The grey herons and little egrets in Swell wood are returning to pair up and repair their nests for the forthcoming breeding season. To reduce disturbance during this important time, the hide in Swell Wood is currently closed until the 1st March. If you want to learn more about the largest heronry in South West England and the wider reserves from the RSPB warden come along to Somerton Parish rooms on Tuesday 13th March 2018. Please visit Somerset Wildlife Trust events webpage for further details.
This week we’ve been making excellent progress hedge laying thanks to the assistance of the Taunton midweek group, RSPB Ham Wall team and our enthusiastic weekday volunteers. As you can see form the image below I had to take extra precautions to protect my eyebrows getting singed off by the flames.
Helen by the fire (Annie Pickering)
Carrying the brash to the fire site was a bit of a challenge too.
Peter approaches the fire (David Miller)
Wetland Bird Count at Greylake earlier this week revealed 840 wigeon, 18 gadwall, 2300 teal, 228 shoveler, 2880 lapwing and 18 snipe. Recent sightings include pintail, green winged teal, great white egret and peregrine falcons. Evenings are also an excellent time to watch flocks of lapwing and golden plover flying overhead, listen out for water rail squealing in the reed beds and sparrowhawks sampling blue tits from the feeder outside the visitor trailer. Watch the sun go down and listen to the ducks settling down to roost.
Helen