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Sunday 5 June 2016

Somerset Levels-Bitterns Everywhere

Today can only be described as Bittern day.

Everywhere we stopped we saw or heard them. At one view point we saw three birds chasing each other around two large male birds pursuing the smaller female.

Several food flights are now underway this being the females as the male birds play no part in rearing the young.

At one particular point there is a male bird that seems to call all day long and if you stand there you can feel the ground shaking with the tremendous noise coming from the bird this is known as booming.

Support cast came from the Marsh Harriers again showing very close to our viewing point, in total around eight birds were seen thoughout the day a splendid sight.

There are still a few warblers singing with Reed warbler, Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat and the ever present Cetti's warblers all heard and seen.

After a fantastic morning we headed back for lunch.

Birds seen in the afternoon included both Little and Great White Egrets also Grey Heron along with four Hobbys catching the many dragon and damselflies that are now starting to emerge.

Further along the path we could hear two distant Cockoos calling with a brief sighting of one of them.

Out on the water pool we found several Black tailed Godwits some in their fine summer plumage of red chests, checking through the duck we found a single male Gargany and a female Pochard with six ducklings along with Tufted duck, Shoveller and  several Gadwall.

On our way back to the car park our guest found a female Adder basking out on a log a great find to finish off our tour.

Birds seen later in the day included a Barn Owl sat outside its nest box in the late afternoon sunshine, also Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting and Buzzard.

The RSPB have done a great job here in creating the correct habitats for the animals it always produces great days out.DT


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