On 3rd. 4th and 5th of this month, a friend and I visited the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust main reserve at Slimbridge. My first visit with the main objective of photographing the Bewick's Swans . There are some around East Anglia but almost impossible to get close to for decent photography.

There were a total of 91 and close to a hide so that part was easy but the weather on the first day was cloudy and dull so few keepers from that day. but fine sunny weather during the next couple of days was a real bonus.

Of course there were lots more opportunities for photography.

Redshank

Pochard

Black-headed Gull

Common Crane

and even Barnacle Goose.

There were more Pintails than I have ever seen - one of my favourite birds.

There were various ponds with other species, some wild and some captive so, at times, it was difficult to sort one from the other.

Here are some more shots of such birds, some obviously captive but still on the British List.

Wood Duck

Bufflehead

Barrow's Goldeneye

American Wigeon

Redhead

and some not so obviously captive.

Smew

Goldeneye

White-fronted Goose

Lesser-White-fronted Goose

Lesser Scaup

Hooded Merganser

For the purists that may read this blog, please ignore those that you think are photos of captive birds but, I still include them in this website as they are passable photos of very difficult species to see, let alone photograph.

More generally, we were both very impressed with Slimbridge, as well as being very surprised that it was so busy, and not school holidays either. Unlike many reserves, as photographers, we never felt that we were  compromising other birders or the many families that were visiting.

The RSPB would do well to study the set-up at Slimbridge and learn from it - far superior to any RSPB  reserve in East Anglia. And we took loads of photos - the reason why it has taken me so long to edit them. Load more photos from Slimbridge, either in the Recent Additions section or in the British and European Trips section.