Current Reports

Ham Wall. Sunday 12th January 2025

What a joy it was not only to drive in the sunshine but to travel on the pot hole free highway of the recently upgraded North Devon Link Road. However, our joy was short lived as when we got to the M5, the slip road to join the motorway was closed off, which entailed a circuitous detour along some of West Somerset’s pot holed roads. Despite this we arrived on time at the large car park at the RSPB’s reserve at Ham Wall only to do battle with the most complicated car park ticket machine ever invented.

After a warming drink we set off along the path of the Shapwick Heath reserve and soon came across a large pond with plenty of ducks on it including wigeon, gadwall and tufted duck, plus some coots whilst a kingfisher flashed by and a reed bunting swayed on the reed heads. In the distance a marsh harrier was spotted. On now to the Meath reserve hide where there was absolutely nothing. Those who went in the opposite direction not only had good views of a whiskered otter, who in turn had good views of the BNA members before diving back into the water. At the hide we had panoramic views of more innumerable wigeon plus cormorants and some smart looking pintail. In the far distance a great white egret and a couple of whooper swans but no geese. On the walk back to the car, there was a flock of twittering long tailed tits and fantastic close up views of a marsh harrier as it hunted over the extensive reed beds. Packed lunches were consumed in a shelter/hide waiting for something exciting to appear but all we got was magpie, blue tit, robin and blackbird.

Time now to get back on the trail but this time in the opposite direction towards Glastonbury. What we hoped was a ring necked duck turned out to be yet another tufted duck. From a good view point we had great crested grebe in the adjoining lake.

Ham Wall RSPB Nature Reserve EB
Ham Wall RSPB Nature Reserve EB

With time to spare before the anticipated arrival of the starlings we took a path only a few inches above the water level alongside, so it was a bit squelchy. There was a little egret in one of the reed beds and a marsh harrier consuming his latest catch. The full moon was now rising in the East as the sun was setting in the West. The photographers took advantage of the sun picking out Glastonbury Tor with a backdrop of dark grey horizon level clouds. We then paddled back to the view point when surprise, surprise we had excellent views of not only one but a pair of bearded tits feeding on the reed heads with their marvellous plumage highlighted in the soft glow of the setting sun.
We now waited for the starlings to arrive, as they eventually did, coming from all directions but because it had been a lovely day they had stayed out feeding longer than usual, so after a quick swirl they disappeared down to roost in the reed beds some distance away. So now it was time for us to disappear as everyone went back to the car and because it had been good turnout, it took 20 minutes to get out of the car park.

Ham Wall RSPB Nature Reserve Sunset EB
Ham Wall RSPB Nature Reserve Sunset EB

Apart from the non cooperation of the starlings it had still been a super day and in an act of poetic justice the car park ticket machine had a notice on it saying “out of order”. B.S

BNA Indoor Meeting Feb EB
BNA Indoor Meeting Feb EB