We went to Ham Wall RSPB to see the Ring - necked Duck that had been present for a weeks. After we arrived in the morning I saw a Bittern fly over the car park, lucky I had my camera handy. We went to the Tor View Hide where we saw the Male Ring - necked Duck hanging out with some Tufted Ducks. Eventually the bird came close for some pics before disappearing behind more reeds. From the 2nd viewing platform we saw the Glossy Ibis and 2 Garganey hiding behind reeds beyond. We popped to Avalon Hide and had excellent views of a pair of Marsh Harriers flying past. On our way to the car park we saw a pair of Great White Egrets nest building. Finally as we were about to leave, a Red Kite & another Bittern flew over the car park. We'll come back down later in the month when the all migrants are in and not so windy!
Bittern
Ring - necked Duck [Male]
Ring - necked Duck [Male]
Glossy Ibis [Juvenile]
Great White White [Winter]
Marsh Harrier [Female]
Marsh Harrier [Male]
Marsh Harrier [Female]
Great White Egret [Summer]
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Greenham Common & Farmoor 4th April 2016
We went back to Greenham Common to look for the Woodlarks. The first birds we saw were three Northern Wheatears freshly arrived from Africa. We saw at least 4 Woodlarks around the common but none singing on the ground, only in song flight. We also saw a couple of Dartford Warblers but they were very elusive as always. As we were quite near Farmoor Reservoir we popped into see the long staying Red - necked Grebe now in full Summer Plumage and showed very well late afternoon with some Great Crested Grebes. There was only one Dunlin in stunning Summer Plumage on the causeway this year. At the end of the causeway on Reservoir 1 were the two wintering Great Northern Divers. The Juvenile which we saw last December was later joined by an Adult. What a wonderful way to end the day with.
Northern Wheatear [Male]
Northern Wheatear [Male]
Dartford Warbler [Male]
Woodlark
Woodlark
Woodlark
Meadow Pipit
Blackbird [Male]
Red Kite
Red - necked Grebe [Summer]
Red - necked Grebe [Summer]
Dunlin [Summer]
Great Northern Diver [Adult Winter]
Smew at Chipping Sodbury 3rd April 2016
The Female Smew was found on a small fishing pond in mid February. Me and Dad caught up with it on second attempt.
It was pretty quiet around Chew Valley Lake for birdlife to be honest. The only highlight was a Male Greater Scaup from the Stratford Hide. A Female Grey Wagtail at Herriott's & a young Roe Deer Buck near Morton were also nice to see.
