Back from lockdown

SOMERSET BIRDWATCHING HOLIDAYS TRIP REPORT: 

22nd-24th September 2020

Tour Leaders: Stephen Moss & Graeme Mitchell

Tuesday 22nd September

Our first residential birdwatching trip since Lockdown. We took advantage of the lack of rain to pop down to our ‘coastal patch’, where the Rivers Huntspill, Parrett and Brue all meet to disgorge their water into Bridgwater Bay. It was very low tide, exposing a vast array of mud, but there were still plenty of birds, as autumn numbers are really starting to build up. 

Just below Huntspill Sluice, there was a flock of about 100 Teal and a single Wigeon (all still in eclipse plumage so looking rather drab), along with a few Redshank, and a Grey Heron eating a large eel. Stephen then spotted a real prize: a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, feeding near the larger Redshanks on the exposed mud. These elegant waders are real globetrotters: breeding in the east of Siberia and then migrating through the UK on their way to West Africa. They don’t often stop off here in Somerset, and Graeme and Stephen had only seen the first ones on this patch a week or so ago, so it was a good bird to see. 

Avocets

We then strolled along the sea wall, flushing a single Wheatear, and enjoying the sight of around 100 Avocets on the far side of the Parrett. Fortunately, as the tide continued to fall we came across another 60 or so Avocets on the near side, along with a flock of Grey Plovers, and singles of Dunlin, Ringed Plover and a Bar-tailed Godwit – another long-distance traveller. The usual Great Black-backed Gulls and Shelducks were on the far side. By then the cloud was making things a bit murky so we headed back to Walls Farm and a socially-distanced supper prepared by Kay.

Wednesday 23rd September

After breakfast, we drove west via Bridgwater to the WWT reserve at Steart, whereas we got out of the car the rain stopped, and on cue, a small male Peregrine, carrying its victim (an unidentifiable small bird) flew past, being chased by a male Kestrel. Both landed on a large pylon, but unfortunately, the Peregrine chose to perch behind a large metal strut, so all we could see was its beak tearing into some rather gory red flesh! The male Kestrel then flew off and tussled in mid-air with a female. 

We then walked down to the Quantock Hide, where unfortunately the main birds were Black-headed Gulls, though from the other lookout we saw several Little Egrets, and a number of Swallows were feeding amongst the cattle – throughout the three days, we saw a number of Swallows heading south. On the way back, we saw a lovely male Stonechat perched on top of a bush, and found a Wall Brown butterfly caught in a spider’s web by the Mendip Hide. 

We then took the short drive to Wall Common just before high tide, and after a coffee/tea break we again saw plenty of Swallows heading purposefully along, and a number of Skylarks on the very damp common itself. The tide was indeed very high, almost up to the sea wall, and there were several small flocks of Pintails on the sea, plus some Curlews, Ringed Plovers and Dunlins on the nearby beach. 

We took the M5 down to Swell Wood RSPB, where unfortunately the feeders in the car park were empty, so no small birds. A walk through the very quiet wood led to a watchpoint over West Sedgemoor – but no cranes! (Even though Graeme had faithfully promised us that “the other day there were 50 here”). Compensation came in the form of a dozen or so Cattle Egrets in the distance, a Marsh Harrier carrying food and three Roe Deer; and then the day was saved when the viewpoint down the hill near the RSPB Dewlands Farm buildings produced a flock of 21 Cranes in the middle distance – the perfect cue for us to break for lunch at the wonderful King Alfred’s Inn. 

Our final stop of the day was the RSPB’s flagship reserve at Ham Wall. Again, our timing was good, as the rain stopped and the sun at least tried to come out. Ham Wall always delivers, and we enjoyed several views of Marsh Harriers (including a very obliging juvenile male that gave us great views), plus Great Crested and Little Grebes, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and very brief and frustrating views of a Sparrowhawk and Hobby.

We walked along to the second Viewing Platform which was alive with birds: Great White and Little Egrets, two Ruffs (one juvenile, one adult), Snipe, Lapwings and plenty of Teal, as well as a female Marsh Harrier. The walk back was enlivened by flocks of Swallows, Goldfinches and Long-tailed Tits, and a Kingfisher. Then Graeme suddenly shouted ‘Osprey!!!’. To be fair, he does know his Scottish birds, and this was just that – a juvenile Osprey (possibly the one named ‘Doddie’ after the great Scottish rugby player), which arrived here a couple of weeks ago and is identified by its distinctive ring number. Bird of prey number seven for the day, and we returned to Walls Farm satisfied with a great haul!

Thursday 24th September

A drive down to Catcott Lows (past three Cattle Egrets), and we entered the hide. At first, there was nothing on show: but first we noticed as juvenile Kestrel, then a splendid Kingfisher perched on a metal shed and wooden gates, giving prolonged views; and finally, a lovely Wheatear, which dwarfed a Meadow Pipit perched next to it. As we left a Great White Egret flew overhead, and a Mute Swan with seven cygnets was in the fields to the south. On our way back through Burtle, Graeme spotted a flock of white birds: no fewer than 24 Cattle Egrets (plus 2 in the far-field); and then another 20-plus (this time actually with cattle!) between Westhay Heath and Shapwick Road. 

Our guests Anne and Joe, Debbie and Phil

Our last stop (before the usual cheese-buying trip to Cheddar Gorge) was nearby Cheddar Reservoir. The splendid Red-necked Grebe, moulting out of its breeding plumage, was very obliging (though dived rather frequently) as it hung around with some of the 2000-plus Coots. At least 400 Canada Geese were around the edge of the partly-drained basin, along with Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck and a male Red-crested Pochard, while House Martins flew over the centre of the water and a lone juvenile Shag perched on the far bank. 

As the rain arrived, we headed into the gorge (where Graeme and Stephen saw a Grey Wagtail briefly) and then back to Walls Farm, where just as we were saying our goodbyes an unusual-looking raptor flew over. After a mad scramble, Stephen managed to see the key features of a Honey Buzzard – long, narrow wings held flat rather than up at the tips, a long, narrow tail, and small head. Frustratingly it then flew off and was not seen again. Nevertheless, as our eighth raptor of the trip, a memorable ending!

honey buzzard

TOTAL: 84 species