Tuesday 23 January – Shapwick/Ham Wall. Leader: Sue Watson

beyond the carpark but sadly it did not show itself. We found large numbers of Mute Swans, a flock of Lapwings soaring plus Coot and many ducks. Groups of Wigeons and colourful Shovelers, 200 of each and nearly as many smart looking Gadwalls. A variety of other usual duck species were fairly numerous with the noticeable exception of Mallards, where only ten were seen. There was a single Grey Heron, two Great Egrets, no Little Egrets but we had a brief view of Snipe flying over and heard a Water Rail. A mixed flock of Tits followed our progress along the path, apparently hoping for food. A couple of very confiding Great Tits tried to persuade us by using the outer twigs of bushes closest to us, pointedly “chatting” to us! Three Robins singing in a bush on the edge of the path, sat unusually close to each other. Six Buzzards were also seen. On the Shapwick Heath Reserve it was good to hear Bullfinch, Cetti’s Warbler and to have an amazing seven Marsh Harriers in the air at the same time, near Tower Hide, before thousands of Starlings came in. The Starlings were however, distant, at the furthest point of the reserve, with no great murmurations this time. A total of 46 species. (Thanks to Sue for leading).Sue Watson