Ham Wall

Not a huge amount of movement from birds this week - nothing unusual for the time of year though I guess. As I mentioned last week, many birds are moving into a season of moult after a busy breeding season, and although not flightless, they prefer to remain grounded or hidden. Wildfowl are a classic example, with groups of Gadwall in particular gathering in the Waltons section. These are visible from the Tor View Hide…

Traditionally, this time of year is much quieter for bird life. Many birds have finished their breeding season after a frantic few months and are taking a well earned rest. A lot of birds will be moving into a season of moult - meaning their ability to fly is reduced so they may well choose to spend more time hidden away whilst they renew their plumage. 

It's also generally hotter - the last 3 days have been particularly…

Apologies for the missing blog from last Friday. We were out on a site visit over on the Mendips looking at various designs and methodologies of building hibernaculum for over wintering snakes/reptiles. We are planning to build some of our own here on some patches of slightly higher ground (there's not much,) to help our resident Adders in particular - they will also be of use to small mammals and many different invertebrates…

It feels like it's been a little bit of a quieter week at Ham Wall this week. There have been some quite hot days, which I guess slows things down a bit (including me) and this morning is a bit of a contrast - much cooler with quite a bit of wind (perhaps keeping birds more grounded).

Having said this there is plenty of wildlife to see and we have once again drawn up quite an impressive list of interesting wildlife…

I feel like I've been largely absent from the reserve this week. On Monday, some of us took a trip down to Poole to join in a cruise of the harbour with the Birds of Poole Harbour group. It was well worth it and I would highly recommend doing it and supporting the wonderful work they do along side the local council and the conservation NGOs. 

We were lucky enough to see White Tailed Eagle and Osprey among a host of…

The Cranes have once again grabbed the headlines this week with the sighting of a young Crane reported to volunteers at the car park on Tuesday with photos apparently. There is some confusion as to the number. Reports said two chicks but a photo on social media shows one swimming across a gap in the reeds. 

Volunteers have since sat up at the Avalon Hide to try and get further conformation but to no avail so far. So if…

As I've I've done many times before - I have left myself short on time to write the blog but I will do me best in the time available and try to give you a sense of what's been going in this week - if it reads like it's been a bit rushed - it has! Apologies!

My best encounter of the week came yesterday when I was on a bank to the right (east) of the Avalon Hide. I was cutting back some vegetation so we…

Bit of a mixed bag weather wise since the last blog. Some lovely sunny days but some torrential downpours too. It's left some of the reserve a bit damp in a few places to say the least but most of the reserve is still accessible with some decent footwear. 

The path to the Tor View Hide has a few puddles - here we are reliant on the main drains dropping a bit in height so that water can exit through gravity. The surrounding…

Have you ever dreamed of witnessing a silent, ghostly form flitting through the daylight hours? Or perhaps a mesmerising display of otherworldly lights flickering in the night? Believe it or not, you can experience both these enchanting phenomena at ...

Still getting a few firsts for the season - keeps life interesting anyway. Finally, the first Whitethroat of the season has appeared at the first viewing platform (VP1). This is a top spot annually for these birds but this individual has taken its time arriving this year. Hopefully, a mate is around somewhere. Look out for it perched up on top of vegetation or see its parachuting flight. 

Lots of other warblers singing…

What a glorious morning it was this morning as I undertook a couple of small jobs out on the reserve. Cuckoos greeted me at the car park. There were at least 2 calling although I didn't catch site of them. 

Warblers were in full voice with Blackcaps particularly notable along with Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. 

Plenty of other birds are singing loudly or zipping about with beaks full of food for hungry…

The sightings blog is back this week - sorry I was unable to post last week. I had a very early start last Friday (5.30am) and other things to do before my time ran out. I will endeavour to use as many of the photos people have sent me over the past couple of weeks. What a lovely time to be up and about though. I was leading a dawn chorus walk and we were able to see and hear a whole host of different species. 

Surprisingly…

It is said that “The world's favourite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May[1]". We think that May might be the best month for a visit to RSPB Ham Wall (though it’s hard to choose the best month as there is always so...

Apologies for the late posting - there was a power outage at the office yesterday afternoon (26th) and I lost a fair bit of the blog. Hence I'm finishing it off on Saturday morning at home. So if it feels a bit rushed in places that's why.  Plus will explain why a few of the tenses don't make sense. Anyway here it is. Better late than never!

I was out early this morning undertaking a breeding bird survey on…

Well, as always I have not left myself much time to write this but this time I'm not going to say it may be shorter than normal as it never seems to work out that way. Anyway - I will do my best with the time available to bring you up to date with the past week at Ham Wall. 

I have to say, it's been another amazing week. The sun has also been shining for a couple of days, which really helps. Lots of happy visitors…

The fantastic sightings have kept coming at Ham Wall this week, with a few firsts of the year for me too. The last couple of days have truly felt like spring and it seems we are in for a couple of drier weeks ahead. A good chance to get out and witness all the spring arrivals, joining our wonderful resident wildlife on the reserve.

I've had my first Sedge Warbler & Swallow of the season this morning (although a couple…

It's been another fantastic week at RSPB Ham Wall - despite some pretty unfavourable conditions at times. Having reopened the Avalon Hide last Thursday, we were worried about water levels coming back up again after the deluges of rain we have experienced once again. Thankfully, the hide remains open but we recommend wellingtons. It has been passable in walking boots, but be prepared for them to get muddy. 

The stars…

I know I've said it before but this will be a shorter blog than normal. I wasn't going to write one at all as I am off for the Easter break but I have some good news to share. 

We have managed to get the Avalon Hide back open for the first time after what must be over 3 months. Thanks to all the volunteers, who worked so hard in difficult conditions over the last coupe of days. We've manged to clear all the muck…

It's been another interesting week at Ham Wall this week with plenty of exciting sightings reported to us. I've only really been on site for about half my usual time this week (I was in Devon all day yesterday at RSPB Aylesbeare) but I have still been lucky enough see and hear some amazing wildlife. 

My best sighting came on Monday when I saw 2 Cranes come off some adjacent fields and fly over the reserve. In fact…

Firstly, apologies for the missing blog last Friday. I was attending a course to learn about Adders to help with the surveying effort across the Avalon Marshes. In the end I just didn't get back to the office in time. 

The course was very interesting though and the plight of Adders in the marshes is a little precarious, so anything we can do to help these creatures will be beneficial. Populations are small and isolated…

It's been more of the same this week, with the rain not letting up, so we will start with a bit of housekeeping. The Avalon Hide remains closed - the path is well under water and will most likely remain so for a while yet. 

Tor View Hide and the Waltons screens are accessible but the perimeter walk around the outside is very wet in places and impassable without wellies, so not advisable.  The Loxtons Loop is now in…

Had quite a pleasant walk around parts of the reserve this morning doing some checks etc before being office bound. It was a little chilly but at least it stopped raining. 

With the continued rain, it will come as no surprise to you to hear the the Avalon Hide remains closed. It's back in waders territory (the type you wear - not the flying variety unfortunately), and many of the paths around site are open but a little…

With Valentines Day this week, we shouldn't be surprised to see lots of love birds around the reserve. The milder than usual weather has probably helped although the extra rain (particularly yesterday) has not been very welcome.  

We were close to getting levels back to normal at the Avalon Hide early in the week but the water is now back over the path, meaning it remains closed for the time being - think the water…

Thanks to Joe for filling in last week. I'm sure there will be plenty more chances for you to do it again. I always enjoy reading other people's blogs when they write instead of me - good to experience different writing styles and ideas. 

This one may be shorter than most as I'm well behind time (I know I've said this before and it's been just as long - let's see how we go).

We spent the morning…

It’s a guest blog this week!  My name is Joe and I am, like Steve Couch, an Assistant Warden here at Ham Wall.  However, I also work across Somerset on different reserves.  This is my first blog for Ham Wall, and I will attempt to fill Steve’s huge blogging shoes!

Spring feels on the way and the race has begun for every individual animal on Ham Wall to get in condition to breed.  No more so than our Bitterns. 

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