News and Photographs - Archive News - Slimbridge & Gower Birds - up to 16th February 2008
13th February was our annual winter trip to Slimbridge. A foggy start which eventually cleared allowed us to get some nice pictures. A bold Water Rail under a feeder was the new photo species for the day but I also managed to improve my pictures of Teal, Pintail, Bewicks Swan, Tufted Duck, Shelduck, Lapwing, Curlew, Great Tit and Blue Tit. Another great trip to Slimbridge which never disappoints.
16th February looked good weatherwise so it was over to the Gower and Swansea for a days winter birding. Firstly a trip over the windswept rocks at Port Eynon Point got me Purple Sandpiper. Heading back east, I took a walk along Oxwich beach to try and find Sanderling with great success. Then it was off to Bishops Wood at Caswell to get a few woodland species with Nuthatch, Robin, Blue Tit and Great Tit showing well.
A quick drive to Bracelet Bay in Mumbles was rewarded with the usual Mediterranean Gull bonanza! Blackpill was quite quiet due to a low high tide but it did result in a few pictures of Dunlin, more Sanderling and a lovely shot of a Carrion Crow. Lastly, it was off to North Gower and the marshes at Llanrhidian. I did see a lovely male Hen Harrier but didn't manage to get the camera on it. I did manage a few shots of Reed Bunting and a few Shelduck. All in all a great day out!
