Ham Wall RSPB - Sun 22 May

A trip up to the Somerset Levels today and a chance to catch up with a couple of good friends as well as see a few birds. Arriving at Ham Wall I made straight for the first viewpoint and loitered there for about half an hour or so until the guys, who were with a local RSPB Group, came back. Whilst waiting I was treated to some pretty good birds. A Hobby soared overhead, a drake Garganey was sleeping in the reeds whilst several Great White Egrets flew around. I was also fortunate enough to locate three Glossy Ibis in the reeds before they took flight and passed almost directly over my head. Bitterns were also very active with five flight views, including some real close-up fly-bys. At least one Cuckoo was in song also.

After a quick lunch break we then headed out of Shapwick Heath where at least eight Hobbies were hawking dragonflies, more Great White Egrets were seen and I also saw more Marsh Harriers after a few were present at Ham Wall earlier in the day. With time ticking by we decided to head off and had the pleasure of seeing a Grass Snake cross the path before we arrived at the car park where a Garden Warbler was in full song and showed really well, rounding of a really nice couple of hours on site.