Sunday 7 June 2009 - LITTLE BITTERN in Somerset - A new addition to my British List - 07/06/09

Sunday 7th June 2009

LITTLE BITTERN in Somerset - A new addition to my British List

News came through late, last night of a male LITTLE BITTERN showing well near Glastonbury in Somerset.  This is one of those species that has eluded my British List for nearly 30 years and after a number of painful dips I was determined to make amends.  It was time to 'tick a tart'!

Steve 'Snapper' Richards and I arrived on site at Ham Wall RSPB just before midday and it soon became evident from the row of miserable faces that the bird was not as showy as the pager messages had suggested.  In fact there had been no confirmed sightings since 9.00am.  We were starting to regret not getting on site early doors.  Standing from the disused railway line near the Walton Heath section of the reserve we were soon enjoying four different Hobbys hawking the plentiful supply of dragonflies that were on the wing.  Soon after we were watching our first of three different Great Bitterns in flight over the reedbed.  In the distance a pair of Black Terns could also be seen.  All of the above are special birds but as the time ticked away there was still no sign of the main attraction.

The famous Glastonbury Tor, Somerset viewable from Ham Wall RSPB reserve.  This hill, according to the legend of King Arthur is believed to be the island of Avalon.  Evidence proves that in days before the Somerset Levels were extensively drained, this small area of land would indeed have been an island surrounded by water, especially at high tide.  There is also evidence of human settlement of the site from as early as 200-300 BC.

At around 3.20pm we received a hot tip that the bird was currently 'booming' from another part of the reserve.  After a brisk stroll we arrived at the location and after a short while the bird could easily be heard 'barking' from the depths of a nearby reedbed, amazingly it seemed to be in response to a couple of distantly barking canines!  Still time ticked on, the bird continued to call on and off.  Back in Warwickshire I had a pair of 'special ladies' waiting for me to arrive back home in order that we could sit down for Sunday dinner together.  Whilst waiting I thought that I'd send them a quick text message apologising for my lateness.  Just as I was about to press 'send', Snapper called out and as I glanced upwards a glorious, male LITTLE BITTERN was flying straight towards me.  I juggled briefly with my phone before quickly picking the bird up in my bins.  Superb flight views were enjoyed as it slowly flapped its way towards us, over the path and towards another dense patch of reeds.  In that moment nearly three decades of hurt were rinsed away!

As we concentrated our efforts on the next reedbed a beautiful Barn Owl appeared.  Dan Pointon dared me to mischeviously shout out '"Squacco Heron!", in order to see how many of the assembled 'dudes' would agree with my identification but I just couldn't pluck up the courage.  As we giggled away, the LITTLE BITTERN started to call again and soon afterwards Dan managed to pick it up perched.  Views were not great but you could just about see the bird's head and the bright, orange bill as the breeze swayed the reeds.  Just one more flight view was enjoyed before we left the site but we were more than happy to have finally connected with such a cracking bird.

This was my first visit to Ham Wall RSPB but it will certainly not be my last.  We had at least a dozen prolonged flight views of Great Bittern busily making their way in and out of the extensive reed beds, presumably on feeding missions for their hungry youngsters.  The views of Hobby were also pretty amazing as they hawked insects around us.  Cetti's Warbler were also in plentiful supply, admittedly heard rather than being seen though.  Dragonflies included a mass of Four-spotted Chasers, a scattering of Black-tailed Skimmers and the odd Hairy Dragonfly.

Monday 8 June 2009 - No Lift Offer?!?

Monday 8 June 2009 - Yesterday

Thursday 11 June 2009 - Potteric Carr