Creeping Closer to the 200

Date: 09-12th December

Location: 
Chard, Greylake, Ham Wall, Newton St Loe

Weather: 
Dry to absolutely soaking

Species Highlights: 
Smew, Yellow-Browed Warbler, Firecrest, Tufted Duck, Whooper Swan.

Observation: 
Monday morning started with a trip down to Chard reservoir for the Smew, perfect conditions but at first no Smew, in fact not much a walk down the road side and Lauren spotted the Red-Headed Smew tucked in against the bank. We waited for a hour but it stayed where we spotted it, so left for Greylake and a Yellow-Browed Warbler.

A full car park at Greylake, but only one person looking for the YBW on entering the small picnic area where it had been seen, I saw it! Called to Lauren and it disappeared, I saw it once more but very elusive. This Starling from the car park.

We then drove to Ham Wall for a try for the Firecrest which had been showing nicely, Lauren on fire today spotted her first ever Firecrest and the small crowd all managed to see it also.

Two birds were seen but moving so fast, as they do.

Really pleased for Lauren to get this great little bird a lifer for her.

A walk to VP1 proved to be very quiet so we returned home.

Rain Wednesday, and Thursday but a patch walker has to check on patch just in case.
Very quite around, birds obviously sheltering from the rain,13 Red Legged Partridge on top fields, released ready for their sad slaughter.
Whooper Swan still present now its 80th day. 

The Tufted Duck female still present also, our longest staying Tufted.

Teal number at 13 birds, making lots of noise and even the Little Grebe still about, but I'm now soaking wet so started the trudge home.

Lots of gulls feeding in fields 70+ Black Headed, 5 Herring Gull, 15 Common Gull, 20 Lesser Black Backed, plus a constant stream going to roast on way home, one day will have to count gulls going to roast as must be 1000's.
This Buzzard almost as wet as me was last spot of the day.

So with the Smew for us both adding to our year total and the lifer Firecrest (my Firecrest was on patch this year) for Lauren creeping closer to her magic 200!

Wayne Year Bird List: 206
Lauren Year Bird List: 197

Thanks For Looking! 

&

  Thanks For All Your Support!

If you enjoy our blog's, why not follow us on our social media:

Twitter

Facebook

Birthday treats

Date: 
02-05 December

Location:
Somerset Levels, Slimbridge, Newton St Loe 

Weather: 
Cold but mostly blue

Species Highlights: 
Starling, Treecreeper, Kingfisher, Whooper swan, Slimbridge, Bittern, Water Rail, Stonechat.

Observation: 
Lauren at work so I headed down to Ham Wall to see what was around a very cold morning but beautiful blue skies, This blackbird was sunning himself near the visitors center.

 I walked to hides but seemed to be very little to snap at, so drove down to Greylake. In the car park as usual a few birds coming to the feeders. 
Dunnock.

Reed bunting, female.

Chaffinch

But the stars were the Starlings, squawking and scrapping over and around the feeders

Wren- Troglodytes Troglodytes

From the hides Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon numbers starting to build, on returning back to the van my Fit-bit fell off, didn't notice till much later. 
I left for Wells, Bishops place

At Wells this Treecreeper landed almost next to me, letting me have a few nice pictures.

The reason I went to Wells was to see the Kingfishers but although I saw 2 the light was disappearing and I'd now realised I'd lost my Fit-bit! 
That night I got home and posted a few pictures on Facebook, mentioning my lost Fit-bit, which I'd thought i'd never see again........

Tuesday and more blue skies a early patch walk, very quiet but this Mirror Carp at around 15 lbs was a great breakfast for this Robin, not so lucky for the Carp.

The Moorhen was also digging in.

I then had a Facebook message saying "I think I've found your Fit-bit" from a very nice chap called Kieran, whose gonna post it back to me, Whoohoo!

Back to the Walk and this Raven flew over Honking.

Along the back drive to University a small group of Meadow Pipit plus a pair of Stonechat (not pictured) unusal here.

Wednesday 4th December was my birthday 53, so after opening a few presents I set off to Slimbridge.

As a birthday treat the Bittern had arranged to give me a viewing from the Zeiss hide!

Saw 2 birds for a few minutes then they both disappeared into the reeds, as they do.

Such amazing camo, blending into the reeds, some people couldn't see them even though they were in plain sight!

The sun was shinning and the captive ponds looked fantastic.

 Goldeneye - Bucephala Clangula

Greater Scaup - Aythya Marila

Eider - Somateria Mollissima

Smew - Mergus Albellus

From the Willow hide a Water Rail had also decided to show for my Birthday.

From the other hides Wigeon, Lapwing and Curlew could be seen,

And Pintail, such a stunning duck

Not much flying past so dropped back to the captive ducks.

Redhead - Aythya americana

Greater Scaup female

Ring- Necked Duck - Aythya collaris

The Eider were mating and this the after shot, wouldn't want to evade their privacy.

Had to head home for my my birthday tea but dropped into the Rushy hide this Bewick taking a well earned drink after its long flight.

Thursday I met with Nigel Sluman at Church for a guided tour, not much going on but Nigel, Eagle eyed, spotted this female Tufted Duck, first for the year on top lake. 
Whooper still present in to its 44th day. 
Teal numbers at 16 and Little Grebe still present.

Walking along the back drive managed to get a picture of the Stonechat which I'd seen on Tuesday.

Showing well as they do. Leaving Nigel I carried on home.

This Kestrel was the last tick of the day, and the week.

Still no change but next week hope to add a few to Lauren's list.

Wayne Year Bird List: 205
Lauren Year Bird List: 195

Thanks For Looking! 

&

  Thanks For All Your Support!

If you enjoy our blog's, why not follow us on our social media:

Twitter

Facebook

The Butterflies are coming!

Date: 25th -27th March

Location: 
Somerset Levels, Newton St Loe

Weather: 
Blue skies and rising temperatures

Species Highlights: 
Bittern, Glossy Ibis, Garganey, Chiffchaff, Marsh Harrier, Lesser Scaup & 
Butterflies!

Observation: 
Monday Morning was forecast to be blue skies and sunshine so we headed down to the Somerset Levels, We drove along North Chine Drove and were rewarded with a Red Kite and 27 Cattle Egrets just below Mudgley. Our first stop was Westhay it was very quiet so after a brief wander we Went to Ham Wall.
Lots of calling Chiffchaff, Blackcap & Butterflies making a lovely spring spectacle.

The Garganey was sleeping so views were limited.

But while sat in the Tor hide a bonus Bittern could be seen sat in reeds.

A brief flight and dropped it into Reeds, then started to Boom immediately.

From Shapwick we had some distant views of the Glossy Ibis, so small, it got spooked by a Great White Egret.

A highlight of the day was a displaying Male Marsh Harrier, swooping and soaring over the reed bed with the female high above watching her mate.

Trailing cob webs.

We watched a Great Crested Grebe fishing below the hide amazing to see it change position under water, very agile!

OOOoo European Peacock just showing off. Brimstone, Small White were also seen today.

Still looking for better shots of the Garganey we headed around to Catcott, unfortunately no more were seen but 3 Great White Egrets were having a battle this one launching to attack.

On way home we dropped into Cheddar Reservoir the Male Mandarin was present still looking splendid.

After a long walk around this female Goosander was the best of the rest.

Tuesday after the sunshine we'd been getting i was feeling lucky so wandered around Bath Mill and up to Seven Acre woods in search of butterflies, not disappointed. Brimstone's in good numbers.

A few Small Tortoiseshell.

Plus 2 Orange Tip 5 days earlier than previous years (I have records since 2008)
Still very flighty but managed a few decent shots.
Feeling very happy a Speckled Wood Landed in front of me (21/03/2016 earliest) just to top day off.

Wednesday I went to Chew Valley and Blagdon a brief song from a Willow Warbler but many Chiffchaff and Blackcap's singing.

This male Greater Spotted Woodpecker busily feeding, it had a ring but couldn't quite read it (8278?)

Lots of Bee Fly hoovering around lake, this one the Dark Edged Bee Fly.

Went for another shot at the Lesser Scaup, always a bit distant but with perfect light i waited enjoying the sunshine.

It didn't come any closer after watching for 40 mins so I left heading home to see if i could improve the  butterfly count on my patch.
Had a walk around Patch and only thing of note was Swans top lake seem to be nest building(work still ongoing on Dam)

On the Butterfly count It turns out I could, 2 Holly Blue seen, high up near transmitter in Seven Acre and 5 days earlier than 2017.

Speckled wood seemed more settled today giving me a opportunity at open flat wings.

European Peacock

Comma, a little worn this one.

Small White first picture of the year for this very fast moving individual I'm sure they'll settle down.

Wayne Year bird List: 138
Lauren Year Bird List: 132

The first 10 for me 
Butterflies :10 species

Red Admiral, Large Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Brimstone, Comma, Small White, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue.

Lauren Butterflies 5

Thanks For Looking! 

&

  Thanks For All Your Support!

If you enjoy our blog's, why not follow us on our social media:

Twitter

Facebook