Slimbridge, 9th February 2008

Slimbridge

9th February 2008

A party of 29 arrived at Slimbridge on a beautiful sunny February morning. The talk on the journey had been of a Temminck's Stint and a Bean Goose, both reported recently. On arrival the party split to go their individual ways, having swopped mobile numbers to exchange information as appropriate. Along the Tackpiece large flocks of Golden Plover, some 1800 birds, were to be seen, together with good numbers of Lapwing, Dunlin, various ducks and about 180 Bewick's Swans. From the Holden Tower a large flock of White-fronted and Barnacle Geese were on the river bank and many of us were lucky to see the lone Bean Goose and four Little Stints, but sadly no sign of the Temminck's. Good numbers of birds could also be seen from the the hides on the South Finger, including Reed Bunting. Later it was a pleasure to sit outside the restaurant in the glorious sun having lunch and watching the Caribbean Flamingos on the nearby pond. In all, the group as a whole saw in excess of 60 species, including Goldeneye, Gadwall and a good number of Pintail. Both Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail were heard but not seen. Sadly there was not time to stay to watch the famous feeding of the swans, so a tired but happy group left for the return journey after a most enjoyable day with thanks to Richard for his organisation. Roger Tucker

List of birds seen

No. species: 63

Birds seen, in BOU order or alphabetic order

BOU order

Mute Swan

Bewick’s Swan

White-fronted Goose

Bean Goose

Greylag Goose

Canada Goose

Barnacle Goose

Shelduck

Wigeon

Gadwall

Teal

Mallard

Pintail

Shoveler

Pochard

Tufted Duck

Goldeneye

Pheasant

Cormorant

Grey Heron

Buzzard

Water Rail (H)

Moorhen

Coot

Golden Plover

Lapwing

Little Stint

Dunlin

Ruff

Snipe

Curlew

Spotted Redshank

Common Redshank

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Herring Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Feral Pigeon

Stock Dove

Wood Pigeon

Collared Dove

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Pied Wagtail

Wren

Dunnock

Robin

Blackbird

Fieldfare

Song Thrush

Cetti’s Warbler (H)

Goldcrest

Long-tailed Tit

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Jackdaw

Rook

Carrion Crow

Starling

Chaffinch

Brambling

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Reed Bunting

Alphabetic order