Somerset Ornithological Society - Bird News
This Forum is Locked
Author
Comment
Steart Marshes - 17 and 18 July 2014

Steart Marshes - 17 July 2014 (evening)

1 Peregrine (tiercel) - two spectacular hunting flights after young Starlings. Both unsuccessful but perhaps he wasn't really trying?

8+ Common Kestrel - probably at least two family parties.

4 Common Buzzard - one perched and three soaring, separately.

Also:

4 Little Ringed Plover - pair and two cute young on island in front of the main new hide (not yet open).

40+ Common Swift - insecting high up.

800+ Black-headed Gull - 500+ insecting in all directions, 300 perched or swimming on the lagoons.


Steart Marshes - 18 July 2014 (early morning)

1 Sparrowhawk - hunting low along Stert Drove.

10 Kestrel - mostly juveniles, presumably two or three family groups.

8+ Common Buzzard - soaring singles and groups of up to 4 hawks.

Also:

1 Mediterranean Gull (juv) - on main lagoon with Black-headed Gulls.
18 Black-tailed Godwit
23 Dunlin
6 Oystercatcher
3 Green Sandpiper - arrived high from South and dropped into the Marshes.
3 Curlew
8 Little Ringed Plover - on main lagoons including at least 4 youngsters.
1 Common Snipe
24+ Little Egret - including a single group of 14 individuals.
40+ Sand Martin
50+ Common Swift

NPW