Cheddar Reservoir - autumn 2022
Sanderling again near Cheddar Tower. Close enough to clearly see only 3 toes! (no hind claw). RC Pochard out on the water from the sailing club
I was at Cheddar on 28th, no sanderling, but a little stint with 3 dunlin between Axbridge and sail. There was also 1 dead and 1 alive kittiwakes there, unfortunately the 2nd kitti was then reportedly found dead too the next day (29th)
Juvenile sanderling late morning between sailing club and Axbridge entrance. Also grey wagtail and black-headed gull with a full hood.
It wasn’t me that found either.
Unfortunately the diver is now beyond help - it was found dead on Saturday (also a kittiwake this morning)
Hi Mike
What a shame so sorry to hear that.
Will you be calling Defra? it’s important they recover the bodies and check for bird flu.Virus.
I have let my wife know she has been involved with the bird flu pandemic in Devon and Somerset.and needs the Intel.
Kindest regards
Stuart
Unfortunately the diver is now beyond help - it was found dead on Saturday (also a kittiwake this morning)
At 13:30 the GND was up on the concrete next to Cheddar tower, I since phoned Secret World but they don’t deal with water birds, Defra just deal with dead ones. Not sure what else can be done.
Hi Mike
Have you Tried the WWT Slimbridge or the RSPB may yeild no results but worth a try.
Kindest regards
Stuart
At 13:30 the GND was up on the concrete next to Cheddar tower, I since phoned Secret World but they don’t deal with water birds, Defra just deal with dead ones. Not sure what else can be done.
25-Sep-2022
Good & sad at Cheddar Res this morning: drake Red-cr Pochard near the sailing club, Kittiwake on white buoy from Cheddar end, where also a feeding adW Little Gull and sadly an adult Great N Diver, smart in its black & white chequered upperparts but looking lethargic and eventually went to sleep among small patch of weed at waters edge.
There’s a decent pic of GND on avonbirding blogspot
11:15 GND showing well despite awful conditions on SW side of Cheddar Reservoir, 2 Ruff on the steps of the S bank as well.
The Great Northern Diver and Kittiwake still present this morning close in near the Axbridge entrance. Correction: the diver is an adult retaining some summer plumage. Obvious when seen well!
Adult kittiwake close inshore between Axbridge entrance and sailing club. RC Pochard there too. Great northern diver now by Cheddar Tower. The two male ruff again just south of the Tower.
Couldn’t find the stint this morning but 2 male ruff south of Cheddar Tower and the male RC Pochard in full plumage now near Axbridge entrance..
A juvenile Great Northern Diver was off the Axbridge entrance late afternoon before swimming over to the west side where it was close in at dusk. I couldn’t find anything of interest in the gull roost. One Little Stint remains.