Slimbridge Bonanza

1 Oct - An afternoon visit to Slimbridge on the basis that recently the Zeiss Hide Bittern has been fairly obliging at times. The added attraction was that the recent very high tides have pushed a decent selection of waders onto the high tide roost, and there were at least a dozen species on view from the hide, including an elegant Spotted Redshank, 4 dumpy Knots, several early Golden Plovers and a beautiful Greenshank, amongst the Black-tailed Godwits, Redshanks, Dunlin, Ringed Plovers and Ruff, with a group of camouflaged Snipe tucked in under the Bank. The reedbed has several rides cut into it to aid viewing from the hide, and a couple of Water Rails scuttled across. Scanning the reeds in between viewing the distant waders, I couldn’t believe it when after an hour or so the Bittern suddenly emerged in full view right in front of the hide! It proceeded to walk stealthily across several of the rides over the next 10 minutes or so, moving slowly and stopping to look or extend its neck warily at intervals - offering a superb opportunity to study the amazing cryptic plumage and the sinuous movements through the reeds. On reaching the main reedbed the Bittern melted into the vegetation and then preened, extending its neck for a final look round before disappearing. A superb showing which left us all elated and feeling privileged to get this performance from such an elusive and special bird. Oh, and a flyby Peregrine as well!