Well over 100 Pintail were at Greylake today. Afraid I was too lazy to pick out all the females so it could easily be more like 150 or even 200. Also 1 Blackwit.

No Stonechats anywhere on the Marshes that I visited, maybe they’ve headed to the hills. Also, none of Garganey, Penduline Tit or Whitefronts for me.

March 1 and I saw 52 species in Ham Wall to VP2 and Shapwick as far as Noah’s between 7.30 and 10.15 am. Highlights were a Bittern flying over Ashcott Corner at 7.40 and a singing male Blackcap near VP1 at 9.30. My first Blackcap seen or heard this year.  Also Bullfinch, Song Thrush, many Redwings (but no Fieldfares), Goldcrest.

Two 1stw Whitefronts were with Canadas by the South Drain between Catcott and Burtle today - same as the Sharpham birds I assume

The Ham Wall Penduline Tit turned into 2 on 20th. I managed to see them yesterday, 22nd, although they seem to spend long periods out of view. Anyway, another minor ‘2VP ambition’ fulfilled after last summer’s Spotted Crake. A great find too - would be very easy to overlook it/them at this location. 

The 2 Glossy Ibis still from 1VP too. I keep checking Greylake for GW Teal but nothing lately…

Usual great egret on tealham, with another on tadham moor. 3 LITTLE egrets with the cattle (livestock) to north of westhay reserve & 24+ CATTLE egrets on pool to east (with some little & a grey heron). Also 5 little with 1 cattle egrets near honeygar & another 8 cattles with mute swans along sharpham lane

Whilst looking for the Penduline Tit at Ham Wall (which I saw clearly thanks to the original discover), a very small, very active warbler appeared, reminiscent of the Hume’s at Compton Dando, but more brightly coloured, yellowish-green with a pale belly and prominent eye stripe. I couldn’t get a clear view of the wings, but I’m 99% sure it was Yellow-browed.

6 Curlew were at Greylake this morning.

Far more exciting was a Penduline Tit at the 2VP lagoon for Owen C this afternoon, the first for Ham Wall I think.  Looks to be quite a well-marked bird from his photo.  The intrigue continues…

I saw a small flock of Siskins and Redpoll along Canada Farm drove this morning, the first ones I have seen since Jan 1.

Original post removed as I found a more appropriate thread, so just thought it worth noting that as well as Somerset nature photography Facebook page there is a greylake specific one & also wilstock (where the penduline was), plus now steart

Forgot to mention 5 Curlew at Greylake early morning on 12th Feb

Suggestion that these Bewick’s have returned to slimbridge (there were 109 there on 10th):
https://mobile.twitter.com/slimbridge_wild/status/1625768205179387906

Great to see 7 adult Bewick’s with a large flock of Mutes in fields south of Westhay NNR this morning. Presumably the same 6 birds that were on VP1 lagoon earlier in the week +1.  A decent flock of Chaffinch was next to the road but I couldn’t pick out a Brambling.

Also 170 Golden Plover in fields just a bit further east with many Lapwing and the regular C Egret flock just across the road.

Not far away, a Woodcock flew over my car at 0650 yesterday morning just north of Wells.

And an amazing 720 Pintail counted on Noah’s by Sean D today.

If anyone knows whereabouts the Burtle Black Redstart has been seen, would be good to know…

Apparently LS was at VP1 first thing (before the glossies arrived there)

Female lesser Scaup showing well (but diving a lot) at 12.30 today at Long Drove. Also a female goldeneye there, and six cattle egret in with the mute swans and greylags in the field across the road.

Still at Long Drove this morning (female Lesser Scaup)