I thought that also Geoff, as not been reported from Ham Wall for some time.

Interesting observation Jeff. It’s probably the Ham Wall bird, which I saw on 24/9, relocating to Westhay?

Birdguides have also reported a Night Heron seen from VP1 at Ham Wall on 01/10 although the siting didn’t make it onto the SOS website.

The “Beardies” were quiet during my visit to Westhay on 6/10. Perhaps they haven’t changed their diet due to the continuing availability of their summer “menu”?

The Kingfishers from North Hide continue to provide some excellent behavioural showings as well as photographic opportunities.

05-Oct-2026
Walking away on the boardwalk from the two “rondaval” lookouts at Westhay Moor reserve at 15:45hrs this afternoon, I saw what I first thought was a Bittern (brown upperparts) get up from the LH reedbed and fly away low in front of me. I called out “Bittern” to my wfe Kay, then as it gained height I saw it had a long neck which it retracted into a low hanging bulge at the base. It then turned right and showed long trailing legs and mostly all brown upperparts with darker wing feathers, a juv Purple Heron! It went low over the trees near the main hide and was lost to view over the central part of the reserve.