Tuesday 16th April 2024 - Somerset Levels

 

This week the 3 Amigos had their last trip out for a few weeks as we are all on holiday at different times, so this week the Somerset Levels were chosen. We didn’t start our day lists until we reached the road to Westhay where Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Mute Swan were soon logged. I then spotted in a field of cows 11 Cattle Egrets birds that are always good to find. A Robin, Shoveler, Tufted Duck were also seen as we drove along. Coot, Mallard, Canada Goose, Cormorant, Greylag Goose and Great Crested Grebe were all noted by what seemed to be a new pond that we hadn’t noticed before. At Westhay as we walked down the drove a Great White Egret flew over and David found a singing Reed Bunting. A Little Grebe and a Moorhen were seen then our 1st Marsh Harrier of the day drifted by. As we walked to the 1st hides on the right a, Great Spotted Woodpecker flew in and landed on a post in front of us. 

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Westhay (Bath Birdwatcher)

Our next sighting was a Magpie then our 1st butterfly of the day an Peacock  fluttered by. 

Peacock - Westhay (Bath Birdwatcher)

A Grey Heron and a Sparrowhawk flew over and a Long Tailed Tit was working its way through the bushes, it was at this point when a Cetti’s Warbler called and flew onto a branch in full view. In a wooded area a Blue Tit  and a calling Willow Warbler were found and a pair of Gadwall flew over. One of the highlights of the day was our 1st Hobby of the year. As we walked back to the car we added Great Tit, Goldfinch, Lesser Black Back Gull, Wren. Song Thrush plus our first of very many Orange Tip Butterflies. As we drove to Ham Wall Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Rook, House Sparrow and Collared Dove were all added to the days list. As we had our lunch at Ham Wall Lapwing and Sand Martins were flying around and a Red Admiral butterfly flew by. After lunch as we walked towards viewing point 1 we added Chaffinch, Chiffchaff and a male Blackcap plus our 4th species of butterfly a Brimstone. As we looked out from VP1 four Glossy Ibis flew in, the days 2nd highlight, and also seen were Pochard, Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Herring Gull, and Teal. We then continued to VP2 adding Green Veined White Butterfly our 5th species. At VP2 while scanning with the telescope I found a male Garganey the days 3rd highlight also a single male Pintail which we thought was rather late in the year. Time to leave and a Dunnock was found as we returned to the car. The days sightings didn’t finish here as we saw Pheasant, Kestrel, Buzzard and Red Kite as we drove home.

 

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