Into Somerset and South Gloucestershire :: 31 January 2026

Kev @kev07713 and I were weighing up our options for Saturday when we decided on another trip down into Somerset, hoping to finally catch up with the Kentish plover we’d recently missed. There were two clear bonuses to the plan: it would give us the chance to meet up with Karen @hobbylovinglife and Dean @worlebirder, who were also thinking of heading there first thing, and there were several other quality birds in the area that would make the journey worthwhile.

The Kentish plover currently frequenting Burnham-on-Sea has become one of the most remarkable coastal birds in Britain in recent years. Now a scarce and often fleeting visitor to the UK, this individual has defied expectations by returning to the same stretch of Somerset coast winter after winter.

Once a breeding species in southern England, the Kentish plover disappeared as a UK breeding species by the late 1970s, largely due to habitat loss and disturbance. Today it is classed as a rare migrant, with most records involving single birds that stay only briefly. Against that backdrop, the Burnham-on-Sea bird stands out as truly exceptional.

First recorded there in the winter of 2019–20, it settled among the regular wader flocks on the beach and adjacent mudflats, often associating with ringed plover. Rather than moving on, it remained for extended periods, allowing prolonged views and a chance to become familiar with its behaviour and changing plumage. Even more remarkably, it returned in subsequent winters, showing clear site fidelity to Burnham-on-Sea. The story gained wider significance when tracking work later confirmed its continental origins, linking this modest Somerset shoreline with breeding grounds in northern Europe.

We made an early start, arriving on the esplanade shortly after dawn to give ourselves the best possible chance. The conditions weren’t ideal - the tide was falling (high tide at 5.17am, low at 11.51am) and dog walkers were already on the beach - but we were keen to be in position early. We’d skipped breakfast, planning instead to meet Karen and Dean for food once we were done at Burnham.

I pulled up outside the café on the esplanade - Kev and I unloaded our gear. It quickly became apparent that this stretch of parking might incur charges, whereas just 50 metres down the road it was clearly signed as free between October and March, so I moved the car while Kev set up and began scanning the area where the Kentish plover had most recently been reported. By the time I returned he already had the bird, and I jumped onto his scope for a look, just in case. It was only just visible through binoculars, but soon I had it in my own scope and noticed a small group of ringed plovers off to the left, all alert and occasionally preening. There was still little light, but I took a few insurance shots.

Some time later Karen and Dean arrived, delayed by the need to drop Dean’s car and keys at the garage for repairs, and by a stop for breakfast en route. Once the café opened, Kev went in and emerged with sausage baps, which we ate while continuing to watch the bird and scan the beach and Stert Island. On the island a peregrine was devouring what must have been a recently caught bird, while off the point there were large numbers of shelduck and dozens of curlews. A flock of wigeon whirled in and settled on the water, and increasing numbers of grey plover appeared in the distance. The light gradually improved as the sun briefly broke through, although its low angle made it rather harsh on the bird.

Karen wandered off to see if she could get a better angle, and when she returned we discussed our next move. A red-necked grebe at Cheddar Reservoir seemed the obvious choice. Red-necked grebes are migratory waterbirds that breed on northern freshwater lakes and wetlands across much of northern Europe and Asia, moving south in winter. In the UK they are scarce winter visitors and passage migrants, most often recorded along sheltered coastlines between October and March, but they do occasionally turn up on large inland waters, particularly after periods of unsettled weather.

The subspecies most frequently encountered in Britain is the European form, Podiceps grisegena grisegena. Birds of this subspecies breed across northern and eastern Europe and into central Asia, migrating to wintering areas that include the north-west European seaboard. Another subspecies is Podiceps grisegena holbollii, which breeds in North America, Alaska and eastern Siberia and is exceptionally rare in Britain, with only a handful of confirmed records.

There has been some discussion surrounding the Cheddar bird, particularly regarding bill length in comparison with the typical European form, but identification of the American (Holbøll’s) subspecies would require biometric measurements or DNA evidence before it could be considered by the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC).

We followed Dean and Karen down to the car park at the end of the reservoir where the grebe had been reported earlier, then climbed up onto the perimeter path, immediately linking up with Dean who already had the bird in his scope. The light was good from this vantage point, but the grebe was at extreme range. I took a quick record shot before following Karen around to the edge, where we would be as close as we could get - Kev and Dean stayed put as they were taking video through their scopes.

The light flanks seem to suggest this bird may not be holboellii - they tend to be darker overall, particularly on the flanks that are often the same or a similar colour as on their back - within the grisegena subspecies, bill length varies normally between individuals and some birds simply sit at the longer-billed end of the distribution. Juveniles also often have proportionally slimmer, sometimes seemingly longer bills compared to head size, which can give a “long-beaked” impression even if absolute length isn’t greater. There is an interesting article on the species here.

The bird was closer now, but largely in silhouette with the brighter light behind it. The priority was to study it carefully through the scope while also trying to salvage the best photographs possible from the conditions. Gradually the grebe began to drift closer and hopes rose of improved views, with Kev, Dean and a few other birders now having joined us. Those hopes were quickly dashed when a paddleboarder passed through, pushing the birds away from the shoreline, and our grebe eventually resumed feeding at distance. As if to mirror the turn of events, rain (tears) began to fall. When it eased slightly, I picked up a black-necked grebe on the far side of the reservoir, which Kev also managed to locate. The red-crested pochards previously reported appeared to have departed, but we did see a pair of goosanders before they too moved on.

Dean and Karen decided to walk round to look for the black-necked grebes, but Kev and I didn’t feel the need for better views, having enjoyed excellent ones at Staines Reservoir recently. After saying our goodbyes, we jumped back in the car and headed for RSPB Ham Wall, where a pair of ring-necked ducks had been reported. Initially a single drake had been present from 19 November, with numbers increasing to two drakes by 13 December. The ducks were on a small pit east of Allotment Drove at Sharpham, and when we arrived to check the area, it dawned on us that this was the same spot where we had seen a Squacco heron back in October 2023. (blog post here).

Ring-necked ducks in the UK are rare but increasingly regular vagrants from North America, with multiple records each year. They’re considered a scarce migrant/scarce visitor, and while their status isn’t as unpredictable as it once was, they still attract interest when found because of their origins and relatively low numbers here - typically there are around 10 or more individuals recorded annually, though totals can be higher in some years. Although called “ring-necked”, the neck ring is subtle; the white bill rings are usually the most reliable field feature.

We checked the pit where the ducks had last been reported and bumped into another birder, a friend of Dean and Karen, who had apparently spotted us as we left Burnham-on-Sea. After a brief chat we split up to search in opposite directions: he headed back towards the original pit, reasoning that the birds often tuck themselves in among the reeds along the water’s edge, while we made for the larger body of water where the Squacco heron had been. Kev set up his scope and, as he raised it, the two drakes were already in view. He asked if I fancied another year tick and I took a look. The birds drifted closer together before swimming off towards the reed edge, where they began diving and feeding along the margins, the stems twitching as they worked their way through underwater and bubbles breaking the surface above them.

We could see siskins flitting in the trees overhead, marsh harriers drifting through, and caught a brief glimpse of a Cetti’s warbler before wandering down the track, where we encountered over 80 mute swans and a group of agitated long-tailed tits in a small tree. As Kev approached, he noted that a bird had dropped out and appeared to be a sparrowhawk, the likely cause of the tits’ alarm. Within a couple of minutes, Kev spotted it fanning its tail in a distant tree, presumably drying its feathers after the recent rain.

Before we packed up, a flock of geese flew through. While I was still watching the sparrowhawk, Kev looked up and spotted a white-fronted goose among them. I raised my camera and took a shot of the flock, counting around 60 birds, all Russian white-fronted geese.

It was time to start heading home, but on the way we made a detour to Oldbury Power Station, where my wife Charlotte and I had seen black redstarts at the end of October last year (report here). We made our way around to the compounds where I have seen these birds previously. After about five minutes, I spotted a female flick up into the sky before dropping from view. I continued scanning and soon saw it again at the base of some railings, only for it to disappear once more. Kev scanned the area but drew a blank, so I took over the scope to focus precisely where I had last seen it. Within a minute, it popped up, and I was able to share it with Kev.

We decided to move onto the track along the estuary wall, hoping for a better view into the compound. Despite a thorough search, we came up empty-handed. Kev returned towards the spot we had watched from earlier, and as he reached the corner to leave the track and climb the slope, he spotted the redstart on the ground between two trailers. He called me over, and I arrived in time to watch it hopping forward, still at a distance. Kev moved on, and as I waited, the bird hopped onto a traffic cone, perching there for a couple of minutes before being flushed by a stonechat and disappearing from view. I returned to join Kev, but we couldn’t relocate it.

It was definitely time to head home, so we returned to the car, stopping briefly in the orchard along the way. There, we spotted a couple of jays, two green woodpeckers, a great spotted woodpecker, fieldfares, redwings, a goldcrest, and a mix of tits and finches. Kev also heard some siskins, though we never managed to locate them.

Another great day out, and it was wonderful to catch up with Karen and Dean again.

Year list: 153.

RSPB Fen Drayton :: 30 August 2025

Kev @kev07713 and I weren’t sure where to head, but with heavy rain forecast to sweep in from the west, we decided to make our way east. The obvious target was the white-winged tern reported at RSPB Fen Drayton, with perhaps the added bonus of a drake ring-necked duck – a species that has managed to evade me a couple of times already this year. It would also be our first ever visit to the site, which felt like the perfect chance to try it out and see if it’s somewhere we’d like to return to in the future.

After a minor detour thanks to a wrong turn, we eventually rolled into the reserve. As we approached the car park, we spotted a familiar figure heading in the opposite direction - David Wall. We pulled over for a quick chat and, sure enough, he was also here in search of the white-winged tern. It was good to compare notes before he carried on - with luck, we’d bump into him again later in the day and find out whether he’d had any success.

Nestled in the heart of Cambridgeshire, RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes is a haven for wildlife. Once a network of working gravel pits, the site has been transformed into a rich mosaic of lakes, wetlands, meadows, and woodlands, now supporting an incredible variety of birds and other species. With a network of walking trails - features roughly 16 km of trails spanning mixed terrain (earth, loose chippings, grass), with varying degrees of accessibility - there are plenty of opportunities for birdwatching, and with many views over open water, Fen Drayton is a place to witness the resilience of landscapes given the chance to thrive.

Walking down the track we came across the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, a unique public transport system stretching approximately 25 km, largely built on the old Cambridge-Huntingdon railway line. Buses travel on a special concrete guideway, allowing smooth, speedy travel, paired with a tarmac path alongside for walking, cycling, and other active travel.

Fen Drayton Lakes benefits from a dedicated guided busway request stop, meaning passengers must signal to the driver if they wish to alight there, and similarly request pick-up. The stop is directly adjacent to the reserve, making access by foot, bike, or bus especially convenient and includes a sheltered platform and a moderately ramped platform with handrails, affording easier access to many users. We should have followed the path running alongside the busway but as was becoming the norm today, we took a wrong turn and added almost a mile to our walk - pleasant though it was, it was not ideal.

We eventually arrived at Moore's Lake where many previous sightings had been reported - would it still be here as it had been clear overnight and present for quite a few days. This sighting marked the 35th ever recorded in Cambridgeshire, with three previous occurrences at Fen Drayton in 2009, 2023, and in early June this year. Our bird was reported to be a juvenile, observed reliably between 23rd and 29th August. As the bird seems to have spent much of its time around Moore Lake, hawking gracefully over the water, dipping for insects, and occasionally settling to rest, this seemed the best place to start.

Juveniles are subtler than the striking adults seen in spring, showing pale grey upperparts, dark ear coverts, and clean white underwings, but no less elegant. For many local birders, it was a chance to study this scarce migrant up close, and for some, it would tick off a county rarity.

We took the turn toward the hide overlooking Moore Lake and settled by the fence line to set up our scopes. From there we had a sweeping view across the water, though a couple of the islands were frustratingly half-hidden from sight. Above us, three hobbies circled high, one darting low and fast across the lake. A handful of common terns were also on the wing, their plumage catching our attention - three revealed themselves to be juveniles - a great white egret paced through the shallows, pausing now and then to strike at unsuspecting prey.

As terns appeared across the water, we investigated each one and always concluded that they were common terns. Both green and common sandpipers fed on the edges of islands and a single ruff worked the same areas. Kev called David to check where he was and found that he'd made his way down to the hide and confirmed that he had seen the same birds as us - he left the hide and walked back up the track to where we were - we watched and chatted with no change.

Eventually we decided that we'd have a look for the ring-necked duck reported on Birdguides about an hour before and found it wasn't too far away, although on the other side of the busway on Drayton Lagoon. We reached the viewing point and set about scanning the birds but failed to locate our duck. After 20 minutes or so three birders went passed and told us that the pin drop on Birdguides was incorrect and that that our bird had been seen on Elney Lake - the pin drop was just a lazy reposting of the previous day's sighting - a bit frustrating.

Then the skies above Fen Drayton treated us to an unexpected airshow. Two aircraft appeared in the distance, their engines growling across the reserve. One, with its graceful elliptical wings and Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, was instantly recognisable as a Spitfire; the other, with sharper lines, proved to be a Messerschmitt. The pair swept back and forth overhead, climbing, diving, and circling each other in a mock dogfight that seemed to bring history vividly to life above the wetlands. It was a surreal and thrilling contrast - the echoes of wartime aviation playing out over a landscape now dedicated to peaceful pursuits and wildlife. We couldn’t have asked for a better vantage point, with mostly clear views, even if the action was a little distant. No apologies for the number of photos below as it was such an experience - probably our favourite "birds" of the day - big metal ones.

We retraced our steps along the track and headed down to the hide overlooking Moore Lake, giving it a good half hour of scanning. Despite our efforts, there was still no sign of the bird we were hoping for. We tried to stay optimistic, but it was beginning to feel as though we’d missed our chance - that it had slipped away overnight or in the early hours. From there we carried on to the far side of Elney Lake, where the earlier sighting had been reported. Plenty of terns were about, but not the one we wanted. The ducks were mostly tufted, with a few mallards and gadwall mixed in for variety. While scanning the reed edge on the distant bank, I was pleased to pick out a water rail creeping in and out of cover, working its way along the margins. It’s always a treat to see one, and this was my first in several months. With no sign of our duck we started to relocate further along the track hoping to be able to see the lake from a different angle. We saw a kingfisher land on an elevated tree branch where it stayed for at most 15 seconds, before dropping onto a lower branch for a further 15 seconds, and left.

As we made our way along the path, we bumped into a couple of birders coming the other way, just as a BirdGuides update came through: the ring-necked duck had relocated to the far eastern end of the lake and was now viewable from the small car park and viewpoint between Elney and Oxholme Lakes. The pair confirmed they’d already seen it, so we pressed on with renewed purpose. Before long we reached the spot, where another couple were already watching and taking photographs. The bird was a long way off - too distant for decent photos or video, and at first I thought it would only be possible to appreciate it properly through the scope. Even so, I gave it a try and was pleased to come away with a couple of passable shots, and the video wasn’t too bad either. I’ve recently fitted a plate to the base of my camera that lets me mount it directly onto my tripod, and it definitely helped with stability at that range.

As we stood watching the lake, the air again filled with the unmistakable roar of Merlin engines. Two Spitfires cruised overhead in tight formation, flying straight, their sleek outlines only briefly visible as they appeared through a gap in the trees behind us. The sound lingered long after they’d gone, reverberating across the reserve. A little later, one of the aircraft returned, its engine note drifting back to us, though this time it stayed mostly hidden beyond the treeline and never passed directly above our position.

The ring-necked duck kept to its routine of preening and diving, stubbornly staying at a frustrating distance with no sign that it would drift any closer. All the diving ducks seemed content to remain in the same area, well out of reach. After a final scan, we said our goodbyes to David, who decided to give Moore Lake one last check, while we turned back towards the car. Later we heard from him that his return visit hadn’t added anything new to his day list, and there had been no further sign of the white-winged tern.

We wrapped up our visit with a final look over Ferry Lagoon, where once again there were plenty of terns but not the one we’d hoped for. A couple of kingfishers flew through. It was a fitting end to a day of near-misses and good encounters. Fen Drayton is a great reserve, but it’s also a large, sprawling site and one where you need to be ready for some walking if you want to make the most of it.

Year list: 232.

Lisvane / Llanishen Reservoirs & Slimbridge :: 10 February 2024

We initially intended to go to WWT Slimbridge but decided to make a detour to Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs in Glamorgan first. Our friends Adrian and Bryan had recently been and seen a red-necked grebe and ring-necked ducks there, so we wanted to check it out - the ring-necked ducks were a pair. Kev's @kev07713 sister Karen @hobbylovinglife and her partner Dean @worlebirder planned to visit early doors and so we met them for breakfast in Newport before continuing to Cardiff.

Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs comprise two designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), recognised for their significant ecological importance. Lisvane Reservoir SSSI specifically highlights its role as a habitat for overwintering wildfowl. The site boasts an impressive Visitor Centre equipped with a café, complimentary WiFi, an activities hub, and rentable rooms. Other amenities include a boathouse, bird hide, education centre, nature trails, biking facilities, and extensive parking - parking fees apply. We arrived to find only a couple of cars already there and made our way to the water's edge. We scanned through the ducks, and it didn't take more than a couple of minutes until we were on the ring-necked ducks.

Ring-necked ducks are a species of diving duck not native to the United Kingdom and are primarily found in North America, where they breed in freshwater marshes and ponds across Canada and the northern United States. Males have a striking appearance with a glossy black head, neck, and chest, a white vertical stripe on the side in front of a grey/white flank, and a distinctive chestnut-coloured ring around their neck, although this ring is often difficult to see in the field. Males have a resemblance to tufted ducks and sometimes take time to separate at distance. Their diet primarily consists of aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates and as proficient divers, they are capable of diving to considerable depths in search of food.

We watched the pair diving but all too soon the male began to swim away and eventually took flight, disappearing towards the far end of the reservoir. The female slowly drifted further away, prompting us to decide to begin our search for the red-necked grebe. Before we left, we were treated to the sight of a couple of grey herons landing on the bank.

We dropped down onto the lower path running between the two bodies of water and looked back to see at least 21 little grebes, a common sandpiper, and a grey wagtail. We saw grebes out in the water behind (Llanishen) and eventually we resolved that they were all great-crested and not our target bird. We were standing near the hide/screen when a birder strolled across to tell us that the red-necked grebe was showing just round the corner in the bay.

Red-necked grebes are native to the UK and are primarily found in Scotland, especially in the northern and western areas, although they are also spotted in England and Wales. These birds prefer freshwater habitats such as lochs, reservoirs, and larger ponds during the breeding season, while they may also occur in coastal waters during migration and winter. They are medium-sized diving birds with striking plumage and have a long neck, a slender body, and a pointed black bill. During the breeding season, their plumage features a distinctive rusty-red neck, which contrasts with the dark upperparts and white underparts but outside the breeding season, their plumage becomes duller, with the red on the neck fading. This is what we expected today in February.

We rounded the corner and easily picked out the re-necked grebe, preening on the water and at middle distance - at least it wasn't feeding in the middle. Scope views were very good.

We scanned the gulls but didn't find anything - behind in the trees a jay called as it was harassed by a handful of magpies. A nuthatch called and flew out of the trees and away. We eventually made our way back to the car and had more views of the ring-necked ducks; the male had motored from the end of the reservoir back to the female and both were easily viewable between dives. Karen got ahead of us and when I caught her up, a grey wagtail dropped onto the slope down to the water; amazingly this was the first I'd seen in 2024.

We stopped and chatted and while Karen and Dean decided to go to the Visitor Centre for a coffee, Kev and I decided to return to the car and head to Slimbridge so that I could see the Bewick's swans before they leave in the spring. It would take us just over an hour and we'd arrive early lunchtime.

Bewick's Swans are migratory birds that visit the UK during the winter months, typically arriving from their breeding grounds in Arctic Russia. They undertake one of the longest migrations of any swan species, traveling thousands of miles from their breeding grounds in Siberia to their wintering sites in Europe. They follow a well-established migration route, flying over Scandinavia and into western Europe before reaching the UK. They are smaller than the more familiar mute swans, with a distinctive appearance characterized by a small, triangular yellow patch at the base of the bill. Bewick's swans are often observed in family groups or small flocks during their winter stay in the UK and here at Slimbridge there are reportedly up to about 150.

It didn't take long before we found them from Peng Observatory and Rushy Hide.

In general, Bewick's Swans begin their northward migration in March or April. Some swans may depart earlier, while others may linger in the UK until later in the spring. Adult birds often depart earlier than younger birds or families with cygnets. Additionally, weather patterns and environmental conditions can influence the timing of migration, with favourable winds and weather conditions facilitating faster migration.

Happy to have seen the birds, we moved on towards Willow Hide and where water rails have been showing well this winter. We stopped at various vantage points and as we scanned the reeds Kev called a Cetti's warbler working low to the water but in the reeds rather than on the front. I managed to follow it along from left to right and to catch it as it paused briefly. Although I’ve heard Cetti's multiple times this year, including on New Year's Day, this was the first I could get a look at.

The heavy rain has flooded much of the area where they have been seen and so after a short wait with no sign, we moved on to the Robbie Garnett Hide where we stumbled upon a single spotted redshank, in winter plumage. During the summer season, its appearance undergoes striking changes acquiring a distinctive breeding plumage; striking black coloration that extends from the bird's head down its neck, breast, and upperparts. This black plumage contrasts sharply with the white underparts, creating a striking visual impression. The black coloration is glossy and may appear iridescent in certain lighting conditions. We will look forward to seeing these later in the year.

Onwards to the Estuary Tower and up onto the second level, looking out across the Dumbles and Tack Piece. From here we could see many of the geese: barnacle, Canada, greylag but also Ross's, bar-headed, snow and lesser white-fronted. The lesser white-fronted goose of unknown origin was with Canada geese on the Tack Piece while the snow goose, of unknown origin, and the long-staying Ross’s goose were on the Dumbles.

There was a single distant crane but not much else we hadn't already seen - there were a few ruff (year tick) a bit closer so I snapped a couple of them - a wigeon took flight in the direction I was pointing and I snapped that too.

There was no sign of the usual peregrine and after a while we decided to make our way to the Zeiss Hide and see if we could locate any white-fronted geese. We arrived to find there were only a few greylag geese in the area and no white-fronts - Kev continued to search and I returned to the front of the hide as I could hear water rail calling. To my left I saw a water rail dart through a gap in the reeds and I got myself ready in case I could catch it out in the open - as luck would have it, I then heard two calls and both burst from the reeds into the open, one chased down the area of cut reeds and back out of view. One had stopped long enough for me to fire off a few photos and thankfully was stationary long enough to allow something in focus.

We continued down to Kingfisher Hide with a couple coming the other way reporting that three kingfishers had been showing. We arrived and watched with a couple beside us manging to pick up a kingfisher in a bush out front - from our angle it wasn't visible. We waited, hoping that they might perch on a post, branch, reed, or indeed visit the nest holes in the bank where they have been seen excavating in recent days. Instead, two kingfishers dropped out of the bush and away up the water channel. No photo opportunity here. We opted to visit Hogarth and Discovery Hides passing some trees where a handful of siskin and lesser redpoll were feeding.

From the hides we could see a range of teal looking rather splendid, and my first avocets of the year. Looking as if they would like to settle and nest were a pair of oystercatchers. One came reasonably close, and I just couldn't resist.

Kev recently visited Farmoor Reservoir and took some photos of cormorants which were rather stunning - he posted these photos here on X - formerly known as Twitter ... As he said, cormorants are not his favourite birds, but could not deny they looked pretty stunning – the sinensis subspecies. This subspecies typically exhibits subtle variations in size and plumage compared to others. In general, it has a glossy black plumage with some greenish or bronzy sheen, especially on the back and wings during the breeding season. Out on an island were a number of cormorants with some exhibiting some breeding plumage or also being part of the sinensis subspecies - regardless, it looked rather beautiful. I had to take a photo.

We stopped for a coffee in the Visitor Centre before making the journey home, now under 1&fract12; hours away.

Year list: 145.