Trip reports
Ashcott Corner - 8 April 2008
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Generally a good selection of wetland birds can be seen there throughout the year and on this occasion the party spotted Canada and greylag geese, great crested grebe, pochard, shoveler, tufted duck, mallard, teal and gadwall. The high-pitched trilling calls of little grebes seemed to be ever-present and an occasional water rail was heard.
Other birds of note included a snipe, one black-tailed godwit and a reed bunting. Several buzzards circled in the sky, but one that made off was thought to be a possible ogshawk, though this could not be confirmed.
Spring seems to be well and truly arrived and, despite the cold wind, plenty of warblers were in song, including a Cetti's warbler, reed warbler, chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap and, to the tuned ear, a garden warbler
Other birds added to the list were a kestrel and several reed buntings. A notable feature was the large amount of hirundines that appeared to be feeding over the lakes and passing through all day. It was estimated that the number of house martins, sand martins and swallows was well into the thousands.
The biggest disappointment came when it was learned that the party had just missed a purple heron that appeared briefly over the reedbeds.
Moving back across the road, the party headed up the track in the opposite direction towards Shapwick Heath, the English Nature reserve, covering a further 400 hectares.
On the way, an extraordinarily number of mute swans was seen, estimated to number in excess of 100.
Further disappointment awaited when news filtered through that the purple heron had also been seen. Nevertheless, some excellent birds were added to the expanding list. The large splash area to the right of the track held numerous birds among which were 13 ruff, 5 redshank, one green sandpiper and 2 little egrets. Meanwhile, among the trees, others birds included a goldcrest and 2 redpolls.