Evesham and District

The weather was kind as ten of us started our birding in glorious sunshine following the path alongside the stream through Mill Plantation. At the first feeding station there was a good selection of tits and finches and good views of the first of at least three nuthatches. Further along we had glimpses of a treecreeper and siskin. Moving on towards the canal many of the group saw siskin and redpoll, thankfully at a lower level avoiding the neck-straining views we had of the siskin in the woods.

The lakes gave us views of wheeling lapwing and small flocks of winter ducks now looking resplendent in their post-eclipse plumage in the winter sun. There were also at least three goldeneyes, a great white egret and little egret. We timed our visit to the only hide perfectly as a heavy rain shower started on as we entered. After sheltering there until the rain passed we made our way back to the car park picking up sightings of a stonechat and a sparrowhawk.

Somehow, we got away with it. The forecast for the day was not good, especially for the Somerset coast, but the only time the heavy rain troubled us was driving to and from the reserve.

We started at the main reserve, timing our visits between the hides to avoid the rain showers. At least two Marsh Harriers could be seen throughout the day as well as many Kestrels. Other raptors included a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard a Ravens. Wigeon were present in large numbers. Other winter ducks included Teal and a few Pintail. The highlight was probably the wheeling displays of the Golden Plover and the wonderful views of them from the Quantock Hide.

We finished our day with views across Bridgewater Bay (thank you to Stuart for leading us to the less than obvious viewpoint). Here we had lovely views of more waders; Ringed Plover, Curlew, Grey Plover and Dunlin, swirling around in flocks, catching the light of the sun.

After reports of a fire at Goldcliff and of dried-up pools at Newport the venue was switched to the local birding site a Grimley in north Worcestershire. The weather was good to us though the early sun did provide a few difficulties with viewing. The long-staying Glossy Ibis eluded us, though there was a possible sighting of a bird flying off from the far end of Camp Lane pits to the south. It appears to only be there for the evening roost and ventures off along the Severn valley during the day. Good views were had of passage waders, Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper and winter visiting Common Snipe. Winter duck numbers were starting to increase and wildfowl were coming out of eclipse plumage.

There was a bit of a buzz around Slimbridge when we arrived as there had been a Black-winged Kite seen in the area in the previous two days. This sighting is what twitchers refer to as a Mega – it was only the second one seen in Britain. Passing through the reserve we met the wardens and some volunteer who had been looking for it, but to no avail. However, just in case, we started our birding by heading out towards the Middle Point on the Summer Walkway. I don’t believe any of our previous outings had taken us there, but it was a very pleasant walk in the sun and a chance to get to near the estuary mudbanks as the tide receded. We stopped off to look at the Rushy Pen to see good views of waders, before walking out beside the estuary wall. The early sun went behind the clouds reducing the heat haze, so we could get good, if distant views of flocks of Ringed Plover, Curlew and Dunlin with a lone unexpected Knot. A Spotted Redshank was in a pool just by the Estuary Tower and Cranes could be seen out on the Dumbles.

We moved on to the Zeiss hide for views across Top New Piece. Three Spoonbills were asleep on an island but frustratingly, seldom raised their heads so we could see their extraordinary bills. It was from here that we saw the Tundra Bean Goose (of unknown origin) that was alone but near Greylags for a good comparison. South lake provided views of a flock of Black-tailed Godwits and a lone Avocet as well as a few diving ducks, before we set off for home to miss the bank holiday traffic.