Wednesday 7th December 2022 - Somerset Levels.

 

For this week’s day out the 3 Amigos were invited to join the Bath Nats field trip to the Somerset Levels meeting at Ham Wall car park at 10.30. Birding started as we travelled to our destination and the first birds we saw were 2 birds of prey as we drove through Pensford, a Buzzard sat in a field was 1st then a Red Kite in flight. Blackbird and Rook were soon added. Dropping down the hill into Wells a few male Pheasants were seen, this species was also seen at Ham Wall with 1 in the car park. A flyover Raven was next  with Magpie, Starling and Great Tit also seen. As we approached Ham Wall a Little Egret was stood by one of the drainage channels. In the car park while waiting for the rest of the party we spotted a Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Jay and a Chaffinch plus a very friendly Robin.

Very friendly Robin - Ham Wall (Bath Birdwatcher)

9 of us turned out on a very cold day and it was decided to start our day walking towards Noah’s hide as a special bird had been seen in the area (more of that later) On leaving the car park we headed along the South Drain where a Cormorant was seen overhead, and Jackdaw and Carrion Crow were new day ticks. As we continued Long Tailed Tits were heard and soon found working there way through the bushes with another Chiffchaff. As we approached the area of open water across the south drain a female type Marsh Harrier was seen almost floating over the reedbed. On the main water body were many different duck species including Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Shoveler. A Woodpigeon flew over and a few Coot were also seen. A pair of Stonechats were working their way along the far bank along with some Goldfinches. A Grey Heron was stood like a statue on the bank then Glen spotted THE special bird that we were hoping was still here an American Wigeon its only the second time I have seen this duck species so a very special sighting, Unfortunately it was stood on the bank with its European cousins (this bird is as the name suggests is American and must have got lost on migration and ended up here) and we only had views of its head but is very distinctive with its pale head stripe across a green head. After we all had our fill of this bird we moved on towards the hide but added a Wren on a log pile, and a Goldcrest on the path to the hide. Once in the hide you look out on a huge body of water which was covered with water birds here we added to our day list Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall, Pintail and both Greylag and Canada Geese.

Great Crested Grebe - Noah's (Bath Birdwatcher)

Glen then spotted probably our second best sighting of the day a male Scaup right on the far side of the lake against the reeds and you needed a telescope to see it. A Great White Egret flew across the lake and out of sight. It was time to get back to the cars for lunch and walking back up the path a Coal Tit was found along with another Goldcrest and Chiffchaff. Walking back along the drain a few Redwing were in the trees opposite and a Black Headed Gull flew over. As we sat on the picnic tables having lunch a Song Thrush flew into a shrub and starting having its lunch eating the berries. After lunch it was off to Ham Wall to see what was about and we soon found an area with a lot of bird life that contained at least 2 pair of Bullfinches the males being such striking birds Chaffinch, Robin, Goldfinch and another Goldcrest were birds we had previously seen. As we approached the 1st viewing point a Little Grebe was spotted on one of the smaller bodies of water but nothing new was seen at the viewing point so we continued to the second viewing point and here on a small islet we found what must have been a 100+ Snipe all crowded together on this small piece of dry ground. Also seen here was the days only Pied Wagtail and quite a large number of Lapwing but not as many as the snipe. We all  moved to another viewing point here we saw a Great White Egret stood motionless and was able to take a nice picture.

Great White Egret - Ham Wall (Bath Birdwatcher)

Most of the group were staying for the Starling murmuration but the 3amigos needed to go but as we all walked back to the area where the Starlings had roosted the previous evening we added Great Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreeper to the days total. Leaving the group we returned to the car but as we were loading the car the Starlings started streaming over in groups of 1000+ birds, it was estimated that the previous evening some 500,000 starlings were present. We all had a great day and we are looking forward to our next trip and we won’t have to wait long as on Saturday there is an RSPB trip to Oldbury Power Station.

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