[badgerwatcher]

It was interesting studying the changes in the stages that plants and wildlife were at, as we crossed the country. By the time we got to South Mimms, there were daffodils in flower. At Reading we saw flocks of plovers, by Swindon, all the pussywillows and catkins were out, and May in flower. Also we saw a flock of redwings. Cirencester is beautiful, with lovely cedars and many great trees. Then to the Cotswolds, proclaiming its limestone with drystone walls, sandy sheep, wheatsheafs, and kestrals. Chalford was really pretty, rambling up the valley sides, with mills, a river and a railway running through. Stroud had impressive quantities of mistletoe, and the Sharpness canal, lime green with duckweed and lined with brightly painted boats. And beautiful buzzards.
Slimbridge has poplars, hart’s tongue ferns in ditches, pretty pubs, and cows, lying down.
We have seen the Bewick’s swans being fed, so I’m happy! Also, as we left, we saw the starling roost, from the car park at 5p.m. Clever of WWT to train the starlings to do a display over the car park at closing time!
The hides, for me, were useless! I couldn’t see out of the windows, as there was a ledge, with a seat that if you could get on it, you could brace your feet on, but then I couldn’t see much out of the window. And it hurt my back. I'm 5ft tall, and 58, and never considered myself that short or that old, up to now. Large men with wide shoulders wearing padded jackets proclaimed that the bittern was imminant outside the window, so I silently wished them the joy of it, and left.
There was a black swan that was really aggressive to the other swans, but very beautiful with frilly petticoats, and very fascinating ducks and geese from all over the world, and flamingos. As I couldn't do much 'proper' birdwatching from the hides, I had great fun looking at all of these, and the humming bird house.
I did manage to spot a few curlew, always pleased to see them, as well as ruff and oyster-catchers.
So I'm delighted that I've finally made it to Slimbridge, and seen Bewick's swans. They are delicate and lovely.