April 30th Slimbridge

Laura (my sister-in-law) feeding a Graylag

On Sunday, my family and I were at Slimbridge to show my young niece, Ava, the wildfowl in their collection. The wildfowl here are from all over the world and a few of them are endangered and come in many shapes, sizes and colours. Here are some of my favourites...



Mute Swan

Bewick's Swan

Tufted Duck

Hawaiian Goose 

Black Brant

Eider

Goldeneye

Scaup

American Wood Duck

Ruddy-headed Goose

Cinnamon Teal

Black-winged Stilt

African Pygmy Goose

Mousebird

Turaco

Upland Goose

Red-crowned Crane

North American Otter

Caribbean Flamingo

Slimbridge also has in it's collection possibly every species of flamingo I can think of. These birds, in particular, fascinated young Ava. Her eyes were transfixed at them with fascination and curiosity as these large, strange-looking, pink creatures paraded in front of her.  I can only imagine what she thinks of them after seeing one for the first time. I wonder if she will become a birdwatcher when she grows up?

Andean Flamingo

Chilean Flamingo

Greater Flamingo

Lesser Flamingo

Greylag gosling

As well as all the captive birds, Slimbridge also has a few hides to view some wild birds, too. From one of them, we saw some avocets, male ruffs in their fantastically varied breeding plumage, black-tailed godwits, greylags with goslings and, my personal highlight of the day, a common sandpiper. There was also a common crane (one of the ones that were captive bred and released by Slimbridge) on a nest. Apparently it is sitting on an egg, which is fantastic news for this rare bird that was once extinct in the UK. The future is looking a little promising for the cranes here in West England it seems.

Avocet



Ruff

Black-tailed Godwit and Black-headed Gull

Common Sandpiper

Grey Heron

View of the River Severn estuary

Wild Garlic

Rook

Common Crane