Somerset Ornithological Society

Cetti's Warbler, this morning at Ham Wall

Somerset today: V cool Sibe Chaff & Jack Snipe at Stockmoor; G Ibis at Catcott; 2 Firecrest & 1 RN Duck at Decoy; and a Barnacle Goose at Westhay. Just let down by a v quiet Steart😁 @birdguides.bsky.social Good to see @howardvaughanbeb.bsky.social

Grey Heron at Tealham Moor

26 February at 19:30

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Upcoming SOS online talk about #somersetbirding at Temple Combe - see website for details and for a link to join.

somersetbirding.org.uk/events/my-te...

The Glossy Ibis at Catcott Nature Reserve

The Spot Red is back at vp1, Ham Wall pretty much on schedule

1 Ring-necked Duck still at Decoy, Shapwick (but not 2). 2 Med Gulls and a striking leucistic BHG at Blakeway, Westhay earlier.

Rain again, but I decided to visit Ham Wall, hopefully to see a decent Starling murmuration before winter's end. Managed to hit the jackpot! A million birds? Who knows? Just before dusk I counted 6 Marsh Harriers, I heard the clarion call of Common Cranes and a booming Bittern. #UKBirding

Braved the rain for my first visit to Cheddar Res to see the possible Holboell’s R N Grebe. Well worth it
#UKBIrds
@somersetbirds.bsky.social

A melanistic Lapwing seen at #RSPBGreylake #Somerset last week. It was very aggressive to any other Lapwing that came to close.

#somersetbirding @somersetbirds.bsky.social

Red-necked Grebe at Cheddar reservoir, Somerset YouTube video by Wayne Tucker

Cheddar: Red-necked Grebe
Watch video here
youtu.be/wUPhqqWf-rA?...

@bristolbirding @bto_somerset1 #somersetbirds

Yes I agree Andy. It's also interesting how little there is published about their ID. That one article seems to be it and that was based on analysing photos on ebird, not skins etc. Guillermo has replied already - here's my email and his reply. He agrees in summary.

#somersetbirding
Another nice set of images. Bird still present today - showed well near Axbridge tower this morning before moving to south end when sailing started

Red-necked Grebe showed very well near the Axbridge Tower at Cheddar Reservoir today. @somersetbirds.bsky.social #ukbirds #ukbirding

#somersetbirding

Water now spilling through tunnels under road. Very rare occurrence, I think I've seen it happen once before in over 50 years!

Footpath near hide under several feet of water.

Entrance path to hide!

Hide submerged in at least 2 feet of water!

A few more photos of #ChardRes taken yesterday after #StormChandra had finished dumping at least 2" of rain. Anyone who knows the hide, I reckon the water level is at least seat height! @somersetbirds.bsky.social

#somersetbirding

Red-necked Grebe, today

Unusually calm conditions at Cheddar reservoir made locating the newly-arrived Red-necked Grebe a formality. A couple of Black-necked Grebes were also on show, while 5 Greater Scaup (3 drakes) came in close and a bonus adult Med Gull dropped by. Proper winter birding in a chilly easterly! #ukbirding

#somersetbirding

Black-necked Grebe, today at Cheddar Reservoir

American Wigeon

Green-winged Teal

Garganey

Tufted Duck x Pochard hybrid

American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Garganey still Noah's Lake 2pm. Also Tufted x Pochard hybrid #ukbirding #somersetbirding

Another day on the Levels today which began wrong when I had my first bust scope in 40 years of birding 🥲Despite that and endless rain it was still great. Water rails at Greylake, double RND at Long Drove, penduline tits and whooper swans at Shapwick @somersetbirds.bsky.social #ukbirding #birds

6 Scaup at Cheddar Reservoir today. (Left to right) 1 imm. male, 2 male, 3 fem.

#somersetbirding

Water Pipit, Grey Wagtail and Chiffchaff also feeding around the reedbed and frozen channels at @rspb.bsky.social Ham Wall yesterday
@somersetbirds.bsky.social
#ukbirding #birds #nikon #naturephotography

Male Ring Ouzel near Porlock Weir/Marsh early this afternoon was a fun surprise! Showed super well feeding out in the open from the coast path - much better than this terrible photo suggests! @somersetbirds.bsky.social #UKbirding

Fieldfare, today on Tealham Moor

White-fronted Geese with Grey-lags and Canada Geese today at Sharpham Lane, near Ham Wall