As you may be wondering why this weeks’ post is a bit
early, I should explain that I had such a brilliant day on Tuesday, it warrants a whole post to itself. So treat it as a bonus, and if you are good, you may get another one on Sunday!!!!!
Tuesday February 4th was a day when everything made up for the
sorry saga on Tuesday last week. It
did not rain, there were negligible traffic problems, the car gave me an orange
warning light for low oil level (sorted!), I added 10 species to the year list,
Chris got me discounted entry to Slimbridge (thanks to a heart-rending plea
about missing vouchers) the head waiter in the restaurant provided unsurpassed
(for Slimbridge) table service, and a very erudite and interesting guide in the
Estuary Tower was the most helpful I have met ( apart of course from Amanda!!)….
All in all, a “cracking Day Gromit.”
To try and outflank commuters, we left Derby at 7.45,
which meant Chris left her home pre 7.00am. She did say it was worthwhile not
only timewise, but also stress wise, as her journey was a doddle and she
arrived 15 minutes ahead of schedule!
On arrival at Slimbridge again I saw evidence of Lottery
money being generously distributed to and for the enjoyment of we birders. Having
seen the other week, the significant amount of work being undertaken at Old
Moor, today we saw the WWT expanding their facilities, services and attractions; some
work was completed, but there was clearly more to come. The biggest surprise
was to find that the Holden Tower was no more, and had been replaced by the
Estuary Tower, but more later.
The first of the notable birds when you arrive are always
the colourful Flamingos, like these.
From the Penn observatory, a number of Bewick Swans were
in evidence plus Shelducks, a
good start, and then we moved to the Tack Piece hide to add Golden Plover, 2 Common
Cranes and a good number of easily disturbed and
fractious Dunlin. The light was good, and we had clear views of
the masses of birds on the wetland.
And to the piece de resistance.. the new Estuary Tower.
For those who recall the old hide, the stairs were steep, badly lit and just
hard work. The new hide has metal stairs, space to pass, 3 landings, a lift
(YES a lift…I’m sure principally to enable wheel chairs to actually get up to
the viewing areas), a spacious viewing platform, and then a further open air
glass surrounded platform on top. WHAT a difference. We eschewed the open air and
settled down among a good crowd of people in the enclosed floor.
Low tide (it always is when I go there!!) meant that we
had a good wide view of The Dumbles, and with the help of the WWT volunteer, we
saw SIX different species of Goose.
Apart from the usual Canadas, Greylags and Barnacles, we
had distant views of White Fronted Geese (species that we expected to find at
Slimbridge), and then a small number of Pink Footed
Geese. The 6th
Goose, perhaps a little suspect, was very elusive and kept dipping below the
mounds on the water’s edge but was in fact a Bar
Headed Goose. Even the WWT guide had to get out a guidebook
to confirm the bird, a species that I last saw in 2000.
Otherwise, another 3 Cranes, a non-stop Peregrine heading
somewhere for lunch (and putting up all the Lapwings and Golden Plover en
route) and many species in goodly numbers
(Wigeon, Shovellers, Shelduck,), and that was us done so that we could
head back for lunch.
2pm does not leave much time to see many birds in the
fast falling light, so the Zeiss hide was unproductive with the Green Winged
Teal not having been reported for a couple of days. The alleged Ruff was not at
the Kingfisher hide, so the consolation on our route through to the South Lake had to be the 2 otters being fed, in front of a thoroughly entertained crowd.
South Lake yielded 5 Avocets, but
also what to me was the highlight of the day…. A Peregrine Falcon chasing and harassing
the flock of c80 Black Tailed Godwits. It went on disturbing the Godwits and spent c5 minutes continuously,
soaring, swooping and generally making one hell of a nuisance of himself.
What do you think..How’s that for a good day? 50 species,
and another 10 on my year list taking me to 86.
Oh and I must mention whom I
assume was the Slimbridge Restaurant Manager. Delivering orders, clearing
tables, getting your missing utensils all with a very pleasant smile – just
sorry I did not get his name to give him credit.
Oh, nearly forgot.. QI item
56 years ago – gawd en Bennett…was it that long ago, we
agreed with France to build a channel tunnel.
Happy Birding
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