No doubt the star of the week was the Glossy Ibis. It was first seen on Sunday from the second viewing platform where it showed well for some time. On Monday it was seen here again but also in the section to the left (between the 2 platforms). It was viewed by crossing the new bridge and taking a right and was in the splashy area on the left. I tried this myself but had no luck. It seemed it had gone but on Wednesday it appeared again from the 2nd platform - dropping in from the south and then flying left for a short distance.
Some of Sundays shots by Les Mears:
..and Wednesday by John Crispin:
The 2nd platform is also probably the best place to see Great White Egret. There were at least 2 there this morning but a count of 8 on Wednesday eclipses that. Add to this sightings of Purple Heron (again) in the Loxtons area on Sunday and Monday, Little Egret, Bitterns and Grey Heron - it's quite a place for heron species. Sadly the Night Heron has now not been seen for some time but there was a Cattle Egret which flew from Shapwick Heath over towards Ham Wall but it wasn't picked up on site. There are plenty of hiding places however.
Bitterns are being seen occasionally. A short flight took place this morning in front of the 1st platform but they have also been seen over Waltons and Loxtons this week.
Waltons is also home to several Little Grebes at present - visible from the screens along with Great Crested Grebe and several Gadwall. Some areas of the reserve are particularly abundant in Gadwall at the moment but we're also home to a few Teal & Wigeon. 7 Wigeon dropped into the area in front of the 2nd platform on Wednesday (5 male & 2 female).
Waltons has also played host to a Redshank this week - it was heard calling but also 6 Black Terns which flew over the Tor View Hide on Wednesday, Kingfishers most days and on Monday 100's of House Martins were flying up and down the Western edge footpath - the rain was keeping the insects very low and they were swooping close over my head - lovely to watch for a while.
Of course the House Martins will be making the long journey south, as too are the large groups of Swallows seen from the 1st platform on Wednesday. In the same area a Kingfisher was seen several times and the same day a female Kestrel was seen hovering. The water has been lowered over the islands and some of it cut so maybe some voles were a little exposed - she had no luck though this time.
Other birds of prey this week include a female Sparrowhawk which zipped into the trees by the Waltons screens on Tuesday before flying overhead, Hobby seen over Waltons also on Tuesday and the Car Park today. Another this morning from the 2nd platform distantly in amongst Swallows. Marsh Harriers are a daily site - either platform gives you a great vista and therefore a great chance of a sighting, while Buzzards also frequent the reserve. A Peregrine was also seen from the 1st platform on Wednesday.
We also undertook our first Bearded Tit survey of the year - not great results this time but over 20 recorded on the day. I saw about 12 this morning from the second platform along with John Crispin who was able to point them out to visitors - a first for one lady - fantastic. During the survey a few Sedge and Reed Warblers were noted still hanging on.
Dragonflies are still about although numbers will begin to dwindle: Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker, Ruddy Darter and Common Darter all see this week. A fox was recorded on wednesday on our sightings board but I don't have a location while Roe Deer are also occasional visitors often seen around the Waltons trail. Iberian Water Frogs are also still present in good numbers in the car park pools although they are now very much quieter than just a few weeks ago.
Also this week: An adder crossed the rail path just beyond the 2nd platform - it looked like she had eaten recently according to the visitors who saw her, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Raven, Singing Chiffchaffs and 2 Black Tailed Godwits along with 12 Snipe dropping in front of the 2nd platform.
A nice atmospheric shot of the reserve to leave you with!
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!