Redwings are everywhere in the last 5 days. Some in Westhay village, Westhay Heath this morning, Canada Farm yesterday.  Still very few Fieldfare. Another Firecrest yesterday in willows across the drove from Canada Farm house. My third in 2 weeks. Many Siskin but no Redpoll seen there.

15-Nov-2024
Thanks for Andy’s posting: Good views of the very large flock of Redwings, I counted at least 500 (in blocks of 20) late afternoon, on the water-logged field opposite Westhay Moor car park before they were all flushed up into nearby trees by an over flying Marsh Harrier. Only noted 3 Fieldfares among them.

The egret spectacle at Westhay NNR has been replaced by a thrush bonanza.  Hundreds, perhaps thousands, in the damp fields near the car park…  Mainly Redwing.

Also a big flock of Lapwing, and the Glossy Ibis showing very well by the road this afternoon.

11-Nov-2024
Ham Wall, late morning: drake Ring-necked Duck still on Godwin’s Lake, distantly (‘scope views) from the old railway bridge, with a drake Tuftie among many Wigeon. Pair of Egyptian Geese displaying on top of the Sand Martin cote, from VP1. Notice board had YBW near the bridge at start of track to the Avalon Hide.

Firecrest this morning by the horseshoe bench at the start of the Sweet Track, Shapwick NR . With a mixed flock which also included a Goldcrest and two Chiffchaffs,

Yellow-browed warbler at Honeygar Farm this morning,  picked up during wintering bird survey. Otherwise a few chiffs, redwing, teal and good numbers of passing meadow pipit and skylark.

Further to my earlier brief report, the Grebe dived/swam towards Stert Island where I lost it in poor visibility. My 200th UK bird species this year so a satisfying find. Also at high/falling tide, 1 Peregrine, 3 Ravens, 3 Rock Pipits, 4 Turnstones, several Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Linnet. Shelducks, Avocets and Oystercatchers all on the Steart side.

Slavonian Grebe seen from the sewage outfall at Huntspill swimming towards Burnham at 08:40.

RND again on Decoy today and he’s rapidly moulting into full plumage. It was the only duck on the lake when an Otter flushed all the Wigeon and Shoveler (no Tufteds there today).

Martin S found a Glossy Ibis at Westhay around lunchtime today. I left it showing well with egrets in the flooded fields near the car park. Could be the recent Chew bird I guess.

One Redwing over and no Hawfinches - not quite what I was hoping for…

No sign of RN Duck at Decoy late morning after the fog cleared but a Firecrest was showing well along the path from the Shapwick entrance past the Sweet track path through the woods there. Also 2 Goldcrests, a singing Chiff Chaff and 3 Bearded Tits noted.

Didn’t seem to make it onto BGs - the Ring-necked Duck was back at Decoy yesterday afternoon and showing well.  Also a vaguely American-like drake Wigeon.  Not quite right though so maybe a hybrid.  Having said that, if it hangs around and moults into a pretty average AW, I won’t be that surprised.

Apparently a bar headed goose flew over greylake this morning (& was at catcott previously): https://www.facebook.com/share/p/BjD4F9ftkiLJVEjm/

& A merlin (not catcott!):
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/L5coDBLpHBQ5aqsS/

1 or 2 keep being reported at cheddar

Very nice to see a Firecrest today at the campfire clearing on the Decoy track.  The hide is repaired and open but there are a lot of Hornets patrolling the last 100m or so of the track.  NE has put up signs advising people to take care.  I certainly wouldn’t hang around on the track just there.  Not a single duck on the lake this afternoon!  Hopefully they’ll come back now that the hide repairs are done and some scrub clearance is complete.

Hornets all over in fact - have also seen them this week at Noah’s and at Westhay.  Loads of Wasps about this autumn too…

2 Scaup were on West Waste yesterday.  The same birds seen by Sean D recently it seems, and Sean’s seen 5 in total, variously across WW, Long Drove and Cheddar.

The first returning Ring-necked Duck of the autumn was at Decoy today, a moulting drake with 3 female Tufteds.  Can’t be sure but I suspect it’s the regular returner.  The hide is shut for repairs at the mo - they are underway - so viewing what is often a hard bird to find is even worse for the time being.  Also there were c150 Shoveler, c50 Wigeon and a handful of others.  Still no Yellow-browed for me, locally.

The flood areas have increased and the ones around Westhay NNR are still attracting large numbers of egrets and gulls.  Hard checking them in the sun today and I couldn’t find anything extra barring a single Green Sand…