Alison Everett

A late flowering Budjelia in my garden is attracting some good insects lately.
Today 2 Painted Lady butterflies, Hummingbird Hawk Moth, Hornet mimic hoverfly plus Red Admirals, Peacocks and Large Whites. None would pose for photos! @savebutterflies.bsky.social

One of the 4 Ruff on the flash on Tealham Moor, also 3 Snipe, 1 Lapwing and 1 Whinchat.

Lesser Whitethroat

On local drove road this morning, Lesser Whitethroat singing and showing well from time to time. Also Whitethroat, Chiff Chaff, Swift, Blackcap and usual resident birds. Photo taken from car and ot very close!

Mandarin drake

A drake Mandarin was a bit of a surprise to see on the wet area off Tealham Moor Drove this afternoon. BoC photo. Nothing else of note. #somersetbirding

1 Whimbrel dropped in to Ham Wall this morning, also Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Redshank, Cuckoo and lots of singing warblers. Wheatear, Whinchat & Yellow Wagtail Tealham Moor, Whitethroat Mark Moor. #somersetbirding

Enjoyable SOS walk at Dunster beach this morning for just 3 of us. 5, possibly 7 Common Sandpiper and 12 Yellow Wagtails were the highlights and the rain held off too! #somersetbirding

In a shortish walk along Chilton Drove this morning, 5 singing Sedge Warblers, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Chiff Chaff, 2 Willow Warbler 1 Blackcap, 2 or 3 Greenfinch plus the usual resident species. #somersetbirding

Four or five Sedge Warblers singing along Chilton Moor Drove this morning and probably a Grasshopper Warbler too, just north of Horn Farm, a couple of short reels heard but bird not seen. #somersetbirding

Cuckoo heard briefly from Decoy hide, Shapwick this morning but not seen. Lots of Chiffs, Willow Warbler and Blackcap singing but no other migrants. #somersetbirding

The best of a short evening walk along Higher Ropes Drove, Catcott was a single Redpoll and my first singing Reed Warbler of the year. #somersetbirding

Apart from singing Chiff Chaffs no summer migrants at Catcott Lows this afternoon but a few Redwing still about and two Redpoll. #somersetbirding

First garden butterflies of the year this morning, Brimstone, Speckled Wood and Peacock. #somersetBC

The Green - winged Teal at Catcott Lows seen this morning but not close. Also fly through Ringtail Hen Harrier. #somersetbirding

A few short booms from a Bittern heard this morning on walk to Decoy Lake at Shapwick NR. #somersetbirding

At least six Goosander on the Huntspill river at Gold Corner this morning, drakes went from west to east of the pumping station. Cattle Egret flock still in fields to west of Burtle. Also if you are unaware Kid Gate drove is closed on Tealham Moor. #somersetbirding

Two Hen Harrier, male & Ringtail, f. Merlin and Barn Owl at Greylake during an hour and a half around midday. #somersetbirding

SOS members please note the Minehead field meeting on Saturday is cancelled due to the very high winds forecast. #somersetbirds

The Green - winged Teal was again present at Catcott Lows this morning but mostly distant and not in view for long.
Please note the hide will be closed for a few days from tomorrow for tree work by SWT. #ukbirding

At least eight Goosander, five drakes and three redheads on the Huntspill river at Gold Corner this afternoon. Bit shy though for the camera! #ukbirding

Firecrest this morning at Shapwick NR by the horseshoe bench at the start of the Sweet Track. #ukbirding

A brief visit from a smart male Pied Flycatcher this morning was an unexpected garden tick. U

Short-eared Owl hunting at Catcott Lows early evening.