26-Feb-2017 (late posting)
3 adult Common Cranes (all colour-ringed) at Greylake RSPB this morning, also 2 Grt W Egrets and an adult Peregrine.

SOS membership subscription reminder:
10 members who usually pay by Standing Order or Online Banking have not renewed their membership for 2017.
24 members who usually pay by cheque have not renewed their membership for 2017.

Ideally, I would like to clear these before I stand down from my position on the committee at our April 8th AGM.

Jeff Hazell
Outgoing Hon Treasurer & Membership Sec.

Two Cranes circled over Catcott Lows for five minutes at 2pm today. They then split up with one starting North & one South, but with both calling regularly. Eventually the North bird gave in and returned South & both birds then flew off in that direction.

14-Feb=2017
2 wild (unringed) adult Common Cranes with a flock of at least 31 colour-ringed releases on Aller Moor this morning. Giving good 50x ‘scope views looking out from the end of the metal footbridge over the River Parrett at Oath (opposite Oath Farm). They were gathered in and around a small area of uncut maize that surrounds a small pool.

39 Cranes took off and flew towards West Sedgemoor yesterday afternoon and there were also 14 Shelducks on the flooded area.

Flock of 32 Common Cranes on Aller Moor this morning, as viewed from the railway bridge at Oath, included 3 unringed birds - an adult and 2 juvs. Lots of wild trumpeting and dancing just after the flock landed.

Also at least 12 Ruff among the Lapwing flock - Roger saw 28 here yesterday, as well as 5 Whooper and 7 Bewick’s Swans - but no sign of any wild swans today, although 8 Shelduck on the flooding.