Ham Wall 19/1/17 - Bearded Reedlings, Starlings, Bittern, Somerset Levels

We arrived at Ham Wall to a stunning frosty dawn and sunrise. The sun had not quite come up over the horizon but there was still a colour to the sky and the jaw dropping spectacle of 1000's of Starlings taking to the sky and heading to the fields for the day. Wow! What a moment of magic, one that will live with us forever. The sight, sound and colours of Starlings at dawn - ain't nature grand!

The day transformed into a beautiful sunny cold and frosty one which produced many sightings for us.

Our first stop was the Avalon Hide from where we watched a Marsh Harrier hunting over the reeds, a group of Bearded Tits seen and heard 'pinging' plus a quick view of a Bittern and Wigeon, Shoveler etc on the water. On towards the 2nd platform and then Loxtons and we noticed large numbers of Reed Buntings all over the reserve. Around Loxtons were both Great and Little Egrets, Grey Herons and a Bittern came into join them. Must be some rich pickings in one of the channels! As we walked around Loxtons in with some Reed Buntings we spotted a male and female Bearded Reedling which we were able to watch for about 5 minutes. Superb to get such a great view of them.

Our walk then led on to Waltons and a good walk around the track returning to the Tor View Hide and screens. From this area we saw Teal, Shoveler, Tufted,  Snipe, a Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Great Crested Grebes and a Kingfisher. 

48 species for the day and well worth the early start. Can't wait to do it all again. 

    Starling dawn, 1000's rising up from the reeds to start the day

                

  The sound of the Starlings flying overhead was amazing

               

                    Nature at her finest a sky full of colours

    Geese at sunrise

               

               

   Somerset Levels

               

                   Spot the Reedling - quite a large group from the Avalon hide

   Marsh Harrier nearly always seen from the Avalon Hide and all over the Levels

               

   Great at twisting and turning over the reeds

                

    Eye on the prey

                

   Marsh Harrier - brilliant to watch at work!

                

                   Shoveler

   Great Egret - great success story across the Levels

               

                   Bittern came into view and quickly disappeared into reeds nearby

                

                  Heron

    Buzzard whizzing by

               

                   Reed Bunting - good numbers seen all over the reserve today

                

                  Female Bearded Reedling

   So pleased to get a shot of these beautiful birds on reeds and not on a path

                

                    Male Beardies

               

   We watched this pair of Reedlings for a good 5 minutes along the Loxtons path

               

    What a stunning little bird! 

               

                   Long tailed Tit

                

                   Off we go .... The wings look quite small

   Distant Kingfisher

               

                   Snipe, one of a group of 10 on the island

               

                   Teal - Mr & Mrs

   Cettis Warbler - the elusive one!

               

                   Stonechat

   Wigeon from Noah's hide

               

                   Shoveler

   Shoveler flock

               

Cheddar Reservoir 15/1/17 - Mandarin, Red Crested Pochard, Goldeneye etc

Cloudy but bright with a very strong wind for our visit to Cheddar Reservoir. The car park was packed I guess because it was a Sunday a lot of folk were out for their pre dinner walk plus their dogs!

Part of the reservoir was taken up by a Pike fishing competition and the sailing club had boats out on the water so our visit was not a quiet one.

On arrival we quickly spotted the beautiful female Mandarin in with some Mallards. Didn't realise how small the Mandarin is compared to a Mallard.  Not too far away a Red Crested Pochard came into view  and then we spotted a lone female Goldeneye. Not bad for the first 10 minutes!

We eventually walked twice around the reservoir taking in the stunning views along the way and looking out for wildlife.  Really good to see large numbers of Pochard here along with Tufted Ducks, Great Crested Grebes and huge numbers of Coot.  Really love watching the way Coots seem to run across water often to give chase to a rival.  Great to notice a Peregrine fly high over the reservoir and on to distant fields.

21 species of birds seen on an enjoyable walk - you just don't know what you may find on the reservoir!

Beautiful female Mandarin Duck

                

    Visible for a time on the steps of the reservoir

               

                  Red Crested Pochard

                

                   Red Crested Pochard a winter visitor to the reservoir

    Female Goldeneye - didn't venture too close for a decent shot

               

    It was this big! The pike that just swam by ..... 

                

   Mallards

               

                   A Peregrine flew over the reservoir

   Pochard and Tufted

               

                   Pochard

                

                   Male Pochard - love that red eye

   Coot frenzy

               

   And the winner is ......

                

                  Walking on water

   Great crested Grebes