Day 2: You Can Never Have Too Much of a Good Thing!

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Day 2: You Can Never Have Too Much

of a Good Thing!


My image of from a Cannon Camera

We set off from our Inn at 6:30am and went over to Blagdon Lake for a Ring-necked Duck. We found the lake, which was huge, but at the two different locations that we stopped we were unable to find the duck. We could not get close to the lake; it was always overlooking private land and we were unable to therefore walk the circumference of the lake. We also tried to get to the location of the Bristol Dartford Warbler at Trooper's Hill but there was a lot of road works taking place in Bristol and the old sat nav we have could not navigate us to the right location. We ended then going to WWT Slimbridge. We arrived at 9:30am and rushed straight to the Rushy Hide in hopes of seeing the Bewick's Swans. We entered the hide and the three Bewick's Swan were sat right up front, on the mud, showing very well. I had only seen Whooper Swans at WWT Martin Mere, a site local to me, and had been scanning the flocks at Martin Mere for ages trying to see a Bewick's Swan. I was overjoyed to see one at their proper wintering grounds.

My picture with Cannon Camera

We then made our way to the Zeiss Hide, hoping for Russian White-fronted Geese. When we arrived, we asked a WWT worker if he had seen them, he responded by saying that there aren't any here, but my best bet would be checking out the next two hides (including Kingfisher Hide) but the Estuary Tower would be the best place to see them. Then, just as we were about to leave, someone asks if we were after Russian White-fronted Geese. We responded with "yes" and he said there were five from Kingfisher Hide showing 15 minutes ago. We then darted towards that hide. I was desperate to see these birds. When I got to the Kingfisher Hide, I scanned the field full of geese. Then, four birds caught my eye. They were reasonably smaller than the other geese and had a nice white patch by their bill. They were Russian White-fronted Geese! I was overjoyed to see them, and it was the second and last target of the WWT Slimbridge trip. 

My image taken from my Cannon Camera

After a short break eating some delicious food in the cafeteria, we set off to Shapwick Heath NNR in hopes of seeing an American Wigeon. On the way there, we drove past a field, and I spotted a small egret with an orange bill. We did an emergency stop and I ran back to the place where I spotted it. I then scanned and confirmed my self-found Cattle Egrets. I got a quick picture of them and remembered the location I saw them (Station Road, Somerset).

My picture through Cannon Camera

When we arrived at Shapwick Heath NNR, we made our way to Tower Hide where the bird was last reported. We were delighted to see a hoard of birders at the location, and I asked a birder if the bird had been seen. She said that they've all been looking but the bird hasn't been seen. I then raise my binoculars in the corner of the lake to start scanning. As luck had it, as soon as I lifted my bins, I spotted a funny-looking duck. It had brown flanks and breast, a green head with a darker, almost purplish, eyestripe over its eye, as well as a distinctive yellow stripe down the middle of its head. It was the American Wigeon! I immediately let everyone know the bird was there, and they were shocked. Then, someone confirms that I have indeed seen it and the cameras start clicking. I try to get a nice view with a scope someone let me use but can't because the reeds block the way. I then go up to Tower Hide and try to get an image of it. I was on a high after finding the duck, and extremely happy that I was able to help the other birders! I then got a record shot of it mid-preen. There were a lot of Eurasian Wigeon as well. Someone asked me if their photo was the American Wigeon. I let him know that it was a common Eurasian Wigeon. It was really satisfying that the birders trusted me enough to ask me questions about the bird. I was very lucky in finding it so quickly. 

After enjoying the duck, we headed over to Catcott Lows for a reported Green-winged Teal. We tried hard scanning for it but ended up being unsuccessful, though there were lots of Eurasian Teal. However, we still had a brilliant day with 3 lifers (Bewick's Swan, Russian White-fronted Geese & American Wigeon)!

Location: WWT Slimbridge, Newgrounds Ln, Gloucester GL2 7BT, UK

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