Sunday 15 October – Cheddar Reservoir Leader: Nick Hawkridge

I arrived early to check that the Drove was indeed under water, so our party of six had to head round the tank! Some Coot were noted, which we later estimated at 600-700 after they’d been pushed together at the western edge by the yacht club safety boats. A solitary Shoveler was found; the other 28 having been flushed off by a hot air balloon that came over Fry’s Hill early on. A party of Cormorants were hanging out to dry; including some white breasted juveniles, with a flock of Canada Geese cruising about close by. No waders were seen as the popularity of the site “forced” some visitors down to the water’s edge so their precious dogs could drink and play. The regular Red-crested Pochard was found in among some Mallards and Teal but no sign of the Pintail reported earlier. A couple of Grey Wagtails were seen early but cousin Pied were very numerous, as indeed were Meadow Pipit. A single Little Egret was spotted in the farmland to the west of the tank and a Grey Heron to the south. A Raven flew from its roost over to the south west accompanied by a ‘persecution’ of Corvids. A total of 34 species were seen or heard. Thanks to Alan for the bird list (and to Nick for leading). Nick Hawkridge