Lanford Lakes, Witshire and Steart Marshes, Somerset

Monday 3 March

One of the Langford Lakes with roosting Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo in the trees at the back

Away from Warsash a few minutes after 9am to spend four days down in Somerset visiting the reserves on the Somerset Levels along with both Langford Lakes just beyond Wilton in Wiltshire and the afternoon at the Steart Marshes on the Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve on the southern coast of the Bristol Channel coast.

Gadwall Anas strepera

Langford was somewhat interesting in that it threw up more species than on previous visits as we made our way westwards to spend time at Pontins Sand Bay resort. Scores of Canada Geese and no shortage of either Shoveler  nor Tufted Ducks.  Just a quartet of Gadwall and about the same number of Teal on the Hanging Langord reedbed lagoon.  Also at this site a number of Coot and Mallard plus a single Snipe.

But can you find the Snipe Gallinago gallinago?

Walking through the reserve I noticed the large number of resting Cormorant and both Great and Blue Tits were recorded along with a Wren, Blackbird and a few Robin.  A very distant Little Egret on the outward walk and a pair of Mute Swans as I returned. Both Woodpigeon and Carrion Crow were seen along with single Magpie and Jackdaw.

Heron Ardea cinerea

Whilst I had seen both a Buzzard and Kestrel as I approached the reserve plus a number of Rooks occupying the local rookery (a female Kestrel also seen landing atop a pylon at the back of the reedbed pool), the onward journey to Somerset produced a Red Kite being harried by a Buzzard along with a second Red Kite ere I had travelled a half-mile.

Male Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

A lovely cross-county connection between the main road to Exeter and the market town of Bridgwater as I crossed an expanse of the Somerset Levels (something to look forward to in the next couple of days) but arriving at Steart Marshes all very quiet with the tide fully out so all the waders absent from the site save for a handful of Oystercatchers. A couple of Carrion Crows were seen flying over the nearby farm buildings but then it was off to the hides passing the first Heron on the way.

Once at the main hid not a single wader in sight but a very distant Little Grebe and back to my distant left a Buzzard resting atop a fence post.   A single Pied Wagtail relatively close along with mainly Herring but also Black-headed Gulls.  At the far western end very many Shoveler accompanied by many Teal and Wigeon. Also at the back of the main pool a lone Little Egret.

Next the long walk to the hide overlooking the (now) very muddy banks of the River Parrett.  Here I found scores of Shelduck and even more Teal with a just a handful of Herring and/or Black-headed Gulls.  Looking up river I found a pair of Canada Geese but, even more surprising, a trio of Brent Geese walking the mud to the river.

Both on the way to this hide and back I came across a female Stonechat. From the Mendip Hide more views of both Shelduck and Little Egret.  Then, almost back at the car park, the first Mute Swans and Mallards of the visit.

Record shot of the Stonechat Saxicola rubicola

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Brent Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel. Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling.

Female Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Langford Lakes main water seen from the Visitors Centre

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River Itchen and Beacon Woods, Park Gate

Saturday 1 March

A lovely sunny start to the day so by mid-morning after collecting friend Richard Osborn, we headed off to the River Itchen at Mansbridge to walk downstream alongside the non-tidal water. Lots of Mallard taking advantage of all the food being provided along with a score of Greylag Geese and a pair of Mute Swans.  Four Moorhen counted plus scores of Carrion Crows, a single passing Jackdaw and a trio of Magpies.

Greylag Goose Anser anser

Many singing Robin, Blue and Great Tits along with sightings of at least three Blackbirds.  But best of all the plentiful supply of feeding Chiffchaffs and Long-tailed Tits in the open trees on the opposite bank.  Once at Woodmill not as many gulls as expected but still a good number of Black-headed plus just under a dozen Herring Gulls.

Chiffchaff  Phylloscopus collybita

The highlight of the return walk was the sighting of a Firecrest in the open trees on the opposite side of the river followed by a pair of Grey Wagtails.  Once back at the Swan Hotel a Buzzard overhead.

Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla

Having returned to Richard's home we took the opportunity to take a short walk through the neighbouring Beacon Wood and found Goldcrest, Wren and Robin plus both Blue and Great Tits.  Not just a couple of Blackbirds but also a Song Thrush in addition to the resident Carrion Crows and Woodpigeons.  Back at the house both Starling and House Sparrows on the feeders.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Buzzard, Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Grey Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, 

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

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