Somerset RSPBs Hanwall and Greylake

 Tuesday 6 February

Glastonbury Tor seen from the hide at RSPB Han Wall

Dull, windy but dry and occasional breaks in the cloud improving the light a little.  At Ham Wall by 9.30 and local Blackbirds, Robins and Woodpigeons waiting to be recorded. The feeding station held a ready supply of Blue and Great Tits along with a number of Chaffinches and a couple of Goldfinch.  Making my way pas the little ponds I noted Long-tailed Tits before starting on the track.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

Over the bridge and a Little Egret in the canal below on the right and once at the first observation station on the left a view of many Shoveler, Mallard, Tufted Duck and Teal along with a number of Coot and a single Great White Egret at the back of the water.  Noting the frequent Robins and Great Tits as I moved along the track I then visited the series of hides on the right overlooking the lakes and also giving a distant view of Glastonbury Tor.  In addition to good population of Gadwall also a couple of Pochard to add to the Coots and Mallards with very many Shoveler on the back pool to my right.  Both of the two anchored platforms held a pair of Common Terns; early arrivals back from their winter wanderings.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo

As I made my way further along the track the first Marsh Harrier of the morning and a couple more off to the left when I reached the second viewing point. Walking below the bank on the path alongside the stream a Kingfisher suddenly took off in front of me from its perch on a low branch of a mature tree.  On a low hedge below me in front of the water a quartet of Dunnock were actively make a play for one another and a handful of Carrion Crows passed overhead. Other than the occasional wandering Black-headed Gull nothing else to add to the sightings.

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Time to move on the short distance over to Grey Lake and within a mile was passing  a flock of over 100 Rooks feeding on a grassy field to my right.  On arrival I came across many birders making use of the two adjacent hides. Whilst still in the car park I noted a number of both Chaffinches and House Sparrows feeding on the seed put out on small trays near the trees and in the distance, before I even left the car park never mind reached the hides, I watched a beautiful male Hen Harrier glide over the distant reeds and water.

Just a few of the mixed winterers - rising as a result of a passing Hen Harier

So down to the hides noting a couple of Mute Swans on the way.  Told to use the far hide, a mere ten metres further on overlooking the same muddy and waterlogged waste, I found the area absolutely packed solid with mainly Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler plus hundreds of Lapwing.  And every time either the Hen Harrier or a Marsh Harrier drifted over all the Lapwings would rise and circle before returning.  

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Fortunately, the visiting Green-winged Teal either remained settled or returned to the same site almost in front of the hide though, sadly, spent its time looking away from me.  In addition the above there were many Snipe about bit I only managed to find four individuals.  A couple of Starling were happy to feed on the bank immediately on front of the hide and upon returning to the first hide noted the pair of Greylag Geese and away to the far right a lone Great White Egret.  Another bonus was the visiting Water Rail behind the second hide and as I made my way back to the carpark I was able to add Magpie, Carrion Crow and Robin.

Male Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis - note the vertical rather than horizontal white strip on the wing (see Teal below)

A most enjoyable five hours despite the weather and as I complete this report at 5 o'clock the heavens have opened and it is absolutely tipping down the wet stuff!

With female Teal Anas crecca (left)

Birds seen:

Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Common Teal, Green-winged Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Water Rail, Coot, Lapwing, Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch.

Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis 

Snipe Gallinago gallinago (centre)

Distant Great White Egret Egretta alba

Greylag Goose Anser anser

Male Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

Female Teal Anas crecca and with male below

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