Tuesday 22nd September 2026 - Bath RSPB's field trip to the Somerset Levels

 

This past Tuesday was Bath RSPB’s monthly field trip, this time we visited Avalon Marshes and RSPB Ham Wall. Glen was our leader and  we all met at the Marshes Hub Tea Shop for a 10am start but before setting off some members sampled the hot drinks and cake and while waiting the day list started with Magpie, Carrion Crow, Canada Goose and Pied Wagtail all noted. As we walked to the South Drain Swallows flew over containing just a few House Martins, also a Grey Wagtail flew past. Walking along besides the drain several Mallards and Woodpigeons were seen, and in a field of cows 12 Cattle Egrets were found. A Goldcrest in the bushes was next plus a flyover Cormorant. Several family groups of Mute Swans were swimming in the drain. 

Mute Swan - Avalon Marshes (Bath Birdwatcher)

Next we came across a flock of Long Tailed Tits with a Chiffchaff amongst them. A large flock of Lapwings in flight were spotted probably c100 birds. A group of Jackdaws flew past calling jack jack. Lucy then heard the very distinctive ping call of Bearded Tits which flew into a bush then on into a reed bed, giving everyone a chance to see them, for a few they were the first time they had ever seen them. Continuing we next added Gadwall, Black Headed Gull, Great White Egret, Coot and Moorhen to the days list. We also passed an owl box that had been taken over by Hornets that had and were still building a large nest. We had now reached Noah’s Hide where we stopped for a rest before the return walk. Here we added Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret (meaning we had seen all 3 egret species) Lesser Black Back Gull. Egyptian and Greylag Geese and finally Tufted Duck. Nothing new was seen on the return walk, so we had our lunch at the Tea Shop where we could all make use of the facilities. Lunch over we drove to Ham Wall for the afternoon part of the day walking straight to the Avalon hide on the way we found Chaffinch and Blue Tit. From the hide we spotted our target species 2 Glossy Ibis one feeding in front of the hide giving fantastic views of the glossy plumage. 

Glossy Ibis courtesy of
Jessica Farr

Lots of Snipe were feeding on the waters edge with others asleep on the bank. Another bird caught my eye and after a bit of deliberation we decided it was a Pectoral Sandpiper, confirmed by others in the hide. 

Pectoral Sandpiper and Snipe
courtesy of Jessica Farr

2 Kingfishers whizzed by and a Grey Heron was stood staring into the water. A Teal was our final sighting. We headed back to Viewpoint 1 seeing a Robin on the way, at VP1 Shoveler was the only day tick and driving home both Kestrel and Buzzard were seen and finally a Collared Dove. We all thanked Glen for a great day and for laying on all the special birds that turned up and hope he will do the same in the future.

Pectoral Sandpiper (Bath Birdwatcher)

Red Admiral - Ham Wall (bath Birdwatcher)