Bangor West Patchwork Challenge: Slimbridge WWT

Sunday, 12 July 2026

Slimbridge WWT

Before heading off to England I did a quick visit to the Antrim Hills for a spotted flycatcher. I had to work for it but saw it eventually.

Small grey blob in the middle.

I have always wanted to go back to Slimbridge since I had a brief visit about 12 years ago. I was hoping for crane and Bewick swans back then and dipped on both. This time we were in Birmingham to support the grandchildren in a trampolining competition and rather than go to Portugal for a week on Jet2 we decided to explore a bit of England we hadn't been to very much as Portugal was too hot!! This did not work out as planned as the south of England threw up its second heatwave of the year. I have experienced similar temperatures in Turkey and Tuscany in the past but never anywhere in the British Isles. Suffice to say we had to cut back on what we did, as walking in 30C was neither enjoyable nor sensible and birds tended to stay in the shade.

Estuary tower view

Slimbridge is the HQ where Peter Scott started serious conservation work and is on the edge of the Severn estuary. It is primarily a winter attraction, but we ended up there in July. We headed for the estuary tower via three hides which gave black swan and barnacle goose. The view was stunning but relatively bird free. Disappointed, I saw a door off the stairs and went in to find two locals who were watching a bittern. We got good views and I asked about cranes which I was hoping to see and they pointed out to the grassy area and there they were - a family of four which we had managed to miss from the higher viewpoint. The cranes were a LIFER 😎. We did other hides and picked up a few bits and pieces but finally found the Hogarth Hide and the South view hide which overlooked the South Lake. This added spotted redshank, 3 ruff, little ringed plover, avocet and green sandpiper. It also gave excellent views of a female crane and one chick. Add on reed warbler plus all the usual bibs and bobs and we hit 37 species. Considering it was July and 30 C, I can't complain.