Tuesday 20th May 2025 - Somerset Levels

 

For the first time in over 6 months the 3 Amigos were back together starting with a trip to the Somerset Levels. This was chosen as Bryan is still regaining his strength and unable to do lots of walking especially if hills are included, but the levels are what it says on the packet, LEVEL. Our starting point was going to be Westhay and making our way in that direction we saw Red Kite and Pheasant that we felt we might not see later in the day. At Fenny Castle we use the droves to cross the levels and here birding starts in earnest with Carrion Crow, House Sparrow and Woodpigeon soon spotted, as we drove on a Swallow flew by, and 2 Cattle Egrets were at the edge of a field. Further along the road 2 Collared Doves and a Chaffinch were logged, and a Buzzard flew low across a field. As we approached Westhay we came across a big flock of Greylag Geese far too many to count but must have been 100+ we saw more of these than Canada Geese. Mute Swan and Great White Egret were also seen as we drove into Westhay. Here you can drive along a lane for a few 100yds to a disabled parking spot and here we dropped Bryan off before returning to park the car. As we walked to meet Bryan Gadwall, Cetti’s Warbler and Great Crested Grebe were all found the grebe with 3 chicks. We arrived with Bryan, and he said he could manage the walk to the island hide on the way spotting a Hobby the only one we saw all day. Reed Warblers were in full song and as it was a warm and windless day some sang from the top of the reeds. Another bird in full song was Chiffchaff some easier to see than others. Walking over the boardwalk to the hide a Coot, Mallard and Cormorant were all seen, from the hide we added Canada Goose and our 1st of many Marsh Harriers. Bryan was feeling good, so we walked a short way along the lane adding Lesser Black Back Gull, Grey Heron, Reed Bunting and Blackbird. Here Bryan stopped for a rest while David and I walked on the only bird we added to our list was a Goldcrest, but we did find a Scarce Chaser dragonfly. 

Scarce Chaser - Westhay
(Bath Birdwatcher)

As we walked back to the disabled parking area a Kingfisher whizzed by and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew past. Our last sighting here was a Magpie. After walking back to the car park and picking up Bryan we headed for Ham Wall adding House Martin and Jackdaw on the way. At Ham Wall we stopped for lunch and after we chatted to the RSPB volunteer and Bryan mentioned his operation and walking difficulty and he very kindly said we could drive to the disabled parking at viewing point 1 and gave us a key to open the gates. From there we added Pochard, Tufted Duck and Lapwing. I set up my telescope to scan around and found a pair of Garganey probably the best birds of the day. A Black Headed Gull was on the pond behind us. Bryan said he could manage the walk to viewing point 2 on the way we spotted Moorhen and Wren also we heard the song of a Garden Warbler that tried to evade us but to no avail as we found in in the centre of a bush. Little Egret was the only new bird at VP2 and as it was getting late we walked back to the car finding a Great Tit on the way and at VP1 a Shoveler. After returning the gate key we set off back home adding Rook to the days list. A few more butterflies were on the wing today including Green Veined White, Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral.

 

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