200+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, split between frozen lake (where they were struggling to cope) and adjacent playing fields. One cat looking for a golden opportunity now all the ducks have moved to the river and a squirrel.
Super views of Great White Egrets at Chew and Blagdon (flyover), also Little Egrets, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Sandpiper, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorants, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail (it’s there if you look closely).
No Blyth’s Pipit though!
A couple of hours at Chew Valley Lake this morning before the rain came in and we had to shelter in the pub and have fish and chips – why wouldn’t you as it’s Friday after all.
Started well with a male Kingfisher at Herriot’s. Also Mute Swans, a Little Egret, a Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Grey Wagtail, Black-headed Gulls and Heron Gulls. Then on to Herons’ Green with a Great White Egret, Pochard, Great Crested Grebe and a Goosander of interest.
The lake was frozen at Eastville Park and all the ducks had moved to the River Frome. There was still room for a Dipper and I managed to follow it for a while down the river. Plenty of Long-tailed Tits and Great Tits and a single Coal Tit.
Not the one in the USA just Pennsylvania near Marshfield – in fact the field opposite the Tollgate Café on the A46: thousands of Golden Plover chased off by a micro-lite and the threat of 3 Buzzard.
Such a short walk around Eastville Park was not enough really to repair the excesses of the festive period. Nonetheless it was good to get the camera clicking again. Goldfinches, Grey Wagtail, Cormorants, Long-tailed Tit, Grey Heron, Great Tit and a Robin.
First trip out for two weeks (definite case of man ‘flu) and only a quick trip across the road to Stoke Park.
Worth the effort though with a pair of Stonechat, some Goldfinches, a Buzzard and two Raven (very poor photos) and a very lonely Wigeon in the middle of the field.
Managed to take a few bird shots while staying with friends in Pembrokeshire.
Redshank and Curlew on the Taf Estuary at Laugharne on the way down; Tufted Duck in Pembroke Dock; Buzzard and Goosander at Stackpool Estate; Teal, another Buzzard and Curlew and Redwing at the Welsh Wildlife Centre at Cilgerran near Cardigan. Robins everywhere.
It was a black and white world at New Passage on the Severn Estuary this morning but it was quite mild and I enjoyed getting out.
500+ Black-tailed Godwits had been reported there on Monday and, as far as my counting skills go, they must have been all there again today. In fact, the same source (Paul Bowerman – www.severnsidebirds.co.uk ) reported 5000+ birds on the foreshore this morning and indeed there was a huge number and variety of birds.
I walked along by the pools and saw the 200+ Lapwing but the foreshore was by far the more interesting aspect of my walk as the very high tide receded.
We visited Ham Wall on the way back from Dorset. Marsh Harrier definitely my favourite here but pleased to see a Stonechat too.
For our first visit to RSPB Arne we were very lucky with a beautifully sunny but cold day. I suppose the highlight ought have been 30+ Spoonbill but they were at some distance and so the more visible Curlew, Godwit and Redshank were more exciting. A distant Buzzard mobbed by Crow also addd to the day.
More than anything I enjoyed the walk in varied countryside beside Poole Harbour and the slice of cake in their new café.
An amazing day’s birding on the Somerset Levels started in the mist at West Hay Moor NNR. The Bearded Tits were reasonably obliging but nonetheless wouldn’t move in to the sun. There was a distant Sparrowhawk and a cheerful Reed Bunting to entertain during the wait.
I moved on to RSPB Ham Wall where I was rewarded with (first of all a very pleasant cup of coffee in the visitor’s reception) Great White Egret, Glossy Ibis and Marsh Harriers.
The beautiful sunshine encouraged me to move on to Cheddar Reservoir where there was a rare Lesser Yellowlegs which performed marvellously for all the photographers and twitchers present.
On the way home I came across the Mendips (with an amazing view across the lakes and Severn Estuary and well in to Wales) to Blagdon Lake where some knowledgeable birders pointed out a distant Ring-necked Duck, Bewick Swans, Scaup, Goldeneye and endless Great White Egret. I stopped off at Chew to catch the sun setting and more Great White Egret having their supper.
Martin's Bird Blog & Nature Photos 