Slimbridge skulkers

17 Dec - A weekend visit to Slimbridge in bright/overcast weather gave good views of Snipe, Jack Snipe (briefly) and Water Rail - the latter giving amazing views from the Willow hide. The Jack Snipe concealed itself in the grass on the island in front of Martin Smith hide, but emerged to give a direct comparison with a Common Snipe behind it - just like the plate in the book! The usual duck all present and giving nice views in smart plumage, and Curlew, Redshank and Dunlin all present on the Tack Piece, along with the flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover. Not forgetting the Bewick's Swans numbering about 70 now ........ Always worth a trip to WWT in winter.

Still plenty of Bramblings around Ciren park, but they are wary and very good at perching in cover, so difficult to photograph, and amazingly hard to see when feeding on the beech mast on the woodland floor. The males are especially smart.