Slimbridge Cattle Egrets

Distant Cattle Egret

Closer inspection

Cattle Egret

Ruddy Shelduck

Grey Wagtail

Pintail

Possy of Pochards

Rook

With little movement on the patch or through the midlands I headed down the M5 on Saturday for a couple of hours birding around Slimbidge. First stop was the field next to the A38 where 6 Cattle Egrets were feeding along a local cattle herd.  Slimbridge opens early for members to enable them to be seen on the south lake however I was had a more relaxed morning in mind.  Slimbridge was very misty so taking photos of any quality from distance was difficult. I opted to walk down the A38 to where the hedge line was lower and this did enable me to get some better views. This was only the second time I’d seen Cattle Egret in the UK, not quite the Gambia experience when they were on the breakfast table however pleasing all the same.

Once in the reserve, I started in the Rushy pen which was still awaiting the first Bewick swan of the year. Birds recorded were limited to 40 Pochard, 45 Pintail, a Redshank and three Shelduck. A Grey Wagtail was showing off in front of the hide as I tried to capture him as best as possible given the light.

The Holden tower was very quiet. A Peregrine was doing its best for an early breakfast with a selection of 500+ Golden Plover, 400 Lapwing and 40 Dunlin all on the menu. There were no White-fronted Geese to be seen, very sad. You wouldn’t have thought I would have seen these species at the pits before Slimbridge this Autumn.

Most of the reserves Wigeon, over 1000, could been seen from the Ziess hide with 700 teal, 300 Lapwing, 3 Ruff, an Avocet, 30 Dunlin, a Spotted Redshank & a Little Stint. Distant views as always.

Sadly no time for coffee and cake as our eldest was playing at Worcester Area for Worcester Wolves so headed straight back.