Ham Wall, Somerset Levels

The last day of the year and a trip to Ham Wall was planned. The mist would lift quickly they said but it didn't! So we arrived to reed beds of mist and at times a fine 'mizzle' - not ideal for photography but our spirits were high and we had coffee and cake. 

However despite the grim and dull weather the day would prove to be a great birding day.

We walked out to the Avalon hide and looped back to the second platform and then to the screens and the Tor View hide.  Saving the best to last and in heavy drizzle we had jaw dropping views of the Glossy Ibis plus at long last the Water Pipit landed for a few seconds not too far away. Tally for the day was 44 birds including Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Great Egret, Reed Bunting, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Marsh Harrier, Snipe, Glossy Ibis, Water Pipit, Little Grebe.

So lesson learned despite the weather the birds are still out there. Here's to some great wildlife watching in 2017

    Great Egret 

               

                  Water Pipit - present in the same area for several weeks now

               

                   

   Glossy Ibis - closest views ever! 

                

               

   Superb iridescent colours

                

               

                  Several Great Egrets seen around the reeds near the Tor view hide

                

   Little Egret

               

                   Teal

               

                   Marsh Harrier