This morning the Arctic Tern was down at the Axbridge entrance first thing. Later in morning it had moved round to south of Cheddar Tower.
Also 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sands, Little Egret, Wheatear and numerous Linnet .
!
Arctic tern still. Sitting by Cheddar Tower mid evening. Also adult moulting Mediterranean gull briefly by Axbridge entrance.
Arctic Tern reported this evening per Birdguides.
Don’t think it will blow long enough or hard enough to bring in anything too exciting but probably a better than average chance of a Kittiwake or two.
07:00-8:30am 2 Common Sandpiper E bank in front of Boat House, 11, 2 House Martin, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Raven, 4 Linnet, 30-40 pied Wagtail mostly on E bank/skate parks, 1 Coal Tit with mixed tit flock with 1 blackcap and 4 chiffchaff and 1 singing Cetti’s.
Any locals have any predictions for storm blown sp. Over the weekend? Tomorrow’s weather could make things interesting for sure! I’m hoping to be there Sunday morning if not tomorrow evening.
1 Northern Wheatear on E bank mid morning.
Mid-morning (18/7), an osprey flew in from the east, circled for about 15 minutes and then moved off to the southwest. Also 2 redshanks near the Cheddar Tower (1 adult, 1 juvenile), at least 5 common sandpipers and a lttle egret.
An adult redshank by the Axbridge entrance early pm.
A pair of shelducks in the middle of the reservoir today. Also a peregrine flew over and the first autumn meadow pipit near Axbridge entrance.
A flock of 12 Common sandpipers flying round the southern part of the reservoir this afternoon . Autumn has arrived!
Little ringed plover just north of Cheddar Tower. Seemed to be in adult winter plumage. Also little egret near sailing club and common sandpiper in southeast corner.
Unsurprisingly the Sanderling had moved on by late afternoon, but still one Common Sand & 4 recently fledged Pied Wagtails (almot comatose in the sun). Also just one large duckling with mallard, although there are about 40 of latter (mostly male, some moulting) & RC Pochard was having to fend off some from his female, but behaving more & more like a mallard himself. Plus 1 Canada goose, 2 male, 1 female Tufties & a pair of Coot. One sand martin & 4 swallow.
I see what you mean about the Teal, they were also behaving like mallard & sitting on the side - one has green owner’s ring & other can fly (at least a bit), so have come from some collection, & speculum plus head shine purple sometimes, which makes me think mallard hybrids, but don’t look like any online. My pics of them on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/305832500995370
Two sanderling moulting into breeding plumage south of Cheddar Tower late morning. Also two common sandpipers. RC Pochard still and the injured common gull near the sailing club. Two odd looking drake teal by Axbridge Tower. No yellow rear end and head pattern not quite right.
A dunlin feeding south of Axbridge Tower late morning. Also the RC Pochard seen flying in from the southwest.