Thankfully the pied-billed grebe stayed around, and this morning we headed up to Ham Wall in search of it. We got to the second viewing platform, from where it had been seen for the last few weeks and we could hear its bizarre, monkey-like call coming from deep in the reeds. After an exceedingly nervous half an hour or so, it finally appeared. It was certainly worth the wait- the bird itself was far more striking than I had imagined with its pale blue bill with a black stripe earning the it its name. A truly remarkable bird, and an extraordinarily striking one as well- arguably now my favourite British bird I have seen considering its perfect plumage and remarkable journey (although the Isabelline shrike at Portland last year certainly pushes it close!)
Besides the grebe, other new birds for the year were pochard, shoveler and little grebe among the huge numbers of waterfowl. More excitingly, a marsh harrier soared over the reeds and there were several booming bitterns (not that we saw any!). Rather bizarrely, just as we headed off, I had one last scan in front of the second viewing platform and found an avocet! It was completely unexpected- my first inland, and seeing it swim right out in the open water made a bizarre spectacle.
Unfortunately we were in a bit of a rush, so we couldn't have a prolonged search for the ring-necked or ferruginous ducks at Ham Wall, or go and check what was at Shapwick, but I am certainly not going to complain!
No comments:
Post a Comment