Somerset

24 Nov - A beautiful day of weather was forecast, and I decided to go to Westhay on the Levels to try to photograph the Bearded Tits that have been obliging on the boardwalk here over the autumn, where they collect grit for their digestion of seeds. Unfortunately the birds disperse for the winter, so I only had a brief view of a female, but the trip was well worth it as I had excellent views of Bitterns (x6!) in flight at nearby Ham Wall, and finally got some passable photos - as well as the more usual Marsh Harriers and Little and Great White Egrets. The extent of the reedbeds here is truly impressive. Large numbers of duck winter here, as well as waders including Snipe, and I saw a Peregrine strike down a Snipe from a panic-stricken flying flock of this species it was pursuing. Passerines included large numbers of calling Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warblers, as well as Redpoll and Siskin. A stunning day of weather in a beautiful place.