28th February 2023 – Somerset Levels

I spent the day on the Somerset Levels – always a favourite of mine; however, the cold and lack of sun did test my resolve. Frustratingly, I could see the sun shining on the Mendip Hills to the north of me.

The Great White Egret was the only thing to stand out in the poor light at Catcott Lows

A Little Egret flew in to lighten the scene

I started at Catcott Lows. The wetlands were teeming with wigeon, but not a lot else until a Great White Egret and a Little Egret appeared. It was just as well as it was too gloomy to photograph anything other than white birds.

The Wren next to the hide was often very vocal but not when I was photographing it

I moved on to RSPB Ham Wall. There have been sightings of Glossy Ibis here but they had decided that it was too cold for them and didn’t make an appearance.

A Robin greeted me on my arrival – it was after a share of my sandwiches

A pair of Shovelers

Great Crested Grebe

A Teal up close

The Great Crested Grebes spent an awful lot of time diving but not coming up with weeds for their famous dances

In reality there wasn’t a lot here. Quite a few Shovelers, a few Tufted Ducks and half a dozen Great Crested Grebe and one Little Grebe. Strangely at Catcott Lows and here there were no Lapwings, until a large flock flew over and headed towards Glastonbury Tor. A pretty sight.

Lapwing

A very distant Marsh Harrier

The sun made a very brief appearance on this Shoveler

The Little Grebe wouldn’t come close to me

The Tufted Duck was less shy

Before heading home I had a very brief visit to Westhay Moor. A pair of Greylag geese and a pair of Great Crested Grebe that nearly took to the air were the best on offer.

A Grey Heron on my way to Westhay Moor

Greylag Geese

Great Crested Grebe doing its best to take off

It felt like the Highlands of Scotland there today and so, with that in mind, I had a dram of whisky back at home. The day seemed much more successful after that.

Slideshow of some of my photos from today.

4 responses to “28th February 2023 – Somerset Levels”

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