Sunday 25 November – WWT Steart Leader: Richard Belson

Eventually 14 BOC members met in the WWT car park for this all-day visit. Unfortunately, some arrivals had been
delayed by the loading of bullocks into transport vans, which temporarily blocked the access road. The day was
rather cold and cloudy with a 15 mph wind adding to the chill factor. However, whilst in the car park we were treated to the sight of twelve Cattle Egrets flying overhead and in the distance sky – flocks of thousands of
Lapwings and Golden Plover with the odd Dunlin. As we headed off into the reserve, we saw Song Thrush,
Chaffinch, Grey Herons, Starlings, Redwings and Kestrel. At the Mendip Hide we saw Shelduck, Dunlin, Mallard
and some Redshanks. In the field behind was a flock of approximately 50 Stock Doves mingled with
Woodpigeons. As we went on to Quantock Hide, we had some blue sky overhead and were rewarded by views of
good numbers of Shelducks as well as Shoveler, Wigeon, Teal, Little Grebe, three Spoonbills, Snipe, Little Egret,
Black-tailed Godwit and a single juvenile male Pintail. A flock of 40 Skylarks were also present. Again, we had
excellent views of massive flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover. As we progressed to the Polden Hide we added
Blue Tit, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Curlew, Stonechat, Fieldfare and Buzzard to our list. We returned to the
car park for a quick lunch following which nine of us went on to the Natural England car park to walk to the Breach.
We had seven Greylag Geese fly overhead, unusual for this area. Disappointingly, there was little to be seen
when we reached the Breach; however, our patience was rewarded when a male Marsh Harrier arrived flying over
the reed bed. It then spent a good 15 minutes flitting up and down in the vegetation. Initially we were concerned
that it might be caught or tethered, but eventually it flew off with a large unidentified prey in its talons. Shortly after
this a female “ring tail” Hen Harrier flew by. It circled and, as it came by again, a Merlin pursued it; all of which
disturbed a Peregrine. At one point all three birds were in sights of our binoculars. At the same time a Great White Egret flew by. To top it all, as we were driving back along the road, we had lovely views of a Short-eared Owl
quartering the field. Overall, a really good days birding, with 46 species listed. Many thanks to Richard for leading.
Sue Kempson