Greylake has had a successful week as we finished with the pollarding, coppicing and burning of the willow down the main drove – creating a more open habitat for the incoming wintering birds, which we’re all very excited for! It will also reduce the number of perches for the crows next Spring.
Photo Credit: David Miller
Mentioning birds… Greylake has had a vast number of wildlife visitors recently including large numbers of golden plover, lapwing and snipe flying over the fields and reed beds, so keep your eyes peeled for them. Water rail, bittern, bearded tit and kingfisher have been heard and spotted most days all over the reserve, especially early in the morning around the large pond on the reed bed loop. Rob and Jo, our two volunteers working at Greylake in the visitor trailer, have had some really awesome sightings this past week including two peregrines on the pylons on the right of the reserve as you enter, as well as the usual marsh harrier and buzzard. Also some good views of bearded reedlings at the edge of the reed bed loop back towards the pond and in the reed bed towards the screen. These were seen in two small flocks of about 6 or 7. Godwits, gadwall, mallard, teal and wigeon are all making themselves visible from the hides but not too much activity from them. Still really exciting stuff!
The autumn and winter walks have begun on West Sedgemoor, on the levels, and they’re going splendidly with records of thousands of golden plover flying over, lots of small groups of black-tailed godwit and plenty of the gorgeous wintering lapwing! Let’s hope these numbers keep building up as the walks continue. Look out for stonechat, marsh harrier and peregrine over the levels which were spotted later on this week on Friday the 17th.
The smaller birds have all chosen the comfort of Swell Wood by the bird feeders with sightings of nuthatch, great spotted woodpecker, coal tit, marsh tit, chaffinch, and a robin here and there, which is getting me into the Christmas spirit! Whilst cleaning the bird hide in the wood, I noticed something quite small a couple of metres away, and after standing and watching for a couple of minutes realised it was a beautiful little goldcrest cleaning itself, until another chased it away.
After the frosts this week, we’ve had few sightings of butterflies and dragonflies, however David has stuck at it with the moth trapping and added Grey Shoulder-knot (below) to the site list, a species which overwinters as an adult moth in the same way as butterflies like Peacock and Brimstone do.
Happy Birdwatching, Annie and Dave
West Sedgemoor Guided Walks - for the dates, follow this link. The first is on the 25th November at 10am
https://www.facebook.com/events/1981045132173110/
“Don't miss your chance to visit our fantastic West Sedgemoor Reserve this winter, access is only available via guided walk. In the winter tens of thousands of ducks and waders visit the fields at West Sedgemoor.
Not only will you witness this stunning duck and wader spectacle but there is also the chance to see hunting marsh harriers, peregrine falcons and perhaps catch a glimpse of the Somerset cranes, this all makes for an unmissable experience. Join local RSPB guides for a rare opportunity to witness this wildlife spectacle.
Booking Essential Email: west.sedgemoor@rspb.org.uk Phone: 07774620879
RSPB Members £4; Non RSPB Member Adult £6 RSPB Child Members £2; Non RSPB Member Child £3”