December 2022

insectsandflight.com

all pictures © robin williams

December 2022: wildlife, from the Somerset Levels

December 26th 2022. I had a remarkable visit to Catcott Lows, culminating in the failure of the evening light. But not before some interesting pictures. There were a great many Wigeon, active and in full voice

Catcott Lows

As has become habitual recently, a Great white egret has been busy with the fishing all over the pond edges. The size is not always the giveaway but the slight yellow tinge of its plumage.

Great white egret, Egretta alba

Wigeon, Anas penelope

A buzzard had been hunting in front for some days recently. Eventually it settled on a gate to the left of our view, where it stayed for a long time, not apparently resting, as it viewed all round regularly, as if looking for signs of life in the field beyond.

Common buzzard, Buteo buteo

December 20th 2022. It was rather more active today at Catcott Lows. Wigeon were scattered all over and, at last, starting to settle on the near bank of the pond, sheltered and warm. Even Shoveler were starting to come to life at the start of their counrtship, though many are not yet in the full spring colouring, marred by blotched of odd shades in the middle.

Wigeon, Anas penelope

But the real show was provided by a rather restless Great white egret. Perhaps it was not as clever as others, maybe the regular small fish had changed their habits, but it did not appear to be having a successful time? They are superbly elegant birds but all that white can be difficult to control in photographing them,

Great white egret, Egretta alba

Great white egret, Egretta alba - at home in its habitat

December 14th 2022. A brief visit to Catcott Lows today appeared to be unlikely to produce any excitement but shortly afterwards there were numbers of sightings of small birds in and around the bushes in front of the hide - it was a cold, damp, unpleasant day. Stonechats were using a perch much favoured by Kingfishers and posed beautifully, though eye highlights were missing totally in this weather. It is good to see these tough little birds, so full of energy and colour.

Stonechat, Saxicola torquata

Black-headed gull, Larus ridibundus - back for the winter

December 11th 2022. Both Tealham Moor and Catcott produced action today, bitterly cold but with much sunshine giving marvellous light. Tealham was the first, on the way in. A Kestrel was spotted hovering to the side and overhead from Jack's Drove. He was remarkably co-operative staying as long as I needed, leaving him still hoping for some action.

Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus m

On the way back a buzzard was seen on a gate, but with really difficult back-lighting. The best pictures were of the bird lifting off after watching it for a while. Such handsome birds!

Common buzzard, Buteo buteo

Catcott was alive with duck, both Wigeon and Shoveler. The former were in combative mood, little groups of drakes chasing each other for much of the time. It was so good to see duck in numbers again.

Wigeon, Anas penelope & other mixed duck

Wigeon, Anas penelope

December 10th 2022. This entry is a rather strange picture of a buzzard out on the moors. It was extremely difficult to process and is no masterpiece but the patterning on the feathers and sharpness of the wingtips are rather curious.

Common buzzard, Buteo buteo

December 9th 2022. It was intensely cold but sunny for periods at Catcott Lows. But it was full of birds, varied species rather than just swathes of duck. So, it proved an interesting visit. Of course, there were duck; Wigeon, Shoveler, Pintail and Teal. Welcome, after waiting so long for them this year

Wigeon, Anas penelope

Wigeon, Anas penelope & mixed duck

As seems normal recently, a juvenile Marsh harrier appeared, far off on the edges of the reserve, but eventually a stirring among the seated duck, then a flurry into the air, showed his progress as he came closer to us, culminating in the splendid fly past for which we had all been hoping.

Marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus juv., m

I had to be quick off the mark to photograph a Peregrine as it flew rapidly across our front. This bird is fairly regular at Catcott, but always exciting. It is marvellous that a bird which used to be a real rarity is seen so often at many locations in the county and, more particularly, here.

Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus juv.

The very cold weather seems to have increased opportunities to see small birds. The willow branch seen below is a particular attractant, especially for Stonechats. They were seen bobbing back between this perch and a tick bush.

Stonechat, Saxicola torquata

A similar attraction for a Kingfisher was a branch on a bramble in the hedge outside the hide. She stayed in place for a longish period using it to fish into a dark-watered ditch beneath. How she saw anything in the poor light below cannot be imagined? But she continued to dive, though I saw no success.

Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis f

Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus

My final, very poor picture (just for the record) shows another rarity that recently appeared in the area, a fine Whooper swan, with its yellow-marked bill

December 8th 2022. After a warm, wet November, when we saw only one misty morning, we are now faced with reality; yesterday was 5°C, while this night is expected to be well below zero (a week before it reached 15° briefly). It is expected this harder than usual weather will persist for a number of days. It must extraordinarily difficult for many creatures to react to such extremes within days.