... and having had an unfulfilled teenage ambition to visit Slimbridge dating back some fifty-odd years it seemed a good time to catch up on that one as well ...
... it's a very strange experience to visit a bird reserve and feel like the odd man out ... but so it was as I headed for the rather grand visitor centre ... armed with my map I identified the series of likely looking locations and hides ... each one was out on a limb and accessible only from the central hub comprising the captive collection, play parks and cafes ...
... so each time it was back past the flamingoes and cappuccinos and on to the next spot ...
... but there were lots of birds ! ... and good to see plenty of Black-tailed Godwits, Ruff, and other wintering waders ...
... this juvenile Spotted Redshank reminded me of how much more scarce they have become in north Cumbria recently ...
... a Red-breasted Goose ( of unknown origin ) was still nice to see among some Barnacle Geese ...
... and all too easy to overlook in a dense flock ...
... a couple of Cranes flew in , sporting ample 'bling' they doubtless originated from the Somerset project ...
... closer to home and ex-hurricane Ophelia delivered a Leach's Petrel off the Bowness Shelter on the falling tide ... quite a tricky bird to 'phonescope ...
... while a Red-throated Diver had a more predictable flight path ...
... a message from Nick ( thanks Nick ! ) yesterday resulted in some nice if rather distant views of a juvenile Dotterel which was associating if somewhat irascibly with Golden Plovers between Campfield and Cardurnock ...
.. a delightful bird with lovely off-white fringes to the scapulars indicating its age and a very subtle breast band and striking yellow legs ...
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