A few weeks ago, Hannah and I took a trip up to Slimbridge WWT reserve in Gloucestershire to see the vast amounts of wildfowl and waders present each winter. Slimbridge has become an annual January event over the last 5 years and this year is my 6th ever visit to Slimbridge.
I have always had a huge interest in both the captive & wild population of birds found at Slimbridge.
Slimbridge hosted my first encounter with Bittern back in 2012, saw my first British Cranes also in 2012 and my first UK Tundra Bean Geese in 2013. It really is a special place for seeing extraordinary bird species.
Slimbridge holds nationally and internationally important numbers of winter wildfowl including 1,000's of Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Mallard, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Bewick's Swans, White-fronted Geese. Both nationally and internationally important numbers of waders ranging from 1,000's of Lapwings, Golden Plovers, Dunlin, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit's and many more.
Every time I've visited Slimbridge, the Holden Tower hide allows excellent views of wild Cranes, several wintering Little Stints, Ruff out on the wetlands.
Throughout the day we had amazing views of over 100+ Bewick Swan's from the hides. Countless numbers of wildfowl and waders. It was great to see some wild Cranes with over 5 together from Zeiss Hide. Plenty of captive wildfowl including my favourite...Red-breasted Geese ( critically endangered species of east Europe).
The day ended off very well with the feeding of 1,000's of ducks & Swans and Geese from the viewing hide my the centre.
A great day out!! Few photos below of some of the day's highlights.
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| Highlight of the trip...Amazing close up views of Bewick Swans |
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| White Fronted Goose |
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| Tufted Ducks |
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| Orange headed Thrush at Slimbridge tropical gardens |
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| Record shot of Crane with some Bewick's and mixed Ducks from Holden Tower |
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| Bewick Swans flying onto the wetlands |
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| Bewick Swan |
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| Barrow's Goldeneye (Captive)...Stunningbird to see |
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| One of my favourite birds...Red-breasted Goose |
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| Feeding time at Slimbridge for 1000's of birds |
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| Vast numbers of wildfowl from the viewing hides |
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