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Somerset Birding (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter shoshone
- Start date
The Kerreran
Has hat, will stand in the rain
Up at Clark's Village doing the dreaded Annual Ritual yesterday [nothing birdy to report other than some pesky Starlings doing a creditable Waxwing impersonation!], and came back via Ham Wall for the evening's show. The Starlings roosted on the south side of the railway line, eastern half of the reserve - the most sheltered area of reeds that didn't have shotguns going off around it... They didn't put on one of their most vintage performances, and the main flock stayed close to Glastonbury for most of the time, but still it was well worth the trip. Also, adult female and juvenile Marsh Harriers [the latter missing a right secondary but catching something small dark and furry - a water vole or maybe a small rat?], an adult female Sparrowhawk through fast, plenty of the usual commoner suspects - including lots of male Shoveler flying around, and a surprise Woodcock flying east over Ashcott Corner as a finale. :t:
kr76
Member
4th Dec
G C Grebe 28
Lt Egret 1
Heron 1
Mute Swan 3
Shoveler 2
Wigeon 2
Teal 18
Bullfinch 1
Cormorent 7
Coal Tit 6
Nuthatch 1
Tufted 4
3rd Dec
G C Grebe 30+
Cormorent 12
Wigeon 2
Teal 13
Tufted 4
Heron 1
Lesser Redpoll 2
These are the first Redpoll to be seen at the Res for 5 years and the first Res record for December. They were at the entrance to the wood.
Just A Few Photos
G C Grebe 28
Lt Egret 1
Heron 1
Mute Swan 3
Shoveler 2
Wigeon 2
Teal 18
Bullfinch 1
Cormorent 7
Coal Tit 6
Nuthatch 1
Tufted 4
3rd Dec
G C Grebe 30+
Cormorent 12
Wigeon 2
Teal 13
Tufted 4
Heron 1
Lesser Redpoll 2
These are the first Redpoll to be seen at the Res for 5 years and the first Res record for December. They were at the entrance to the wood.
Just A Few Photos
woodhornbirder
Well-known member
Anyone here know a bloke called raymond. FRom wedmore, hes in his 60s.
GOes out most weds to ham wall shapwick area. Got a kentish accent.
GOes out most weds to ham wall shapwick area. Got a kentish accent.
devon.birder
Well-known member
Went up to Somerset today and the first stop was Hawkridge Reservoir, Found 6 of the reported 7 Mandarins on the pool at the west end of the reservoir. Next stop was Marsh Farm, Steart and again I came up 1 short as I could only see 6 of the reported 7 Bewick Swans. At Cheddar Reservoir I could only find 1 of the reported 3 Black-necked Grebes but 2 male Red-crested Pochards were a bonus. Also saw 1 male Goosander and several Goldeneye.
Whilst I spent nearly 2 hours at Ubley Warren NR the Great Grey Shrike failed to put in an appearance. Still a good days birding. Roger
Whilst I spent nearly 2 hours at Ubley Warren NR the Great Grey Shrike failed to put in an appearance. Still a good days birding. Roger
At least one Blacknecked Grebe at Cheddar yesterday.
Will be over there myself tomorrow.
John P
Usually on a different wavelength
Cheers Stranger.
Got four of those at Blashford near home. |:$|
Any Short-eared Owls anywhere close by?
Have a look at the Severnside Birding website,I believe that Aust Wharf is a reliable site for them
John P
Usually on a different wavelength
OK Thanks for that: found Aust Wharf but not sure if I want to go that far from base, we might just make do with the local Barn Owls.
Say Hi if you see us at Cheddar, I'll be the bloke with the wife hobbling along a few yards behind.:hi:
Hi all
I am coming down to my visit my folks in a weeks time (26th-30th) and I am trying to plan a few days out with my dad to bag a few 'bits and bobs'
The snowy owl in Cornwall is already in our sights but I am interested in looking for the cattle egrets, starlings, bittern and the bustard (I know it is released but it would be nice to see!). If anyone can help out with any information on these or anything else, I would be most grateful.
If you don't want to broadcast with info, feel free to send me a private message.
Many thanks for your help
Paul
I am coming down to my visit my folks in a weeks time (26th-30th) and I am trying to plan a few days out with my dad to bag a few 'bits and bobs'
The snowy owl in Cornwall is already in our sights but I am interested in looking for the cattle egrets, starlings, bittern and the bustard (I know it is released but it would be nice to see!). If anyone can help out with any information on these or anything else, I would be most grateful.
If you don't want to broadcast with info, feel free to send me a private message.
Many thanks for your help
Paul
Check out the SOS Bird news forum at http://pub13.bravenet.com/forum/1065729998 on http://www.somersetbirds.net.
devon.birder
Well-known member
If you go down for the Snowy Owl there is a wintering Bittern at Long Rock Pool, Marazion. I watched it fly from the reeds on the south side across the pool and then over the road in to the main reed bed at 16.50 on Tuesday. Today there were two Cattle Egrets near the church at Powderham near Exeter. Best of luck. Roger
Greysands boy
Well-known member
Shapwick Egret!!!
Hi all you somerset lot,
Myself and Partimer Travelled up from North Devon yesterday and spent the day in your neck of the woods had a good day at shapwick,
With plenty of good birds,
Highlights were Siskin, Goldeneye and a Great Egret at far side of the pool pool viewed from Noahs hide along with greta views of otters about 10 feet away below thw same hide,
I cant believe with such a great local area with great birds not more of you post here on the forum,
I had 3 lifers metioned above. Happy days
Darryl
Hi all you somerset lot,
Myself and Partimer Travelled up from North Devon yesterday and spent the day in your neck of the woods had a good day at shapwick,
With plenty of good birds,
Highlights were Siskin, Goldeneye and a Great Egret at far side of the pool pool viewed from Noahs hide along with greta views of otters about 10 feet away below thw same hide,
I cant believe with such a great local area with great birds not more of you post here on the forum,
I had 3 lifers metioned above. Happy days
Darryl
shoshone
Well-known member
Darryl,
Shame on us 'Somerset Birders'
Takes a Devon guy (and believe me Darryl has lot's to visit at home) to give us a push...please help by contributing to our local patch. :clap:
Jamie
woodhornbirder
Well-known member
I might be in somerset next week, is the GWegret at shapwick still showing well ?
The Kerreran
Has hat, will stand in the rain
Surprised me too - then I found the S.O.S. website. News, sites, the works.. very impressive!
Noahs hide seems to be the best spot to see it at the moment.
Somerset visit
Had a good visit home last week so thanks to those who pointed me in the right direction for information.
Spent a pleasent day on the Levels on Wednesday and visited some old haunts. Hadn't been out that way for a while to nice to see the new parking facilities at Ashcott Corner and the viewing area at Ham Wall.
Highlights included great views of the GW egret and 2 bitterns from the Ham Wall viewing area and 11 water pipits in the cut reeds behind. 7 whooper swans, the egret again and 2 otters (only the 3rd time I have seen one) from the Noah's lake hide. The cattle egret was still in Sharpham Park and I couldn't resist a look at the bustards (impressive birds). It was also nice to see plenty of common buzzard and a few ravens around the place.
My parents garden feeders have attracted over 20 species so far this year including 10 brambling, 7 lesser and 1 mealy redpoll last week.
Paul
Had a good visit home last week so thanks to those who pointed me in the right direction for information.
Spent a pleasent day on the Levels on Wednesday and visited some old haunts. Hadn't been out that way for a while to nice to see the new parking facilities at Ashcott Corner and the viewing area at Ham Wall.
Highlights included great views of the GW egret and 2 bitterns from the Ham Wall viewing area and 11 water pipits in the cut reeds behind. 7 whooper swans, the egret again and 2 otters (only the 3rd time I have seen one) from the Noah's lake hide. The cattle egret was still in Sharpham Park and I couldn't resist a look at the bustards (impressive birds). It was also nice to see plenty of common buzzard and a few ravens around the place.
My parents garden feeders have attracted over 20 species so far this year including 10 brambling, 7 lesser and 1 mealy redpoll last week.
Paul
