Westhay Otter & Orchids 3rd May

A cool an cloudy day for our visit to Westhay. We started from the Island hide where our walk then took us on towards the raised bog area. Cuckoos were calling along the way and across the raised bog we saw a Whitethroat, Linnet and heard a Grasshopper Warbler but as usual just couldn't see it.  A few dragonflies here and there but still too cloudy for them. On through the woods and Blackcaps singing away. 

On to Lake hide where we had a great view of a Hobby and Cuckoo in the same tree! The Cuckoo took flight and then the Hobby was mobbed by a Magpie pair.  The lake is looking lovely with a good covering of lily leaves. The water itself free from birds but all of a sudden and for a very brief moment an Otter appeared, our closest encounter yet! What a moment.

From the new North hide there was nothing on the water itself but we did get good views of the Marsh Harrier pair and more Hobbies. Plenty of Reed Warblers singing from the reeds with the sighting of one or two.

We followed the drove track down to the road where we turned right to meet the returning drove. In one of the fields we spotted the first Southern Marsh Orchids of the season making an appearance, beautifully formed and fresh. 

Once again a lovely walk around Westhay with a total of 39 birds seen including Cuckoo, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Great White and Little Egret, Kingfisher, etc. Not the sunniest of days but our world certainly lit up when we saw the Otter.

   Otter gliding past

                

   Spotted!

                

    Starting to dive

                

               

    Popped up amongst the Lilly pads

                

    Eye to Eye!

               

                   Apple blossom on the hill

   Southern Marsh Orchid

            

                                                                 

                                                                      

                   

                                                                            

   Coot chick 

              

                 Will I grow up to look like you?

   The springtime beauty of the lanes on the Levels

               

Westhay 9/3/17 - G C Grebes, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine

Arrived at Westay at around 07.30 am to very grey skies and misty drizzle. The forecast was for the skies to clear quickly but it took its time to clear. Driving across Tealham Moor to get to Westhay we discovered a new Heronry with at least 6 nests plus at least 30 Little Egrets together in a field.

Our full walk around Westhay started at the Lake Hide then on to the end of London Drove visiting the other hides and screens on the way.  At the end of London Drove we turned right onto the road and then took a right onto Daggs Lane which brought us back onto the reserve.  We paid a visit to Island and Virador Hides but there was nothing to be seen.  The same with the Tower Hide not even a Bittern or Marsh Harrier.  The best part of the day was around lunchtime when we had walked back to the new North hide. We were informed that we had just missed a Grebe Dance, we didn't see the dance but we had some great views of the Great Crested Grebes displaying and nest building.  Two pairs of Marsh Harriers were also seen as well as a Peregrine in hot pursuit of a Snipe, which it failed to catch.

Brilliant to see a Great Egret come in close as well noticing it's lovely breeding plumage and colours.

30 Species seen today with some close encounters and a lovely 6 mile walk around the reserve.

   Marsh Harrier on its usual tree

               

  Little Grebe

                

                    Walking in the air - Little Grebe whizzing across the water 

Canada Goose

               

                    Celandine- herald of Spring

   Violets - always a welcome sight

                

                   One of last years young Mute Swan

   Taking a bath

       

               

                   Head flicking Grebes

               

                

                    Nest building 

   Wow! That's some stick

                

                   Marsh Harrier 

            

               

                   Brilliant to watch the Marsh Harrier in flight over the reeds

   Peregrine 

                

   Peregrine heading off after its miss of a Snipe

               

                   Gadwall, good numbers at Westhay

   Grebe nest, one of two being 'chosen' by this pair of Grebes

               

                   Reaching that itch

   Attending the nest

               

               

   It's going to be some nest! 

                

                

                   Showing off - Grebe display style

          

               

  

               

                   That sinking feeling

    Amazing how the Grebes almost lift out of the water

               

   Showing the wing bars

               

                   Great Egret flying in

   The Egret is landing

               

    Green lores, blackening beak it must be breeding time

               

   Egret disturbing a Snipe almost looks like it's eating it!

               

    More wing bar display from the Great Crested Grebe

               

    Beautiful! 

  

                

   Coltsfoot another early Spring flower

               

                   Black Swan in with some Mute Swans as we were driving home across Tealham        

                   Moor