September
Kay Bullen:
Not a lot in the garden although I have seen a Coal Tit at last. They have been regular visitors over the years but rarely seen in my garden this year. Blue, Great and Long Tailed Tits have been on the feeders. Lots of house sparrows. A few blackbirds, Magpie, Herring Gull juvenile, Crow, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Robin and Chaffinch.
In Minehead Bay – Black headed, Herring and Black Backed Gulls, Oystercatchers, Curlew, Little Egret
Elsewhere – Saw 2 juvenile Black Winged Stilts at Steart (plus others that Tim, I am sure, will include).
In and around Minehead, Kestrel, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk (female), Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Rook, Moorhen, Heron, Jay heard, Grey Wagtail.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for Black Redstart and Grey Wagtail in the garden this winter – they have been here before so ….
From Pam & Nic Pettit:
Our garden has not had any unusual visitors, though we were pleased to see a Coal Tit – the first for some months.
Nic and I visited Ham Wall on Tuesday. At the first viewing platform, where the Group usually spends a good while spotting large numbers of water fowl, we were disappointed to find no open water at all – the whole of the pool/lake has been completely taken over by reed beds! Fortunately there was a stretch of water visible from the second platform. We went across to Shapwick Heath afterwards. Most hides at both sites remain closed, but the Avalon hide is now open (face coverings required).
Our list for the day (22 species):
Grey Heron, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Cormorant, Canada Goose, Lapwing, Black Headed Gull, Snipe, Marsh Harrier, Wigeon, Shoveler, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Robin, Great Tit, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker.
We were particularly pleased to see the first three, i.e. all the heron family, standing close to each other on one short stretch of shore. It would have made a lovely photo!
From Tim Hedgecock:
| Birds seen/ heard in my garden during September | Seen or heard elsewhere | Seen or heard elsewhere |
| Carrion Crow Goldfinch Greenfinch Chaffinch Siskin Dunnock Blackbird Robin Wood Pigeon Blue Tit Great Tit Coal Tit House Martin Swallow Sparrowhawk Herring Gull (flyover) Lesser black-backed Gull (flyover) |
Raven Jackdaw Rook Wren Song Thrush Wheatear Nuthatch Chiffchaff Starling Meadow Pipit Pied Wagtail Stonechat Linnet Buzzard Red Kite Peregrine Falcon (at Steart) Kestrel Great Crested Grebe Magpie Jay House Sparrow Green Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker Collared Dove Black-headed Gull |
Common Gull Greater Black-backed Gull Cormorant Shag Black-tailed Godwit Bar-tailed Godwit Ruff Greenshank Curlew Black-winged Stilt (at Steart) Redshank Dunlin Oystercatcher Ringed Plover Golden Plover Little Egret Grey Heron Moorhen Shelduck Mallard Teal Gadwall Goosander Canada Goose Mute Swan |
From Cherrie Temple:
Until two weeks ago, we were enjoying the twice daily fly-past of hundreds of Canada geese. Usually, they flew over in skeins of various numbers, ranging from three to forty! On the penultimate day, the entire flock, numbering about two hundred flew over our house on their way from Williton (I think) to Dunster hawn. I saw them flying from my computer and all I could do was watch and marvel. No time for cameras! That evening and the following day, we only saw a few birds. They must have flown south to warmer climes! Strangely yesterday evening, I saw a skein of about sixteen flying from the Williton direction towards Blue Anchor!
From Jan Lowy:
But we have seen plenty of birds in the garden – mostly goldfinches, I think the maximum was 16, but it’s difficult to count them when they are flying on and off the feeders, and squabbling about who goes where. I feel like saying ‘plenty of room for all of you!’
Some of our usual birds have been missing, particularly chaffinches, and we have only seen one siskin all the month. But we have had blue tits regularly, and 3 great tits at the same time the other day (most unusual). Also the coal tit quite regularly, and a long tailed tit (only one!).
Not very exciting, I’m afraid, but perhaps typical of a small suburban garden.
From Sally Stuttard:
Sorry Kay, the garden has been very quiet of late. Quite a bit of tweeting but only the odd fly past. Just the usual sparrows and the odd Robin and there was a wren in my Baytree the other day which was nice. I think they don’t like the rain.
From Joy Roscoe:
Sightings of : Sparrows, robin, wren, pigeons, gulls, grey wagtails, dipper, rooks, long tailed tits, blue tits, buzzards, house martins, swallows, blackbirds, oyster catchers, ravens, magpies
Heard but not confidently identified : young greater spotted woodpecker.
August
Kay Bullen:
I hope you have been able to get out and about to do some bird watching. Below are sighting sent to me by some of the group’s members.
Not that many birds in the garden this month, although it looks like the pied wagtails have had a second brood.
Out and about around Minehead, I have noticed a lot of Jays calling, and seen a few as well. Had a fleeting glimpse of a Green Woodpecker flying away on a Woodcombe walk. Walking along the Greenaleigh track there was a tree creeper on a truck close to the track. Buzzards are calling, several with youngsters in tow.
On the seafront I have seen three Little Egrets, a few Oystercatcher (that seem to have disappeared) and a few Cormorants on one of the lights in Minehead Bay. Mainly Black Headed and Herring Gulls; don’t seem to have seen any Black Backed Gulls – and no Curlews yet.
Swallows can still be seen in the Memorial Fields up North Hill, although on a walk today, (3rd September) over at Bratton, I did not see any. However, the Housemartins are still around my property.
On a walk up North Hill from Woodcombe, there was a small lizard sunning itself.
On that note I feel I can mention the rabbit that is visiting the garden on a regular basis, luckily it is mainly interested in the grass.
Pam and Nic Pettit:
There have been fewer birds in the garden through August, but we still have dozens of House Sparrows. They amuse us by peeping out from the hedge accusingly, when we have neglected to replenish the feeders. We enjoy watching them have a sociable splash in the bird bath too. There are also a good number of Goldfinches, even, surprisingly, a new brood of fledglings this weekend, trembling and fluttering their wings, clamouring for their parents to feed them.
Also putting in an appearance from time to time are Robin, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Blue Tit, and a few Dunnocks. The Wood Pigeons continue to glean, as well as our Herring Gull couple, who make short work of any windfall apples left on the ground.
Out and about we have little to report. Most of the birds are quiet now, but the Stonechats and Pipits make their presence known, plus Ravens croaking above, and Buzzards mewing. Robins and the occasional Wren can be heard singing in the woods, somewhat half-heartedly.
Our only new sighting for our 2020 List were Common Gulls on the lower slopes of Hampsfell in Cumbria, right at the beginning of the month.
Hopefully we will have more to report in September.
Sally Stuttard:
I’m afraid Kay not a dickie bird. Just the usual sparrows (assorted), tits (various), goldfinches. The blackbirds seem to have moved on, but the pigeons have stayed! Hope you have seen something a bit more exotic.
We do see the odd bat at night, but I don’t suppose they count!
Susan Mew:
Kay, it’s been very quiet in the garden. I think all the birds are out in the fields. I saw a flock of goldfinches flitting about the in the hedgerows between Carhampton and Blue Anchor bay. I had a lovely view of a dipper in the River Avill by Gallox Bridge in Dunster – watched it for a couple of minutes before someone came along with a dog. I’ve never seen one there before.
Tim Hedgecock:
| Birds seen/ heard in my garden during August (H) = heard only | Seen or heard elsewhere |
| Carrion Crow Goldfinch Greenfinch Chaffinch Siskin Dunnock Blackbird Robin Wood Pigeon Blue Tit Great Tit Coal Tit House Martin Swallow Sparrowhawk Tawny Owl Herring Gull (flyover) Lesser black-backed Gull (flyover) |
Raven Jackdaw Rook Wren Song Thrush Meadow Pipit Pied Wagtail Stonechat Linnet Buzzard Great Crested Grebe Magpie Jay House Sparrow Great Spotted Woodpecker Collared Dove Black-headed Gull Cormorant Little Egret (seen at Ham Wall) Great Egret (seen at Ham Wall) Cetti’s Warbler (seen at Ham Wall) Shoveler (seen at Ham Wall) Mallard (seen at Ham Wall) Teal (seen at Ham Wall) Gadwall (seen at Ham Wall) Black-tailed Godwit (seen at Ham Wall) |
Jan Lowy and Alison Andrew:
Nothing really exciting this month. We have up to 16 or even more goldfinches, which take possession of our feeders, and fight off other species, as well as fighting among themselves. The little ones get pushed off by the adults, and they all get very cross, and fly away in a large flock! The greenfinches and blue tits do manage to sneak in occasionally.
We have seen a collared dove a couple of times – the first for several years.
No energy to go walking to look for birds any more!
July
Kay Bullen:
I am not seeing that much at the moment, especially in the garden. Although there have been a number of young Blackbirds and lots of house sparrows The Herring Gull chicks have fledged from next door with 1 juvenile coming onto our lawn. House Martins are around, and swifts flying high above us. Must not forget the usual Wood Pigeons.
Close to home on the sea front, there has been a Mediterranean Gull in summer plumage, I think a number of you have seen this. There are also Black Headed Gulls and Herring Gulls there, plus a cormorant and 2 Little Egrets late in the month (I guess an adult with one of its brood). The other day a single adult mute swan swam past. On the lights by the sea wall I often see Collared Doves.
I am still wandering up North Hill from various directions. Have heard more than I have seen although the birds are not that vocal. The Buzzards have probably nested at Culvercliffe and there are 2 adults with at least 2 youngsters although they are hard to see from the Greenaleigh track. Have heard pheasant, Greater Spotted and Green Woodpeckers and Jays, with sightings of Blue and Great Tits, Robins, Wrens, and just squeezed in a Treecreeper on Friday 31st. On the moor are the Stone chats, Ravens, Crows, and possibly Tree Pipits. Then, near the top by Moor Wood, I surprised a male Roe Deer, good close up view. Across the memorial fields are Goldfinches on the thistles, Greenfinches, Dunnocks, Meadow Pipits (5 or 6 together) and Swallows.
Over towards Bratton and Hindon Farm there are lots of Swallows on the wires, plus Pied Wagtails, more Goldfinches and Magpie (not seeing many this year). Plus 9 different species of butterfly by Hindon Farm.
Jan Lowy:
We have not had any unusual species in our garden this month, and not a great number of our usual species – maybe they are feeding in the countryside. However, we have had a lot of young birds. We watched a young blackbird sitting on the roof of our greenhouse, next to the bird table several times, waiting for its parent to feed it, but without success. Eventually it learned to get on to the bird table: ours is one of the type that has a roof, and not much space below it (to deter the pigeons!), so it must look a bit scary. We also watched a young dunnock, who knew the food was on the table, but took ages to pluck up courage to get it. Lovely!
We have had up to a dozen goldfinches, many of whom are young. They monopolise the bird feeders, and are constantly fighting each other off – crazy when there are a dozen ports at which they can feed. They scare everything else off too, which is probably why we have had very few siskins and greenfinches this month. We have also only had a very occasional blue tit, when we usually see them all the time.’
Pam Pettit:
No surprise visitors to the garden this month, just our standard list: house sparrow, dunnock, blackbird, blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, robin, chaffinch, goldfinch, siskin, greenfinch, wren, wood pigeon, collared dove, magpie, carrion crow, herring gull.
The sparrows, dunnocks, goldfinches, and tits have had second or late broods, which we have enjoyed watching.
Out and about. At Steart Marshes we were pleased to identify 28 species, the highlights being Avocets, many with young, Little Ringed Plover, Sedge Warbler, and Curlew Sandpiper – this last a first-ever sighting for us.
On the Quantocks, we had a good sighting of a Green Woodpecker in parkland near Holford, and many Yellowhammers at the bottom of Smith’s Combe and along the Perry path.
Now in Derbyshire, an afternoon spent at Hilton Nature Reserve rewarded us with 9 species: Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Tufted Duck (with young), Coot (with young), Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Mallard, and most pleasingly Common Terns, feeding their young, nested on the raft islands set up for them.
Susan Mew:
I went with my brother to Steart on 16 July and we saw the following birds: Black Winged Stilt *, Heron and juvenile, Little Egret, Swallow, Goldfinch, Sedge Warbler, Avocet, Cormorant, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Linnet, juvenile Starling, Mallard, Black Headed Gull, Swift, Magpie, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Crow, House Sparrow; and these butterflies: Meadow Brown, Wall Brown, Gatekeeper, Peacock and some Whites.
At home (Carhampton) I’ve seen the usual garden visitors plus an adult green woodpecker feeding a juvenile, grey wagtail, pied wagtail and a mistle thrush. Oh, and a hedgehog!
* Kay’s note I think they have had the first record of breeding at Steart this year.
Tim Hedgecock:
| Birds seen/ heard in my garden during July (H) = heard only | Seen or heard elsewhere |
| Carrion Crow Goldfinch Greenfinch Chaffinch Siskin Dunnock Blackbird Robin Wood Pigeon Blue Tit Great Tit Coal Tit Jay House Martin Swallow Swift Tawny Owl Herring Gull (flyover) Lesser black-backed Gull (flyover) |
Raven Jackdaw Rook Wren Song Thrush Meadow Pipit Pied Wagtail Stonechat Linnet Buzzard Kestrel Great Crested Grebe Magpie Jay House Sparrow Great Spotted Woodpecker Goldcrest Collared Dove Black-headed Gull Mediterranean Gull Cormorant |
June
List of Birds seen by members during June 2020
| Seen: | ||
| Avocet Blackbird Blackcap Black Headed Gull Buzzard Canada Geese Chaffinch Chiffchaff Collared Dove Common Crane Coot Crow Dartford Warbler Dipper Dunnock Fulmars Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Greater Spotted Woodpecker Great White Egret Greenfinch Green Sandpiper Grey Heron |
Grey Wagtail Guillimot Herring Gull House Martin House sparrow Jackdaw Kestrel Lesser Black Backed Gull Linnet Little Egret Little Grebe Little Ringed Plover Long Tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Meadow Pipit Mistle Thrush Moorhen (nr Butlins) Nuthatch Oyster Catchers Peregrine Pied Wagtail Pheasant Razorbill |
Red Kite Redpoll Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Robin Rook Sedge Warbler Shelduck Siskin Skylark Song Thrush Starling Sparrowhawk Stonechat Swallow Swift Treecreeper Wheatear Whitethroat Willow Warbler Wren Wood Pigeon Yellowhammer Yellow Wagtail |
Heard:
Cuckoo
Raven
I make that 71 seen 2 heard.
May
| List of Birds seen by members during May 2020 | ||
| Blackbird Blackcap Buzzard Chaffinch Coal Tit Collared Dove Crow Cuckoo Dartford Warbler Dunlin (Blue Anchor/Dunster Beach) Dunnock Garden Warbler (Jim’s path) Goldcrest Goldfinch Greater Spotted Woodpecker Greenfinch Herring Gull House Martin House sparrow |
Jackdaw Kestrel Lesser Black Backed Gull Linnet Little Egret Long Tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Meadow Pipit Mistle Thrush Moorhen (nr Butlins) Oyster Catchers (Blue Anchor/Dunster Beach) Peregrine Pied Flycatcher (Horner) Pied Wagtail Pheasant Raven Red Kite |
Ringed Plover (Blue Anchor/Dunster Beach) Robin Rook Shelduck (Dunster Beach) Siskin Skylark Song Thrush Sparrowhawk Stonechat Swallow Swift Wheatear Willow Warbler Wood Warbler Wren Whitethroat Wood Pigeon Yellow Wagtail |
Heard:
Chiffchaff
Green Woodpecker
Reed Warbler (nr Butlins)
April
| List of Birds seen by members during April 2020 | ||
| Blackbird Blackcap Blue Tit Buzzard Chaffinch Chiffchaff Coal Tit Collared Dove Cormorant Crow Dartford Warbler Dunnock Goldfinch Great Black Backed Gull Great Tit Greenfinch Green Woodpecker |
Herring Gull House Martin House sparrow Jackdaw Jay Lesser Black Backed Gull Lesser Redpoll Linnet Little Egret Little Owl Long Tailed Tit Magpie Meadow Pipit Mistle Thrush Oystercatcher Peregrine Pied Wagtail |
Red Kite Ring Ouzel (late March) Raven Robin Rook Shelduck Siskin Skylark Snipe Song Thrush Sparrowhawk Stonechat Swallow Whitethroat Willow Warblers Wren Wood Pigeon |
Heard:
Cettis Warbler
Cuckoo
Greater Spotted Woodpecker
Pheasant
Reed Warbler
Tawny Owl
Wood Warbler