An American in Topsham

Another weekend on my own as Miriam is still in hospital. I had a couple of the usual suspects round on Friday night for a few beers

and some loud music so it was a later start than anticipated on the Saturday.
I headed down to Topsham stopping off at Aylesbeare Common on the way to see if any Dartford Warblers were around.
It was bitterly cold and a wasted stop as there was little evidence of any birds about. I arrived at Darts Farm around 10:15am and walked out to the fishing ponds where an American Wigeon had last been reported.
It didn't take me long to pick out this burly duck amongst his European cousins.

American Wigeon (Anas americana)

I then drove over to Bowling Green Marsh and walked out to the Goat Walk. The tide was a long way out but I did manage to add Grey Plover to my year list. Later I learnt from Birdguides that the long staying female Long-Tailed Duck that I saw on January 1st was seen from here, but she was not in evidence when I was present.
I now decided to head for home as the previous evenings entertainment was taking its toll.
Today(Sunday) I was pleased to see a Siskin on the bird feeders

Siskin(Carduelis spinus)

Once Bittern....

Another weekend on my own as Miriam continues to recuperate in hospital. I'd contacted Andy G on Friday evening to see if he was able to join me for a days birding and had contemplated heading down to Sixpenny Handley in Dorset for the over wintering Great Grey Shrike.
I was officiating at the Three Counties Skittle League Jubilee Cup Final and when I received Andy's reply it was the start of an evening of texting and changing plans as he told me that a Pied Billed Grebe had been reported at Ham Wall RSPB Reserve late in the afternoon. I was just about to present the cup to the winning captain of the Partistes when my phone rang, It was Steve C, with impeccable timing ruining my big moment and asking if I could pick him up also on my way to the levels.
Next morning at 7am I picked up Andy in Chard and then Steve at Podimore and we arrived at Ashcott Corner at 8am surprised by how few cars were in the car park. It was a really misty and foggy walk out to the second viewing platform where the bird had last been seen and where a few of the local somerset birders were already assembled, althouth fewer than I'd expected. We had a wait of around thirty minutes before the Grebe moved ethereally out of the mist and then remained on view for the rest of our time there.

Pied Billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)

I took some 'artistic' record shots and then we debated whether to hang around for the sun to burn off the fog and the hordes to arrive or to go back to the original plan and head over to get the Shrike.
The Shrike won the day and so at around 9.15am we went back to the car passing a continual stream of birders making their way along the path.
We arrived at Wyke Down just outside of Sixpenny Handley around 10:45 am and connected with the Great Great Shrike almost immediately and as we were only 13 miles from Blashford Lakes decided to head over there for the rest of the day.
We parked at the Ibsley Water side and because the car park was full expected to find the hide packed but surprisingly it was empty. We scanned over the lake hoping for a Goosander or Grebe but it was very quiet with just the usual common ducks on view. There were a few Goldeneye though to take our interest with the males doing their strange head turning motions.

Goldeneye (Bucephala clanguta)

We then walked over to the main part of the reserve. and went first to the Ivy South Hide where we were informed a female Smew had been seen. No luck there so we made our way back and called into the Woodland hide. This is always good for close up views of feeding finches and the like as the glass is one way and sound proof. There is one open window though and we all crowded around this to take photos of the Lesser Redpoll's that were on the feeders.

Lesser Redpoll (Carduelis flammea)

We then went to the Ivy North Hide where we told that a Bittern was 'showing well'. This proved to be the understatement of the day as it was right in front of the hide at a distance of about 10 feet and quite unconcerned about the clicking of cameras as people jockeyed for good views.

Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris)

 This was, without doubt the best views I've ever had of this secretive and skulking bird. We spent at least 30 minutes enjoying this great spectacle and eventually had to drag ourselves away as the day was getting on. We had one more try for the Smew before leaving and were lucky again when Steve spotted it roosting on the far bank. A fly over Buzzard sent a panic through the ducks though and when they settled again I managed to locate her among the birds on the water.

Smew (Mergellus albellus)

Steve also spotted a Common Sandpiper on the far bank to add to our year lists before it was time for us to be on our way on what had been a very memorable and enjoyable few hours birding.

Another drama in our household this week as Miriam suffered a very heavy fall and ended up in hospital with a broken collar bone and badly cut legs. This leaves me with time on my hands as someone else then takes over her full time care and as the afternoon rota for visitors was full and I wasn't going to see her until the evening I made plans to visit the levels for a few hours.
I left home around 6:50am and arrived at Shapwick at 7:45am just as it was stating to get light. I walked out to the decoy hide, a fair distance and the last couple of hundred metres on a very muddy path. Needless to say I was the only occupant of the hide as the weather was cold and wet.
I was after the pair of Smew that had been seen here yesterday. First though I was pleased to see the ten Whooper Swans that have over wintered on the levels.

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)

 It wasn't long though before all ten took off and flew east.

Soon after the Swans departed I saw what I'd hoped for when a redhead smew appeared, although too far away for any photo's. I'd just reported the sighting when checking again saw that the drake was now showing also. So my target bird was in the bag and the added bonus of the Whooper's made it a good start to the day.
I then drove around to Catcott Lows and spent a half hour in the hide taking pictures of ducks. I'd also not seen another birder since arriving on the levels nearly two hours before.

Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

Pintail (Anas acuta)

Teal (Anas crecca)

Next stop was at Ashcott Corner where I walked out to Noah's lake. I was hoping for Great White Egret but it was all too quiet. I did see another birder though. After visiting the tower hide I crossed over to the Meare Heath hide hoping for Lesser Redpoll in the alders but maybe because of this Sparrowhawk they were all elsewhere.

Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

I then walked over the road to Ham Wall RSPB Reserve and scanning from the old railway bridge I could see a large egret in the reeds but not enough for a clear ID. There was also a Marsh Harrier quartering the reeds.
I carried on to the view point and was lucky that a Great White Egret dropped in almost straight away.

Great White Egret (Egretta alba)

I then decided to make my home but via Cary Moor to try for Tree Sparrow but there were very few birds on the reserve and I had my first dip on the day. I packed up and started for home but a message saying that the Hawfinches at Norton Sub-Hamden were showing just as I was driving past had me diverting to the Churchyard.
The light was very poor for photos, which was the reason for going a third time, but I did manage a couple of record shots.

Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)

Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)

Garden Birds

During the recent snowfall I decided to record some of the birds visiting the feeders in the garden.

Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus)

Coal Tit (Parus ater)

Fieldfare (Turdus  pilaris)

Great Tit (Parus  major)

Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)

Collared Dove (Strepopelia decaocto)

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Rook (Corvus frugilegus)

Changed Priorities

The first post for a few weeks as Miriam's health took a dip and as a consequence all my priorities changed overnight.Just before Christmas my employers very kindly allowed me to start working from home so that I could better care for her, so on the 15th of January I moved my 'office' to South Chard.
On the 19th however Miriam was suddenly taken very poorly and after many phone calls and visits from nurses and GP's it was decided that the best place for her was at the St. Margaret's Hospice in Yeovil where she would be more comfortable.
She remained there until the 28th and has since made a good recovery although she has no memory of the events that caused her to be hospitalised.
Her absence though allowed me to have a respite from her care and I took advantage when she was on the mend to have a days birding on the 'levels'.
I met up with Andy G around 10am at Ashcott Corner on the 26th, after visiting Mir in Yeovil. We walked out to Noah's Lake and spent half an hour in the hide. We soon found the two Black-Necked Grebes but could not locate the Pink Footed Goose or either of the Smew that were also supposed to present.
I did add Kingfisher to me year list however when one flew passed the hide.
We the walked over to Ham Wall but apart from a single male Marsh Harrier it was very quiet.
Our next stop was Greylake RSPB reserve and we were surprised at how many people were in the car park, mostly photographers. When we asked what they were waiting for it was to be told that a Brambling was visiting the 'staked-out' feeders.
We carried on to the hide where there were plenty of wild duck and Lapwings on view. Just in front of the hide we were also treated to a spot the snipe competition. It gave me the opportunity to try out my new camera, a Nikon Coolpix P510.

How many can you spot ?

We also added around 200 hundred Golden Plover to the days tally when something spooked them and they all took flight and circled round before disappearing out of view again.
We now decided to head for home but not before stopping off at the Halfway House at Pitney for a quick pint. We both had a Moor Brewery, Merlin's Magic before finally heading for home.