Starlings at dawn, Avalon sunrise 27/10

A journey across Tealham Moor in the dark this morning and the headlights lit up a beautiful Tawny Owl sitting in a Willow tree. We were able to look on in awe for a good minute before it took flight.

Arrived at Ham Wall car park at 06:30 am in total darkness. A good sunny day was forecast and it didn't disappoint. 

By torchlight we carefully made our way to the first platform. The first light was just about showing and plenty of birds could be heard including a Tawny Owl. Silhouettes flew past and I am sure we saw a few bats. Then came the sound of the Starlings a mass of squawking from the reeds. Then as more light appeared the first couple of groups of Starlings took to the air. Starlings could still be heard so we knew that more would follow. Suddenly a mass of birds took to the skies.  I am sure my jaw dropped as they approached, there were thousands! As they flew past, the Tor in the background words can't really describe the sight, sound and atmosphere that this natural wonder created. Quite simply awesome!

                

                

               

               

               

                

               

               

                

               

               

Noah's Hide - Shapwick 16/11 Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Water Rail etc

We arrived at Ham Wall at around 7:15 with the sun just breaking through and the mass assent of 1000's of Starlings. What a stunning sight together with some Starlings heading for the ' Super Moon' what an awesome start to our visit.

Our reason for the early start was to get to Noah's hide at Shapwick in the hope of seeing Otters but alas once again we were unlucky however our visit to the hide didn't disappoint- far from it.

Duck numbers are increasing with good numbers of Tufted, Wigeon,Teal & Shoveler seen. A couple of Marsh Harriers around with one female flying fairly close to the hide.  At least 3 Bitterns were seen coming and going as well as a couple of Great Egrets. 

A Water Rail skulked about the reeds in front of the hide and made a brief appearance as it swam from one reed island to another, Kingfishers flew past fairly often 'piping'as they went and again landed fairly close a couple of times.  One of the highlights had to be watching a Cormorant trying to swallow a very big fish, we are still not sure if the fish got away or was eaten. Other birds of note were Cettis Warbler, Little Grebe, Snipe, Buzzard, Gadwall.

We spent just over 3 hours viewing from Noah's hide with top class wildlife watching all the time as there was just so much going on. You just can't beat watching natures story unfold in front of you! 

Great also to meet Robert Balch, Andrew Kirby & friend who provided great banter and entertainment whilst we were there. 

Starling sunrise - stunning skies and 1000's of Starlings

               

               

                   Incredible amounts of Starlings kept lifting from the reeds

   Heading for the 'Super Moon'

               

    Only view we had of the 'Super Moon' was this morning

               

                   Sunrise shining up the Great Spotted Woodpeckers face

   Rich Autumn colours around the scrape

               

                  

   Marsh Harrier out on Noah's lake

                

                   Bittern flying in

   Headless Bittern!

               

                  Crashing into the reeds but quick to disappear and quite agile

Grey Heron 

    Marsh Harrier (female) very active over Noah's this morning

               

   Wonderful to watch Marsh Harriers glide over reed and lake

                

                   Kingfisher would occasionally land fairly close for a minute or two

   Female Kingfisher - note the red on the lower mandible 

               

                  Marsh Harrier 'putting' the ducks up

   Female Wigeon

                

                   Master of disguise the Bittern

   Little Grebe

               

                   Another Bittern flying off - we saw at least 3 this morning

                

                  Amazing claws!

   Mute Swans

             

    Autumn Bittern

                

                   Shoveller female -  check out that bill

   Wigeon flypast

               

                  Cormorant with catch

               

                   Down the hatch ..... Or not?

    That's one big fish! Didn't quite see if the Cormorant ate this or not

                

                    Water Rail - a couple were seen in the reeds

   Great to see the Water Rail swim

             

                Marsh Harrier landing gear

    Marsh Harrier watchful eye

                

                   Great Egret

                

                   Usual sighting of a Water Rail