Another week has come and gone and as always there's lots to talk about:
If you're not bored of them yet, the Glossy Ibis are still being seen daily. Often in front of the 1st platform but we have also now lowered the water levels in the west side of Waltons in readiness for some reedbed management. We usually cut the island in front of the last (3rd) screen and this is where they have also been seen this week. They showed well to a school group this morning but also to John Crispin who was on hand to grab these great photos. Thanks John!
Glossy Ibis: John Crispin
The first platform is also one of the best places to search for Great White Egret. I cant get to the dizzy heights of 19 last week with 12 in front of the 1st platform but i did have 5 on Tuesday and there seems to be one in particular (assuming it's the same one) who sits at the back on a daily basis, fishing for long periods. Little Egrets appear from time to time too and this shot brilliantly shows the enormous size difference between the Great White and Little Egrets. These were together from the 1st platform on Thursday. Thanks again to John Crispin.
Little Egret & Great White Egret : John Crispin
Also from the first platform - just like last week, a Kingfisher happily perched on the grit tray, which was put in place for the Bearded Tit population. 2 Kingfishers were also seen hovering and fishing together on Thursday. No Bearded Tits on the grit tray though although a little distance to the left a group of 10 were pinging and flying together on Tuesday. Good views would of been had by anyone on the footpath on the other side - but there was only me there!
Kingfisher: John Crispin
From platform 2, Marsh Harriers have been seen frequently during the week, perhaps hunting for one of the many Lapwing seen here this week or one of the many duck species that are frequenting this area. Teal and Wigeon are increasing in numbers here slowly. These birds breed in the far north and when they start to arrive you know winter will be on the way soon too.
Wigeon: John Crispin
Another sign of winter is when the Starling numbers begin to build. They have doubled to 2000 from last week and are still roosting at dusk in the Waltons reedbed on the west side. They are taking off around 7.30am most mornings - a little later if it's dull. This moring the first ones left at 7.45am but it took until 8am for the last ones to leave (not the early birds catching the worms here). This picture was taken on Monday by Richard Berry who kindly sent it in - thanks Richard.
Starlings: Richard Berry
Richard was also lucky enough to have an encounter with a Barn Owl. From where it's perched in the second picture I'm deducing that this was near the Avalon Hide. They often occupy the boxes in the wood to the left of the hide so it's always worth keeping your eyes open if you're in this area late in the day or indeed early in the morning. Thanks for the pictures Richard.
Barn Owl: Richard Berry.
Elsewhere on the reserve the Jays have been very busy - most likely collecting acorns from the oaks around the reserve. The rail path track and footpath/canal track have produced frequent sightings of these birds this week.
For Bitterns perhaps try the 1st platform. They have been seen flying over this area this week but also landing and feeding out in the open on a couple of occasions. Also try behind you in Waltons where 2 birds were seen this morning flying over together before landing together in the Waltons reedbed.
It's still relatively warm, so you can still catch up with a few butterflies. Red Admirals are still using the ivy bushes between the car park and the 1st platform on the main track, while I've also spotted Green Veined White, Comma & Speckled Wood this week.
A few dragonflies are still out there: Ruddy Darter, Common Darter and Migrant Hawker are still easy to spot. Several pairs of Ruddy Darter were mating and egg laying in the car park pools this week while there have also been a couple of Brown Hawker seen like this one from last Sunday. These are probably the last ones of these for this year.
Brown Hawker
Also this week: A Kestrel seen hovering over the car park, a Hobby reported on Wednesday and a Red Kite on Tuesday flying over, a Grey Wagtail using the canal for feeding on Wednesday,17 Snipe which flew over the 1st platform (also on Weds), lots of Iberian Water Frogs still sunning themselves around the car park pools & a Peregrine which flew over the 1st platform on Tuesday.
That's it for this week. Have a Great Weekend!