Somerset Wild Walks: Greylake and Catcott 6/3 Green Winged Teal etc

A visit to Greylake today as no major walking is involved while Ann's broken toe heals. Arrived at Greylake fairly early and made our way down to the hide. As we approached we could hear the calling from the Wigeon and Teal and once in the hide we could see that there were still a good number present. A few Snipe were positioned in the reeds at the front of the hide plus a few Shoveler and Teal. A Buzzard sat in its usual place on the fence post and in a tree in the field Ann spotted a lovely male Sparrowhawk. A Kingfisher nearly perched outside the hide but was spooked by us noisy watchers inside. A couple of times all the ducks were spooked to a mass uprising, once by the Sparrowhawk. Lapwings are starting to conduct their displays, it was great to see them duck and dive over the reserve. Just as we were about to leave Ann suddenly spotted a Green Winged Teal amongst the great number of Teal. Just as I found it, it flew to another bank and was clearly more visible from the raised hide. Everyone rushed out for a better view and I mean rushed!

Leaving our beautiful Green Winged Teal behind we walked back to the carpark where the usual suspects could be seen feeding at the tables. Starlings, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinch and Reed Buntings all made an appearance.

From Greylake we decided to have lunch at Catcott. Still lots of Ducks here as well including Shoveler, Pintail, Wigeon and Teal. A Great Egret was busily fishing almost everywhere. No sign of the Stonechat but a Kingfisher made an appearance a few times. In the distance on top of a pylon a Peregrine sat patiently.

'Alan' joined us in the hide and with his wealth of information told us about the nesting Ravens, we will keep an eye on them when we return.