On the Levels 5/3 Cettis Warbler, Snipe, Sparrowhawk

An early arrival to Ham Wall at 07:30 to a lovely blue sky sunny morning although this would change later to increasing cloud with a couple of showers.

Leaving the carpark we had great views of Lesser Redpoll feeding in the Alders, still fairly high up but nice to see the sun on them.  On to the first platform where there were still good numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted, Pochard to be seen.  Also had a lovely view of a male Roe deer with full antlers sitting along the path in the sun.

From the screen on the way to Tor View hide the Kingfishers were racing and chasing up and down the channel. A few Snipe, Teal and Shoveler were on the island and a Heron flew into the mix.  From Tor View hide we had our best views ever of a Cettis Warbler as it looked for food in the reeds below. Water Rails were heard squealing from the reeds and Little Grebes could be heard and seen everywhere.

From Tor View hide we walked onto the second platform but nothing of note was on the water in fact it was very quiet. The path leading to the platform was busy with smaller birds in amongst the trees Blue Tits, Great Tits, Dunnock, Robin, Wren and a couple of Siskin.

After lunch we took a walk down the Shapwick side to Tower hide that overlooks the scrape and 70 acres.  On the way we saw a few Bullfinches feeding on the new buds in the scrub area. A bit further on a flock of Goldfinches were settled in a tree.  From the hide you get a great view overlooking the scrape which at the moment is full to the brim with water, a few Tufted Ducks and Pochard. Not much to see here so we settled on the other side of the hide to overlook 70 acres a vast reed bed.  Work has been carried out here to remove a large numbers of trees and scrub that were starting to become invasive to the area.  We often see Bearded Tits here but not today, we did however see a couple of Marsh Harriers and a Sparrowhawk whizz across the reeds.  48 species of birds seen today the highlights being Bittern, Cattle, Little & Great Egrets, Snipe, Water Rail, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, Cettis Warbler, Kingfisher, Goldcrest, Siskin.

    Lesser Redpoll high in the Alders near the car park

               

               

                   Great Tit

   Grey Heron

               

    Watch where you're going said the Snipe

               

   Snipe

               

               

                    Tufted Duck

   Cettis Warbler

                

   Feeding deep into the reeds

                

                

                   Brilliant little acrobats

     

      

                

   

      Snipe, Moorhen, Shoveler and Mallard

               

  

      Bullfinch feeding on the new buds

               

   

      Goldfinch all fluffed up

               

 

               

                    Cleaning ones nails

  

     Sparrowhawk whizzing by

               

Westhay 5/2 Dancing Grebes

A bright and very cold day for our jaunt to Westhay. Starting at Viridor hide we had a great but quick view of a Snipe swimming by, you don't often see that! A few Gadwall around but not much else.  On towards the tower hide from where we spotted a Marsh Harrier low over the reeds. Walking on Ann spotted a lovely male Sparrowhawk glaring from the trees.

The lake opposite the new North hide had just 2 Goosander, a few Pintail and several Shoveler, Teal and a single Great White Egret.

Settling into North hide for coffee we noticed a pair of Great Crested Grebes appear from a channel and head for what looked like a nest. We kept an eye on this pair as they called to each other and flicked their heads.  Would they dance? Patience paid off and a beautiful 'Grebe Dance' was performed in front of us followed by mating at the nest a couple of minutes later.

4 Cattle Egrets flew over whilst we were watching the Grebes and a stunning male Marsh Harrier hunted over the reeds.

A Kingfisher was seen from the screen further up the path and at the farm at the end of the Drove several Little Egrets mooched around the cattle. Several Fieldfares and Redwings in the fields around Westhay, I guess these will be heading back east soon. 

There didn't seem to be plenty of birds around Westhay today but enjoying some top moments with nature and the walk around the reserve was a tonic for the soul! 

    From Viridor hide a Snipe swims swiftly by ....

                

    Restless Gadwall

               

   Marsh Harrier from the tower hide 

               

   Sparrowhawk within the dense trees

               

   

                

                  Snowdrops, now Spring is really on the way

   Checking out the nest, a Great crested Grebe

               

                   An invite?

               

                   Plenty of head flicking going on

               

   Crests on show

               

               

                  Suddenly 4 Cattle Egrets flew overhead

        

          Will they dance?

               

   And they danced .... Wow! 

               

                

                

                

               

   Coots getting aggressive

                

               

                  After the dance ....... 

               

               

   Job done the male appears to walk over the female!

               

               

   Fieldfare, one of many plus Redwings in the fields around Weshay