Slimbridge

26 November - A brief sanity visit after work to Slimbridge, where the BBC Autumnwatch team are still in residence (1-2). No sign of the Bittern in windy conditions in the afternoon but a Water Rail appeared briefly, and good views of a large mixed flock of waders wheeling over the estuary against a stormy sky (15) - huge numbers of Lapwings and Golden Plovers (14), with smaller numbers of Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew and Dunlin. 3 Snipe (13) were hidden in the vegetation close to the Martin Smith hide, 30+ Bewick's Swans (3-7) were on the Rushy Pen, a good selection of wildfowl were present including Pintail(9), Shoveler, Teal (8), Pochard and Tufted Duck (10-12), and a Peregrine was sat on the Dumbles. Photos JM.