Slimbridge Wetlands Centre really comes to its own at this time of the year when large numbers of geese and winter fowl start arriving at the reserve.
There have been reports that Whooper swans have already arrived from Iceland and Russian White-fronted Geese have been visible with flocks of Canada, Greylag and Barnacle Geese. However, at the first hide (the Rushy hide) we saw very little other than lapwings. Overhead though there was a common buzzard and a peregrine falcon, so it wasn’t really too surprising.
As we moved further out on the reserve we had good views of the flocks of geese, including a Ross’s goose which is often here. Amongst the geese were also a couple of common cranes.
I particularly enjoyed getting shots of eurasian teal, northern shovelers and northern pintails close up in the sunshine. It’s still very warm (14 degrees Celsius) for this time of the year and I am sure that once the temperatures drop a little more there will be exciting times ahead with lots more birds.
