On a bright winter’s morning 17 members met at the RSPB Greylake reserve in Somerset to view the mixed flock of wintering wildfowl – Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Mallard, Tufted Duck plus Mute Swan, Little Egret, Snipe, Buzzard, Kestrel, Lapwing and a very close view from the hide of a Water Rail. Following a picnic lunch we headed for the nearby village of Stathe to find 31 Common Cranes picking in the fields adjacent to the feeding-station – a first view of this species for most of the party. Spring must be in the air as one of the Cranes was jumping up and down as in displaying. The final part of this trip was spent in the RSPB Swell Wood hide inspecting the heronry but only two Herons put in appearance. A good day with a total count of 38 species.
Peter Holbrook