Showing posts with label Cettis Warbler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cettis Warbler. Show all posts

1 April 2016

Somerset Levels with Blue skies

Date: 31/03/2016
Location: 
Somerset Levels (Westhay, Hamwall, Shapwick)
Weather: Very blue skies turning bit cloudy 
Other Species: 
Bullfinch, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Little Egret, Gadwall, Cettis Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, House Martin, Reed bunting, Bittern,
Observation: 
First shot from home on feeders still getting around 4/5 Bullfinches daily, seem to be enjoying those Sunflower hearts.


 Next blue skies forecast so thought I'd head on down to the levels, Greylake first was there by 9am second car in car park! But didn't really pay off as only sightings were distant with Sparrowhawk and Marsh Harrier very briefly over middle of reserve.
Gadwall from the Viridor hide.



 Walked right round and along London Drove ,this Cettis showed in shadows but many others singing unseen.


 Lake Hide South, Great Crested Grebe about it and a few more Gadwalls so headed off after 2.5 hours to Ham Wall.



Car park filling up with lots of none birders no binoculars! Suppose it was a lovely day for a stroll! 
Headed round to Tor Hide and heard 2 Booming Bitterns.
A few coots defending territories Shovellers and a few Chiffchaffs.


Loxton Marsh path seem quite so headed off round the path where my first Willow Warbler of the year was seen calling a flitting amongst Willow! Also Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and Reed Buntings.


Saw about 3 Willows and 4/5 Chiffchaffs


While watching a welcomed Peacock butterfly fluttered by taking my year count to 4 :)

12/03 Small Tortoiseshell - Patch (Park View Farm)
21/03                               Speckled Wood - Dawlish
25/03                                   Comma - Patch (Brook)
31/03                                          Peacock - Ham Wall


So now dinner time headed over to Shapwick, Little Egret just before Noah's looking at slim pickings !


On way back spotted 3 very high up I think House Martins, 
first awful photo fail of the year for these !


That All For Now 
Thanks For Looking

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23 September 2014

The Adventures of Portland Bill (not to be confused with the 1983 tv show !)


Date: 21 + 22/09/2014

Location: RSPB-Lodmoor, Wyke Regis, Portland Bill 
Observation: Left home in Bath at 2pm for Weymouth, got to Lodmoor around 4ish. Spotted 2 of the long staying Spoonbill almost straight away with Ruff & Black Tailed Godwit close to the bank a few photos.



Black Tailed Godwit @ Lodmoor



 Then of to Swallows Rest Campsite, great place for birds with Ferrybridge a 20 minute walk along coast and a few large fields as our view from van. Did a few nighttime, Long shutter shots of MilkyWay then to sleep for early start !



Yellow Wagtails at least 15 !



At 7.30 on opening door a flock of around 15+ Yellow Wagtails (A Citrine Wagtail also seen, no pic :( . 20+ Meadow Pipits were there to say good morning! After poached egg headed to Portland Bill for the main event! Started at Reforne road, by church headed towards SW Coastal Path, Kestrels were the first spot with amazing close up views.


Giving me Evil's !



Meadows Pipits and Barn Swallows Over head, and on ground.





4/5 Stonechats but Not much else till East Wears by Prison with Peregrines on kills and in air ! 



Breakfast for Peregrines !



Then while looking what we thought was Kestrel at a distance, as it came towards us binoculars focused to reveal a Goshawk with Ravens in close chase, bird flew north towards Ferrybridge.


Lauren's Pic I was on binoculars !



Look at me !



With more Kestrel's as we walked on with Wheatears posing at every rock ! As we approached the Bill we saw a Grey Seal bobbing around diving for about 5 mins then bobbed some more! Nice !







After chips and coffee a Clouded Yellow and Wall Butterflies kept us company up the strip fields. Then by Coastguard obs a friendly Stonechat posed for a few shots with Kestrel's hovering above us all afternoon.



Blackberry Stonechat




We left Portland and dropped in to Lodmoor on way home, Spoonbills still there with Ruff, Dunlin, Lapwing and Starlings looking good in the golden sunshine. 
All in all a great trip !!  



Weather: Warm some blue skies & sunshine

Other Species: Linnet, Yellow Wagtail, Greater Black Back Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Wheatear, Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Goshawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, Spoonbill, Dunlin, Black Tailed Godwits, Willow Warbler, Peregrine Falcon, Shag, Ruff, Lapwing, Cetti's Warblers, Blackcap - Of Note .

 Raven giving it the Beans !


 Kestrel's Everywhere on Bill


 Another flight shot 


 Last The Ruff @ Lodmoor.


 Thanks for looking, now comment !!!