Just because we have not been celebrating the 'C Word' doesn't mean we have been sat idley by twiddling the proverbials, on the contrary, we have been more active than is usual. So much so that already we are 4 days behind and now looking back at a magical day across the
SOMERSET LEVELS
making a start at
and imperative that we arrived pre-dawn to witness one of the most magical moments the reserve has to offer. We could already hear the kerfuffle from the car park about a mile away as
many 'thousands' of
STARLINGs
made to leave their reedbed roost, known as a 'murmuration'
MAGIC!
While in the process recording all of the more common British Herons including
LITTLE EGRET
GREY HERON
GREAT WHITE EGRET
along with a number of the smaller version
CATTLE EGRETand only dipping out on the most shy and secretive of them all the
BITTERN
On entry to a nearby hide the first thing to be noticed were a number of
OWL PELETS
regurgitated by most likely Barn or Tawny Owl before catching sight of the
Thousands of Waterfowl.
TEAL
in the majority and with small mixed'flurries' ariving at regular intervals such as
TEAL and WIGEON (male's with thier 'golden caps')
in the background.
Male SHOVELER
making a start at
MAGIC!
While in the process recording all of the more common British Herons including
On entry to a nearby hide the first thing to be noticed were a number of
regurgitated by most likely Barn or Tawny Owl before catching sight of the
Thousands of Waterfowl.
in the majority and with small mixed'flurries' ariving at regular intervals such as
in the background.
also in the background
and foreground with Wigeon before turning our attentions to something a little more agressive!
The first of at least c3MARSH HARRIERs
spoiled for choice as far as
breakfast was concerned!
DRAINS
served by the mechanics of aWIND GENERATOR
breakfast was concerned!
Of the passerines, small perching birds, there were decent numbers of
SISKIN left and LESSER REDPOLL
and just a single
WATER PIPIT
while representative of the Wading Birds probably a thousand
LAPWING
and who knows how many dozens of the less numerous
GOLDEN PLOVER
both mostly 'on the wing'.
A huge heap of PEAT thought for a commercial market rightly or wrongly? who knows, along with regular squeals from
WATER RAIL/s
The last of it before moving on was something of a fluke as walking along one of the drains coinsiding with the 'landing' of this Jack (small)
PIKE
which was successfully 'clicked' from some distance and with the anglers cooperation.
and just a single
while representative of the Wading Birds probably a thousand
and who knows how many dozens of the less numerous
both mostly 'on the wing'.
The last of it before moving on was something of a fluke as walking along one of the drains coinsiding with the 'landing' of this Jack (small)
which was successfully 'clicked' from some distance and with the anglers cooperation.
Part 2 Coming to a Blog near you in the near future!
