A biannual visit by the Exmouth four was not disappointing... The morning started very wet so headed for Decoy Hide
from the other end from Hamwall. We were greeted by a Garden Warbler just inside the gate and the walk to the hide was full of bird song from many of the common warblers in the trees and reeds.

Settling in the hide until the rain stopped we saw Marsh Harriers, several Swallows, Sand Martins, my first House Martins of the season and well over 100+ Swifts all on passage and was a great sight.

A Bittern booming and one in Flight, a Kingfisher flying back and forth across the hide and Lapwing fighting crows over farmland was the highlights of the morning.

With the rain easing and the sun peeping though a large hatch of Damsel fly and Dragon Fly were on the wing in the afternoon which bought out the Hobby's, 5 in all were seen as we walked to Noah's Hide catching these insects in mid-air acrobatic's, fantastic to see.

A family of Greylag Geese were also seen on the walk, with another Bittern in flight heading for Noah's Hide.

On arrival at the hide we were surprised to see 5 Whimbrel pitching in on the dead tree's on the lake looking to settle down to roost. No sign of the Bittern so headed back towards the car. Another two Marsh Harrier and a Male Kestrel were seen in flight, two Cuckoo's were calling, another Kingfisher seen fishing in the main river and Hobby's still feeding on the emerging Damsels.

A pair of Roe Deer seen, plenty of butterflies see across the reserve, Peacock, Small TS, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood to name but a few. Another, thoroughly, brilliant day at Shapwick Heath. Well done to all that looks after this beautiful Somerset Gem.