Saturday 2 May 2015

Shapwick Part Three

Having dipped the Hudsonian Godwit with Martin Bevan last Sunday and then connecting with it on Thursday with Martin Bell I found myself driving there again today with Mr Bevan hoping the bird would stay around long enough for him to see it.

Messages from Rob Gaze who was already there said that the bird was still showing well. Parking up we walked up to Meare Heath and the large crowd of birders. The bird was soon located at the back of the flock fast asleep. We waited around until it flapped it's wings so Martin could see the dark armpits. Unfortunately for Martin there was no sign of Rob to give him his celebratory bar of chocolate.

We then walked up to the Meare Hide and then across to the Noah Hide where we spent a good half hour watching some Common Terns and photographing an obliging Great Crested Grebe and Grey Heron. Also a large shoal of Rudd were right below the hide showing really well and occasionally jumping clear of the water.

We then walked down to Ham Wall where really good numbers of Hobbies were flying around hawking for insects just above the reed beds.
 Great Crested Grebe

 Grey Heron

 Swift

3 comments:

  1. Gutted about the chocolate bar but the birding certainly made up for it today, Hudwit aside we connected with Bittern, Garganey, Cuckoo, Ruff, Marsh Harrier, Hobby and also a lesser spotted Mark Dutfield.

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  2. Great shots phil and rob i fail to see the dodgey brown heron again and think there some guy in the reedbed with a tape .

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  3. As long as you didn't end up in the Cotswolds again Mart 😀

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