Impressions of Slimbridge

[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.

[Blackdog]

I'm glad you enjoyed Slimbridge. It's less than a 30 minute drive for me, so I am very lucky in that respect.
Sadly, the hides can get very busy at weekends, making viewing a lttle frustrating sometimes. But, the Bittern is there; I sneaked of work for a couple of hours the week before last to have a look. The hide was almost empty, and the bird showed itself almost straight away. I was chuffed to bits.

[nightshade]

The Slimbridge experience is on the whole fine and well worth the trip
I do however agree with Badgerwatcher whoever designed the hides
needs to rethink them.The step up is right under the shelf so vertically
challenged people (including the Lioness) just cannot see out
AND maintain their balance! this would equally apply to youngsters
Oh and they have not yet responded to an e-mail sent the day after our visit

[badgerwatcher]

I was, however, very impressed with the general behaviour of the huge number of very small children who were accompanying their parents and teachers around Slimbridge. How lovely that our children are still being taught interest in and respect for wild creatures. The receptionist in the travel inn in Stroud where we stayed (which is one of the un-modernised ones and therefore fab!) had taken her two pre-school children round there the day before we went, and was saying how much they had all enjoyed it.
So even though the hides are disappointing from the serious birdwatching point of view, they at least have taken care to provide many other things to see as well. We watched the Bewick's being fed at 4 p.m., which gave me a chance to have a really close look at them, and I was fascinated to learn that the people at Slimbridge can recognise each Bewick's seperately by facial markings.
Next time, I will take a fold-up chair so that I can try and see through the wheelchair height windows.
Also, although many of the ducks and geese on the sight are exotic captures, it has awakened in me an interest in ducks and geese, as I have never seen such a huge selection in one place.
And the starling roost was a real bonus.

[badgerwatcher]

[badgerwatcher]

[Garden Carpet]

Some handsome fellas there BW. I am glad you had a good visit there. Shame about the viewing not being good for you.
jaki

[Gill Catton]

I love love the ruddy shelduck pic gorgeous light and colours!
And that Canada goose has a very small beak I wonder if it's one of the sub-species

[nightshade]

Went back to Slimbridge today,caught a glimpse of the bittern,too cold
so it headed into the reeds s.e. side of the Zeiss hide.
Photo by Kev Lewis outside the hide of the Bittern
Less people about so the whole day was much more relaxed ,
had a look through a Leica scope easy to see why they are the
best,lots of pink footed geese started flying quite a sight
Counted 4 bigmas, man constantly on the 'phone to a mate identified
several birds for me including Cetti s warbler(I just looked where he looked
he was very loud)
Lots of nice people struck up conversations (dropped WAB into each )

[Garden Carpet]

Nightshade... WAB ambassador at large!!! Well done that man