Somerset levels

Somerset levels tour bird list.

Todays visit to the Somerset levels produced the following sightings.

Several sightings of Marsh harrier along with a Peregrine falcon.

Many different heron species with Great white, little and Cattle egret all seen along with Grey heron and a single Glossy ibis.

A very close view of a splendid Firecrest out in the open almost certainly my best view of this tiny bird.

In the tree tops both Siskin and Redpoll could be seen feeding also a Chiffchaff moved through with various tits.

Out on the open water we found a Whopper swan in with the Mutes and several duck species with Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall and Mallard all seen.

A closer look over an area of cut reeds we saw a few Snipe and a fine Water pipit put in a brief appearance.

A few other birds seen included Raven, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Black tailed godwit.

We ended the day watching around 400,000 Starlings coming into roost, a great end to a wonderful day.DT

CWP Monthly Walk for December

Another day of rain for our 3rd winter tour, with the weather turning a bit colder we noticed that there are a lot more ducks around now with good numbers of Wigeon, Teal, and Shoveler all seen.

A few Lapwing flew over and a Kestrel patrolled the open ground.

Several groups of small birds could be seen feeding on the Rosebay willowherb plants which turned out to be mostly Goldfinches but we did find 3 Redpoll mixed in with them.

A few Redwing and Fieldfare flew over and a single Mistle Thrush landed in a near by tree.

All in all another pleasant couple of hours out with the wildlife.

The next walk is on Saturday 6th January  starting at 9am at the Waterhay car park at the Cotswold Water Park. Its only £10 per person.