I'm down in Bristol for the weekend, and took the opportunity to go to Slimbridge - brimming with other people's 'little darlings' - but if you go to the wilder parts, great for getting close to the birds.
The most notable sighting of the day was an osprey sitting high up in a tree on a country lane, presumably on migration and taking advantage of the numerous fish farms along the Severn Valley. As the car slowed beneath it, the bird took to the wing, but a great close encounter for us - well spotted Kevin!
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| A Hide |
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| Male Smew |
On to Slimbridge, and there were over 300 shelduck on the estuary, with lesser black-backed, black-headed and the odd common gull loafing on the mud banks. Blue tit, great tit, dunnock, and blackbird moved through the hedges as we skirted the fields, and seven snow geese grazed (later flying overhead) interestingly I saw seven snow geese at Dungeness a few weeks ago, and the last report I saw of them was heading west - perhaps the same group trying to gradually work North West?
The highlight for me was hearing willow warbler - hiding from prying eyes in trees just out of view behind scrub, but singing it's heart out. A fantastic sound- delights me every time.
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| Red Tiger Caterpillar |
With mixed feelings about bird collections, I have to admit the best part of the 'world collection' was not South America, or Africa - places I have visited in the past - but our very own 'European collection'. Here I was able to get close to gadwall, pochard, smew, and goldeneye - hearing and watching the male displaying far easier than through the murky light at Cliffe Pools! So, from an educational point of view - it was great.
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