Chris's Country Files: Slimbridge. Winter wildfowl, and another type of Sandpiper.

Making the most of being able to finally make the most of things, today saw another weekend adventure, on a freezing cold day - a return visit was made to Slimbridge.

Ok, it wasn't freezing, but 4 degrees is still chilly when you're sitting in a hide and the wind is blowing in your face... 'Im not crying, you are'.

After a couple of years of sticking to exploring the local area, I seem to be Year Listing again! The last time was in 2017 when I reached the target of 200 species. Let's try that again!

I wanted to maximise the usage of time and catch as many of the winter wildfowl that comes from the baltic and scandinavian areas - Slimbridge always comes up trumps with these, but today there was the added promise of an american visitor - a White Rumped Sandpiper.

Pleasingly, although initially distant, the sandpiper was showing ok-ish from the Discovery Hide. Other year ticks from this hide included Pochard and Golden Plover. Something then put all the birds up and the lake got very empty. Time to check the other hide.

Golden Plover

Out to the hides along the path to the Estuary Tower and Bewick Swan, Barnacle Geese, (about 200) White Fronted Geese (about 100) all picked up. There was a Snow Goose and a Ross' Goose present, but these were escapees, apparently. Oh, and a Rudy Shelduck which I also didn't count..

Bewick Swan

Spoonbill

White fronted Geese

Barnacle Geese

At the Tower there was a dozen Common Crane and a female Peregrine flew around for a bit, whilst the wigeon grazed below.

Peregrine

Common Crane

Wigeon

Back to the Rushy lake in the hope of seeing a Greater Scuap. I saw it twice, and each time it was asleep. Oh well. a tick is a tick.

Greater Scaup, with the silver back

As it was brightening up, slightly, I checked the Discovery Hide and hope for a better view of the White Rumped Sandpiper. Success. Plus the two Common Gull next to it were ticks.