Slimbridge Jack-pot

11 Oct - An early morning visit to Slimbridge and amazing reflections, especially from Robbie Garnett hide, with excellent light on the Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwings. A Peregrine sat on a post on the Dumbles, where a flock of Dunlin and Golden Plover shimmered in the light, against an approaching shower further down the estuary. Good but fairly distant views of the wader flocks from the Zeiss hide, including Ruff and a Snipe and a flock of Curlews over the estuary. The real highlight however was seen on calling in to Martin Smith hide before leaving - a Jack Snipe was feeding out on the mown area in front of the hide. Fantastic views of this normally very elusive bird over the next hour or so, its smaller size , distinctive stripes and shorter bill obvious. The bird bobbed continually, even doing this slightly when sleeping, and it was amazing to watch this bird's behaviour at close quarters, being one of the most elusive birds in the UK.