31-Jan-2016
The drake American Wigeon still present today on the lower reaches of the River Parrett from the Steart Marshes bank, and the drake Green-winged Teal on Steart Marshes, both as per Joe Cockram’s posting of the 28th. (per Twitter).

A rather good day out at Steart Marshes included the American Wigeon on the Parrett estuary in the ‘elbow’ viewed from c.200m north of the pylon line late morning, the Green-winged Teal on pools north of the breach viewed from the south side, on and off until 2.45pm at least, a minimum of 340 Avocets at the top of Stockland Reach, a Little Stint among Dunlin on Otterhampton Marshes (plus the wintering Greenshank heard) at c.4.30pm, and a Barn Owl between Wall Common and Steart Gate car parks at c.5pm.

The Cattle Egret (on Stockland Marsh), a Spotted Redshank (on the Parrett estuary), and at least 2 Water Pipits were also seen by others during the course of the day.

The American Wigeon was again present on the River Parrett this morning, it seems to spend most of the day asleep, presumably having spent the night feeding. High Tide is therefore the best time to see the bird, when it (and the small Eurasian Wigeon flock it associates with) is either on the open water, or sitting on the mud on the edge of the river, at low tide it can be easily lost to view down the steep sides and creeks of the river. High tide is at 0940 tomorrow, 1010 on Saturday, and 1040 on Sunday.

Also, the drake Green-winged Teal was seen again briefly this morning, on the small pool to the North of the breach, best reached from Steart Gate car park. From the car park, join the main path on top of the bank, turn left and it is the final pool, where the path ends.

A drake American Wigeon is on the River Parrett at Steart, best viewed from the path along the Parrett banks on WWT Steart Marshes. It is currently roosting on the mud with 55 Wigeon c500 metres North-east from where the Pylons and power lines cross the river.