On Friday 11th February we decided to head for Ham Wall, we left the dogs with a friend who looked after them for the day. The main reason to leave them was that Rod could join me in the hides and on some of the paths where dogs aren’t allowed.

As always there was plenty to see, although we didn’t see many different birds from previous visits. It was good to see a Mistle Thrush as we headed to the Avalon hide, bigger than the Song Thrush and there were a few Song Thrushes about singing in the hedgerows. We stayed in the hide for around two hours watching the waterbirds and Marsh Harriers there were around four of them across the reed beds, not close but great to watch. There was also a number of Common Snipes, when they landed it was difficult to see them in the reeds.

We left the hide and walked around one of the paths on the reserve spotting one or two birds on the way, although relatively quiet. We then made our way back stopping at the Tor View hide a Heron was in exactly the same place as I’ve seen him the previous two times we’ve been there, I’m sure he’s stuffed! It was good to see the Great Crested Grebes, I was hoping to see them do their mating dance but not this time. We were also hoping to see a Bittern, but again no luck but we did hear a few short booms, getting ready I think!

We then made our way back home in the middle of the afternoon having enjoyed the day in the sunshine.

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