Somerset Levels
Weather forecast was ok for today so thought i would make the trip to the Somerset levels in search of some Hobby photos. On Arriving on the levels i made my way to Ham Wall. I have had some great success at Ham Wall with Hobbys in the past. No such luck today but caught site of a few Bittern flights. I did manage a half decent Great-crested Grebe and Reed Warbler photo
The afternoon i spent at Shapwick again some good Bittern views one of which was in full view on the back of the scrape but far to distant for a photo. No luck in either hide but on the Cross road of the two hides i got some pretty good views of a Great White Egret feeding and also one flying. Sadly i messed the flight shots up!! Managed to switch setting onto manual!!!. There were plenty of dragonflies about in the afternoon. Not to good with these but pretty sure i saw, Ruddy Darter, Black-tailed Skimmer and Migrant Hawker. I was just about to head home when i had my best ever views of a Bittern in Flight, it did two pretty close flybys.
Other birds seen Whitethroat, Cormorant, Common Tern, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Little Grebe, Great crested Grebe, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Swallow, Swift, Marsh Harrier, Bittern, Reed Warbler, Chaffinch, Lapwing, Rook, Buzzard, Kestrel, Crow, Wood Pigeon,Chiffchaff, Robin, Blackcap, Blackbird, Hobby, Black-headed Gull
Frampton-on-Severn
Made the Trip to Frampton to see the reported Cattle Egrets that had been seen in the area for the last few days. I had seen Cattle Egrets in Australia and Cyprus before, but never in the Uk. ( In Cyprus Cattle Egrets had started to breed at Oroklini for the first time on record this summer)
I made the trip to Frampton with Lee Gardner and Brian Thompson. We headed to the area of Splatt Bridge were they had been sighted earlier in the day feeding with the cattle. After locating what we thought were the cattle we went about trying to find a blob of white in the long grass, no luck. We decided to move on and head towards Frampton Court Lake were the 3 birds had been roosting. On route back to the car I caught a glimpse of 3 White birds heading towards us!!
This was the 3 Cattle Egrets they flew right over our heads and headed further down river into a field of cattle. Here we watched them for about 30 minutes feeding amongst the cattle. They then flew towards the roost site of Frampton Court Lake.
We headed to Frampton to see if we could find them again. Unfortunately they were roosting out of sight but here we were lucky enough to see a Common Tern fishing.
Also spotted today
Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, Green Woodpecker, Yellow Wagtail, Black-headed Gull, Mute Swan, Barnacle Goose
Severnside
Popped down to Pilning Wetlands this afternoon to try and photography the 2 Wood Sandpipers that had been spotted there. Fatal schoolboy error!! No bins so couldn't really make anything out.
I could make out a large mixed flock of mixed Gulls and Lapwings and two smaller birds. I photographed the two distant small birds and reviewed at home bingo Wood Sandpipers. There was also 2 Pied Wagtails on the flash and a Common Sandpiper calling in the Pill.
On the way home i stopped at the nearby Tescos Pool. There were lots of Butterflies including my first Painted Lady of the Year. I am also pretty confident i had a Emperor Dragonfly but will need to check the ID.
Tockington
Had a Brief Walk around Tockington after work, there were lots of Butterflies on the wing. Good numbers of Gatekeepers, Large Whites, Peacocks, and Tortoiseshells. Had my first Small cooper of the year just off Moor Lane. The fields produced the best Butterfly of the year. A stunning Clouded Yellow. I spent 90 minutes trying to photography this butterfly. Firstly it wouldn't sit still and then it kept crossing over the stream and out of reach. I managed one poor shot. Hopefully will get another chance to photography one again this year. Also around were Small Skippers, Ruddy Darters, and Beautiful Damselflies.
Also had my First Tockington Peregrine Falcon. Not the best photo!!
Marloes Mere
After checking into my B&B the Clock tower in Marloes i ventured out to Marloes Mere which is a site of Special Scientific Interest in Pembrokeshire. I parked my car and walked the path past the Youth Hostel towards the costal path. The path runs along side the marsh area of Marloes Mere. The water didn't really hold any birds apart from a few Coot and Mallards. The surrounding hedgerows held Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers and Whitethroats. There was also a Stonechat Family on a Barb Wire fancy as well as a Wren carrying food.
Leaving Marloes Mere i arrived on the Costal Path were i hoped to see Chough. It wasn't long before i saw a pair of Wheatear. The male was catching insects from a nearby Post, to far away to photograph. A Kestrel and a Buzzard were around the cliffs. There was plenty of Linnets and Meadow pipits feeding in the grasses.
I heard them before i saw them, a pair of Chough drifted along the cliff edge before disappearing out of view. I managed a few blurred shots but now i knew they were in the area i would continue to walk the cliff top path. There was also a few Raverns in the area.
I took some time out to practise flight shots of the Passing Herring, Lesser and Greater Black-backed Gull. The sun was out and was creating a lovely light on the birds as they drifted past. It wasn't long before the Choughs flew past again this time i managed a few decent shots. Job Done. Just before i made the walk back to the car i caught site of a Gannet just off the cliffs.
Stonechat, Swallow, Dunnock, Wren, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Linnet, Buzzard, Kestrel, Crow, Magpie, Raven, Chough, Mallard, Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Wheatear