Three became four

I have been to Slimbridge again today, I went with Andy Carey and once there we teamed up with Chris G and Mike Smith, both of whom were a tad put out by my comments in my last post regarding their poking fun at me. Ironically if the cap fits wear it.

That aside, it wasn't such a good day today. the weather wasn't brilliant and the birds were scattered all over the reserve. I did manage to get the following shots, I hope you enjoy them.

I want to add one thing, which may cause a few raised eyebrows, I cannot for the life of me understand why the powers that be at Slimbridge cannot accept that photography is becoming more and more popular at the reserve and speed up the changes that we keep being told are just around the corner. They have added to the number of viewing spaces to the feeder station at the rear of the Robbie Garnett, but despite repeated requests to the wardens to make the spaces wider this was not done. I do not blame the wardens, they do what they are told, but I would hope that they tell their bosses what we are asking.

Anyway back to the photography. Click on the pictures for larger versions.

I love the little Teals.






The Pochards are looking great.



The Pintails, minus the "pin".



Hundreds of Moorhens.

A stalking Heron kept a number of photographers happy for a while.

Finally this Buzzard was again the only raptor seen.

Back for a mere 5 days and already 2 visits, I love being there with the birds.

Three's not always a crowd.

I finally moved back to the area on saturday, its not the forest but nearby at Ross on Wye. Having hardly settled in I was asked by Chris Grady if I'd like to join him on a visit to Slimbridge on monday morning. How could I say no?

A quick telephone call to Mike Smith and he was joining us too. I arrived at Slimbridge just after 8.00am and the sun was shining and there was no wind. I was in the reserve as soon as the gates opened and very keen to get the gear out. A quick check of the Rushy pen confirmed that the Bewicks were back. Nine in total.



The next stop proved a little disappointing. Not much outside the Robbie Garnett hide although the light on the water, which was millpond still, was absolutely amazing. This pair of Shoveler ducks were feeding in the shallows.



A Wood Pigeon came down for a drink.



A pair of Jackdaws were strutting their stuff.



Thr Teal weren't in the best of condition but again the light made for great reflections.

The star of the show was definately this Water Rail which kept making fleeting appearences.

Not high numbers of anything just yet but with the weather promising some winds hopefully it won't be long before lots more stuff arrives.

A Sparrowhawk flew right across the front of the hide but too quickly for any shots. The only raptor to be photographed was this distant Buzzard.

It was so nice to be back at Slimbridge with some of my closest friends, even if they did seem to be more interested in poking fun at me. The place has a quality, although hopefully if any attention is paid to the survey proformas that were being handed out for completion, it may even be improved upon.