Slimbridge (10 December 2023)
Things didn’t initially look promising as our coach, with 45 and R&T and SDBWS members plus guests on board, headed into heavy rain about an hour from Slimbridge. But by the time everyone had been processed through the rather imposing visitor centre, some stopping for a quick coffee, the sky was beginning to clear, leaving a sunny if breezy day with excellent visibility and beautiful winter light.
Many of us set off in the direction of the Estuary Tower, stopping at the various hides along the way. Those facing north towards Tack Piece provided splendid views of a range of waders, including large numbers of Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit and Lapwing as well as a few Redshank and Ruff. A pair of Snipe hunkered down in the dead reeds, close but very hard to pick out. There were plenty of dabbling ducks to enjoy, especially the numerous Wigeon and handsome Pintail, but the main excitement was perhaps our first views of the 70-odd Bewick Swans on the site, a species we rarely see on our excursions near home.
Also on Tack Piece but later in the day, was a single Lesser White-Fronted Goose, pointed out by a WWT guide to a few of our party from the Martin Smith Hide. He explained, however, that this bird was of unknown origin and most likely to be a collection escape.
On then to the Estuary Tower with its spectacular views across the marshes and, beyond the River Severn, over to Wales, enlivened on the day of our visit by swirling flocks of hundreds of Lapwing, Godwit, Golden Plover and Dunlin, their pale breasts and underwings glinting in the sunlight as they turned. We searched for any birds of prey that might have disturbed them but our day’s sightings were unusually lacking in raptors, other than a brief glimpse of a fast-disappearing Peregrine for a few people.
Turning our attention instead to the geese, a small flock of White-fronted could just be picked out in the distance beyond Tack Piece, mixed with some Greylag. Further away still, a pair of Whooper Swans was visible through a gap in a hedge, although even with a scope their identity would have been uncertain without the aid of a WWT guide. Much easier to pick out with its almost entirely white plumage was a Ross’s Goose, an American species, that flew in with some Barnacle Geese. This was a good tick for the day, despite the bird being another of unknown origin and possible collection escape, although this one has apparently returned to the reserve for a few consecutive years.
By now the Estuary Tower was getting very crowded so it was time to head back to the visitor centre, and onwards towards the Kingfisher Hide. This was initially very quiet although the eponymous species duly turned up for some members of our group who followed a little later, while others had close views of a Kingfisher from the Dragonfly Pond. The real highlight of this area of the reserve was a view of five Cranes from the Zeiss Hide. Despite their large size, their grey plumage tended to merge with the wet grassland as the light was beginning to fade, making them surprisingly hard to pick out.
After this, there was just time to visit the South Lake, stopping en route to watch a flock of Siskin feeding in the alder trees. Other trees produced a flock of around 50 Greenfinch. The South Lake teemed with avian life, including some species some of us we hadn’t seen previously during the day including a few Avocet, Tufted Ducks and Pochard.
As a grand finale, almost all our party gathered in the Peng Observatory to watch the site warden’s wild bird feed that takes place daily on Rushy Lake during the winter. Despite the usual commentary being cancelled due to staff sickness, it was an exhilarating experience to watch large numbers of mainly wildfowl and Bewicks Swans jostling together at close quarters and a wonderful opportunity to admire their beauty as the last rays of the sun fell on the water.
All in all, it was a splendid day out, with our party recording an overall total of 77 species. Some people chose to visit Sir Peter Scott’s house or the Waterscapes Aviary in addition to watching the wild birds. This variety of interest is undoubtedly one of the things that makes Slimbridge such an excellent destination for a large coach part, and we hope to return soon.
It was agreed that Slimbridge is an excellent destination for a large coach party particularly with its range of activities as some people chose to visit Peter Scott’s museum.