up to 120 canada geese this am, and numbers of coot in excess of 200, Ruff still there also,but not too welcome among the coots as some tend to rush the bird away from them while feeding, also 2 heron
2 Ruff, 1 Oystercatcher (!), Widgeon, Teal, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, 2 Grey Heron, Mute Swan, BH Gull, Linnet & Meadow Pipit this am but not a single Canada Goose - feels like Autumn is really arriving now! In addition 2 Kingfishers, Buzzard and a Little Egret on the Cheddar Yeo even earlier this am.
Ruff still present this morning. Duck numbers increasing with 300+ Mallard,100 Teal, 28 Wigeon and 13 Gadwall. Also 2 Wheatear and mixed flock of c130 Swallow and House Martin. Single Little Grebe and 500 Coot.
an early evening walk around tonight , saw 80+ canada geese, roused by a hot air balloon sending them all around the place, 2 ruff,and most of the others mentioned in earlier postings, There was one bird about 100 yards from the Cheddar tower[going clockwise] that i spotted but unable to name, around the size of a blackbird,maybe slightly larger, very pale brown maybe with a slight orange tint in colour slight mid brown banding at the eyes, beak around an inch long and sharply pointed, dark edging to the wing and tail feathers and moving with a slight bob action , running action like a thrush/blackbird , can't find any picture in the few books i have to put a tag on it, ,not sure if the description gives anyone a clue, but would be nice to know
Plenty of Canada Geese this am! A single Ruff still present on the spit with a single Dunlin around the far side. Also single Hobby and suspected Redshank (with Ruff) but light wasn't great.... What did you think Neville/Roger?
re chris, seen the two"ruff" together. defo one is, the second,plumage is slightly darker in colour, but the light was not good enough for me to give a definitive answer,,
The second bird is a juvenile Redshank. It had me confused and a little exited this morning as it has bright yellow legs! However, looking at the literature suggests juv Redshanks can have orange/yellow legs, so I think it s just a bright individual. Duck numbers different from yesterday, so there is obviously movement going on. C50 House Martin this morning.
1 Ruff and 3 Dunlin this afternoon. Duck numbers continue to increase as the water level drops with some ducks perching in the very shallow water over the mud island. Needs another foot or so though to get the mud exposed. Also 1 Little Grebe and a Peregrine on the mast.
Water level now low enough for sand bars to start showing...too misty to spy any waders this am but a Jay, 2 Kingfishers and a Grey Wagtail were nice enough...loads of Canada Geese again.
Good numbers and variety of birds this morning.5 species of wader with 2 Lapwing, 1Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 1Ruff and 2 Dunlin. 400 Mallard, over300 Teal, 160 Wigeon, 20 Gadwall and 6 Pintail. Also Sand Martin, 2 Peregrine 1Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk.
Some real mud in the middle now and another increase in birds. Highlights of a late visit were 2 Garganey and 3 Little Stint. Garganey were very close in just north of the Cheddar tower but flew into the middle when disturbed. The Stint were with 9 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin and 4 Ruff on the mud. Very good numbers of dabbling duck with an exceptional (for the site) 27 Pintail, 550 Teal and 345 Wigeon.
