13-Sep-2024
The drained, in work - idle diggers present - roadside fishing lake just east of Westhay Moor car park: late morning, 1 juv Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers and 3 Snipe. No sign of this early morning’s Little Stint reported on Birdguides, but all very distant and dreadful looking into the bright sunlight!
Terrific evening even if cold until the wind dropped.
Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal and Mallard all present on Tealham - had a wintery feel. Plenty of Ct Egrets all over the place, and at Catcott.
Kingfishers seem to like the ‘new’ fishing stick in front of the main Catcott hide. 2 together this evening in the sun, just stunning. Also 3 Whinchat playing hide and seek a bit further back.
On the drained fishing lake by the road just east of Westhay NR car park: 1 juv Little Stint, 1 juv Wood Sand, 1 Common Sand, 2 Green Sand, 5 Snipe, Gt and Lt Egrets, and 1 Grey Wag. Build it and they will come…
15-Aug-2024
No sign of any waders this morning on the flash-flood remnant along Tealham Moor Drove, just a few Mallards and a lone Blk-hd Gull. A few Swallows & House Martins zipping back & forth and a small flock of c.20 Linnets.
At Catcott Lows: good views of a lone feeeding large Water Rail black chick, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Kestrels, 2 Buzzards and a single Lapwing.
A flock of c.30 House Sparrows feeding in the road (near houses) that goes from Burtle towards Catcott Lows.
Another Wood Sand this evening in the same place (a juv), and 2 Greens
Wood sandpiper still present to 17.40. Thanks Jeff for the call. Also a family of Pied Wagtails, one adult, 2 juveniles that fooled me for a while as I could only see heads popping up.
Wood sandpiper today from Tealham Moor Drove.
Quick summary of Purple Herons this spring, using all the info of which I’m aware:
A few sightings of possibles/probables were made on Ham Wall in the week or two leading up to 29th April.
Then a definite was reported on HW with no confirmed age on 29th.
Then I saw a clear 1st summer at Decoy on 4th May.
Then one was reported flying from Shapwick to HW on 15th with no confirmed age.
Then a nice adult was photographed on Westhay just a couple of days ago.
And I saw an adult over HW yesterday, although I couldn’t say how bright an individual it was.
I take from this that we’ve definitely had 2 and there may even be 3.
8 ringed plovers on the flashes at Tealham Moor Drove this afternoon in heavy rain. Wellingtons useful. Unfortunately mine are back in the Cotswolds!
Ham Wall at 12.30, good views of an Osprey over VP1. Plus Marsh Harriers, Bitterns, GWEs and a single Hobby. Cuckoo heard but not seen.
Back on the Levels after 4 days away and well worth a visit to Ham Wall this morning 4th. One Whimbrel, one male Garganey and 3 Glossy Ibis the best from VP1 with distant views of Hobby and Sparrowhawk. A male Pintail still hanging on at VP2 which has been there for at least 2 months and shows no sign of moving. Back in Westhay, one Swift over my house and 4 Swallows still visiting nest sites.
Pair of cranes flying south over tealham late yesterday afternoon and I haven’t posted about oystercatcher roosting on moor back on 14th April (when 2 whinchat were also there)
From a very blustery Tealham Moor Drove this afternoon, 2 whimbrel, 2 dunlin, 7 wheatears (4 males) and 3 white wagtails.
Six hobbies hawking over Noah’s Lake this afternoon. Two high flying swifts. A few wigeon and pintail remain.
24-Apr-2024
An Egyptian Goose on roadside pools just prior to the Peat Works on Burtle Road driving from Westhay.
Channel Wagtail, male Yellow Wagtail and a Sedge Warbler on Tealham Moor - short stop-over near Rattling Bow bridge, also 5 Skylarks.