Axe Estuary - Brean Down

Date: 06/01/2015

Location:  Axe Estuary + Brean Down

Observation: Blue skies so headed to coast for a look for Twite's or better. Got to Brean around 11am parking only a pound bargain! Then headed round towards Axe Estuary within minutes of getting there spotted the Twite only 3 was 4, some other birders also seen them distantly. My 400mm lens not long enough ! 

Stonechat and Meadow Pipits buzzing around with a small group of Linnet.

Lots of waders across on estuary Redshank and a-like.

After a while a Raven sat on near by cliff and called time for me so headed back towards carpark.

Looked for Black Redstart on beach, he was there jumping from rock to rock in the sunshine, Nice ! 

Weather: Cold but Blue Skies !

Other Species: Pied Wagtail, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Twite, Raven, Buzzard, Redshank, Wigeon, Black Redstart - Of Note.

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Morning Minks + Evening Roost

Date: 02/01/2015 - 9.30am - 5PM

Location:  Shapwick Heath - Ham Wall - Somerset Levels

Observation:  We arrived down onto the Somerset Levels, for a full day on Shapwick + Ham Wall. Never gone as far as Canada Lake so decided to go for it this time. Parked at Ham Wall and had a quick check in the Meare Heath hide, nothing of note spotted, so swiftly moved on, about 20 paces past the bridge at Shapwick, seen a little brown mammal hopping along the path straight towards us, another birder was in front of us and he snapped away, a cute little Mink! He ran down the bank looking for food, and carried on straight towards us, ran back across the path about 10 foot in front of us and down into the reeds towards Noah's Lake, was a nice surprise to see this! Got to Canada Lake after not seeing alot, to get told we missed a Otter fishing and a Kingfisher by about 30 minutes! Always the way! Still happy with seeing the Mink, we wandered down and had a quick stop off in the van before heading onto Ham Wall. 

Alot of tame Robins about today! 

2 Reed Bunting feeding in front of Viewing Platforms, which stayed for a few people to get some shots.

2 Reed Bunting feeding in front of Viewing Platforms, which stayed for a few people to get some shots! Second platform, was active with some Lapwings flying back and forth. The reserve was filling up quick and the new car park full for the starlings must have been at least 200 people present, and the Starling didn't disappoint, estimated count was 800,000 total, although we didn't attempt to count them ! A very nice walk and day out on the Levels once again!

Starling Video Here: http://youtu.be/RHxVcJE9CY0

Weather:  Blue Sky, Little Cloud, Cold With Wind

Other Species: Buzzard, Gadwall, Wigeon, Reed Bunting, Song Thrush, Robin, Treecreeper, Starling, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier,Redwing,Teal Of note

Mammals: Mink, Roe Deer

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01/01/2015 Marshfield

Date: 01/01/2015 (Happy New Year!)
Location: Marshfield 

Observation: Thought I'd have a look at Marshfield as so many birds are seen on Marshfield Birds Website, so new year, new day, with grey skies and almost dark not good for photography but stacks of birds! Crossed the A420 With a Kestrel hunting, Linnet, Golden Plover and Lapwings all in the air at least 200 Plovers up for 20 mins to right of Northfield Lane.

Skylark, Corn Bunting and Yellowhammers in good numbers in trees along very muddy track.

Carried on to road and turned right on to Rushmead Lane, A Reed Bunting drinking from puddle was closest bird of the day, with a Pied wagtail for company.

On along lane 2 more Kestrels and a Stonechat but wind getting up and a bit of rain great! Turned left along Tormarton Road mainly Pheasant in roadside hedges but lots of Corvids in skies above 2 Raven amongst them. Stopped for a cuppa soup on start of Shirehill Lane with a Goldcrest in trees.

Carried on towards down road and the feeding station Chaffinch, Fieldfare and more Yellowhammer best here .

Crossed fields towards A420 and Buzzard was last bird of walk.

Weather: Grey Skies, Some Rain, Became windy

Other Species: Kestrel, Buzzard, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Linnet, Skylark, Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting, Pied Wagtail, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbirds, Fieldfare, Chaffinch, Starling, Pigeon, Jackdaw, Raven, Crow, Rook, Black Headed Gull, Common Gull, Stonechat.

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Sunny Slimbridge

Date: 29/12/2014

Location: Slimbridge WWT

Observation:

                    Started on this frosty morning, took 25 mins to defrost van !! -6.5 bit chilly but sun shining bright. Got to Slimbridge around 10ish car park filling up already ! 

Headed round to Rushy Hide but all full with very big lenses so headed down to Willow Hide for Water Rail, the most photographed Water Rail in the world was out on ice, showing great .

Got a few shots in the sunshine and looked good.

Looked in to other hides but ice on most waters meant ducks and waders numbers were low. Tried Rushy again same lenses still full !

Had a look for Bittern at Kingfisher Hide but not seen today, a small group of Long Tailed Tits did show nice.

South Lake for a cup of soup then back round to Rushy really wanna photograph Bewick's this the best hide for that, but still full same lenses must be 2/3 hours ! We pushed in a bit got a few tight flight shots.

Headed back to Willow, Water Rail still putting on a show light starting to shadow now, a Reed Bunting and Bullfinch spotted here also and our first every Bank Vole.

Another from the (great) Willow Hide 

On way back everyone was leaving Rushy thought great! Time for flight shots got in to now empty hide looked out windows around 5 Bewicks left pretty bare but all in all a great day !

Species Count - 28 Wild Birds

Weather: -6.5 to start day but sunshine all day! 

Other Species: Water Rail, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting, Bewick Swans, Peregrine Falcon, Buzzard, Black Tailed Godwits, Teal - Another 20+ Species Wild

Thanks for Looking !