The weather this weekend, whilst not being the best for a slow walk around the boardwalk, will be very welcome for the breeding waders at Greylake. Whilst it may not be so evident in the fields in front of the hide, the prolonged dry weather has had a dramatic effect here, at other reserves and throughout the Somerset Levels.
With the ground softer adult birds will have a more readily available food supply to feed their growing young. In the field in front of the hide four
lapwing chicks could be seen at times throughout the day, with the attending parent birds quick to chase off any intruder who came too close. Those chased off included a couple of snipe – one of which obligingly came to rest very close to the hide. Greylake is a spectacular place to get great views of snipe in the winter however, it was great to see this striking little bird in the lush green vegetation – a wonderful contrast to the snipes stunning cryptic camouflage.
The warblers continue to be very active and at times great views could be had of both reed and sedge warblers. Highlight of the day for me was watching a hobby, flying no more than 4 feet of the ground, approach from the fields behind the hide and then carry on further into the reserve.
However, one lucky visitor was treated to wonderful close up views of a barn owl hunting in the fields around the car park – at 9.30 in the morning! (When discussing this in the hide another visitor mentioned that he had also had great views of a barn owl a week or so before this time hunting at dusk).
Nick Edge