Bridgewater Bay NNR

A walk with the Somerset OS led by Jeff Hazell (ex Londoner) in murky conditions turned out OK and the company was terrific; about a dozen of us, from beginners to old hands. I took my dog along as she is very "clingy" at the moment (in the last week of her season).

High tide was at 11:10 and now subsided after the equinoxial high to a moderate 8.7 metres.

Birds seen (Wall Common): Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret (5 or more), Grey Heron, Mute Swan (pair nesting), Brent Goose (15, 3 dark-bellied), Shelduck (100+), Mallard, Buzzard, Red-legged Partridge, Pheasant, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Knot, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Lesser Black-back Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Skylark (masses singing), Sand Martin (several parties through), Meadow Pipit (again a fair few), Pied and White Wagtail (3 of the latter), Dunnock, Wheatear (smart male), Blackbird, Chiffchaff (3 singers), Great Tit, Magpie, Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Reed Bunting. I also saw a Yellowhammer, my first for the year, just before I arrived at the rendez-vous (they all seem to bugger off from us here in winter).