Glos bonanza

9 Jan - Some good Glos birds over the last few days to start the year. Slimbridge has been frozen but the thaw, and unfrozen fields, led to an influx of the usual waders back into the reserve - Curlew and Ruff alongside the usual Dunlin, Golden Plover and Lapwing - with the Little Stint still on the Rushy Pen.

The Bittern in the end decided to walk across from the reedbed to the canal in front of Kingfisher hide..... unusual sighting in the open....and a Water Rail also forgot that it was supposed to skulk as it fed in front of the hide. Bewick's Swans present in good numbers as usual, and I never tire of them. Peregrine and Marsh Harrier also seen.

Waxwings are fairly widespread at present with a mobile group of 14 in Cirencester, and 30+ in Cheltenham in their preferred UK habitat - an industrial estate :) I'm still trying for the perfect photo.