Date: 09-12th December
Location:
Chard, Greylake, Ham Wall, Newton St Loe
Chard, Greylake, Ham Wall, Newton St Loe
Weather:
Dry to absolutely soaking
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!
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!
