{"id":1887,"date":"2016-10-23T14:49:14","date_gmt":"2016-10-23T13:49:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hlbphotography.com\/blog\/?p=1887"},"modified":"2016-10-23T14:49:14","modified_gmt":"2016-10-23T13:49:14","slug":"rspb-ham-wall-june-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.hlbphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/10\/rspb-ham-wall-june-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"RSPB Ham Wall – June 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"RSPBAs part of ’30 Days Wild’<\/a> I set out for the day to visit RSPB Ham Wall<\/a>. I had heard of Ham Wall because of the Starlings they get in winter but I knew little about the site.<\/p>\n

I had read the RSPB’s recent sightings blog posts before heading out so had an idea of what it was possible to see and where they might be. Obviously Bittern was at the top of the list!<\/p>\n

It took me longer to get there than anticipated, I’m sure the satnav took me the scenic route! The car park is beautiful with wildflowers between the parking bays. I’d just stepped out of the car and heard a chap say ‘there’s a bittern flying overhead’ I caught a quick glimps – a shape moving in the distance.<\/p>\n

Access via the main path wasn’t available due to work on the bridge so I followed the diversion signs and headed towards Tor view hide. On route I stopped at some of the screens to see what was about. A gentleman pointed me in the direction of a screen where a heron was nicely posing.<\/p>\n

\"RSPBThe hide was quite busy when I got there with only a couple of seats spare. As people left I moved to a seat with a better view. The girl sat next to me was a regular to the site and amazing at spotting bitterns flying over the reeds, my first proper bittern sighting was thanks to her \ud83d\ude42 There were plenty of other birds to watch including the incredibly cute Coot chicks.<\/p>\n

After a couple of hours I moved onto Alavon hide for a quick look. There were a pair of Marsh Harriers constantly in the sky along with a Great White Egret on what looked like its nest.<\/p>\n

I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and look forward to heading back there in the Autumn to see the Starlings \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

My full list of sightings for the day:
\nBirds:<\/strong> Bittern, Mute Swan, Mallard, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Coot, Great White Egret, Little Grebe, Hobby, Buzzard, Swift, Marsh Harrier, Pied Wagtail
\nInsects:<\/strong> Stag beetle<\/p>\n

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