Snow Bunting showing extremely well and posing nicely for the camera in the usual place on the first bend after the gate walking towards Hinkley. Lots of waders on the shore, Turnstone, Redshank,Grey Plover, Dunlin, Oystercatcher & Curlew, 3 Little egrets, Shelduck and Mallard on the sea but couldn’t find any geese. Plenty of common songbirds on the walk back to Wall Common, Linnet, LT Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Blue tits, Great Tits & Wren, Grey Heron Singles of Buzzard & Merlin and a few Roe Deer. Finally a pleasure to make the acquaintance of a certain Mr James Gibbs!
I finally had my first meeting with the very confiding Snow Bunting this morning. With a cold west wind blowing, it was feeding on the concrete track just beyond the first gate walking west from Stolford car park. As the tide receded, a good variety of waders arrived including Grey and Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Redshank, Oystercatcher and Curlew. Only Mallard and Shelduck seen on the channel, but spectacular views of snow covered hills in Wales.
Still present 11.30 today along the rocks west of the outfall.
Still showing well this morning just past the cottages, flew west and dropped down c.100m beyond outfall, also showed well yesterday pm in this area beyond the outfall. 23 LB Brents and 3 DB Brents in the bay but no sign of the Yellow-browed Warbler at Hinkley Point.
Snow Bunting still around at 3.00pm in the usual area, between the track and the sea.
Snow Bunting still present late morning, initially taking flight but eventually showing well on the concrete path about 100 yds. W from the gate
2-Jan-2016
Still present just after mid-day, perching on the boulders edging the gated concrete-track that leads westward from the last cottage at Stolford towards Hinkley Point. No sign of any Brent Geese on the sea from here.
The Snow Bunting still present this am, a lovely start to the year list and a cracking bird. Also present an adult Little Gull off the outfall, 28 Brent geese (26 Pale Bellied, 2 Dark Bellied), good numbers of Pintail and Shelduck plus 2 Grey Plover.
Many Thanks to Roger Musgrove for sharing his local knowledge with me, a very pleasant start to the year
No sight of the Snow bunting during today’s gusty, then moist visit.
1 Peregrine putting up the pigeons on the power station, then flew off SE.
Pintail and Shelduck in good numbers.
Red shank, Oyster catchers and a few Curlew, one enjoying a crab diner.
27 Brent Geese including two Dark bellied.
And a nice charm of goldfinch.
Ryan
The bunting has been around for a couple of weeks now, so v. likely still there - it does go missing for periods when it probably lurks amongst the sea wall boulders.
The Purps require a walk west from Stolford for about 1 mile until you get to the concrete sea wall at Hinkley Point, at high tide there are usually a few on the steel beams on the power station intake structure. They are distant but easily identifiable with a scope, better views can be had by getting out on the reef at low tide but you have to be lucky to find one then and it is v. muddy/seaweedy /slippery so probably better off going to look for the Watchet birds.
Cheers
Nick
Does anyone know if the bunting is still around, was thinking of making a trip to Stolford first thing New Year’s Day to kick the year list off. Also where do I go to see the Purple Sands??
Thanks
Ryan
Still around this morning 100m west of outfall.
Hi Paul. Glad you saw the Snow Bunting.
Roughly whereabouts is Lane Cottage please? Is it thought that this cattle egret is the same one that has roosted at Noah’s Lake?
Thanks, Tim
Nice views of the Stolford Snow Bunting in very damp conditions this morning ,21 Brents plus usual waders and duck
also Cattle Egret showing well later with Little Egrets in sheep field by Lane Cottage Steart
This very smart snow bunting was in the location described above despite the rain and gloom. Pic on Twitter @WildImaging. https://twitter.com/WildImaging/media