A Few More Birds from Slimbridge

A few more birds seen on our RPS trip to Slimbridge. The light was very dull so not a great deal of 'life' in the photos but great to see up to 10 Cranes all together down on the banks of the Severn and flying. They have had a very successful year breeding-wise here. Lots of passage migrants on South Lake including Black-tailed Godwits and also parties of Avocets and Lapwings stirring up the mud. The ducks are in eclipse still but recognisable Shovellers looking as grumpy as usual and Teal.

 

Shoveller Dispute

These two male Shovellers  spent a bit of time eyeing each other before one decided to see off the intruder. He is treading water in the last image flapping the wings in victory.  I hadn't fully appreciated the range of colours in their plumage before. Unfortunately, the light was very harsh and I didn't have a fast enough shutterspeed for this much action!

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Winter Visitors and Early Nest Building at Paxton Pits

Great to see winter visitors, Goosander and Golden Eye pairs, plus resident species Great Crested Grebe, Egyptian Goose, Kingfisher, Gadwell, Shoveller, Wigeon,Kestrel, Black-headed Gull, Grey Heron and Cormorant - the latter busy building the nests.

Paxton Winter Water Birds

Thursday morning was dull with showers but it brightened in the afternoon so I took my camera out to see what wildfowl are around - pleased to see Goldeneye, Shoveller and Little Grebe. It was very windy so the water was choppy.