Kill Bill

Something a little different today. Rather than chasing Bitterns and Harriers across the levels the EFRS went national and headed to Portland Bill.

The weather was quite lovely which isn't always ideal for migrant birds (the Bill's main draw).  Nevertheless we were quite optimistic.

Whilst slurping down some tea we came across a group of birds which were slightly foreign to us land lubbers.  I thought they were Guillemots but Andrew was unconvinced...

Cycling along the bumpy cliffs Andrew went for a burton and rather than help I simply laughed.  Not really what a compatriot should be doing... sorry!
I swear I have a cracked rib!!!

You know when you look at a map and think "Oh that looks a nice route". Well this was in principal! Not particularly conducive to cycling but we stumbled through in the end.

View from the top

After the accident we trundled along slowly, the odd Linnet keeping us company.  Then something more substantial was spotted.  A Greater Black Back.  There was some debate as to whether it was the big or little variant but in the end Greater was the correct identification.  This one had a good catch...

Great Black Back Gull

We carried on, in unfamiliar territory.  A small brown bird attracted far too much attention.  A Rock Pipit I believe (you can see them at Kilve beach by the restaurants... not exactly a rarity) It did give the impression it had just flown 30 odd miles non stop over a landscape of certain death!

James 'Getting' that Pipit

A bit further on and another little brown bird.  This time a Spotted Flycatcher.  Sadly to quick for me and my camera. It did make a nice call though.

We stopped for lunch and broke out the heavy guns (scopes).  Not a lot happening but all very scenic.  Andrew spotted a large Dragonfly with a colourful bum and got a nice picture of it and then got a bit obsessed with a bumbling blue beetle which kept crashing into rocks. Then he spotted a pair of rats fighting (I was too busy eating my lunch to see the whole thing).  There was also a cat hiding in amongst the rocks.  Not exactly what I had expected to see. We came for Gannets, Minkys, Basking Sharks and Foreign Invaders. Up till now this is the best we got:

Probably a Feral Cat.There are a lot around here apparently.

What they live on. This is the looser of the scrap I saw

Up high a Buzzard soared with what looked like jesses attached to its feet.  Did he belong to someone?  Hard to tell, he flew over head and Andrew got a shot...

Not jesses but a half decapitated rat

Female Broad-Bodied Chaser

Nope the Buzzard had executed a kill on the bill.  The jesses were actually bits of rat carcass, what a lovely sight at lunchtime. It was indeed a funny sight. Usually when they get a kill they drop down to eat. This one was circling around as if not sure what to do with its kill. Eventually flying over us. Probably off to the nest for the chicks.

We cycled around a bit and ended up outside a hotel on an industrial estate which looked a bit like something from the Soviet Bloc. A nice cycle but not what we really wanted. We where caged animals pacing back and forth peering out of the high fence at the freedom of the path on the other side!! A map would have helped!
Finally after a very muddy and prolonged path we came back full circle to the light house and going right instead of left we finally hit the spot we where looking for. Which was actually about 100 foot from the car.

Unnecessarily distant shot of the Light House

Pulpit Rock

Deploying our equipment we were soon looking at Guillemots (confirmed and agreed) along with the odd Razorbill and plenty of gulls and a few Fulmars which are really nice.

Not a Fulmar but it will have to do

A Fulmar and it will do

There was an Oystercatcher flying about.

It was both fascinating and funny watching the Guillemots. I had seen them up close with Razor Bills and Puffins at South Stack on Anglesey before. Just spending some time you get to know the patterns they follow. Sudden bursts going all at once but from different areas on the rocks. Flying down to particular groups in the water to fish. Hiding in the cracks in the rocks. The young just missing the water as they frantically flap. I did see one hit the water rather hard as it didn't quit make it. It was OK but any seal would have picked it off..

'Boo' Razorbill coming in to land

'Weeeee' Razorbills

Guillemots

Out to sea there was a large flock of black, slightly dumpy looking birds.  I think they were Common Scoters but I couldn't be 100% sure (Agreed).  As you can tell, both of us were slightly out of our comfort zone.  Not sure if I could watch sea birds all the time but variety is the spice of life.

U Tern

Well, it has been a while.  Whilst Andrew has been tracking down all sorts of good stuff.  I have been cooped up with work commitments.  The only birding I have done is trying to get footage of a woodpecker in the back garden.  That’s a story in itself, but I digress...

It was time to get out and about with great haste! I hopped into my car with thoughts of Marsh Harriers and Bitterns in my head.  Turned the key,... dead.  

My heart sank.  After much wailing and gnashing of teeth I pulled out the bike (at this point I probably should have gone to the garage rather than birding... but you only live once)

On my way to Westhay I caught sight of a Kestrel hover hunting.  Always a pleasure to see as these falcons are struggling a bit.  Moments later he was gone.  I carried on, only to see him reappear on a post.  Whipping out my camera I managed to get some footage.

What a greedy guts!  Apologies for the shakiness.  I was knackered.

At Westhay I made a bee-line for the raised platform.  A Water Vole hurtled into a ditch, obviously rather nervous of a giant wheeled frame bearing a loft a hairy, panting human.

The platform is a solid spot for Hobby watching. Except there weren't any.  

I text Andrew to have a moan.  As I hit send, the first Hobby swooped across.  Then it went a bit mental.  A Buzzard flew low over the reeds, harried by a female Marsh Harrier.  Above a second hobby appeared.  Then a Cuckoo flew in front of the hide, followed by another 2 cuckoos (a flock!).  Then a Kingfisher flew onto a tree not 20 feet from the hide.  I raised my camera... In a flash he was gone.  I was really annoyed.  I had missed pretty much everything with only the Harrier on film (and it was pretty poor quality)

I decided to drown my sorrows with a bottle of coke and a ham sandwich.  It went quiet for a bit with just an over enthusiastic Cetti’s warbler for company.  Then the Hobbies returned 5 or 6 darting about the place.  Let me tell you, Andrew did well to get pics of them.  They are fast and very wiley!

A much slower target emerged.  A beautiful Harrier flew quite close to the hide and provided some outstanding views.

But it wasn't over just yet.  Tracking one of the Hobbies I noticed it descend and... land!

What a great bird.  Sat quietly on a dead tree.  He didn't do a lot so i just admired.  At that point I noticed another, slightly odd looking grey bird in a nearby tree.  A fourth cuckoo!

I got both into the frame (just).  I thought it might be interesting..

On to Shapwick.  A Kingfisher zipped across the track.  Meare Heath was a bit quiet with just a few GC grebes and a few Lapwings.  At Ham Wall I halted at VP1.  I was full of expectation as Andrew really has done well around here in the past few weeks.  I wasn't disappointed.  2 Bitterns were flying reasonably high and interacted briefly before vanishing from sight.

I wheeled my bike down to the new hide.  I saw precisely nothing and wheeled back again.  It was then that i noticed two very smart looking Common terns on the little floating island.  They looked like a pair of star crossed lovers gazing into each others eyes and making the odd high pitched call to one another.  Then the romantic scene was shattered.  A grumpy heron decided that the island belonged to him.  His greater size and strength quickly overwhelmed the dainty birds and off they scattered.  The heron, obviously pleased with himself stood proud on his new bit of land.  His victory was short lived.

The terns re grouped and exacted swift retribution.  Dive bombing the hapless Heron.  He squawked and complained as the terms streaked into him.  Unable to take anymore the old fisherman admitted defeat and fled.  The scene ended with the terns returning to their floaty island.  A happy ending then.

Back on VP1 I met two very nice chaps and between us we managed to spot a Female Marsh Harrier and 4 separate Bitterns.  Most pleasing!

For reasons unknown I decided to perform a u turn and go back through Shapwick heath.  I am glad I did.  Just before reaching the exit to Ham Wall I very nearly squashed a large Grass snake sunning herself on the path.  I screeched to a halt, grit flying everywhere.  The snake did an awkward spin like a dog chasing its own tail.  Once it had sorted itself out, it slithered into a nearby bush. 

Back through Shapwick another Kingfisher flashed in front of me and two GS woodpeckers flew over head.  As I peddled past the freshly ploughed fields at Westhay I noticed a large brown rabbit... Wait it was a hare!

Andrew and myself have often lamented at the lack of hares around.  It was great to see this one and I feel lucky that I managed to get a photo of him.

Looking a little startled!

When i got home I tried the key in the car ignition just one more time.  This time it worked.  I must have made the wrong tern last time round :-)

Excuses, excuses

The light was bad, it was half a mile away, I need a better camera and all that................

So I was feeling a little lazy. I had had a long weekend off with quite a bit of entertaining. I needed some fresh air and sun. Off I trots to the usual location. Sort of not quit on duty. There were tales of a Black Winged Stilt on the Scrape. Ok Ill take a few shots and then just chill in the breeze. Entering Shapwick Car Park I called to Mike, who was having a cuppa as usual in his van, "Is the Stilt still there?", "No" was the reply. "No!"
I cycled on regardless. It was one less thing to be bothered to see. At this point I had only taken one shot and that was to show someone else the zoom on my Canon. It was a buzzard. Woo hoo!

Then all hell broke loose. I sauntered back down to VP1 at Ham Wall where Mike was. There were a pair of Common Terns trying to make a nest on a raft opposite. Unfortunately the locals hadn't realised that they had new neighbours and kept popping on to the raft. Mallards being the worst but at one point there where Herons, Lesser Black Backed Gulls and Cormorants at one stage or another invading their personal space. There is a purpose built raft about 20 feet away that they could have had all to themselves. Must be like cats then,

Oy! (Common Tern and an even more common Female Mallard)

It was then Bittern central. Must have been about 20 in total flitting back and forth. Had a wonderful display of three performing in the air grappling with their feet. Here's a couple of pics I managed to get close up.

Bittern

Bittern

Next was a Great White Egret. Not too unusual for Ham Wall except I hadn't seen one for a few weeks now. There where probably about 6 in total. This one wandered amongst the reeds in an exquisite way.....

Enigmatic Great White Egret

Who then proceeded to try and shove this down his gob!

(He failed)

The Terns then went for a turn in the sky.

This has an unexpected appeal in an Impressionist sort of way.

Common Tern

Now if this had been in frame and in focus and and and....

Common Tern

(Could have probably been the best photograph ever taken)

Anyway...................

How could things possibly get any more frustrating. I'm off duty after all. No pressure. However Mike told me there was also a Barn Owl off at the far end near the Wood at the back of VP1. Yes there was. So with poor light I proceeded to try and photograph a white bird half a mile away. Enjoy......

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

Did I mention there were a lot of White throats around?

White Throat

Considering this was supposed to be a quiet day off duty it was quit exhausting. I stayed until 7pm waiting for that Barn Owl to come out to play again and fly straight past me for that final shot of all shots. Young lad next to me was there to show his mum some bitterns. He spotted a Tawny Owl going into a near by tree. Funny, we had heard one  a few hours earlier. We couldn't find it again despite much looking. 

Nature From Tooth to Claw

What better way to start the day with a bit of death. Before I even got to a nature reserve nature presented itself in all its raw drama. My eye was caught by this rather dapper fella in a field just past the Aqueduct Crossing.

Dog Fox on the hunt

Dog Fox on the hunt

Dog Fox on the hunt

He seems to have already caught something but I cant make it out. He goes back a couple of times to it, catches a snack for himself then trots off with the previous kill probably for the young back at the den.

But I had already wasted time and had to put a pace on. I had a date with our Grand old Mr Riley. As I cycled through Ham Wall and Shapwick along the old railway line my mind switched off from my EFRS duties as I didn't have time to stop. I transported myself back to the days before Beeching. A time when there where tracks laid. I was in a carriage. Sitting in comfort but with the window open. In times when carriages where made of wooden frames and cotton coverings on the seats. Still a semblance of connection with the real world. Still an earthiness. I was Betjeman in a rain coat. I put the cycle on autopilot and glanced to my right and left watching the trees rush past. The crunch of the cycle tyres where transformed into the hiss and clatter of steel and coal.

I arrived at Catcott Heath and switched back to the task in hand. Mr Riley was waiting. Now as you know James and I are more of the big stuff of the Marsh Harriers, the drama and excitement of the Hobbies etc. Mr Riley on the other hand we find within a tranquil haven of peace and calm. Of a more gentle time that Betjeman would have been proud of. Catcott Heath is a little gem that few people know about. A little boggy at the moment but it is awash with beauty. Unfortunately, and much to my annoyance, Riley was lame. He should have been in hospital or rather shot. 'What on earth are you doing hobbling around a bog in your state' I disclaimed. 'I didn't want to let you down again' Was his reply. They don't make them like this anymore do they.

Tunnel Spider Nest

A lesser Spotted Riley in its natural environment and in pain!!

Fern

Catcott Heath

Much debate was had about what constitutes natural, the demise of bird life, the politics of nature conservation and other heated topics. Three hours flashed past. I did manage a few shots of Hawker Dragonflies

Hawker Dragonfly

Hawker Dragonfly

Hawker Dragonflies

It was as I took these pictures that I realise only yesterday I was watching Hobbies a few miles away at Westhay catching and eating alive these very same beauties. I almost encouraged them to do it.

We call this beauty. The delicate entrapped by equal delicacy. It is also the futile end of the hopes of a flower.

I relaxed and cycled back through Shapwick to VP2 at Ham Wall. I just enjoyed the day. It was quiet. A few Hobbies in the distance. Nothing to entice me into a frenzy of photography as the day before. Male and Female Marsh harriers for entertainment. Meeting 'Cooky', a familiar name from the SOS site and now a familiar face. Good to meet him. We debated Bridge Cameras. The he spotted that a Male Marsh Harrier was hovering over the reeds. It was going for a duckling. An attempt was made but repelled. For Cooky it was job done and he left. Not for the Marsh Harrier though.

Marsh Harrier Attacks

Prey in its Claws

It was a beautiful day................

You had to be there

James has often mentioned over the last few weeks and in fact for quite a while now that he hasn't had a good sighting of a Cuckoo. When you do hear them they tend to be about a mile away. Never in the tree next to you. So as I set off from Glastonbury I thought to myself 'Its a Cuckoo day today'. With gritted teeth, flies tend not to taste very nice and my vegetarian ethos forbids eating insects, I set off at a pace on my trusty steed on a fine sunny Somerset morning. Squeezing through the gate at the far Sharpham end of Ham Wall I was greeted by the sight of a Cuckoo flying straight across my path. 'Lovely' I thought, Thats ticked that one off the list. But no. As I carried on a few yards I looked to my right and sat upon a dead tree was another Cuckoo not 50 paces from me. Whipping out the bins and camera I snapped this.............

Cuckoo

And I recorded this................. (I have edited out the gravely footsteps of a passer by and the light aircraft over head!) (You may also just hear a Bittern which called at the end) (Cetti's Warblers and Little Grebes are also rather noisy so you will have to excuse them!!)

James wasn't there.

On the Viewing point 2 where I stayed for an hour or so. A couple of Bitterns flew past and that was it. On again to Viewing point 1. The same again. A few Bitterns and a few Marsh harriers. Just the one Hobby. But an added bonus of a Peregrine, James favourite bird, flying low over the viewing point.

James wasn't there.

On again and I bump into our Mentor and Sage, Mike and family. Haven't seen them for ages. Was great to see him again. They to had seen a Cuckoo.

James wasn't there.

Shapwick was pleasent but quiet except for a nice little gathering of Godwits.

Black Tailed Godwits with a few Bar Tailed Godwits

(Please excuse the Little Egret showing off)

James wasn't there.

A quiet stop at The new Hawk and Owl trust for a spot of lunch. So quiet there. I love it. Not quiet because of a lack of wild life. But there is no one there and the road is quit a way away. I sware I saw a Female Marsh Harrier hover over in a far field then drop down into the grass but dont quote me on that.

James wasn't there.

A cycle up and past Canada farm brought me back to a nice cuppa of Earl Grey, no milk, splash of cold at the Eco Bites cafe. There I spotted this little chap in very vivid colours considering its summer.

Robin

James Wasn't there.

James wasn't here either.

Onwards to Hobby central. Otherwise known as West Hay. There at the raised viewing point I spent a very frustrating hour or so desperately trying to capture Hobbies as they swooped and fed low directly in front of me. Heres the best I could do.

Hobby

Hobby

Hobby Pair

Hobby

Hobby feeding

Hobby

Hobby

Hobby feeding

James wasn't there

A few brief views of a pair of Marsh Harriers to plus a Heron carrying nesting material.

Heron

James wasn't there.

So the day was nearly done. Or was it! You will never guess what happened. No James didn't turn up. But this did.................

Cuckoo in full song

James wasn't there.

So The day was done. Off I went stopping for a last time at the new Tor view Hide. (I still think it should be the Reed Hide) Not a lot save a very low and near Hobby. Passing through e gate and back up to VP1 a car came to a halt. The driver jumped out I thought he was going to open the gate for disabled parking. Nope he grabbed his impressive camera and started snapping at a pair of Bitterns that few directly across the water and into the reeds. I managed to spot where one came down and you could just see him in the reeds.

Can you spot it?

James didn't. He wasn't there.

Does it never end? Only after another low flyby of an impressive Female Peregrine as I texted James to tell him what he was missing.

James wasn't there.