It’s a wondrous, chaotic time when baby birds roam the wetlands. Chicks squabble for food and parents yell to stop them wandering off. They waddle across the shallows and swim the deep end in rows. They peacefully nap at the shore and curiously poke their little heads out of lofty nests.

WWT Slimbridge had these in spades. My previous post showed this place in winter. Now, summer has transformed the landscaped. The conditions couldn’t be more different — bright sun and dry clothes, with the birds eager to explore instead of searching for shelter from the relentless rain.

Here are just a few of my shots from the day: house martin chicks waiting for a snack, young ducklings resting, older ducklings diving, a moorhen following its mum, flamingoes bathing, and even some loitering dragonflies.

Springtime in the UK has drawn to a close. Summer has thundered into being, bringing with it storms and scorching sunshine.

In memory of a milder season, here are some lively birds that didn’t make it into dedicated posts. I snapped the resident kestrel searching for lunch; an inquisitive sparrowhawk in the park; skylarks and whitethroats bounding about; and a cormorant with its young, watching the boats sail past at the harbourisde.

I’ve always been a little creeped out by herons. They remind me of a old, stooped man wearing a badly-fitting bird suit. Their legs gangly, expression perpetually one of confused or cross, don’t quite have the majesty of other large birds.

That’s not to say they aren’t fascinating. Building nests high up in the trees is impressive, as are their take offs and landings between them. We lazily ambled through Conham River Park to spot them. Our day out in east Bristol was leisurely, but many engaging scenes presented themselves. We walked past Beese’s bar, bustling with bank holiday punters. The herons were plentiful, stalking fish in the river and up in the towering trees. Squirrels scurried across the mossy branches. Cormorants cleaned themselves on stumps. And song thrushes played in pairs.

The spring colours really popped against the overcast sky. I hope they convey the warmth we felt on our little venture into nature.

Highlights from my ski trip to Val Thorens in January 2026. Includes scenic shots of mountains in the daytime, stars at nighttime, the alpine birds, decadent food, games we played, and the people that brought the energy.

Walks through the Welsh woodlands and parks, photographing birds and nature.

A visit to the Tyntesfield National Trust site outside Bristol.

My first foray with my new Fujifilm X-M5.