Ham Wall
3-May-2016
From VP2 after Alan had left: I can add another Wood Sandpiper, 2 together, and 8 Hobbies on the wing at any one-time. The 12 Whimbrel re-appeared for a while with a single Black-t Godwit, a GW Egret flew across the back of the marsh and M & F Marsh Harriers likewise. A Garden Warbler was in song just east of VP2 as was one near VP1.
From VP 2 : 1 Wood Sandpiper; 12 Whimbrel (mid day) ; 4 Greenshank; 5 Dunlin; 1 Ringed Plover. The Glossy Ibis disappeared for an hour after a flyover Peregrine that also revealead a total of around 40 Blk Wits that had been out of sight.; 4 Hobbies in the air together as were 3 Bitterns.
A quick look at Meare Heath scrape around 1030 showed a single Dunlin and 4 Black Wits. Mid afternoon Catcott just distant views of 2 Hobbies over Canada Farm Lake.
From VP2 prior to the rain which started as promised at 1300.there were 5 Greenshank; 3 Dunlin;; 2 Redshank; 2 Blackwits plus the Glossy Ibis, one drake Garganey. and the pair of Pintail Hundreds of Swifts, Singles of Hobby now and then and a couple of Bittern; in fact nothing new as far as I could see but as the wind has changed hopefully something new will turn up. Earlier around 1015 Meare Heath Scrape held 3 Dunlin and 40 Blackwits.
At Ham Wall this morning, the Glossy Ibis, one Little Ringed Plover, two Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, 8 Greenshanks & c.40 Black-tailed Godwits, plus a male Wigeon and a pair of Pintail, all in front of VP2 or on the adjacent wetland; also 3 Hobbies over Loxton’s & the wood to the east
3 Cranes overhead VP2 at 1115 this morning making a silent approach just picked up heading S.W. towards Walton Hill. Waders today; still 13 Greenshanks and just 1 Redshank. 1 Garganey and the Ibis with a scattering of a dozen Black Wits. 5 small unidentified waders were put up by a passing Peregrine but were not seen to alight. A couple of Hobbies over Street Heath late morning and approaching VP1 at around 1300hrs four were in the air together over Walton east/ Loxton’s.
VP 2 Wed. 12 Greenshank; 6 Ringed Plover;4 Dunlin; 2 Redshank ; 1 Snipe. around 100 Blk Wits : 1 Glossy Ibis; 2 drake Garganey; 1 pair of Pintail; 1 pair of Wigeon.
A flock of 12 Whimbrel flew round a couple of times on the south side of the track towards Durstons peat works but not locatable when going down.
At around 1400 five Whimbrel passed low over Tor View Hide heading toward Meare Heath but were not present when the scrape was checked at 1430, just 110 Black Tailed G’Wits and 3 Ringed Plover there .
Wits
A few single Hobbies during the morning then a group of 5 together over Loxtons/Street Heath just south side of the lookout point mid day.
VP2 Tues. 13 Greenshank; 3 Ringed Plover; 2 Dunlin; 1 Common Sand; 2 Redshank; 2 Snipe and just 1 Blackwit; The Ibis was out of sight from VP2 but viewable from one of the blinds on the north side of the canal toward the Avalon Marshes hide as were a large number of Black Wits. One hobby over the woods south of the viewpoint and many Swifts and Martins despite a couple of snow showers.
Mon. a.m. from VP2 ; 10 Greenshank; 2 Common Sands; 2 Redshank; 2 Snipe ; 1 Ringed Plover; around 100 Black Tailed Godwits; 4 Lapwing. plus 1 drake Garganey the Glossy Ibis and 5 Bittern flights; todays highlight looikng south 2 Hobbies in the air together over Street Heath despite the cold blustery north westerly.
From Tor View hide etc NO sign of the Ring Necked Duck!
Flock of 25 Whimbrel passed low through reserve at about midday heading in the Glastonbury direction.
All the usual present, Glossy Ibis, Greenshank, Great White Egrets, Bitterns, Marsh Harriers.
Warblers were in fine voice, particularly a very showy Whitethroat near the first viewing platform, posing so closely people were able to take photo’s of it on their mobile phones!
A pair of Cetti’s Warblers were nest building and flying back and forth, inches from my legs!
6 bugling Cranes flew high overhead, a magical experience!
A Lesser Spotted Mike Dilger from BBC Springwatch fame even put in a brief appearance!
Pics on my blog here;
Two summer plumage Spotted Redshank were the highlight at VP2 this morning, Also male Garganey, 2 Greenshank, a good sized flock of Blackwits, Swifts and all three hirundine species passing through in good numbers. the Glossy Ibis was also present but flew off at around 10.30.
Green S’Piper in front of VP2 this morning as were two Redshank a Greenshank and 2 Snipe and a Ringed Plover and many Blackwits, ducks included 2 Garganey plus the pair of Pintail. The Glossy Ibis is now in wing moult which may mean it might not be going anywhere soon but who knows
20-Apr-2016 (late afternoon)
Probably 2 Greenshanks on Ham Wall, one in front of the two wattle viewing screens was still present when we walked back from near 2VP where one was straight out from there. Also 1 Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover that flew in from the west at c.15:30 hrs, the Glossy Ibis and 3 drake Garganey. Couldn’t find the Green Sandpiper that had been seen earlier.
Lovely view of the Greenshank this afternoon bathing in front of one of the newly-created screens along north bank of canal. It was only when they all went up that I realised there were probably around a hundred Blackwits there. Drake Garganey also seen from same place.
Magical evening light at Ham Wall between 6.30 and 7.30 this evening. All of the species seen by Alan were still there plus 3 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin and 2 Redshank on the muddy area and a Short Eared Owl along the path near there. Three Bittern gave a long fly past and one separate bird also flew plus GWE and Marsh Harrier so almost too much to take in over such a short visit.
Additional species from VP2 today were 1 Greenshank and 1 Green Sandpiper,
Glossy Ibis and 2 Garganey still showing with a few Blackwits.. A 10 minute fly around by a group of 4 Bitterns at 1440 was a bonus!
The Ring Necked Duck is still on Walton East as was a Common S’Piper that I managed to miss.