Cheddar Reservoir 2025
single Martin this am, close to the sports pavillion, not sure as to variety,as taken by surprise
The pair of common scoter reported on Birdguides still here late afternoon. Also the 3 BN Grebes and 3 goosander in flight. Cettis singing on east and west side of reservoir, and 30-40 swallows and sand martins battling against a squally shower.
6 little gulls were reported yesterday morning, but by time most of us got there they had moved to CVL. 3 BNGs still present (& this morning), pair of grey wagtails on south side had a particularly pale breasted male & I saw broken left wing coot again. Today 4 Canada geese flew briefly down to the fields before returning & I heard a cettis warbler other side
My first swallow of the year with 3 sand martins this morning. BNGs still, but only diving ducks were 4 male tufties
Pair of shoveler this morning and usual 3 BNGs - GC grebe moved them on in pm & GCG pair did weed dance in am, but only single male tufted (no Pochard seen). 6 little gulls were reported later, some of which at least were still present before sunset, plus a grey wag near axbridge entrance and pair on south side. 4 sand martins at end of day, also raven heard
8+ Little Gulls today
Grey wagtail was other side of sailing club this pm, with a white wagtail amongst pieds, & usual 3 BNG, on south side. Today’s extra difference was 4 Canada geese, a red kite, and raven, but not being pursued, although fewer Pochard seen, also coot with broken wing near axbridge tower
In addition, this morning there were 9 shoveler that flew off just before 11am and a grey wagtail by axbridge tower, plus raven chasing a buzzard
Yesterday 17th March 3 BN Grebes feeding separately along the SW side of the the reservoir. Photos on my flickr pages https://www.flickr.com/photos/9095732@N05/
The only other bird of note was a Grey Wagtaill near to the Axbridge entrance.
2 black necked grebes on the south side this afternoon and a grey wagtail in the stream beside Holwell Lane
Last week there seemed to be something different (although nothing rare) every time I visited. Today the 3 BN grebes were scattered along south edge, but otherwise just 8m 3f Pochard, 7m 2f tufties on axbridge side and 1 grey wagtail near cheddar tower
Did a circuit of the reservoir 3 - 4 this afternoon, at that time all 3 BNG’s were together very close in on the SE side. Otherwise the same as Mike except I had 3 pairs of Grey Wags and a singleton between the Yacht Club and the Axbridge entrance, there were also a lot of GC Grebes, probably 20+
Well advanced and one other BN grebe (only 2) about 200m apart this afternoon, 6m 3f Pochard, 5m 1f tufties, pair plus 1st W mute swans flew in from south, 2 pairs grey wagtail near axbridge entrance, then a pair on south side, but could have been same. Flock of c.10 pied wagtail near cheddar tower seemed more flighty and additional to usual numbers around edge (but not whites)
BNGs reported again today - last couple of days trees along fence line either side of axbridge entrance have been removed, I guess they are planning to replace the barbed wire