A Baikal teal has been recorded at RSPB Greylake multiple times, notably starting in December 2021, when it was first identified there and was significant as it was the first for Somerset. The teal remained intermittently visible through early 2022, with confirmed sightings into March before departing.
The bird returned in late December 2023 and has continued to be observed into 2024. Its appearances at Greylake coincide with large influxes of other waterfowl, often associating with teal flocks. This rare duck, native to eastern Siberia, is a prized sighting in the UK as it typically migrates to East Asia during the winter. Its appearance at Greylake highlights the significance of wetland reserves in providing vital habitats for migratory species, especially amid changing environmental conditions.
RSPB Greylake is a prominent nature reserve in Somerset, managed by the RSPB, situated in the Somerset Levels, a low-lying region known for its wetlands, and is especially renowned for its role in conserving habitats for wetland and migratory bird species - known for hosting large flocks of ducks, geese, cranes, waders, including teal, wigeon, and the occasional rarity. Birds of prey such as merlin, marsh and hen harriers, and peregrine falcons are frequently seen hunting over the wetlands.
The Baikal teal is admired for its striking plumage, particularly the male's vivid green, black, and white facial pattern. Nesting in Siberian wetlands, often near rivers and lakes, they are highly migratory, wintering in East Asia, particularly in Korea, Japan, and China. Occasionally, it strays as a vagrant to Europe, including rare sightings in the UK; historical and modern records suggest there have been fewer than 10 confirmed sightings in Britain, although some older records were initially dismissed due to concerns about birds escaping from captivity.
It is almost a year since I visited at the end of December 2023 to see this striking duck - it was a cold period, and sheltered pools were iced over - an account here. Today was scheduled to be dry and warmer.
We stopped on the way, meeting Kev's sister Karen @hobbylovinglife and her partner Dean @worlebirder for breakfast and a chat. We then followed Dean to RSPB Greylake, geared up, and made our way to the Treehouse Hide, where the bird had been reported. Along the way, we heard Cetti’s warblers and water rails and spotted a kestrel, lapwings, a flock of golden plovers in flight, and reed buntings. Although there were fewer people than expected, seating was still limited, so we had to view the area through open windows and gaps between seated birders.
Within minutes, a barn owl was spotted in the distance. It glided across the reeds, hunting methodically, before eventually diving down, seeming to come up empty before vanished from view.
We returned to searching for the Baikal teal in amongst the large numbers of teal and wigeon - no one had yet laid eyes on it. A cattle egret flew through and a great white egret followed suit.
The Baikal teal typically feeds in shallow waters, foraging for seeds, aquatic plants, and invertebrates. However, when one of the birders located it, the bird was asleep and quite difficult to spot, despite receiving directions. After a few minutes, it turned briefly, giving us a quick view before tucking its head back under its wing and returning to sleep. The light was still limited.
We waited patiently, and eventually, the sun broke through, bringing out more vibrant colours. Although the bird made occasional appearances, it spent most of the time asleep - clearly behaving like a teenager ...
As we discussed the merlins that had been seen frequently in recent weeks - merlins, the UK’s smallest falcons, have been recorded at RSPB Greylake this winter, with a female being a regular sighting - overhead and in front, marsh harriers patrolled the area. One of the birders, scanning with his scope, spotted the merlin far off to our left, perched on a fence. It briefly interacted with a crow sitting to its right before returning to the fence, where it paused for a minute or two. Eventually, it took flight, soaring high and to the right, landing in a tree. After perching there for five minutes, it moved further to the right, settling into another, more distant tree, before finally disappearing from view.
Five common crane flew through followed by another two at further distance. We waited to see if we'd get more views of the teal, but the sun drew back behind the clouds and there were no better views or photos.
Time was moving on and we saw that the Kentish plover had been reported at Burnham-on-Sea - the longer we stayed, the more difficult it would be to see our bird - as the tide retreated the waders would likely relocate to Stert Island. As we arrived, we noticed a birder nearby, but he headed down to the opposite end of the beach. Since the earlier sighting had reportedly been at the south end of the esplanade, we decided to head there. A couple of ravens occasionally flew by, calling together or separately, but we couldn’t spot the Kentish plover among the distant dunlin and ringed plovers on the far shore. A few other birders were packing up, having seen it earlier on the far shore of Stert Island. While avocets, black- and bar-tailed godwits, grey plovers, curlews, and more were visible, we didn’t manage to confirm a sighting of the Kentish plover.
Eventually, we decided to have lunch at the café further down the esplanade. After about 45 minutes, we heard that someone had spotted the bird again - on Stert Island once more. We strolled back down, only to find no one else searching, so we resumed our vigil. Curious passersby stopped to ask what we were looking for, and we explained the details of the bird, now returning for its third year. Finally, Kev spotted it, and I quickly got it in view through the scope, just before it ran to the left and disappeared again. Unfortunately, it wasn’t seen after that. Not the most fulfilling of ticks.
A bird was floating by at mid-distance to the island and it was called as a shag, apparently quite unusual for this stretch of the coast.
It would take more than a couple of hours to get home and so we packed up and set off for home - as we left a boat being rowed near to shore
Year list 249.
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