Somerset Levels - Sun 28 Jan

An early start and my first day of "serious" birding for several months as I met up with three birding mates and headed up to the Somerset Levels for a change. We arrived at Ham Wall RSPB at about 7.45am and were greeted by masses of Starlings leaving their roost, quite a site. A male and female Marsh Harrier were both observed from the car park. We then walked out to the first viewing platform where a hybrid Pochard x Tufted Duck created a bit of interest, but there was no sign of the rarer ducks we had been hoping for. A couple of Great White Egrets were noted before a walk out to the second viewing platform produced nothing of note apart from a couple of Siskin but by the time we had got back to the first viewing platform the Ferruginous Duck had appeared and we were treated to some lovely views.

We then crossed over to Shapwick Heath and checked out Noah's Lake where there were loads of duck, but no sign of the three Whooper Swans that had been present the previous week. A Chiloe Wigeon added a splash of colour amongst the gathered Wigeon but an obvious escapee it couldn't be added to the list!
The disappointment of missing the Whooper Swans did not last long as our next stop was just north of Westhay village near Sweets Peat and Science Museum where two cracking Whooper Swans were showing well in a field opposite the café.

Retracing our steps somewhat we then headed over the Westhay NNR where the pick of the birds were actually in a field opposite the reserve entrance as a Cattle Egret and three Great White Egrets were present with a dozen Little Egrets. A walk around the reserve itself was disappointing with a calling Bearded Tit and another Great White Egret being the only birds of note.
Back south and from Westhay village we headed towards Burtle and a stop along the way at Godwin's Peat Works where we were able to add Glossy Ibis to the list. The bird was with several Little Egrets and a bit distant, we decided not to approach in case we flushed it.

A drive down to Catcott Lows NR where despite good numbers of duck being present we failed to add anything to the trip list, so we continued on to Greylake RSPB.
Arriving at Greylake at around 2.00pm we spent the best part of an hour scanning the masses of duck. Two Peregrines caused a bit of a fuss when they buzzed the reserve and a flock of Golden Plover were seen in the distance. Three Great White Egrets and a Marsh Harrier were also noted but it was after leaving the hide that I managed to locate the drake Green-winged Teal. Although not that far away from the viewing screen where we were stood, it remained hidden and asleep while we were watching it...I still grabbed a photo though.

Back to the car where we enjoyed lovely views of Bullfinch and Reed Bunting before calling it a day and heading back home...the end of a cracking day out.