As the winter slowly sets in our Winter Walks are now starting at RSPB West Sedgemoor , which take you out to view the birds across the reserve. On Thursday 8^th November on one excursion Marsh harrier, Sparrowhawk, Hen harrier, Peregrine, Buzzard, and Kestrel could all be ticked on the raptors list, while Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Lapwing, Golden plover, Snipe, and small numbers of Pintail, added to the bulk of numbers.…

Fancy trying your hand at some practical work volunteering for the RSPB at your local nature reserve? Why not join us this winter on a weekend?

For a trial period this winter we are proposing to hold weekend work parties on a fornightly basis. Work may include the chance for coppicing, hedgelaying, or scrub clearance at one of three local RSPB reserves; Swell Wood, West Sedgemoor, and Greylake.

If you are interested…

On Saturday 10^th November many walking to Greylake hide were tuning their senses ready to look out for birds, unaware they too were being watched! Yet peering out from a nearby willow tree alongside the boardwalk a Long-eared owl was perched. It was sat in one of the willows to the right of the returning boardwalk from the hide. Spotted around 12 in the afternoon it continued seemingly undisturbed as people walked past…

This last weekend Saturday and Sunday gave two amazing days to look out for birds at Greylake, particularly from the car park viewing platform and around the Reedbed Loop. From the viewing platform dense flocks of Golden plover were performing, swirling in the sky and joined by Lapwing and Starlings, while Snipe, Little egret, Heron, and Cormorants also passed over at various points. Meanwhile, and looking out directly…

We are delighted that the wildbird and wildflower crops we've planted this year are bringing a fantastic selection of birds to Greylake.  Bramblings and redpoll are being seen regularly flying in and out of these crops and along the reedbed loop.  And if you keep a beedy eye out you might even see a bearded tit or two!

For some lovely photos of bramblings and others fantastic images submitted to our website take…

Maintenance work is still happening outside the hide at Greylake as the new predator fence is extended to protect all fields directly in view of the hide. It's job will be to protect ground nesting birds from predators such as foxes, and come the spring it will bring great benefit to the ground breeding birds; in particular the lapwing for which Greylake has become so notable for. Greylake is in fact one of the most…

FREE HALLOWEEN EVENT

Schools have now broken up for the autumn half term, while the middle of the week is further marked by 31st October and halloween!!!..........

.................BUT WHAT FAMILY ACTIVITIES DO YOU HAVE PLANNED?!

Bring the whole family to our FREE HALLOWEEN EVENT at RSPB Swell Wood from 11am to 3pm.

Join us in the woods under cover of a marquee for halloween crafts and activities, including apple…

The leaves are falling, their colours are changing, the days are growing shorter, and the air is getting cooler.... all signs of autumn well on its way at Swell Wood, creeping down the muddy paths. To make the most of these changes with all the wildlife they have to offer, and in preparation for the cold winter coming, we have our "Autumn in the Woods" event happening at Swell Wood this weekend on Saturday 27th October…

Over the weekend this was pointed out to me as I walked along the boardwalk; a spider who had made its home in some reedmace (also known as cattail). Amazingly the spider was guarding an intricate, well crafted opening which led into the reed itself, whilst it had also drawn out the seeds to create an additional extension from the main head. I agree that you never know what you'll find when out for a walk, and so much…

A beautifully sunny day at Greylake yesterday, although the wind did have a cold chill to it. Dragonflies certainly seemed to dominate the wildlife as I walked the boardwalk, and to the willow screening. Migrant hawker dragonflies stayed on the wing moving tirelessly about the path and reedbed, whilst ruddy darter dragonflies and common darter dragonflies could be seen resting in the sun in between their briefer flights…

Changing your blog picture is simple, and you can change it to anything you like...

First, you need to save your chosen picture onto your computer; I used the online bird guide on the RSPBs website for my peregrine. I saved by single right clicking on the image and selecting "save picture as", then chosing a folder on my computer to save it into.

Picture; peregrine

On your RSPB personal profile blog pag…

Saturday 22nd September seemed a very quiet day at Greylake hide, but some birds could still be seen carrying on as normal in the warm breeze. Over the day I watched a teal resting at the waters edge, accompanied by numerous little egrets that pecked out at the flies around them. Further out onto the water were gadwall, mallard, little grebe, and coots, while to the air, kestrels hovered overhead. Just outside the hide…

Have you seen the Spotted Crake recently at Greylake?

                                          Photo: Courtesy of John Crispin

It's been seen walking amongst the reeds in the pond to your right, just as you aproach the track walking along the boardwalk to the main hide. 

Greylake is a great spot to get up close to the wildlife that enjoys our reedbeds all through the year, and the winter birds are beginning to arrive.  If you're new to wildlife watching…

Join us at Greylake on Sunday 1 July  (11am to 1pm) during National Insect Week to marvel at the myriad of dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies, and bugs that buzz around the boardwalk at this time of year.   Be prepared for all weather conditions – bring waterproofs if it's wet or sun hat and sun cream (and a drink!)  if it's sunny and hot!  Bring a picnic for afterwards, and enjoy a wander out to our new viewing…

Spectacular is a difficult word to live up to but our Greylake event certainly managed to live up to its billing. Firstly the weather was warm, sunny with a light breeze, not unusual for mid May I hear you say, but this is May 2012, wet, cold and windy, almost every day except the day of the event! The wildlife was also spectacular with a booming Bittern in the reedbed being a totally unexpected bonus.

The afternoon…

                                                   Photo: Lynne Newton

Come and enjoy the spectacle of Spring at Greylake this Saturday, 12 May from 2pm to 5pm.  Have a wriggle through the new willow snake, peer through the woven viewing screen and pop into the hide and see all our new information panels.  We'll be pond dipping and offering walks to look at the wildlife around the reserve.  You might be lucky enough to see lapwings with chicks, redshank, sedge and…

In recent days Spring has really started and Greylake has been very busy.  On Friday a full hide was treated to fantastic close views of a bittern flying low from one ditch to another.  The first sightings of swallow and Sand martin of the spring, together with bees and butterflies making an appearance means that it really is Spring at last. Another summer visitor a pair of Garganey stayed for a week, mainly out of view…

Some very special birds were spotted at Greylake from the hide yesterday.... some of which I had never heard of! A Little Ringed Plover and Long-Billed Dowitcher were seen snoozing amongst the Lapwings, as you can imagine this caused quite a stir and was a first for me!

I was also lucky enough to see my first Redshanks at Greylake yesterday and to see the cheeky stoat bobbing up and down in front of the hide, presumbly…

Hope everyone out on the reserve today is enjoying the glorious sunshine!  For anyone out stomping on the new reedbed loop keep your eyes and ears peeled for singing Skylarks rising and falling in the sun. For any families don't forget to look out for the giant molehills dotted around the reserve!

Feels like Spring is well and truly on its way!

Today proved to be a beautiful sunny day at the reserve.. with plenty of wildlife to see as usual! We were treated to lapwings floating and calling in front of the hide, golden plover, pintail and swirling starlings avoiding the talons of the hunting sparrow hawk. The lighting was perfect for photographers with little egrets hunting in the shallows near the hide with their reflections showing perfectly.

We all know Greylake is a fantastic place for photography! If you are under 18 and love to take pictures of wildlife don't miss out on the WildPix competition..... check out the RSPB website for more information.

Despite being a very windy and wet day at  Greylake today there were plenty of ducks to be seen from the hide! Flocks of wigeon, shoveller, teal and mallard could be seen and gadwall and pintail were spotted in the afternoon. We were also lucky enough to be visited by the ducking and diving Little Grebe. The day proved to be an impressive one for birds of prey with a female peregrine hunting in full view of the hide, a…

Fantastic news! A small flock passed through Greylake this morning and were heard pinging along the new reedbed loop. Managed to see the beautiful male, a first ever for me!

Are you ‘New to Nature’? Enjoy being out in the fresh air and visiting new places? Want to learn more about the wildlife on your doorstep? Then you’re in luck!

From Saturday 11^th February to Sunday 19^th February 10:00am till 1:00pm RSPB staff and volunteers will be at Greylake nature reserve to help you learn more about the fantastic wildlife and landscapes the reserve has to offer. The event is family…

After 4 weeks of hard work by volunteers and staff the willow weaving part of the new reed bed loop viewing screen is finished – all we have to do now is surface the area and install seats. Already whilst working we have been accompanied by a regular hunting kestrel, we've seen green sandpiper, kingfisher, peregrines and a pair of stonechat, and not so happily watched a Mink stroll past quite unconcerned by the…