Saturday 14th February 2026 - Somerset Levels

 

Robin - Ham Wall (Bath Birdwatcher)

Not only was last Saturday Valentine’s day but also Bath RSPB’s monthly field trip, this month to The Somerset Levels and just for a change a dry and sunny day was promised. 25 members made it to the meeting place at “Ham Wall” for a 10am start. A few of the group went to Avalon Marshes hoping to locate American Wigeon and Green Winged Teal that had been reported in the area but as it turned out they failed to find either. While waiting for the rest of the group we spotted Blackbird and Redwing in an ivy-covered tree. Magpie, Cormorant and Carrion Crow all flew over. We all set off heading for Viewing point 1 (VP1) and soon spotted a male Chaffinch, Great and Long Tailed Tit. As crossed over the bridge down to our right a male Pheasant was in a field and the first of many Robins was singing in a bush, 

Robin - Ham Wall (Bath Birdwatcher)

Coots were seen in the distance as was the 1st Marsh Harrier of the day and a Great Crested Grebe was in a channel between reed beds with a few Tufted Ducks. Blue Tit and Dunnock were seen in the bushes and a Great White Egret flew by. In another piece of open water, we added Teal and Canada Geese, I then spotted 5 Snipe flying past and managed to point them out to most of the group. At the 1st viewing point were Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Black Tailed Godwit and Wigeon. Having spent quite a while at VP1 we set off towards VP2 adding a Grey Wagtail on the way but VP2 only added a Moorhen. Walking back for lunch 3 of us were a little way behind the rest and we found a singing Goldcrest and a Woodpigeon. Back at VP1 our 1st gull of the day was seen a Black Headed, another birder pointed out 2pr of Buzzards displaying high in the sky we then found a Sparrowhawk above them. After lunch we walked towards Noah’s hide following the South Drain, on the way a Stonechat was seen in a reed bed on the far side of the drain and while looking a few smaller birds were seen and through the telescopes we were able to tell they were Chiffchaff’s. A family party of Mute Swan’s were on one of the pools. Walking down the footpath to the hide we found a few Siskins feeding in the alders and a Great White Egret sat low down in a tree. 

Great White Egret - Nr. Noah's Hide
(Bath Birdwatcher)

From the hide the lake was full of ducks mainly Pintail and Wigeon  but only the Pintail new for the day. 

Very small part of the duck flock at Noah's
(Bath Birdwatcher)

David spotted a Kingfisher which we all managed to find sat in a tree. A Redpoll had been seen by other birders in the area we saw the Siskins so on the way back we had a good look but could not find it but we did find a Song Thrush and as we reached the main path I pointed out a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying away from us. Nothing more was seen as we all returned to the cars. Driving home 5 more birds were seen Collared Dove, Jackdaw, Herring and Lesser Black Back Gull’s and Starlings. Another great day was had by all with almost 50 species seen and the 1st all dry and sunny day for a while.

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