Wingspans @ the Levels

Date: 13/04/2015

Location: Westhay, Canada Lake, Greylake, Ham Wall & Shapwick 

Observation: What better way than to spend some time on the Somerset Levels binoculars and camera in hand, even if birds were a bit scarce! At Westhay we heard a few Cetti's plus a couple of flitting glimpses, a Marsh Harrier in middle of reserve hunting then 2 Bitterns booming.

At Canada Lake, big lake when not much on it! A Great Crested Grebe fished in front hide also not getting much, saw a Willow warbler on the walk back to car park.

 At Greylake the feeding trays had nothing on them! unusual :( .Walked round to hide Reed Buntings calling and Bitterns booming. A Green Veined White perched on a Dandelion, Nice, first of the year for me.

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From hide Wigeon, Gadwall, Garganey, Curlew, Lapwing, Teal but small numbers.

On getting back to car park a few Reed Buntings and Chaffinch were taking seed, after watching for 30 mins we headed on to Ham Wall.

 Nice massive new car park was almost empty, towards Tor Hide a Little Egret was being harassed by Crows apart from a booming Bittern that's it so about turn towards Shapwick, but before we crossed road we had a close encounter with a Long Tailed Tit ! Close !

 Also a Chiffchaff. At Shapwick more booming Bitterns a Marsh Harrier over.

Black Tailed Godwits in their lovely rusty red plumage around 10 birds

At Meare Heath Hide more from a Marsh Harrier, A soaring Sparrow Hawk and then

Highlight of the Day !! A Common Crane Fly Past !! 
First one we've both ever seen 

Apart from Slimbridge Woohoo ! Very high and heading South. 

On that note or another booming Bittern note a great day with 50 species seen or heard .

Weather: Bright Sunshine, Blue Skies - 17.5c !

Other Species: Bittern, Common Crane, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Reed Bunting, Gadwall, Garganey, Cetti's, Greylag, Wigeon, Curlew, Lapwing, Teal, Willow Warbler plus many more !

Thanks For Looking !