Ham Wall RSPB 15th April

So day 2. We decided that we would go to Ham Wall and stay most of the day. (I have to add that we are late starters, we like to have a lie in when we are on holiday) So we arrived at Ham Wall about 1pm, with our flasks of Coffee and snacks!

We stayed primarily at the first viewing platform, the wind blowing across was bitter and even though the sun was shining I had to go back to the car at one point and get an extra layer!

But what about the Birds, well our main objective was to see the Bitterns. We could hear that wonderful booming as we walked from the car park to the reserve and before long we weren't disappointed. Two bitterns appeared, I decided to watch rather than get the camera up, sometimes its just better to enjoy and not stress about getting a decent photo. These two were quickly followed by a third, marvelous!!

It was just after this that I went back to the car, as I was walking back a Bittern came low straight overhead, it would have been a fantastic photo, but I'd left the camera with Tina! Oh well never mind, the sighting was probably the best ever!

After the Bitterns we were treated to a Marsh Harrier, ranging over the fields another wonderful sight. We then retreated to the nearby hides just to get out of the wind and warm up a bit. Whilst in there I got chatting to a chap about cameras and lenses, then he said he got a good shot of a Garganey from the platform, which he showed us, then mentioned that he didn't think anyone else had noticed it and he hadn't told anyone! So we popped back duly found it and let everyone know! The distance though was to much for my lens.

So to keep it brief our full list for the day at Ham Wall:

Bittern (4), Blackbird, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Cetti's Warbler (1), Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Gadwall, Garganey (1m), Great Crested Grebe, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, House Martin, Kestrel, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Pheasant, Pochard, Robin, Sand Martin, Shoveler, Starling, Swallow, Teal, Tufted Duck, Whitethroat (2) and Woodpigeon

No lifers, but the Bittern, Blackcap, Cetti's Warbler, Garganey, Marsh Harrier and Whitethroat were all firsts for 2012.

So a few photos for the day:

Dunnock in Song

Pochard

Touchdown!

Hooray the Sun has come out!

Glastonbury Tor Behind the Reeds

Little Egret on the Prowl

We decided to have a run into Cheddar after Ham Wall, to see if the Peregrines were about but no luck, we did stop in the village to see if the Water Voles were out and one did oblige for us: