- One of the places on my list to visit on the End to End was Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. As I walked past the entrance road today was the right day for the visit. I was Day 30 of the walk and the beginning of week 5. I’ve seen and heard a lot if birds already on this walk but not quite so many diverse species in one place.
From Psalm 104
The birds nest beside the wetlands and sing among the branches of the trees.
Slimbridge is a wonderful place. The birds are abundant, from the local to the more exotic. They look splendid and make a wide range of sounds. We heard whistling Ducks and a male cuckoo calling (which hopefully you can hear on this audio)
My favourite sight of the day was the Kingfisher bringing fish to the hole in the bank where the family were nesting. There were also some mammals and amphibians to admire.
Jesus said:
Oh Jerusalem how I wish I could gather you up like a hen gathers her chicks.
Some of the Ducks and geese already have young. Others are nesting both in the reserve and on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal that I later continued to walk along.
There’s also a lot of wildflowers like the pungent wild garlic.
Today miles walked for LEJOG was fewer than other miles walked for the first time since the walk began.
As the birds call to each other at the end of the day, flocking to a safe roost.
So we gather close to you, our God.
Like a mother bird you shelter us.
May we mirror your care in the way we care for others,
Particularly our care for vulnerable people.
JAL 01.05.2019
Day 30 of the End to End, a visit to Slimbridge and a walk on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal to Church End, Frampton.