower but here we only added Great Black Back Gull, Ross’s Goose and in the trees below the hide a Long Tailed Tit. Walking back to the car for lunch nothing new for the day was seen so after lunch it was off to the South Hide. On the way Goldfinch, Robin and Blackbird were logged, the hide was a little disappointing with only 4 species added to the days list, Cormorant, Gadwall, Lesser Black Back and Common Gulls. Next stop Zeiss hide and sighting were no better here with just a pair of Stonechat, Carrion Crow and 2 birds of prey sat on posts a Buzzard and a female Sparrowhawk, lots of birds here but mostly already seen during the day. Last stop Kingfisher hide but no Kingfishers on show and the only new sightings being 2 female Pheasants under the feeders. 

Female Pheasant - Slimbridge (Bath Birdwatcher)

In the fields were more both male and female plus 2 pairs of Stonechats seen along the hedgerow. As we about to leave a Dunnock was seen in the same tree as the feeders and this proved to be the last new species of the day. The bad news was to follow the next day when we learnt that the Sandpiper that been seen in the afternoon from the Estuary Tower so maybe if we had started at the Kingfisher Hide and ended at the Tower Hide it may have been different.

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