RSPB Greylake, Somerset Levels 9/2/16

A cloudy, cold and very breezy visit to Greylake with the icy wind forcing its way through the shutters! A few sunny spells appeared but just as we left at 12 ish it grew very dark and the heavens opened up to heavy sleety rain. I need to add as well that this area of the levels is flooded for the first time this winter with the area in front of the hide nearly one big lake with no land.

Still plenty of duck species to be seen as well as Snipe taking shelter in small reed areas here and there. The highlight of the visit had to be seeing in one view a Marsh Harrier, Peregrine and a Hen Harrier giving chase to the thousands of ducks 'put up' - now that was exciting! 

All in all 28 bird species were seen with some great views of most of them. 

Reed Bunting, Starling, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Water Rail, Moorhen, Coot, Stonechat, Goldfinch, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Great S Woodpecker, Great Tit, Lapwing, Snipe, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Mallard, Gadwall, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Peregrine, Hen Harrier, Black tailed Godwit & Kingfisher.

What a top class day at a top class reserve! 

   Teal

               

                 Lapwing

   Gadwall

               

                  Shoveler

    Starling

               

                   Peregrine record shot as it speeds by!

    Snipe

               

                  Wigeon

   Hen Harrier - record shot

               

                   There it goes .... Hen Harrier

   Wigeon

               

                   Black tailed Godwits

   Graceful Godwits

               

                   Female Teal

    Hide and Seek - Snipe & Teal

                

                   Stretch those Wings! - Teal

   Snipe

Early Spring & an Ibis - Ham Wall & Shapwick 30/1/16

It felt almost Spring like on our trip to the Levels this morning. A bit cloudy and dull at times but it seemed all the birds were singing and active. We started at Ham Wall side and a walk along the muddy track (the bridge is still closed) to the new Avalon Hide. Along our way we are pretty sure we had our first glimpse of a Water Vole, it was just too quick to get a clear ID.  From the Avalon Hide we walked onwards towards the second platform bridge where I suddenly caught a glimpse of a Glossy Ibis overhead. We watched as it sailed into the lagoon, take off and circle and then finally settle out of view! Wow what a view and tick! Great Egrets are quite active flying from reed bed to reed bed and we had some great views. Surprised to hear our first booming Bittern the boom being a little half hearted! A pair of Great Crested Grebes were seen displaying and they even dived for weed but no dance! Still some good numbers of ducks to be seen including a few Pochard on the Scrape Shapwick side. 

A total of 39 species seen today including Marsh Harrier, Shoveller, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted, Gadwall, Bittern, Kingfisher, Cettis, Reed Bunting, Snipe & Great Spotted Woodpecker. 

Spring was definitely in the air! 

    Glossy Ibis

                

                   Restless Ibis

   Off again

               

                    Great Egret - the green breeding 'lores' can now be seen

   Great Egret - potential nest site?

               

                  Little Grebe

   Great Crested Grebes pairing up and displaying

                

                   A good display but no dance

   Marsh Harrier and yes ..... Blue sky

               

                   On the hunt

    Marsh Harrier a female or juvenile 

               

                   Long tailed Tit 

First visit to the Levels - Shapwick 16/1/16

A cold and frosty sunny blue sky start to our visit to Shapwick. We spent 3 hours here strolling the paths carefully watching and seeking out anything that moved! In total we saw 40 birds in quite a relatively small area. These included some great views of Marsh Harrier, Pintail, Goldcrest, Jay, Water Rail, Bullfinch, Chiffchaffs and Stonechat. A great way to spend a few hours!

A squadron of Teal 'put up' by a Marsh Harrier

                

                    Stonechat and Chiffchaff. Plenty of Chiffchaff overwintering on the levels

   The majestic Grey Heron

                

                    Heron - top of his tree!

   Flock of Pintail - very restless and flighty over Noah's Lake

               

                   The beautiful Jay - in the woods on the path to Mere hide

   Goldcrest - also very flighty and constantly on the move!

               

                   Water Rail - always heard at Shapwick but seldom seen

   Treecreeper  - more tree than creeper! Will have to try harder.

Catcott Heath - Somerset Levels 19/7/15 Butterflies and Dragonflies

A late morning visit to Catcott Heath reserve.  The cloud had disappeared to reveal blue skies and sun.  We often visit this reserve in the winter months for birds but wanted to return in the summer to see what flowers and other life we would find. In total we saw 14 species of butterflies and at least 5 types of Dragonfly.

The track leading to the reserve is sheltered by brambles etc and this in turn attracted hundreds of Meadow Browns and several Gatekeepers. The reserve itself is brimming with both insects and wild flowers and grasses at the moment and is simply stunning to explore.  In one area of the wood at the end of the boardwalk is a sheltered glade full of bramble flowers. This area was just dancing with butterflies and a couple of Silverwashed Fritillaries whizzed through and only settled for seconds! Surprised as well to see a single Brimstone.  Hawkers and Darters were also present and it was amazing to see a Hawker take a Meadow Brown mid air!  Butterflies seen today were Brimstone, Comma, Small White, Large White, Green Veined White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Tortoishell, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Ringlet, Silver Washed Fritillary and Speckled Wood.

Lots of dragonflies and there were probably more than the 5 types we saw. Brown Hawker, Common Darter, Banded Demoiselle, Black tailed Skimmer and Southern Hawker.

Only a few birds were seen Little Egret, Heron, Cormorant, Buzzard and Little Grebe however it was for the insects and flora why we came and Catcott Heath did not disappoint!

   Yellow Loosestrife 

               

                   Common Darter 

    Southern Hawker

               

                   Green Veined White

   Silver Washed Fritillary - would only settle for seconds! 

               

                  Small Skipper

   Black tailed Skimmer

               

                   Brown Hawker - great colours and beautiful 'bronze' wings

    Banded Demoiselle - so graceful 

                

                   Southern Hawker - superb butterfly catcher!

Priddy to Draycott Mendip hike & 16 butterfly species 18/7/15

Our hike took us from Priddy following part of the West Mendip Way to Draycott Sleights and back to Priddy a total of 10 tough stunning miles. The walk took us through a mixture of field, meadows and high rocky limestone areas each with its own rich variety of flora. Plenty of Scabious, Thyme, Kidney Vetch, Grasses, Knapweed, Thistles, Clarey and a few Harebells here and there. All great for the butterflies!  The butterflies seen were Comma, Small White, Large White, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, S.Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Skipper, Chalk Hill Blue, Dark Green Fritillary, Ringlet, Speckled Wood and Small Heath. A record Day for us. Birds of note were Buzzard, Raven, Kestrel and Skylark.

A beautiful walk with amazing views packed with flora and fauna.

   Meadow Brown

               

                  Skylark, one of many seen in the meadows. Wonderful to hear their song as well

    Coffee time looking across to Draycott Sleights, Cheddar, Brean and beyond!

               

                    Small Skipper

               

                   Chalk Hill Blue on wild Thyme

  Chalk Hill Blue - a real stunner

                

                   Chalk Hill Blue 

    Scabious, great for insects

                

                   Small Skippers and guest!

   Stunning views 

                

                   Kestrel at Draycott

   Marbled White

                

                    Painted Lady - great to see a few of these butterflies 

    Dark Green Fritillary. Only saw one near the end of our walk