Is Slimbridge wetlands the Mecca of bird spotting in the Uk?😄 (1 Viewer)

[She’ll not av feathers on]

Because it looks like it to me! I was on their website earlier and it’s got me giddy with excitement! The hides look first class! Hire a canoe, massive reserves with up to 30k wildfowl in winter!

Got to be said though, feels a bit pricey at £18 when you consider it’s £3 a car for all day parking at Attenborough nature reserve which I absolutely love!

What’s everyone else’s own personal favourites? I’m hoping to get a list of places to line up for visits this year!

Thanks🥰

 

[Julie50]

Hi

My personal (larger reserve) favourite is Ham Wall and Shapwick, Avalon Marshes. Price of a car park ticket for council or RSPB will get you in

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Funnily enough, Slimbridge isn’t one of my favourites. Though I do like it when it’s less busy.

My favourites are RSPB Gwernffrwd Dinas, Ham Wall/ Westhay, Loch Garten and Bempton/ Spurn is always worth a visit.

 

[Julie50]

But I also love my local patches; WWT Brandon Marsh and Upton Warren, £3 day passes if you are not a Wildlife Trust member, free if you are

 

[Mono]

North Norfolk would get my vote.

 

[She’ll not av feathers on]

2 special mentions for Ham wall! A place I’ve never heard of! Will check it out!

What is it that makes it so special to you Julie/Clark?

Thanks.

 

[Julie50]

It is a great walk as well as a wide variety of hides. For me, living in the Midlands, the large wetland area is not “on my doorstep”, so is special. The walking is easy and varied, well laid paths as well as longer grassland. I would recommend waiting a bit, the arrival of spring/summer migrants, especially warblers, make the place. You also tend to get booming bitterns and reliable marsh harriers, lots of egrets etc.. But for me it is just a feeling once you walk through the entrance!

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

It is a great walk as well as a wide variety of hides. For me, living in the Midlands, the large wetland area is not “on my doorstep”, so is special. The walking is easy and varied, well laid paths as well as longer grassland. I would recommend waiting a bit, the arrival of spring/summer migrants, especially warblers, make the place. You also tend to get booming bitterns and reliable marsh harriers, lots of egrets etc.. But for me it is just a feeling once you walk through the entrance!

Pretty much exactly the same as Julie. Get there early and just enjoy everything about the place.

Rich

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Some more great places are Skomer, Handa Island, Mull and the Uists. Great birding in beautiful locations.

 

[LittleBitOfBreadNoCheese]

If you mean a place where everyone goes then I prefer RSPB Forsinard. No-one for miles around.

 

[She’ll not av feathers on]

Some more great places are Skomer, Handa Island, Mull and the Uists. Great birding in beautiful locations.

Yeah the Islands of Scotland are 100% on my to do list! As a holiday overall not simply a birding destination.

Any particular time of year you would recommend?

I’ve always found it quite tricky to find anywhere on the internet that rents cottages for a reasonable price in the peak seasons!

 

[Farnboro John]

Slimbridge is pricey and the range of (wild) species present is restricted in winter, more or less nothing in summer. Titchwell RSPB and the North Norfollk coast generally has a much better claim to be an avian Mecca in Britain but there are many regional sites of excellence.

John

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Yeah the Islands of Scotland are 100% on my to do list! As a holiday overall not simply a birding destination.

Any particular time of year you would recommend?

I’ve always found it quite tricky to find anywhere on the internet that rents cottages for a reasonable price in the peak seasons!

We were on the Uists in May. Absolutely beautiful.

Know what you mean about school holiday prices. They can be outrageous.

Rich

 

[davercox]

Amazed that no-one so far has mentioned Minsmere. Some years ago it would have been tops, in England at least. Has it gone downhill ?

 

[Farnboro John]

Amazed that no-one so far has mentioned Minsmere. Some years ago it would have been tops, in England at least. Has it gone downhill ?

The main problem is it being rammed with grockles and the car parks being full. It does still have a great array of birds most of the time.

John

 

[cheshirebirder]

The main problem is it being rammed with grockles and the car parks being full. It does still have a great array of birds most of the time.

John

For variety of habitat ( including the immediate surrounding area ) , Minsmere is always a great place to visit, although I take John’s point about the crowds.

 

[Steve Lister]

Frampton Marsh RSPB on the Lincolnshire Wash is another waterbird 'mecca' but like anywhere that attracts lots of birds these days it can be very crowded and the three hides really are not enough.

 

[Frank van Drogen]

grockles

Learned a new word today -- could come in handy

 

[Original PaulE]

Shout out for RSPB Dungeness and the Sussex Wildlife trust Rye Harbour. The best for me though if you can get there in may is Hermaness on Unst in Shetland absolutely stunning with Puffins, Gannets and Skuas galore!!

 

[Prestdj]

st aidens west yorkshire bittern bearded tit black necked grebe breeding an amazing place