Cheddar reservoir
single Wheatear still present in the light of a full moon early this morning[6:45am ish]
Early afternoon at Cheddar reservoir on concrete bank, 3 wheatear and 1 common sandpiper.
At around 7 this morning: kingfisher by Axbridge entrance; 3 dunlins flew through calling without stopping; singing chiffchaff; c 10 tufted ducks; stonechat (in what looked to me like 1st winter plumage - my first here for a very long time); flock of c 60 goldfinches; single common sandpiper; peregrine falcon over, heading for the Gorge; and finally the pair of mandarin ducks keeping dubious company with their farmyard relatives.
Mid morning: 2 common sandpipers, at least 2 wheatears and an Arctic tern which settled on the southern bank at one point, c. 20 house martins around the Cheddar tower and many swallows, especially along the western bank. Also 25 mute swans and many Canada geese which I didn’t count today, though on Tuesday (12/9) at first light there were 256!
A Black Tern this morning was taken by a Peregrine low over the centre of the Reservoir at the second attempt. Also a juvenile Arctic Tern
The male Mandarin duck has been with / close to female everyday for the past week, however yesterday evening we couldn’t see him (was there in am). I’ve checked again this morning and no sign of him. (female still here). I will post if I see him again.
11.30am - we saw him, but away from main group.
The male Mandarin duck has been with / close to female everyday for the past week, however yesterday evening we couldn’t see him (was there in am). I’ve checked again this morning and no sign of him. (female still here). I will post if I see him again.
Also, 1 pochard this morning. 2 Common Sandpipers.
Yesterday morning & evening (south side), we also saw 2 (poss 3) Wheatears around near the ‘waterfall’ and some small groups of linnets feeding on the terraces. Also, a Ringed Plover.
Some photos on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/groups/cheddar_reservoir/pool/
two wheater -possibly a third but ” the third” was continually running away from me into the direction of the sun and was unable to confirm ,this fine Saturday morning - over by the waterfall
Still there this morning (Monday 7am).
We also took some better photos of him yesterday ( https://www.flickr.com/photos/paradiddle_photos/36839782211/in/pool-cheddar_reservoir/ )
I saw him yesterday feeding with the female
A calling juvenile Spotted Redshank flew close in to the bank at the southern end this evening. Also Greenshank, juv Black Tern, 2 Common Tern, 2 Wheatear
There has been a female Mandarin duck at Cheddar reservoir since May 2016, but this morning I noticed a second one with her and I think it is a male in eclipse.
Photos in the Cheddar Wildlife group on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/groups/cheddar_reservoir/pool/with/36834949281/
This morning: 20 Canada geese, 15 mute swans, single common sandpiper near Axbridge entrance, 11 linnets, wheatear and buzzard over. Mallard and coot numbers increasing, though not counted.
around 50 -70 house martins accumulating around the Cheddar tower this morning, did a small loop around the play area by tennis courts and returned with more numbers gathering , a possible mass emigration about to happen ,even on a wonderful morning like today
Waders seen in the early morning over the past week: Blackwit, Greenshank, Green Sand, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, up to 7 Common Sand. Also Common Tern, another juv Med Gull and several Wheatear. A Great White Egret again briefly early this morning.