14th May 2025 – WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire

It’s the first time we have seen the new β€˜Estuary Shoreline’ landscape at Slimbridge. It’s situated in front of the Kingfisher cafΓ© and, although we had our doubts as we saw it being developed through the winter, we were very impressed with what the talented Grounds Team have achieved in designing it and building it in-house.

The new β€˜Estuary Shoreline’ landscape

Wonderful wild flowers enhanced the new landscape

The bees (early nesting bumblebee) were loving the new plantings at the “Estuary Shoreline landscape”
Common carder bee

Shelduck looked magnificent in their breeding plumage

The avocets probably stole the show

A very handsome shoveler duck

It was a joy to walk out to the estuary and, although the white spotted bluethroat which has returned here for the fifth year in a row evaded us, we did enjoy the display by a short-eared owl.

Short-eared owl

Short-eared owl

Short-eared owl

Short-eared owl

Short-eared owl

Short-eared owl

Short-eared owl

Short-eared owl

There were plenty of these azure damselflies to see

Avocets

Avocet flying over shelduck

Avocet

Black-headed gull with nesting material

Avocet on its nest

Comments

3 responses to “14th May 2025 – WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire”

  1. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    Hi Martin, the Estuary shoreline is very attractive. How wonderful to see the short eared owl. Owls seem so elusive here in South Africa.

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    1. martintayler Avatar

      Thanks Robbie. Your comments are so encouraging. I once saw a huge owl (spotted eagle owl) at Kirstenbosch in Cape Town https://martinsbirdblog.com/2018/03/07/4th-march-2018-kirstenbosch-national-botanic-gardens-cape-town/

      Martin Tayler Martin’s bird and nature blog: https://martinsbirdblog.com/

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  2. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    I enjoy birds very much, Martin. Thanks for the link πŸ’›

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