Cheddar Reservoir
Almost a month later than last year’s (photo on avonbirding)...
12-Oct-2019
Grey Phalarope close in along the edge in the southwest corner of the reservoir this morning. Found by Adrian Hockey.
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Black tern this morning very pale in colour Juvenile? checked in my ref book and this appears to be so, single Wheatear two male Pochard, and a gathering of pipits
what looked like two female Pochard among the masses of Coot this evening
Single turnstone (between Cheddar Tower and the water inlet on left hand side), 2 wheatear, 5 meadow pippits and 20+ goldfinches. Also large gathering of Canada geese.
around a dozen [presumably] meadow pipits, and Goldfinch foraging the seed heads on dead thistle heads, and a single wheatear, in very good condition close to the Axbridge tower
1 Juvenile Black Tern flying mainly around south west quarter of Cheddar Reservoir seen from 8.30 this morning
Finally a bit of interest at the res this morning following a very disappointing September, with a juv. Black tern, fly over Ringo and an interesting calling pipit… hopefully will pin it down in the next day or so. Water levels have actually risen with the recent rains, and the only exposed shoreline is the cement “shelf” on the east bank. Unfortunately the usual high levels of disturbance mean that there are practically no birds using this area. Coot numbers finally topped 500 birds at the end of the month.
Single Black Tern resting on a buoy at midday today between heavy showers. Seen from Cheddar Tower.
possible return of the Black Tern seen earlier this summer, on the verges adjacent to the sports field, around 08:30 this morning, flew toward the Cheddar tower and back before going back that way and out of my sight
Swan numbers in the 40’s and Coot flock must be over 500 ,....Stubbington Drove this am,, Long Tail Tits x4,Black Cap x3 Willow Warblers x2 Bullfinch [audible only] Heron, numerous Goldfinch, several individual Swallow and small groups of House Martin,, At the bottom of Drove and over to my left there was a large group of Hirundines in excess of 150 , and a snipe
2 x Wheatear seen, early morning, Weds 4th.
Relative size & any wingbars / white on rump?
was a side view so no real definitive signs, size wise about a lapwing,
Relative size & any wingbars / white on rump?
Single redshank this morning on the concrete boathousee area among the gulls, wheatear about 200 yards from Axbridge tower, a 6/7 other waders,darker wings unable to settle with lots of human activity around,not sure of species