Somerset Wild Walks: Green winged Teal

Friday, 9 March 2018

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.

Green winged Teal with Teal

Shaking all over ...

Green winged Teal reflecting ....

Snipe, remarkable how they blend in

Shoveler and Wigeon

Teal

Teal, love that flash of green in the sunlight

Gadwall

Wigeon

Chaffinch

Reed Bunting

Starling

Amazing sheen on a Starling

Dunnocks

Reed Bunting

Catcott

Great Egret

Kingfisher measuring up

Wigeon, Teal and Pintail. Something spooked them

Wigeon flock settling back down

Shoveler

Saturday, 13 January 2018

Greylake and Cheddar 11th Jan - Green winged Teal etc

A very misty start to the day but thankfully it soon cleared as we headed towards Greylake on the Levels. From the hide there were hundreds of Teal and we carefully scanned every one looking for the recently seen Green Winged Teal, alas we could not find it. A few other birders were also looking. Not too much was happening despite a distant Marsh Harrier and a Peregrine seen perched on a distant gate. There were also plenty of Shoveler, Wigeon and a few Pintail and a couple of Stonechats on the fence line. Thankfully a fellow birder returned to the hide and let us know that the Green winged Teal could be seen from the other hide, the kind birder even took the time to show us exactly where it was and we got a great view. Several Snipe and a Great White Egret put in an appearance and a good few Water Rail were seen from the walkway up to the hide.

Leaving Greylake behind we drove on to Catcott and arrived to see a ringtail Hen Harrier slowly dissapear from the reserve. Nice to see a few more birds here now including Teal, Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Stonechat and a Kestrel.

From Catcott we ventured on to Cheddar Reservoir to try and locate the Red Breasted Merganser that had been seen the previous day. We did locate it but it made us follow us half way around the reservoir. Still it was well worth the walk. Good numbers of Pochard here and of course the resident Mandarin pair.