Trip reports

Catcott Heath - 6 March 2008

Thursday, 13 March 2008

Less than half of those present could find seats to view the flooded meadow and watch the wigeon, teal, pintail, shoveler, shelduck, tufted duck, mute swan, Canada geese and a distant bar-headed goose that were on the reserve.
A decision was made to split the group. Some remained while the others made their way across to Ashcott Corner to get views over the massive reed beds at Shapwick Heath, Ham Wall and Walton Heath.
We were not disappointed, seeing more wildfowl including pochard and gadwall, plus great-crested grebe, little grebe and a superb male sparrow hawk sitting at the edge of one of the lakes. Cetti's warblers and water rails were numerous, located by their calls, but not seen.
Unexpectedly, some of the party managed to see several sand martins flying across the water, seemingly out of place in the bitterly cold wind.
Highlight was the location of the rarely seen great white egret that has been in residence for a few weeks. At first, telescopes allowed very brief views of a white head appearing briefly among the distant reeds, but then the heron-sized egret flew out into the open and gave everyone the opportunity of first-class views.
Known as the great white heron in the New World, this super bird is found throughout the world, but not very often in Britain, and was one of the species slaughtered in their thousands at the end of the 1800s to satisfy feminine fashion needs. 200,000 were killed in 1902 alone, and thus they were one of the species instrumental in the formation of the RSPB.
Another good bird seen was a spendid male goldeneye, always looking handsome in distinctive black and white plumage.
At Ham Wall, more wildfowl were on view as well as little egret, several snipe, cormorant and little grebes, plus a quick glimpse of a kingfisher.
Smaller birds were much in evidence among birch and alder trees, good views were obtained of chiffchaff, siskin, jay, redwing, and three superb redpolls feeding upon the alder cones and showing their red foreheads, black chins and pink breasts in the low sun.
Another excellent bird was a female marsh harrier that sailed low over the reed beds but again, showed up nicely in the weak sunshine. Biggest of all the harriers, the female marsh harrier is dark brown in colour, but with an outstanding pale yellow crane that cannot be mistaken.
Walking back to the car park, small birds flitted among the ivy-covered trees and among them was a beautiful little firecrest. Best of all was the fact the a goldcrest was also present allowing comparisons for identification. The firecrest is in general brighter in plumage than the goldcrest, but the outstanding feature is the unmistakable black and white eyestripe.