It may have been a very challenging day with poor light for photography but there is so much to see (and much of it very close up) that it’s always a delight to visit WWT Slimbridge.

The highlights for me were the constant action of Bewick Swans approaching on their flightpaths, the cranes out on the wetlands, the shear number of waders out on the wetlands and the opportunity to see close up so many exotic wild fowl from all around the world in the well constructed pools.

Bewick swan landing

Crane in flight

Crane landing

Shelduck in flight

The joy of the chase – a lapwing hounded by black-headed gulls

A riot of gulls

Mandarin ducks can be found in the wild too

You don’t normally get this close to a ruff

…or see the sweeping action of avocets so close

Some very exotic birds

…and some very common ones too – blue tits (and great tits) start singing again in January

Some very fierce looking birds

… and some sweet looking ones (such as this goldeneye)

Wigeon in flight

… and flamingos which aren’t going anywhere

Click below for a gallery of photos from today: