Impressions of Slimbridge

[badgerwatcher]

Lovely pictures, Colin. I adore the lapwing one. As you say, it has the delicacy of an oriental painting. And I am totally in love with Nene geese. They are so heart-breakingly trusting, and have such wonderful corrugated corduroy necks.
It is a good opportunity to get close to birds you would not normally be able to, isn't it? I was delighted with the Smew. That's a great shot you took.
I hope you get back there soon.

[Mexico]

Hi BW
I'm pleased you enjoyed Slimbridge so much. I am lucky enought to live about twenty minutes away and have enjoyed many happy days wandering around with a camera and snapping away. I always find something of interest down there, come rain or shine. I tend to visit the hides more than the captive pens and enjoy watching the birdfeeders as much as the wildfowl. They certainly do some great conservation work there too. My daughters favourite is the Nene...

Some great photos by the way from a number of recent visitors. I was a little disappointed to find out WAB had a get together so recently at Slimbridge. Having only joined in the last couple of weeks it just didn't work out for me. Maybe next time...

Anyway, still spending way too much time on the site and neglecting all my other 'duties', so best be off.

Regards,
Mex

[nightshade]

Hello Mex Just wait till the WAB BADGES come out
you may be suprised at who is wandering about
I am aiming to go to the Dawn Chorous 19th
but have a Bat Walk in Bristols Leigh Woods in the
evening so am torn at the moment

[nightshade]

Hello Colin excellent pictures (I adore the Nene)
The Goldcrest and the treecreeper are well caught
are these taken around the feeding areas?
There were Long Tailed Tits last time we were there

[colincurry]

Thanks Nightshade

The goldcrest and treecreeper were taken on the way back from the kingfisher hide - no kingfishers in the short time that I could stay there.

Colin

[colincurry]

PS Nightshade

My son and his future wife live in Bedminster Down - where are Bristol Leigh Woods and are they a good spot to visit other than for bats, please?

Thanks

Colin

[HARIMAU1610]

Sorry to but in on the thread nightshade

The woods are not far at all from Bedminster down. They are situated behind Ashton Court which your son will know for sure as all people in Bristol know this area. Its a great wood for birds and im sure bats too. Also if you are in that area make sure you take a walk along the top of the Avon gorge past the suspension bridge THE OPPOSITE SIDE TO LEIGH WOODS. as the two resident perigrines could well be about....Also try eastville park and walk along the river Frome to my neck of the woods which is also very good for birds.

Take care

Ian

[HARIMAU1610]

Leigh Woods

Maps and Directions - Bower Ashton



This should give you more of an idea...

[Agger]

Having visited Slimbridge for the last 8 weekends, I can only say that this year the Kingfishers are on fine form already, I have been fortunate enough to get some very decent pics of them using a Canon 20d with 100-400 and a 1.4 convertor.

I have seen three straight across from the Kingfisher hide, and usually in the burrow's on the right of the bank, often perched on the small bush. I find it amazing that I can often see them with my bare eyesight before others with bin's and scopes (scopes I can understnd as they are somewhat less mobile than bin's, and are often focused on one point).

Even with the set up above I need more reach, so a possible 500 / 600 mm F4 is on the way sometime soon