The weatherman forecast a break in the heavy rain and possibly some sun for late morning so I took a risk and went off to Chard reservoir hoping to find the firecrest near the hide.  It always makes me a bit nervous going out in the rain with my current camera, the Canon 7D as it's not supposed to be as waterproof as the pro series camera that I was using before.  As it was still raining pretty hard when I arrived I improvised a rainshield so ended up setting off clad in waterproof camo trousers, waterproof camo jacket, green wide-brimmed hat, part camouflaged tripod, 500mm lens with camo coat and... a bright orange Sainsbury's carrier bag wrapped about the camera!

Following lots of promising bird reports on the SOS message board, I thought it was time to pay a visit to the Hankridge Farm reserve.  This is a small but rich reserve just behind the shopping complex built on the original Hankridge Farm in Taunton.  It includes a lake which takes its water from the River Tone, the river itself and an area of trees, shrubs and grassland.  There are platforms reaching out into the lake for people to feed the ducks and dog walkers patrol the banks.  Despite the disturbance, the margins seem to be rich in birdlife and the trees around the reserve are full of small birds, thrushes and magpies.  A good place to park is by the 'Mandarin House restaurant shown in the centre of this map.

I've been several times to Brean Down when there's been word out of visiting redstarts.  They always seem to be seen near the cafe near the car park or around the Brean Down Cove area but I've never managed to see them until today.  This time they were said to be by the Tropical Bird Gardens but when I arrived there were hordes of familises out walking with their dogs and I thought thigns had never looked less promising.  Hovever, I soon spied the two birds hopping about on the slope that is a massive rabbit warren just behind the Bird Gardens.  From the fence I was able to get excellent views  although they were a bit further away than I'd ideally have liked for detailed photos.