Slimbridge WWT, 12th February 2022

 

Wigeon (A Barrett)

Slimbridge WWT

 12^th February 2022

 

Weather:  Overcast, cool and breezy

Members and friends:  31

Thirty-one members and friends set off from Stockport for the first society trip in some years to Slimbridge WWT in Gloucestershire. Travel time was excellent and, including a comfort stop on the M6, we made the reserve in three hours. As we approached the site many of the coach party had distant views of Cattle Egret in a sheep field within half a mile of Slimbridge WWT. In a field adjacent to the car park, we noted a couple of White-fronted Geese amongst a flock of Greylags. There was a large flock of Curlew and two Egyptian Geese also present.

Water Rail (J Wharton)

Entering the reserve, a visit to Peng Observatory produced lovely views of Bewick’s Swans. There were small family groups and pairs spread out across the pools in front of the very comfortable hide. Their contact calls rang out, and along with those of distant geese, it was an impressive vista. Duck species were well represented with Pintail, Shelduck, Shoveler, Pochard, Mallard, Teal and Tufted Duck all close in front of the hide. Further out, a flock of Lapwing included a single Avocet. Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Coot and Cormorant were also present. Around the pool edges Pied Wagtail and Redshank fed in the mud and Jackdaw combed the adjacent grass.

Pintail (A Barrett)

From the Martin Smith hide we were able to view the large flock of Golden Plover, mixed with Lapwings and Starlings. When something spooked the birds and the flock rose as one there were a couple of thousand birds in the air at once, quite a site. A pair of Crane fed out on the flooded fields and there was a large number of Mute Swan, with a single Black Swan (escapee). Flocks of Wigeon were feeding in the field and a charm of Goldfinch were in the vicinity, giving flight continuously around the hide. 

Lapwing (J Wharton)

At the feeders outside the Willow hide we watched a Great Spotted Woodpecker attack the peanuts, with Great and Blue tits also present. In the adjacent small stream Teal fed alongside Moorhen. From the Stephen Kirk hide we could see a flock of White-fronted geese distantly out on the flooded fields, circa 120 birds. Setting up scopes we identified them as the Russian subspecies (albifrons), their pink bills diagnostic. Amongst them were two Pink-footed Geese. These were the rarer geese in this area, a total mirror position from our location in the northwest of the country. 

Avocet (A Barrett)

As we approached the Estuary Tower a Cetti’s warbler called from an adjacent reedbed. This impressive tower hide (included a lift!) gave excellent views out over the marshes and the River Severn. A distant Peregrine sat on a bank viewing the estuary. Here we found a flock of Barnacle Geese along with (presumably) escaped Snow Geese (3) and a single Ross’s Goose (escapee). From the high viewing point we counted a further seven Cranes feeding out on the marsh. 

Blue Tit (J Wharton)

There were further White-fronted Geese out on the marsh and Colin picked out two of the Greenland subspecies (flavirostris), with their diagnostic orange bills and overall heavier structure and darker colouration. A Sparrowhawk flew past the hide and a Merlin was found perched up on the marsh. Other distant birds included a Great Black-backed Gull and a Marsh Harrier. 

Bewick's Swan & Common Crane (A Barrett)

Moving on to the rest of the reserve we found Shelduck, Tufted Duck and Shoveler at the Decoy hide, with a very smart pair of Herring Gull inspecting one of the small islands. At the canoe safari a couple of us were lucky to get a brief view of a Great Egret feeding in one of the channels. There was a small rookery here and members ticked off Chaffinch, Bullfinch and Long-Tailed Tit in the area. 

Bewick's Swan (J Wharton)

At Van de Bavenkamp’s hide we watched Gadwall in the pools and Ruff, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit feeding on a flooded field. At the adjacent Kingfisher hide we got better views of the waders with a large mixed flock of Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank, Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit. Duck were present with Wigeon, Teal and Pintail showing well. Snipe was also added to the days list.

Barnacle Goose (A Barrett)

From the South lake discovery hide we found a small flock of Avocet feeding in the shallow waters. Gulls were washing and resting with Common, Herring, Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed all present. Cormorant and a nice flock of Pochard were also found here. A single Great-crested Grebe was also recorded.

Before returning to the coach many members took a walk down the access road into Slimbridge WWT and connected with the Glossy Ibis that was frequenting the area. As we drove home we also had further views of two Cattle Egret that had been briefly seen on the inward journey. The day ended with 78 species recorded.

Teal (J Wharton)

Birds seen;