Hello Jeff, my latest post referred to London drove in Westhay Moor when I failed to see the Ferruginous Duck.
Presumably Martin, your sightings were at Westhay Moor?
5-Apr-2024
The 4 Glossy Ibis still from VP1 at Ham Wall this morning but mostly out-of-sight below the near bank while I was there. Also from VP1 a few Blk-t Godwits behind the Sand Martin House and 2 distant drake Garganey far back to the right of this - may have been some sleeping females but no ‘scope! A flypast Bittern & 4 Marsh Harriers.
Seen by others this morning but hid from me for an hour or more. Some Reed Warblers joining the Willow Warblers and Blackcaps in singing strongly. A few Wigeon still present.
4-Apr-2024
The drake Ferruginous Duck that was found/reported on BirdGuides 2-Apr at Westhay Moor NNR, was still present today at the back of 30-Acre Lake looking from London Drove.
30-Mar-2024
Again, a large flock of c.160 Cattle Egrets around ‘Ruby-red’ cattle on the western edge of Shapwick Heath (viewed from the Westhay to Shapwick road) at 12:15 hrs.
29-Mar-2024
Nice walk in sunshine at RSPB Ham Wall this morning. Heard 11 singing Blackcaps, all hidden out of the wind! 4 Glossy Ibis, 5 Garganey (4 drakes), Spotted Redshank, 5 Blk-t Godwits, Grt W Egret, drake Pintail, Bittern & 3 Marsh Harriers from VP1. Grass Snake sunning among gabion wire baskets at the old railway bridge.
Lovely at vp1 yesterday am - nothing very new here except perhaps the Garganey total:
4m and 1f Garganey
4 Glossy Ibis
1 Spotshank and a few Redshank
1 Blackwit
1f Pintail from vp2.
20-Mar-2024
Large flock of 180+ Cattle Egrets around cattle on the western edge of Shapwick Heath (viewed from Westhay to Shapwick road) at 12:45hrs.
17-Mar-2024
Adult Whooper Swan still with herd of Mute Swans & 31 Cattle Egrets on large grass fields along Sharpham Lane (adjacent to the fishing lake) near Walton, mid-afternoon.
...also of minor interest, 2 Blackwit were on flooded fields on Tadham Moor on Weds 6th - more waders on the move…
Ooops, forgot to add… On the 5th a single Brambling with a few Chaffinches that flew up from the roadside as we approached driving towards the South Drain just north of the entrance track to Catcott Lows.
05-Mar-2024
The winter plumage Spotted Redshank still from the car park hide at Catcott Lows this morning. Found y’day by Alan Ashman.
Today, with no wind, no rain and plenty of sunshine:
2 Whoopers still, Noah’s, and very close to the canal footpath for a change.
A Common Lizard basking at the Ham Wall railway bridge and a Blackcap close by.
A Pochard/Tufted hybrid on 2VP lagoon - we seem to have 2 now, on and off.
A female Ring-necked Duck on Glastonbury Heath found by Sean D (and no RNDs at Decoy or Westhay’s roadside pools).
Many egrets of 3 species spread from Sweets Cafe to beyond Westhay reserve car park were impressive, with 10 Egy Geese.
4 ibis reported again south of Noah’s, and a Firecrest at Ham Wall car park.
More of the same recently and more flooding. Water everywhere - again!
At the Tealham/Westhay T junction, a mass of Cattle Egrets and BH Gulls had 3 Med Gulls with them (heads varying form nearly all black to just a big black mask).
The 4 Glossy Ibis are now commuting between Noah’s Lake and the field immediately adjacent to the south, which can be viewed from the road with care.
4 RND still on Decoy apparently, and Whoopers have been at Sharpham and Noah’s.
23-Feb-2024
Two Hen Harriers, ring-tail and adult male at Catcott Lows this afternoon. Ring-tail seen twice, putting up Teal, and male seen once as it flew thro’ low to the west at 15:5 hrs.