Catcott Lows, Somerset - a few stars

THE water level was petty high on the Catcott Lows on the Somerset Levels today - this meant that ducks and birds of prey were plentiful, but there were very few waders.

Along with at least one great white egret, were 3 or 4 marsh harriers regularly quartering the reserve, and a peregrine zooming around all the time that I was there (~2 hrs).  One of the harriers had a green tag on its wing and apparently is a female from Suffolk.

In front the the hide a pair of stonechats came very close and gave us great views. (Click on the photos to enlarge and view as a slide show).

Female stonechat

 

Male stonechat

 

On the drive to the reserve through the narrow lanes bordered by rhynes, the damp fields were playing host to lots of winter thrushes and starlings.

I also managed to capture a quick snap of snipe overhead:
 

Although cool and blustery it was quite a good day, with other highlights including a chiff-chaff, big flocks of starlings, a kingfisher and a trip to Aldi for some stollen!