Ham Wall and the Somerset Levels,

Ham Wall and the Somerset Levels,

6th March 2010

We arrive at 9.45 on the dot to an already full car park at Ashcott Corner. There are a large number of us ready to go on this bright and frosty morning. Ashcott Corner is located at the heart of the Ham Wall reserve, owned and managed by the RSPB. In all it covers 77 hectares. It is an area of former commercial peat extraction land which is in the process of being restored to wetland habitats, particularly reed bed.

We set off crossing the road East along the old track way towards Glastonbury, on our right a large stand of Alders with their catkins and cones hanging above us. A flock of Redpolls settle in the Alders and although they are difficult to see high up the trees against a bright sky, their unmistakable call of "chet-chet-chet" can be heard as they flit from branch to branch. Further along seven swans pass by, again against a bright sky. I am not sure which species this is, but general opinion seems to be that they are Bewicks. At the platform shouts of "Harrier" are heard and sure enough a Marsh Harrier sweeps low across the reeds settling on the ground out of site. In the water in front of us the various species of ducks--Tufted, Shoveler, Pintail, Gadwall, Mallard, Wigeon and Teal seem undisturbed by this large bird of prey resting nearby.

A few minutes later a Bittern is spotted coming in from the same direction as the Harrier, this time with full sun light showing its ginger-brown markings on its back. Although the wingspan is over a metre it has broad wings and a thick neck and beats it wings more frequently than a Heron. A quick turn and it is out of sight beautifully camouflaged in the reeds. To the south of the platform another Bittern flies in low to the reeds. A couple of our party return from the hide reporting on their strange calls, sounding like a very low foghorn, a "whump" repeated usually 3 to 5 times every few seconds. I believe this sound is only made by the males. In the very far distance I spot several egrets, only one seems to be very large but too far away for identification.

Returning back to the car park I spot a kingfisher hurtling at a furious speed down one of the drains that criss-cross the reed beds. Cetti’s Warblers call, not in full song yet but just a phrase or two, almost knowing that Spring is just around the corner, but not willing to commit. A Reed Bunting here, a Great Tit there, lots of activity in the warm sun.

Walking back across Ashcott Corner and along the long drain, we stop to look at the water to the north of us. A large white Heron with long legs, a long neck and a yellow bill, drifts down to a muddy spot on the waters edge, right in front of us. The Great Egret, a vagrant here and more at home wintering in the Mediterranean or Africa gives a perfectly timed display. A brief look in at Noah's hide reveals a few Goldeneye, before we return for lunch at the car park.

After lunch we travel to Westhay Moor and walk around endless reed beds and willow & birch carr, finally stopping at a pond noted for Goosanders. They did not disappoint, both sexes showing good plumage, albeit at the far end of the pond!

Time to retreat home but not before a tip off about one of the heaviest and largest birds in Western Europe grazing nearby. Just a few miles down some narrow back roads brought us back with our group to watch a Great Bustard grazing in the field opposite with some Swans. I could feel the excitement in the air from all of us and a first for me too. A truly wonderful way to end a days birding.

Many thanks to Richard Swinbank for showing us around the levels.

Number of species seen: 56

Birds seen, in BOU order or alphabetic order

BOU order

Mute Swan

Bewick’s Swan

Whooper Swan

Greylag Goose

Canada Goose

Wigeon

Gadwall

Teal

Mallard

Shoveler

Pochard

Tufted Duck

Long-tailed Duck

Goldeneye

Goosander

Pheasant

Little Grebe (Heard only)

Great Crested Grebe

Cormorant

Bittern

Little Egret

Great Egret

Grey Heron

Kestrel

Water Rail (Heard only)

Moorhen

Coot

Great Bustard

Lapwing

Snipe

Black-headed Gull

Herring Gull

Wood Pigeon

Collared Dove

Kingfisher

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Wren

Dunnock

Robin

Blackbird

Fieldfare

Cetti’s Warbler (Heard only)

Long-tailed Tit

Coal Tit

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Treecreeper

Magpie

Jackdaw

Carrion Crow

Starling

Chaffinch

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Lesser Redpoll

Reed Bunting

Alphabetic order