Mrs PB and myself had coincidental days off this week, so yesterday we elected on a re-visit to Slimbridge, as it was forecast dry, and sunny intervals. I took a lot of pictures, but have split them (as the title suggests) into "regular" birds, and the collection birds.... although there is an enclosed aviary, which I've split between the two posts.
I hope you're ready for lots of "Awwww"'s..... greeted by Greylag
The original ... step!
There were a good few corvids about.... These Rooks particularly unbothered by people
Think of the damage this could do!
The Eider's and Goldeneye appear to have bred, and I wasn't sure which thread to put them in...
Rising up from the depths
There were a few Swallows fizzing about
Quite a few Black Headed Gulls were about, and just the one Herring Gull
Jackdaws were numerous, and around the various picnic tables, fearless
AWWWWWWWwwwww.... Got to admit... the parents weren't keen on my being this close and started posturing, but to be fair....the chick walked to me, with no encouragement!!
High in a tree Mrs PB spotted the Whitethroat (at least I think that's what it was.... although I have an out of focus shot of it singing in flight, that has a white eyebrow....?
A shiny blue bug, sat atop a post, on the way to the aviary
Slimbridge call it a Waterscapes Aviary, and it houses UK waders of various sorts, but as it's enclosed I wasn't sure whether to include it here or not, so split it...
Redshank... these flew about most often
Ruff
Avocets
Since I was a kid, having seen a picture of a Ruff in breeding plumage in my Observer Book of British Birds, I didn't believe they were real.... wrong!!
Not sure what sort of fly/bee this is, but I didn't notice it's eyes (even when it had landed on me) until I saw the photo
Oooooh....I need a wee
There were a group of 4 Little Egret, that remained aloof, just sitting on the top of the entrance hut
And for a change, we were in the cage looking out
Vigorous pollen gathering going on!
From one of the hides, a duckling was bobbing away
High up a tree, a Chiffchaff was boring everyone silly with it's constant "song"
And on a sign, a possible Cardinal Beetle
Variable Damselfly
I think a Blue Tailed Damselfly
Some Swallow inaction
Eagle-eyed Mrs PB then spotted a dragon...... A Black Tailed Skimmer
I spotted another Blue Tailed Damsel
And then, awww
One of the parents then indulged in a massively splashy wash, including a barrel roll.... twice..... but I had my big lens on and I was too close.... then a multiple AWWW-gasm
Moving on toward the "Summer Walkway" I spotted a Speckled Wood
And a pair of damsels, making more damsels... Common Blue, I think
One of the "non-aviaried" Avocets
A pair of Wrens were in close proximity to one another
And a nesting Avocet has her sentinel
I had hoped to see more butterflies along the Summer Walkway, but it was one of those frustrating days when the sun didn't shine for any long period of time, but I did spot what I think is a Large Skipper
And a green aphid-y thing
I heard a sweet song, and I tracked it to a not dunnock, not singing, not up a tree
On my way back to the car I spotted the Skipper again, this time closer
And arriving back at the car park.... Pied Waggie :o)
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed part one of the Slimbridge visit.
As always, any ID corrections gratefully received.... Part two will probably need more!!
Stay Safe All
Some brilliant photos there PB, and good that you got to Slimbridge, a place I've yet to revisit, after too many years since my one and only visit.
Those youngsters are good contenders for the Young of 2022 thread, and those swallows, they're just gorgeous.
Many thanks for sharing
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
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Regards, Hazel
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Thanks all
Mike...added various pics to various other threads :o)
Hazel...you're making me blush
CL... I'm glad I don't shoot on film with all the different species, I dread to think how much it would cost looking at the ones that don't make the posts!
Trevor... If it's viable I'd possibly be tempted to leave it a while later than September, because they have a massive influx of migratory birds, (similar I imagine to Welney) but having said that we had a fab time, and the only disappointment was not seeing the Cranes (plus chicks this time) :o)
This Link has seasonal highlights and recent sightings, on the same page, conveniently :o)
Thanks ILR, I'm glad you enjoy the meanderings! :o)
Lot to learn