Westhay Moor, Ham Wall + Greylake!

Date spotted: 26th June - All Day

Location: Westhay - Ham Wall - Shapwick - Greylake - Chew Valley Lake

Observation: We thought we would visit Westhay Moor on the Levels, having never visited it before (wish we had!) Amazing time we only visited 4 hides but well worth it. The first hide we sat down in, we waited no more than 10 minutes and a Bittern flew low over the reeds 20 foot in front of the hide and landed just out of view in the middle channel. We then walked around to the next hide and noticed a Juvenile Marsh /Harrier landing around 80 foot away with a Juvenile already being sat in tree so must be a nesting family, the female was out hunting also which was nice to see! A group of 3/4 Hobby's also hunting Dragonflies quite low through reeds and then flying back up to join rest of group, very nice to see out first Hobby!! The last had a family of Mute Swans and the 6 Cygnets were splashing about in the water, very cute to watch! We then drove to Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath, quite deserted to say the least, seen more in car park than on reserve! We arrived to watch a Buzzard sat on post hunting, it kept diving down into field but unsuccessful both times. It then started to get attacked by a group of Crows trying to force it off post. The Crows then gave up and sat on wires watching Buzzard hunt. A Common Frog was sat sunning its self in middle of path so watch out! On return to car park the Buzzard was still sat on post but this time being attacked by House Martins and Swallows!! No sign of Little Bittern which was shame! Greylake also didn't have very much in way of birds apart from a family of Great Tits and Chaffinch feeding on seed form tables and logs. On way home we stopped at Chew Valley Lake at last light. The Great-Crested Grebe family doing well with both chicks feeding and hitching a ride on Mum's back! Very successful day!

Weather: Blue Sky, Some Cloud, Sunny + Warm!

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Bittern, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Blackbird, Little Egret, Lapwing, Mute Swan, Great-Crested Grebe, Black-Tailed Godwit, Black-Headed Gull, Lesser black-Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Cormorant, Dunnock, Long-Tailed Tit, Kestrel, Canada Goose, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot

Mute Swan Family All Doing Well..

Date spotted: 11th June - 2PM

Location: Newton Park Lake - Zones 1,2+5

Observation: A quick visit to the Lake, to try and find the Little Owls, they haven't been seen since 7th April, a quick chat with the Lake Bailiff also said that he hasn't seen the Owls for a while so quite worrying. We will keep out eyes peeled, but don't think we will see them again here for a while. We also found a young Jackdaw chick dead on the top lake, may have fallen out nest as was only 2-3 weeks old. On the plus side, the Mute Swan family still have 5 Cygnets, all of which are doing very well! Not much around, very deserted wildlife wise. Maybe down to warm weather or just time of day!

Weather: Some Cloud, Blue Sky, Warm, Little Wind

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Jay, Buzzard, Kestrel, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Yellowhammer, Robin, Skylark, Whitethroat, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail

Pool Frog Species - Unknown

Date spotted: 5th June 2013 - 2.30PM

Location: Near Clutton, Ponds that make up the 'Old Somerset Coal Canal'

Observation: We spotted at least 15-20 of these frogs all in the same pool, didn't see them to start with just heard a VERY LOUD croaking noise so stopped and seen them all above the water croaking in the sun. When we stopped to watch them for a while they gradually all dived in the water and didn't return. Anyone know what these frogs could be? iSpot have ID'ed them as 'Pool Frogs' but they shouldnt be there!

Weather: Blue Sky, Sunny, Very Warm

Other Species: Unknown Exact Species Some Sort Of 'Pool Frog'.

 

Magpie - Pica Pica

Date spotted: 9th June 2013

Location: Apex Leisure Park - Burnham-On-Sea

Observation: I visited Apex Leisure Park in Burnham-On-Sea earlier today and walked out onto the estuary. Along the path, there was 2 Magpies and 1 Wood Pigeon all sat just off the path around 1 metre apart. On a close look through binoculars we noticed all 3 of them were sat with there mouths open, almost panting, but were sat completely still and not moving. The Wood Pigeon also had his wings stretched out like drying them type thing. 

Weather: Blue Sky, Warm, Little Wind.

Other Species: Black-Headed Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull  Herring Gull, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Chaffinch, House Sparrow

 

Greater Spotted Woodpecker - Dendrocopos major

Date spotted: 8th June - 5.45am

Location: In The Garden

Observation: Heard a knocking outside, so  looked out to find it was a Greater-Spotted Woodpecker on the peanut feeder! Very pleased , a bird we don't see very often so to see in our garden is Excellent ! then after she flew off Male Bullfinch , nice way to start your day !

Weather: Cloudy - Early Morning

Other Species: Greater-Spotted Woodpecker

 

Cygnets, Thrushes + Woodpecker!

 Date spotted: 6th June 2013

Location: Newton Park Lake - Zones 1,2+5

Observation: A Green Woodpecker just outside our house which is a nice surprise, not onrally so close. The Little Owl pair haven't been seen since 7th April so a little worrying, the last time we seem them was just after a Buzzard attack so hopefully there ok. We will keep our eyes peeled! 

Weather: Blue Sky, Very Warm + Sunny

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Green Woodpecker, Mute Swan + 5 Cygnets  Mallard + 4 Ducklings, Coot +3 Ducklings  Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, Jackdaw, Crow, Grey Heron, Magpie, Buzzard

Portland Bill Birding!

Date spotted: 4th June 2013

Location: Weymouth + Portland Bill

Observation: A quick wander around Radipole Lake, produced a very close sighting of a Reed Warbler and Cettis Warbler, who were almost to close for our 100-400mm lens! We then walked around Portland Bill which produced a Skylark sat on Rhubarb on the Coastal path. A Great Black-Backed was sat around the cafe, eating left over chips. Also near Pulpit Rock, produced 2 young Rock Pipit, who were sat on the rocks, which don't fly off when you approach them (We took a few pictures and left them, as didn't want to disturb them!). Also possibly a nesting Kestrel in the cliff past the lighthouse, but after bringing food back it would fly out to sea and not along the cliffs (very weird!)

Weather: Blue Sky, Warm + Sunny

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Herring Gull, Lesser-Black Backed Gull, Greater Black-Backed Gull, Black-Headed Gull, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Skylark, Guillemot  Razorbill, Shag, Kestrel, Reed Warbler, Cettis Warbler, Common Tern, Black Redstart, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Starling, Turnstone, Linnet, House Sparrow, Stonechat

 

Oystercatcher + More!

Date spotted: 3rd June 2013 - All Day

Location: Slimbridge - Gloucester

Observation: No sign of the Red-Necked Pharlarope today, but 2 Oystercatchers at the Hogarth hide (one possible on nest). Around 20 Black-Tailed Godwits also there. Also by the Tropical House were a family of noisy Oystercatchers who were searching for food, 2 adults and 3 chicks. The adults were forever chasing off Jackdaws who were going for the chicks!

Weather: Blue Sky, Sunny + Warm

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Oystercatcher, Black-Tailed Godwit, Buzzard, Crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Spotted Flycatcher, Cranes, Avocet, Black-Headed Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Herring Gull