26th November 2017

Saw that the red-necked grebe was still present at Chard Reservoir this morning so I decided to head over. My only previous sighting of this species was a very distant pair in Portland Harbour in 2013, so I was keen to get a better view and some record shots.

After a bit of scanning, I was put onto the Red-Necked Grebe which spent most of its time in the overhanging vegetation at the north of the res. With a bit of patience it swam out into the open and gave good scope views. A flyover Grey Wagtail was the only other species of note.

Red-Necked Grebe - Chard Reservoir

A fantastic find for in inland reservoir and a great record for Someret!

Stopped off at Norton-Sub-Hamdon on the way home to try to finally catch up with a hawfinch this winter. I saw my first ever Hawfinches at the same site in 2013, so I checked a few of the same locations near the church yard without any luck. Thinking I'd arrived too late in the day I was ready to leave when I noticed a small bird fly up next to a green finch. I got it in the bins and it was a Hawfinch! Eventually, I got onto at least 2 or 3 individuals in the small trees next to the church yard and managed a few record shots. Also of note was a Green Woodpecker, a Grey Wagtail and all 5 thrushes.

Hawfinch - Norton-Sub-Hamdon

25th November 2017

Had a look at Lodmoor this afternoon, where the LESSER YELLOWLEGS was showing on arrival. Shortly after, it flew to the south end and disappeared into the vegetation. After it didn't come back out, I headed up to the north end of West Scrape to scan through the gulls producing just a few Med and Common Gulls. Also of note were 2 Kingfisher, 6 Ruffs and a Marsh Harrier. As dusk fell, I headed back and refound the yellowlegs at the same spot, showing at point blank range. By this time my phone had run out and it was too dark for my bridge camera.

11th/12th November 2017

Was about to head out the door yesterday when news came in of a possible italian sparrow at East Budleigh, Devon. Well I had to take a look! When I arrived at about 2:30pm, there were plenty of sparrows entering and leaving the garden and things were looking promising. 30 minutes in and it starting pouring. I waited until 4pm, but the birds were refusing to show in the poor weather, so I decided to head home and try again tomorrow.

I got up early morning and managed to break my phone scoping adapter, good start. Arrived on site at around 8:30am. A short look from the same spot from yesterday produced only a few sparrows. A number of birders had walked further up the road where the bird had also been reported. As they hadn't come back yet, I decided to head up. Quite a few people were at the top end. A large number of sparrows could be heard across the gardens, but very few were visible. After most of the birders had moved off, the call went up. After a bit of searching through the scope, I was watching the potential ITALIAN SPARROW! I waited until 12:30, in which time the bird only showed a couple more times before the feeders ran dry. It was surprisingly distinctive with it's gleaming white cheeks, brown crown, small bib and white in-front and behind of the eye. Needless to say, I failed to get a record shot by free-hand through the scope.

The classification of these birds seems somewhat confused, I'll be sure to do some more complete research into this if/when I get time. None-the-less, I'm very glad I went and saw this - birding isn't just about ticks!

4th November 2017

Had a look fromt the Moreton hide at Chew Valley Lake today. Although I heard multiple water pipits, I failed to locate any. The only other highlights were at least 15 Great White Egrets, 2 Goldeneye and a Roe Deer with two young.

Pheasant - Chew Valley Lake

Roe Deer - Chew Valley Lake