Catcott Lows
Mid day Monday, 60 Wigeon and 3 Pintail have arrived since yesterday morning; they were together with half a dozen Shoveller, a few Mallard and Gadwall and a similar number of Teal. Around 100 Lapwing were present. There’s not really enough open water areas yet to encourage large duck numbers. 25 Cattle Egrets were in a nearby field and 30 or so Canada Geese were using the “new” pool.
18-Oct-2019
Again, at least 55 distant Cattle Egrets, and a Grt White Egret at Catcott Lows this morning, most flying off to feed among cattle between here and the nearby South Drain.
Another 16 Cattle Egrets beside the River Brue at Westhay Village.
Four Common Cranes flew south over the reserve at 1445 yesterday (Thursday). looked to be 2 adults followed by two sub adults . I’ve looked at all the pics I took , unfortunately no rings can be seen.
16-Oct-2019
At least 60, may be 70, Cattle Egrets and a Grt White Egret at Catcott Lows this morning, most flying off to feed among cattle between here and the nearby South Drain.
14-Oct-2019
20 Cattle Egrets and a Grt White Egret in the rain at Catcott Lows this morning, some flying off to feed along the nearby South Drain.
There were 56 Cattle Egrets beside Honeygar Lane at around 4pm.
10-Oct-2019
A Merlin dropped in for 10 minutes, sitting on the telegraph pole, Thursday afternoon. Just 20 or so Cattle Egrets plus three Marsh Harriers were the only other things of note in the couple of hours between 2 and 4 p.m.
9-Oct-2019
Apart from 16 distant Cattle Egrets and 2 Marsh Harriers, very little else of interest during on-and-off heavy rain this afternoon.
There were 9 Wigeon on the New Pool off lower Ropes Drove this Wed. afternoon my first here this Autumn.
66 Cattle Egrets were here around 1300hrs. They were mobile occasionally flying over the Car park hide and across the road to the West returning and assembling on the Lows. Also present a Hobby ,a couple of Marsh Harriers (male and Juv.) with 2 Sparrow Hawks and a couple of Buzzards. 7 Roe Deer were also pointed out!
My video of some of the c.50 Cattle Egrets at Catcott Lows Reserve can be seen by clicking on this link to Youtube…
A very brief visit on Fri 6th. mid day produced one Juv Cattle Egret with a distinctly very black bill ,the other youngsters are now difficult to differentiate from the non breeding adults so I think this is a new addition to the previous 5 juvs seen here this year.
Catcott Lows from West hide 8.15am to 10.00am
3 Sedge warblers 1 Whitethroat foraging amongst the “weeds” on the South Island along with 4 Reed Buntings feeding on the weed seeds.
A brief visit from a Kingfisher.
Other species seen from the hide:
Great White Egret 1
Cattle Egret 3
Little Egret 1
Mute Swan 5
Gadwall 5
Canada Goose 19
Swallow 6
House Martin 1
Carrion Crow 5
Wood Pigeon 1
1-Sep-2019
24 Cattle Egrets early afternoon; also a Hobby, 2 Wheatears, a Whinchat and a Yellow Wagtail.
Tuesday 27th. afternoon. A Spotted Flycatcher appeared on the fence immediately left of the car park hide but it didn’t stay long, my first this year! also present although difficult to see were a couple of groups of 4 or 5 Yellow Wagtails. 24 Cattle Egrets are still around. A start was made today on cutting the Sedge on the North side of the central ditch, this may make passing wagtails easier to see! Good progress is being made on the second pool excavation off Lower Ropes Drove, it may well be finished this week.
Four distant and fleetingly glimpsed Yellow Wagtails , a single Black Tailed Godwit and a Wheatear were present between 1400 and 1500 Tuesday as were the ‘resident’ 18 or so Cattle Egrets with 3 Little and one Great White Egret.