Ham Wall, Wednesday 7 December 2022

Above: Snipe at Ham Wall © Richard Bottle

Leaders Tom Rogers and Glen Maddison

Five members plus two guests joined the leaders on the Somerset Levels at Ham Wall. The weather was very cold with bright sunshine which highlighted the plumage of the birds.

It was decided to start our day walking towards Shapwick as a special bird had been seen in that area. On leaving the car park we headed along the South Drain where Glen heard Bearded Reedlings which we were unable to see. Once we reached an area of open water Marsh Harriers were seen as Glen located the special bird which was an American Wigeon that was on a bank with its Eurasian cousins, its green head contrasting with the chestnut coloured heads of the Eurasian Wigeon.

We then headed to Noah’s hide where there was a huge number of waterfowl on the lake. Then, at the back of the lake on its own, Glen spotted a male Scaup.

Lunch was taken on the picnic tables near Ham Wall car park. While eating lunch a Green Woodpecker was seen flying over. As we walked towards the Viewing Platform no 1 (VP1) a number of Bullfinches including male & female were seen. Access to Tor hide was closed, so we made our way to VP2 where over 100 Snipe were huddled together on a mud spit.

As we returned to VP1 three members left; while we waited for the arrival of the Starlings a pair of Common Cranes were seen flying over. Unfortunately the Starlings went to roost somewhere in the direction of Glastonbury.

A total of 53 birds were seen and heard.

Tom Rogers

List of birds

Pheasant
Pintail
Pochard
Redwing
Robin
Scaup
Shoveler
Snipe
Song Thrush
Starling
Stonechat
Teal
Treecreeper
Tufted Duck
Water Rail (h)
Wood Pigeon
Wren