New Year birding

 

Glossy Ibis

 

Bewicks Swans

Pintail

Black-tailed Godwit

Goldeneye

Close up

Chiffchaff

Ruddy Duck 

With some blue sky forecast we had a lovely start to the New Year at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire. Taking advantage of the members entrance, we were enjoying the great selection of birds before the rush commenced. 

Highlights included Bewick's Swan, a group of wintering Ruff, Dunlin, Teal, Lapwing, 6 Common Crane (1 unringed), Pintail, Pochard, Shelduck, Barnacle & Brent Geese, Peregrine, Skylark & the stunning flocks of Golden Plover.

As we left Slimbridge, a Glossy Ibis was feeding in the field next to the canal which was a excellent way to round off the morning.

On Monday 3rd January, we called into a reported site in Leicestershire to see a female Ruddy Duck (after dropping the youngest son back at Loughborough). It was sad to hear DEFRA had picked up on the report also and were on site the days after our visit.