A Drizzly Morning at WWT Slimbridge

There is something rather special about arriving at WWT Slimbridge before everyone else. On this particular visit, I was the first birder walking around the visitors car park waiting for the side door ( for members only) to open at 8.15 am sharp.Muck of the morning when not in the shelter of a hide would be spent under an overcast sky and the sort of fine, persistent drizzle that seems determined to soak into everything.

With high tide not due until around midday, things were generally quiet on the bird front, but there was still some very enjoyable birding to be had.

Greenshank

At the Rushy Hide, two Greenshanks were showing well, but the real highlight for me was the Common Snipe. Several birds were preening at the waters edge close enough to give superb views and, despite the dull light and drizzle, some excellent photographic opportunities. 

Common Snipe

The photographs I came away with of the Snipe are probably my personal favourites from the morning. They are such beautifully marked birds, and getting the chance to study them at close range is always a treat.

Common Snipe Preening

Moving on to the Robbie Garnett Hide, I picked up two Spotted Redshanks, another welcome addition to the morning’s sightings.

Spotted Redshank

Later, at South Lake, a Black-tailed Godwit dropped in and landed remarkably close in front of me. It was one of those lovely moments when a bird simply appears in exactly the right place, providing both great views and another opportunity for the camera.

Black Tailed Godwit

It may not have been a morning packed with birds, and the drizzle rarely relented, but that hardly mattered. A couple of hours at Slimbridge, some excellent waders and a set of Snipe photographs I am particularly pleased with made it a very enjoyable morning’s birdwatching indeed.

Common Snipe.