29 April 2016

Cheddar Way

Date: 28/04/2016
Location: Velvet Bottom - Cheddar Res - Crook Peak
Weather: Blue Skies > Cloud > Rain
Other Species: 
Common Redstarts, Raven, Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Common Sandpiper, White Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Buzzard  - 35 Species Seen
Observation:  
Still after a Redstart so I headed to Velvet Bottom again, Black Rock end this time it all seemed very quiet there with almost nothing showing. First saw a female then this stunning male hiding away in branches.


With dog walkers frequently passing by I stayed patiently bins in hand scanning, after lying in ants nest and spiders disappearing into my coat this great looking male landed some 40ft away stayed for 3 shots and disappeared not to be seen by me again !


Brought my small lens so headed round to Long Mead Wood to see if any Bluebells about, thousands of them covering the hill side .


UK's best Bluebell wood and only a mile walk with Bluebells, Cuckoo flower, Wood Anemone covering the floor. 


Small stream that trickles through Long Wood, apart from some irresponsible dog walkers who'd lost their dog had the wood to myself.


After arriving back to van headed to Cheddar Reservoir there were a few Common Sandpipers on shoreside but little else on Reservoir. But this male Whitethroat was very showy in fact 2 Whitethroat,1 Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff all on same small bush !


Here's the female just as showy !


Had all the Wagtails a pair of Grey Wagtails not really posing for long as walkers, runners and dogs kept them on the move !


Just about  2 White Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail !


The Pied Wagtails much happier to pose. 


Around 20 Great Crested Grebes always at distance but striking just the same. A few Gulls Lesser Black Backed, Coot, and a few Cormorants made up what was on Res.


Crook Peak seen from halfway round, next destination.


Not after a few Jackdaws flypast collecting sheep wool from reservoir banks.


A few Barn Swallows about, this almost perfect shot, almost !


Sandpipers constantly moving, flight shots best views of them around 20 I'd say .


After a Pot noodle, sausage casserole flavor mmmmm, headed to Crooks Peak with the hope a butterflies maybe Grizzled Skipper or Dingy Skipper but nout weather had changed now and heavy cloud was covering the skies !
The only Butterfly was a Peacock at bottom. But on way up had Buzzard, Meadow Pipits and this cracking Stonechat, such obliging birds !


Early Purple Orchid, I think not many other nectar sources on hill apart from gorse.



Rain coming down, Brent Knoll to right and the Quantocks in distance .


Final image of the day is at the summit of Crook Peak (191 metres-627 ft) looking towards Cheddar Reservoir and the Mendip hills beyond.
A lovely day and will return hopefully in sunshine for Butterflies. :)


Thanks For Looking

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