Somerset Levels. 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th February 2012.

2nd Feb. A detour to WWT Slimbridge for a short visit was made before heading onwards to the B&B in Glastonbury and a couple of days birding on the Somerset Levels. I was surprised how many cars were on the car park being a weekday and on such a cold day. A lot of people must have been around the 'Collection' area (or keeping warm in the restaurant) as it was fairly quiet along the pathways to and in the hides. On the way to the Rushy Hide the Wildfowl took flight but whatever set them up was not spotted, it was so cold (cold being an understatement) when looking through the hide windows that it literally made your eyes water! Highlight birds on and around the water were Pintail, Shelduck, Teal, Greylag and Canada Geese,Shoveler and the delightful Bewick's Swans, such a graceful looking Swan. Viewing from the Martin Smith hide there were good numbers of White-fronted Geese and Barnacle Geese, though distant good scope views were had of them as it was such a clear day. Lapwing, Wigeon and Teal were also viewed here in great numbers but I did not see any Golden Plovers which was a little disappointing as I had been looking forward to seeing at least a couple.lol! From the Holden Tower we could again see the Geese and on a grassy bank at the side of the hide were 100,s of Wigeon. A Peregrine flew to what we were told is it's favourite perching tree, a very nice sighting of it in flight! There was not enough time to walk to the remaining hides but there is always another day to enjoy this splendid reserve.

The B&B in Glastonbury was perfectly situated on the edge of the town. Blackcap (m), Blackbird, Robin, Blue & Great Tit were regularly seen in the front garden of the B&B. A short walk down the road part of the Abbey Ruins could be seen, it looked atmospheric when the snow began to fall on the 4th of Feb.

3rd Feb. On arrival at RSPB Ham Wall a Chiffchaff was spotted as it searched a grassy embankment, good to see, hope it stays safe during this long cold spell. Ham Wall is a super reserve, this was my second visit here and again in the cold but unlike my last visit not windy which was a blessing! Highlights at Ham Wall were Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Blue & Great Tit, Redwing, Collared Dove, Teal, Wigeon, Pintail, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Lapwing, Mute Swan, Buzzard and Marsh Harrier and 2 Roe Deer. The aforementioned species were seen in the morning and after a short visit to NNR Shapwick Heath we returned to Ham Wall in the afternoon and after a lengthy wait was lucky to see a Great White Egret and 2 Bitterns! Late afternoon people were starting to arrive for the Starling Roost, having been told by an RSPB volunteer that the Starlings are tending to go straight down in to the reeds and at quite a distance coupled with the fact that I was starting to feel the cold after a long day outdoors we did not stay and wait. We were told the Starlings to date number approx one a half million this winter, which is approximately five million down from last winter. No doubt due to the milder winter..well what was a mild winter!! We had seen a Starling murmuration here last year, which was awesome, so did not feel aggrieved by not staying. A walk after lunch was taken at Shapwick Heath, Redwing, Common Snipe, Cormorant, Heron, and a Marsh Harrier were seen in a short space of time.

4th Feb. Aller Moor was on the agenda this morning to hopefully see some of the Common Cranes that have been reintroduced into the Somerset Levels and Moors. Mute Swans and a Redwing were the first sightings followed by a Robin, Lapwings and a flyover Common Snipe then two Cranes were spotted flying at a distance! They landed in a field at a fair distance but good scope views were had of them, then I found two more Cranes even further away! There is a range of habitats including grassland and supplementary sacrificial crops left by farmers for them. I have since read that Roe deer and thousands of Starlings have been seen feeding in the Barley alongside the Cranes also Skylarks, Fieldfares, Redwings, Meadow Pipits, Peregrines, Short-eared Owl, a Ring-tailed Hen harrier and Brown Hares! Good to read of such great results!

4th Feb. RSPB Swell Wood is a reserve we happened upon just a short drive from Aller Moor. It has the largest colony of breeding Grey Herons in South-West England - more than a 100 pairs and a small number of Little Egrets also nest there. There are a few feeders on the small carpark which were stocked up well but I also put down some seed and watched Blue, Great, Coal and Marsh Tits, Nuthatch, Wren, Chaffinch, Blackbird and Robins of which at one point there were 5 in view, Great Spotted Woodpecker was also a welcome sight. A hide a short distance away was almost wall papered with literature and posters of birds, it was clear to see that this reserve is well looked after. Nice to find a little gem of a reserve as this one clearly is. A few snow flakes began to tumble from the sky...the start of more to come.

4th Feb. RSPB Greylake was a reserve I had looked forward to visiting, a pity that the snow had started to fall more steadily. Once arable farmland the RSPB have created miles of new ditches and shallow water-filled gutters, dug out numerous scrapes and put in structures to keep the water level high. Well today the water was frozen solid! The only birds on the ice were two pairs of Mallards and a pair of Mute Swans. A Common Snipe flew over and 3 Buzzards were seen on distant fence posts and a distant Kestrel was hovering, the RSPB volunteer in the hide had his scope on a Hen Harrier but within seconds it had gone down before I had my scope anywhere close to it. Never mind a confiding Water Rail was a delight to see as it searched around for it's next meal alongside a side hide window, I was told that it must be the most photographed Water Rail ever. Binoculars were not needed as it was so close! I placed bird seed on a gatepost next to the car park, the takers were Robins, Blue & Great Tits, Chaffinch and a Pied Wagtail that was so territorial with the seed, the only bird to stand up to it was a Blackbird!

With the snow starting to 'stick' it was time to head back to Glastonbury, well after a visit to Clarks Village and a bit of retail therapy! Many flocks of Starlings in trees, on barn roofs and hedgerows were seen throughout the trip. On the journey to and from Somerset and whilst travelling to reserves numerous perched Buzzards were also seen on farm gate posts and hedgerows, the cold weather no doubt bringing the Buzzards closer to the roads in readiness for any road kill. A most enjoyable trip to Somerset, I just wish the weather had been a little warmer! I am thinking that a Spring visit to the Somerset Levels would be interesting and a touch milder perhaps.

Eymore Wood and Welcome Garden Visitors.

A fleeting visit was made to Eymore Wood on Saturday (28th)in the hope of seeing a few Crossbills. The first sighting was of fellow Brummie Pete, it was good to see him again and have a natter! After 10 minutes or so two female Crossbills had been spotted in a Larch tree enjoying the spoils of the tree. I returned on the Sunday afternoon and whilst preparing to look for Crossbills had a chat with Tom and Tina who were also after the Crossbills, it was nice to meet some 'Local' birders. A distant flock of Crossbills were seen, so I had now seen the striking males, though not great views as they did not hang around. A flock of 12+ Redpoll were good to see though they were very flighty. A Nuthatch, Blue Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a perched Buzzard were the only other birds seen on this misty and cold Sunday afternoon. I managed a couple of very record shots of the Crossbills.

My garden has been quite productive the last few days. A Redwing has found the berry laden Holly tree that is in the centre of a lawn and has visited each day since Sunday (29th).The Redwing is keeping it's find a secret as it is always on it's own.

Monday (30th) morning a female Sparrowhawk was perched on the end of my garage enjoying the sunshine, I watched her for a good 10 minutes as she scanned the not surprisingly empty garden! I was surprised to see her perched so visibly.

What a stare, scary

A Song Thrush was feeding on a few leftover sultanas when I returned home this morning, a lovely bird to see. It was February 2011 the last time I sighted a Song Thrush in my garden.

A female Blackcap has been a regular daily visitor for a couple of weeks now, as long as I keep spiking apples and pears on a tree I don't think she is going anywhere soon. The cold weather which we are told is set to get colder will probably bring a few more birds into gardens than there has been all Winter, I have not had near as many Blackbirds this winter as the last two.

Walking over the Edge....22/01/2012

Kinver Edge A sunny, cool and blustery day but good to be out for a walk and so did many other folk think the same as there were plenty of walkers out over Kinver Edge this afternoon. However away from the madding crowd Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Wren, Blue Tit, Pied Wagtail, Green Woodpecker ( a great over-view of it in flight), Redwing, Raven and 3x Buzzard were seen. The Buzzards were a joy to se especially as one of them put on a great aerial display and performed 'a roller coaster' three times before flying out of view! This is the first time I have witnessed a Buzzard displaying, what a treat to see! Not a great species list by any means but all of them 'special' to see in their own way. Turkeytail Fungi was seen on several decaying logs and stumps. The views from Kinver Edge are really good and would have been much better if it had not clouded over.

23/01/2012 AM: Two Goldcrests were in my garden this morning, one would have been a delight but to see two was even better! ................. ................. PM: A walk along the public footpath from Roman Way and I had my first sighting this year of House Sparrows, such a pity they are so sparse these days. There was a flock of 15+ in the hedgerow and trees, I stood and watched them for awhile and felt sad that they are no longer a common garden bird, well at least in my garden they aren't. Collared Doves (also my first of the year) are another bird that I do not see as often so it was good to see a few perched in the trees. Plenty of Blackbirds were searching the fallen leaves and small flocks of Green, Gold and Chaffinch were seen several times. Other highlight birds seen along the footpath were Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blue & Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit, no doubt some of the gardens close by provide feeders as this area is usually good for the aforementioned bird species. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming several times throughout my walk but I did not see one, the usual Corvids were in and around the paddocks and fields along with Pied Wagtail and a flock of 30+ Redwings.

On the menu today....22/01/2012

On the menu today was a Feral Pigeon. The Female Sparrowhawk had passed through my garden a couple of times during the last week and today she stopped for a feed. Feathers are scattered around the lawn due to the wind blowing today. The Sparrowhawk eventually carried the remains of the Pigeon further down the garden and left it there, if the Fox visits it will enjoy a tasty supper! 11.33am

11.39am

11.43am

11.49am

12.32pm.

Brake Mill Pool....17/01/2012

A large flock of Black-headed Gulls were on the pool and I was pleased to have spotted at last a different Gull amongst them, a Lesser Black-backed Gull!! The Gulls quickly noticed that I was feeding the Mallards etc and then it was pandemonium. Tufted Duck x 9, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan family and Canada Geese were on and around the pool. As I walked towards the path that leads to Stakenbridge Lane a Grey Wagtail flew to the top of a tree, this is only the second time I have spotted one here. I was to see it again on the roof of the house that is alongside the path. Birds seen today were Blue & Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Wren, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Mistlethrush x3, Fieldfare x4, Redwing 12+, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Sparrowhawk (m&f) and a Buzzard that was unusually heard only. A pleasant walk in the sunshine but it was mighty cold in the shade!