06-April-2026
Greater Scaup 3 (2 drakes & female) showing well along the southern side of Cheddar Reservoir mid-morning (6-Apr). No sign of the drake Lesser Scaup from here. Also a Common Sandpiper feeding along the edge.

on a chilly Easter Monday morning, a lovely sight to see around a dozen Martins[presumably sand, had no bins’] near the centre of the puddle

Lesser Scaup still showing off Axbridge entrance at 14:30 today

Male lesser scaup with tufties and 3 greater scaup at cheddar this afternoon (seems to have relocated from chew leaving the female behind)

21-March-2026
Bonaparte’s Gull: a 1st-winter with a few Blk-hd Gulls off the western side of the reservoir, and also 2 Little Gulls & 2 Scaup reported which I didn’t see (the 3/4 mile walk from the Axbridge entrance was more than enough for my wife Kay on her walking stick). The Bonaparte’s was still present this morning (22nd) per BirdGuides.

04-Mar-2026
Cheddar Res this morning: 2 Blk-n Grebes still, also adW Med Gull & adW Little Gull. All seen from near the Cheddar Tower - bright sun behind me. L Gull distant between Sailing Club & Axbridge entrance, hawking back & forth & on the water.

The 2 black-necked grebes on the south side, and a pair of goosander by the Axbridge tower this morning. Also 2 Mediterranean gulls, one in full summer plumage and one still in winter plumage, near the Cheddar Tower

Both BN grebes still south of Cheddar Tower late morning. Also 3 scaup (2 drakes), 6 goosanders (4 drakes) and adult med gull.

No sign of Red-necked Grebe today but both Black-necked Grebe and 3 Scaup showing well from south east side.

28-Jan-2026 (10:00 to 11:30 hrs)
Red-necked Grebe still distantly off the Axbridge end car park; 2 Black-n Grebes off the sailing club; at least 3 Greater Scaup off the SW corner and also 3 Goosander (1 drake).
Note: per Birdguides there is some suggestion that the Red-necked may be the American race holbollii.

As per previous post but there were 5 Scaup in the SE sector, 3 males + 2 females - one male is likely the 1st winter bird I reported seeing here on 10th January but now mid-way through moult into adult plumage.

RNGrebe still there off Axbridge Tower, 1 BNGrebe off the Axbridge entrance. 4 Goosander and 3 scaup towards the Cheddar Tower

At least 2 male scaup as well near Cheddar Tower.

a Red-necked Grebe reported today on Birdguides, along with the long-staying Black-necked Grebe

Single black-necked grebe still in the centre of the reservoir today and 4 scaup south of Cheddar Tower (2 drakes).  A single male wigeon, female goosander and the male goldeneye still.

Last Tuesday in the freezing conditions, a water rail in the ditch by the ‘new’ entrance was a new Cheddar bird for me.

No sign of RC Pochard, although I know that others saw it at the beginning of the year.