Saturday 24 September 2016

Shapwick and Ham Wall 22/9/16 - Pectoral, Stint, Bittern, Ibis etc

Superb day spent at Shapwick and Ham Wall with a total of 57 birds seen. We started at the Scrape on the Shapwick side and the area didn't disappoint. From the new hide we had great views across the scrape into areas I can't always see from the path. 
Brilliant to see the Pectoral Sandpiper a stunning golden coloured wader and a lifer for us. Also on the Scrape were Little Stint, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Greenshank, Ruff, Black Tailed Godwits, Knot, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Snipe, L Egret, Great Egret, Lapwing, Kingfisher, etc.
As we walked from the hide we heard and saw a small group of Bearded Reedlings.
The afternoon took us to Ham Wall. Good to see that the reeds have now been cut by the first platform and that the Glossy Ibis pair were showing well.
From Tor View Hide there were good numbers of Gadwall and we also had a fantastic view of a Bittern for a minute or so until it took flight to the other side of the channel and deeper in the reeds. Still can't believe how the Bittern blends in so well with the reeds.
Other birds of note for the day were Water Rail, Shoveler, Teal, Sparrowhawk, Jay, Hobby, Linnet, Goldcrest, Raven.
Still a few butterflies to be seen, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Comma and Green veined White.


    Ringed Plover & Little Stint

               
                   Pectoral Sandpiper

    Little Stint

               
                  Pectoral Sandpiper

 Pectoral, Ringed Plover & Ruff

                
                   Pectoral Sandpiper - love that rich golden colour!

    Black tailed Godwits plus a single Knot and Dunlin


              
                 Linnet - one of a large flock

   Bittern

               




               
                   Off he goes! 

   Glossy Ibis pair

                


   Fingers crossed for this pair staying on the levels


3 comments:

  1. Looks like a great day was had ! Great images .
    Going down Monday if weather is kind and hope the pectoral returns fingers crossed !

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  2. Many thanks for your kind comment. It was a great day but I'm guessing that you didn't venture to the Levels today Monday because of the grim weather! We're off to the Weymouth area on Tues, Weds & Thurs hoping to explore the Portland area a new area for us. Do you have any hints or tips for the area? Best wishes

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  3. No levels for me today as for Weymouth i generally do the walk round Portland bill about 8 miles following the coast then up to Ballycrates lane map here http://portlandbirdobs.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page_20.html then down to reserves Radipole then Lodmoor maybe stopping at low tide at Ferrybridge ,i'll check your blog to see how you got on Good Luck !!

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