Little and Large of Ham Wall

Stonechat – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID IMG_8953

Waiting for the starlings to arrive at RSPB Ham Wall is a great time to search out those small and large birds that are already about.

Here are some of my favourite bird pictures taken at Ham Wall.  They were taken last month with my new telephoto.  This is not the best lens in the world but it is great fun.  The main take away from this post should be to arrive early when visiting Ham Wall.  If you do then not only will you get a space in the car park but also the chance to walk around the reserve and find lots of interesting and friendly birds.

The Little Birds

Robins are popular on the reserve, especially if you have a bit of food.

Robin and Avalon Hide – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID IMG_9242

I headed out over the footbridge to the Avalon Hide.  There were lots of birds to see around the edge of the lagoon but even with my new telephoto they were too far away.

Then a wonderful surprise as a water pipit popped up near me.

Water Pipit – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID IMG_8785

Back on Walton Heath and who does not love the little grebes.

Little Grebe – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID IMG_9480

A family of long-tailed tits flitting across the tops of the trees are great fun to watch.

Long-tailed Tit – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID IMG_2100

The Big Birds

The one bird bird I hear most people talking about is the Marsh Harrier.  Luckily, these are really easy to see at Ham Wall.

Marsh Harrier – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID IMG_2306

The next favourite are probably the Great White Egrets.  I have heard these being called Shark Egrets, so I called this one Sharky.  It was happy to be only few yards away from me for nearly an hour while we watched the starling murmurations together.

Great White Egret – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID JB_6975

Long before the egrets came to the UK the grey herons had the place to themselves.  I saw this heron in the distance and tracked it with my camera as it flew across sky.

When it did a turn in front of the setting sun that was something else.

Grey Heron at Sunset – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID JB_8958

Because it is nearly Christmas here is a fluffy robin on a frosty winter morning.  Robins are everywhere on the reserve.

Robin – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID IMG_2714

And Finally…

If all else fails the feeder behind the RSPB hut in the car park is guaranteed to provide some birds to watch.

Great Tits – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID IMG_8698