Carl Bovis Nature Photography: Brilliant birds at Shapwick Heath and RSPB Ham Wall.

Saturday, 31 May 2014

Brilliant birds at Shapwick Heath and RSPB Ham Wall.

Yesterday I spent a wonderful 4 hours at the neighbouring nature reserves Shapwick Heath and RSPB Ham Wall. It was a very overcast day and the light was terrible for photography, but it didn't stop me snapping away anyway! I mostly got only record shots thanks to the low light, but the birds were stellar!
My partner Nick, my 3 young daughters and I left Shapwicks car park and headed up the track towards the Meare Heath hide to start with. We were disappointed that a Black winged Stilt wasn't still present as that was the main reason we'd ventured out, but in the end we wouldn't have swapped any of the birds we were to see for a view of the Stilt!
There were a few Whitethroats dotted about, plus Reed Buntings and Reed Warblers, the latter singing from deep in the reeds and occasionally giving very brief views. On the lagoon opposite the track were a group of Black tailed Godwits, numbering about 20 birds.
We walked over the foot bridge to the Meare Heath hide and spent about 20 minutes inside. Greylag Geese flew over, along with a couple of Herons and Cormorants. Even better were a couple of Great White Egrets, which have become very regular sights at these 2 reserves. Probably the best places in the Country to see these rare white Herons!
Finally what we were hoping for made an appearance..... rising up from the reed bed to the left and flying to the right and out of view......a Bittern!! We had heard their 'booming' during our journey from the car park to the hide, but for us all to get a great view of one in flight was fantastic!
After leaving the hide we were about to return to the car park when my other half spotted a Marsh Harrier flying over the reeds further up the track! We walked speedily past the trees and I managed to get a few distant pics. While we were stood here, alongside Noah's lake, a Hobby flew over! Next, we heard a calling Cuckoo. One flew out of the woodland at Meare Heath and landed on a dead tree in the reed bed, then another came from the other direction and landed in the same tree!! The first time I'd ever seen 2 cuckoos! One seemed to be displaying to the other, before they both dropped from view. Fabulous!
Then a Jay flew across Noah's towards it's hide. A minute later and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers flew past us only a few feet away! This seemed to be a great spot for birding! I saw a Willow Warbler in the hedge, heard and briefly saw a Cetti's and a Reed Warbler, saw a Buzzard overhead and another Marsh Harrier, carrying some prey item. Swifts were shooting back and forwards across the track, so close to us you could hear the swoosh!! A couple of Sand Martins were amongst them.
After a while we returned to the car, grabbed some refreshments for the kids (sweets!), then crossed the road to walk to RSPB Ham Wall.
At the first viewing platform we saw another Marsh Harrier, which dropped into the reeds and disappeared from view. We then crossed the track to the hides overlooking the reeds and open water. Here we saw 2 Common Terns, which spent some time perched on the islands and some time flying around noisily, at one stage one dived into the water at great speed but didn't seem to emerge with a catch. There were also a family of Great Crested Grebes, a pair of Mute Swans with cygnets, Mallard, Gadwall and Pochard.
Very luckily a Bittern flew up right in front of the new hide and I managed probably my best shot of the afternoon!
A family of Blackcaps and Blue Tits were feeding in the bushes and again I was lucky when a Kingfisher landed within a few feet of me! Unfortunately twigs and leaves blocked a clear shot. Just before leaving, as the light was fading even more, a Cetti's Warbler landed in front of me in full view and belted out it's explosive song!
A quick look from the first viewing platform again was rewarded by a view of a hunting Barn Owl over the back of the reserve! On the walk back to the car yet another Bittern flew up over the reeds!
A fabulous, exciting day offering a glimpse of the special nature that abounds in this wondeful part of the Somerset Levels!

Below are some pics from the afternoon;