Good sightings by RSPB Group (From Somerset County Gazette)

Good sightings by RSPB Group

12:27pm Friday 21st April 2006 in News

ASHCOTT CORNER is one of those favourite birdwatching spots that always seem to come up with some good sightings. The recent field meeting of Taunton RSPB local group proved to be no exception with a superb variety of birds including many incoming migrants.

First real treat was when the flaps were opened in one of the hides to reveal an otter climbing out of the water with a fish in its mouth. Perhaps a little bit less enthusiasm by the observers would have meant that it stayed a bit longer, but alerted by the noise it slipped into the water and quickly disappeared.

There were many wildfowl and waterbirds on the large expanses of open water and species seen included gadwall, tufted duck, wigeon, shoveler, mallard, pochard, teal, greylag and Canada geese as well as great crested and little grebe, coot, moorhen and lapwing.

Several water rail were heard squealing from the reedbeds but most numerous unseen songsters were the ever-increasing numbers of Cetti's warblers.

Among the migrants seen and heard were blackcap, willow warbler, chiffchaff, swallow, house martin, sand martin and an unexpected reed warbler.

Best sighting was a little gull with a black head flying very tern-like above the water, wheeling and showing its diagnostic dark lower wing surface with white trailing edges. Smaller than a black-headed gull, indeed the smallest species of the gull family.

A walk to the observation platform overlooking Ham Wall revealed the first little egret of the day, but most impressive was the flock of 18 black-tailed godwits that flew in, wheeling around, showing their white wing-bars before eventually settling in view. Many of the birds were already sporting their lovely russet-coloured breeding plumage.

Some of the party went on to visit the hide overlooking Catcott Heath and, after a long and diligent search came up with the other bird of the day, a very handsome drake garganey. Although it was very distant, the vivid white head markings left no doubt as to its identity.

Diary date: Sunday, April 23. Stolford and Hinkley. Meet at map ref ST231459, 10am. Led by Evan Williams (Taunton 289194).