RSPB Greylake, Somerset Levels 9/2/16

A cloudy, cold and very breezy visit to Greylake with the icy wind forcing its way through the shutters! A few sunny spells appeared but just as we left at 12 ish it grew very dark and the heavens opened up to heavy sleety rain. I need to add as well that this area of the levels is flooded for the first time this winter with the area in front of the hide nearly one big lake with no land.

Still plenty of duck species to be seen as well as Snipe taking shelter in small reed areas here and there. The highlight of the visit had to be seeing in one view a Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and a Hen Harrier giving chase to the thousands of ducks 'put up' - now that was exciting! 

All in all 28 bird species were seen with some great views of most of them. 

Reed Bunting, Starling, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Stonechat, Goldfinch, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Great S Woodpecker, Great Tit, Lapwing, Snipe, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Peregrine, Hen Harrier, Black tailed Godwit & Kingfisher.

What a top class day at a top class reserve! 

   Teal

               

                 Lapwing

   Gadwall

               

                  Shoveler

    Starling

               

                   Peregrine record shot as it speeds by!

    Snipe

               

                  Wigeon

   Hen Harrier - record shot

               

                   There it goes .... Hen Harrier

   Wigeon

               

                   Black tailed Godwits

   Graceful Godwits

               

                   Female Teal

    Hide and Seek - Snipe & Teal

                

                   Stretch those Wings! - Teal

   Snipe