Saturday 3rd May 2014

HAM WALL AND SHAPWICK HEATH NATURE RESERVES - BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES GALORE.

Well it has been a while since I last posted, but it is good to be back.

What a better way to start than a visit to my favourite spots on the Somerset Levels for some Natures recovery remedy and with the Weather set fair to be Sunny and warm what a way to start.

A great days Birding and as it warmed up by Lunchtime there was plenty of Butterflies to be seen on the Wing.

I managed to get some sound recordings of some of the Spring Migrants on the reserves and I hope to post these very soon.

Birds Seen on the RSPB Ham Wall Reserve.

Great Crested Grebe (2),
Coot
Moorhen
Reed Warbler (5 seen singing from Reed beds)
Pheasant (1)
Grey Heron (3)
Cettis Warbler (1 seen, three calling)
Chiffchaff (2 seen)
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Cormorant
Blackbird
Chaffinch (6)
Mallard
Tufted Duck (6)
Pochard (8+)
Gadwall (2)
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Little Grebe ( 2 seen and 1 heard calling)
Bittern (6 Booming Males)
Buzzard (6 seen plus being mobbed by Carrion Crows and Marsh Harrier)
Goldfinch
Blackcap (1)
Nightingale (1) (Recording of the Males song was taken)
Great White Egret (1)
Little Egret (2)
Swift (25 - 45)
Lesser Black -backed Gull (2)
Dunnock (2)
Long-tailed Tit (8)
Gargeney (3)
Magpie (4)
Whimbrel (10)

During the afternoon return walk through Ham Wall, I noticed a large Number of Buzzards 'Thermaling' over the Marshes I lost count at 33 I don't ever recall ever seeing so Many at one time.

The pools were full of calling Marsh Frogs, next time I hope to get a recording and will post this at a later date.

(Above) the perfect Spring afternoon, Glastonbury Tor shimmering in the Warm Spring Sunshine.


Moving over to Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve.

Kestrel (2)
Black-tailed Godwit (28+)
Lapwing (3)
Willow Warbler (2)
Peregrine Falcon (1)
Buzzard (pair displaying)
Swallow (6 - Decoy Hide)
Bittern (1 - Seen flying low over reeds)
Kingfisher (1 - Decoy Hide)
Gargeney (3 - Decoy Hide)
Reed Warbler (3)
Carrion Crow (7)
Great Crested Grebe (1)
Marsh Harrier (2)
Hobby (5)

During the afternoon there were plenty of Butterflies to be seen:

Orange Tip
Small White
Peacock
Small Tortoiseshell
Small Blue (1)
Brimstone
Marbled White (seen along Ham Wall trails)
Speckled Wood

Some of the Butterflies were very 'flighty' and would prove to be very difficult to work with despite my polite requests for Photo's.

Both reserves are wonderful places to go looking for Wildlife at any time of the year, but when Spring arrives it is an amazing place for Birdsong. After a hectic week it really is Natures Cure.