Westhay, Greylake + Ham Wall - Somerset Levels

Date: 17/02/2015

Location: Westhay, Greylake + Ham Wall - Somerset Levels 

Observation: Blue skies and new camera settings so headed for the Levels first off Westhay, car park almost full, half term I suppose. But as usual didn't see many people on reserve was hoping for a Firecrest but after walking London Drove a few times no sign, did see 3 Buzzard, Great White Egret, Goosander and a very obliging Chiffchaff and Long Tailed Tit though.

settings working well !

Next Greylake, again very busy with best spots for car park feeders taken :( . 

even the Reed Bunting was wondering who left the gate open !

So headed round to hides after squeezing into a space 

SNIPE 20 ft in front hide in beautiful light ! Nice .

Shoveller, Gadwall, Wigeon in numbers everywhere also Curlew and Lapwing.

Even two sticks is enough camouflage for this beautiful bird !

Kestrel hunting on way back to car park, on arriving back at van a space appeared by feeders so a quick bit of maneuvering kettle on and started to watch as Reed Bunting, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tits, Dunnocks, Chaffinch and the stars the Starlings. 
Having a right scrap over seed.

Dunnock death stare !

Waiting his turn

 Queue jumping not accepted !!

Come and have go ...!

After an hour or so headed round to Ham Wall on way home, parked in new car park, better than scrapping roof on old car park barrier ! Heard Cetti's Warbler, Just missed Bittern and Marsh Harrier not 5 mins ago. 

Always the way but a good day was had and happier with 7d mkii setting now i think .

Weather: Blue Skies temp around 5c 

Other Species: Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Curlew, Buzzard, Kestrel, Snipe, Shoveller, Wigeon, Starlings, Gadwall, Great White Egret, Goosander, Lapwing, Cetti's Warbler, Long Tailed Tit.

Thanks for Reading and looking! 

Better Pictures Here

Severn Beach to Northwick Warth

Date: 19/08/2014
Location: Severn Beach to Northwick Warth
Observation: Headed to Severn beach this morning, bit of sea air! First spot was 12 Redshank resting up headed towards point where a Peregrine Falcon was hunting on shoreline making what was there rise and until it went. Pilling Wetlands on right was full of Canadian Geese around 50+. Saw a Wheatear bobbing from fence post to fence post. A few shots and gone. Headed on along the Severn Way path not much else apart from a strange man in red kangol seemed to be rolling around in mud down towards the shoreline ?! Weird! Headed back Wheatear there again crawled closer and it stayed! Nice :) And I even stayed dry !
Weather: Cloudy with some showers 
Other Species: House Sparrow, Redshank, Wheatear, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Canada Goose Lots, Greylag, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Peregrine, Goldcrest, Starlings. 

3 of 12

Gaggle of House Sparrows

Not often i complain "Too Close !"

Wheatear- 1st Winter

Thanks for Looking 

2 Black Headed And A Crane at Newton Park Lake :)

Date spotted:07/11/2013

Location: Zone 1-2+5

Observation: 4.5 mile walk,seemed to be lots of blue tits screeching with small flocks of goldfinch flying over me most of walk.3 Treecreeper at Top Lake ,with swans still all present.large group of Crows and Woodies feeding by Seven Acre.good walk with lots of birds about others:Roe Deer,Grey Squirrel

Weather: Cool , some sun dry.

Other Species: Crow 100+,Collared Dove 6,Coot,Coal Tit 2,lots of Blue Tits and Great Tits,Goldfinch,Greenfinch,Dunnock,Chaffinch 2,Buzzard 2,Green Woodpecker,Starlings 30+,Wood pigeon 50+,Yellowhammer, Goldcrest,Treecreeper 3,Mallards,Mute Swan 2 +5 cygnets, Moorhen ,Grey Heron 1,Rook,Raven,Blackbird,Thrush 2,Long tailed Tit,Magpie,Lesser Black Backed,100+ Black Headed Gulls

 2 Gulls & A Crane !! :)

Mute Swan - Cygnus olor

Date spotted: 25th May 2012 - 2.30pm

Location: Zones 1+2

Observation: A great days walking with lots of action ! First we spotted our first Banded Demoiselle, Dragon Fly. Then on upper lake the carp were spawning and further up Mute Mum with cygnets on nest, in photo mum shielding little one from sun  aahhh! Then spent an hour watching grey Wagtails and Spotted Flycatcher (didn't think could get much better) Watching what we thought was a Kestrel flying around the field, it turned out to be a Sparrowhawk, coming in to kill a Blackbird sat on telegraph pole, missed the Blackbird by inches!

Weather: 25 Degrees, Sunny, Hazy but clearing up as day went on.

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard and Ducklings, Mute Swan with Cygnet x2, Starlings, Grey Wagtail, Robin Fledgling, 2X Spotted Flycatcher, Goldfinch, 1X Sparrow hawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant, Chaffinch, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Barn Swallows, House Sparrows, Jay.