Tuesday 18 October 2016

Ham Wall & Shapwick 17/10/16

A beautiful sunny but cool day on the Somerset Levels that saw us start with the Ham Wall side at around 08:30.  On route to the Avalon hide we had great views of a Stonechat family feeding along the channel edge and a Bittern flew across our path. Quite a few duck species are now gathering at the first platform and the water at the Avalon hide, winter is on the way!
We had the Avalon hide to ourselves where we spent a brilliant 2 hours watching Marsh Harriers, Kingfishers, Bittern, Great White Egrets, Shoveler, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal etc come and go. Bearded Reedlings were seen and heard pinging, I wonder if they will ever use the grit table put up to attract them?  What a superb way to relax but sometimes a little tense when trying to get that shot! Also had our first view of a Redwing for the winter season.
Not much was seen from the second platform as the reeds still need to be cut back. As always along the path back to the carpark we saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker in its favourite tree.  Surprising to still see a few butterflies catching the very last of the Suns warmth Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Comma and a Small Copper.
On to the Scrape on the Shapwick side where we got caught in a shower! From the Tower Hide there was still a single Green Sandpiper, a few Ruff, Snipe, the Glossy Ibis pair, Lapwing and increasing numbers of Ducks.
Noah's Lake has hundreds of Coots on it at the moment and we were amazed to witness them all gather together in a 'raft' when something spooked them.  Quite a sight.
All in all another great day out on the Levels - 47 bird species seen and 5 species of butterflies.


Stonechat family seen in the reeds
                
                


   Juvenile Stonechat

              
                 Plenty of Herons to be seen stalking their prey

   Intense concentration of the hunter

               


  Focus

              
                Buzzard - a common sight on the Levels

Marsh Harrier - great views of this beautiful bird from the Avalon Hide

               
                   Looking for prey - Marsh Harrier

   The elusive one and only Bittern

               
                  Amazing talons on those feet



               
                   Beautiful subtle tones and shades in the sunlight

   Great White Egret

               


   We never tire of seeing this beautiful Egret on the Levels

               
                  Comma 

   Red Admiral

                
                    Small Copper

   Wigeon

               
                   Great Spotted Woodpecker

   Cormorant 

               
                 Little Grebe - quite often heard and not seen

    Glossy Ibis on the Scrape, Shapwick

                


   Still hard to believe that the Glossy pair are a fairly common sight at the moment

              
                 Can you see me?


   Coot raft Noah's Lake, Shapwick.  Amazing to see them form this giant 'raft' when          frightened by something.  


Thursday 13 October 2016

Somerset Level magic 4/10/16 Beardies, Kingfishers, Ruff etc

An early start on the levels and a first call to Westhay hoping to try and get a shot of the Bearded Reedlings on reeds! Arrived to the Island hide boardwalk with 3 other birders / photographers present and already 'Beardies' on the boardwalk. We never tire of this striking bird but being a bit breezy the birds were not climbing to the tops of the reeds.
From Westhay we ventured on to Shapwick and the scrape. From the new hide we had some good views of Black tailed Godwits, a few Knot with the Godwits,  Ruff, Greenshank, Little Stint, Green Sandpiper, Great Egret, Marsh Harrier, Bittern etc. There are also increasing duck numbers here now. The two Glossy Ibis flew over the hide in the direction of Noah's lake.
From Noah's lake we watched for sometime at least 3 Kingfishers chase and hunt up and down the channels. Huge numbers of Coot on the lake the most We've ever seen here. 



   Boardwalk Bearded Reedling

                
                   Female Beardies



                
                   Stunning birds


   On the reeds

               
                   Master acrobats



              
                 Autumnal feel

   Taking flight

               
                 Ruff on the scrape

Green Sandpiper - flying south? 


              
                Knot with Godwits


   Knot

      
         Increasing duck numbers

   Little Stint and Lapwing

                
                   Glossy Ibis fly over 

Kingfisher

               




               

Fishing from up high. Fantastic watching the Kingfisher dive from here