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Stephen Couch

It's now meteorological winter apparently and it has definitely felt like it this week. Temperatures have plummeted and this week has seen very foggy conditions making bird watching a little tricky. It seems that the mist hasn't lifted from the reserve for around 3 days, whilst a visitor told me it was warm and sunny up on the Mendips looking down on the blanket of fog.

We do have some sightings to report though, particularly from clearer weather earlier in the week and some closer encounters over the last couple of days. 

The starlings are beginning to draw bigger crowds - a reminder to avoid weekends if you can and come earlier to ensure a parking spot and plenty of time to get to the location (we suggest about an hour before dusk). They have continued to use the area in front of the first viewing platform (VP1) this week, as well as a smaller roost on the opposite side in the Waltons section. Estimates have now reached around 500,000 birds. 

There have been recent reports of a peregrine flying through and penetrating the flock - often something that will keep them up for longer and throwing out some more awesome shapes as they try to confuse predators. Sparrowhawks have also been seen on the hunt. 

You can also come and see the take off in the morning (if the mist has cleared) and afterwards you'll almost certainly witness marsh harriers quartering over the roost site looking for dead and dying starlings for an easy breakfast. Thanks to both John Crispin and Mike Pearce who have sent in their marsh harrier photos this week:

The water in front of VP1 is rising slowly but we aim to get a pump running next week to pump over from an adjacent block so should see a more major increase soon. 

Lapwings are still enjoying the area with 200 plus present. Through the fog yesterday I could hear the whistles and calls of wigeon and teal, whilst mallard and gadwall have also been reported during the week. Thanks to John Crispin for his shots of a pair of wigeon and a teal having a snooze and to Mike Pearce for his shot of a female mallard - a surprisingly nice plumage when caught in the right light:

 

Look out also for water pipits, seen again throughout the week. Up to 4 were spotted during the week last week. They often can be seen on any freshly cut or floating vegetation and with the amphibious cutting machines (Truxors) in this week and early next week, there could well be more opportunities to see some. 

We have begun to undertake some work in our woodlands, managing woodland rides and opening up some plots within the wood to help the understorey get going before the trees regrow - could be great for birds such as nightingale should they decide to return. The woodland rides with their open and sunny edges are superb for invertebrates such as butterflies and in the winter, we often see woodcock in these areas - in fact one was spotted on Wednesday during the volunteer work party. 

We will also be clearing back fallen trees that have gone across the drain which helps move water to our main pumps to keep water levels where we want them - this slows down the rate of flow and can cause problems further upstream such as by the Avalon Hide path where it can overtop and make access harder - there is method in our madness, and all done as sensitively as possible. 

A few extra benches are being installed along the main path with views being cleared in front as part of our general scrub management too. 

During the mist yesterday the volunteers were watching a great white egret fishing quite close in for long periods - quite unconcerned by our presence. He was more agitated by another great white egret as it flew over calling. It watched it all the way and was posturing and looking a little aggressive. 

Great white egrets were actually quite plentiful yesterday flying through the fog and calling on several occasions. Thanks to Sandie Andrews for her shot taken this week:

Grey herons have also been sitting by the main drain enjoying some fishing too. Thanks again to Sandie for her shot: 

Other birds can also get aggressive with each other at this time of year and not just during breeding season. I guess territories and favoured feeding spots/food supply can dictate this at any time of year. Thanks to Mike Pearce who took this action shot of a mute swan aggressively chasing off an intruder this week. An often, serene looking bird showing another side to its character:

Although the winter feels like it's kicked in, there are still signs that nature might be slightly confused. There are still plants in flower including some brambles yesterday. A couple of butterflies have also been spotted this week - red admiral and small tortoiseshell reported by visitors. A common darter dragonfly was reported earlier this week, but I suspect they will have finally succumbed to the frosts and sub-zero temperatures and butterflies will now most likely be looking for their overwintering hideout. 

On Tuesday I walked past the wood near the Avalon Hide and heard the gentle tapping of a great spotted woodpecker. When I came by again it had turned into full on drumming with the sound carrying for quite a distance. The yaffle of a green woodpecker was also heard in the woods on the west of the reserve on Wednesday. 

The Waltons section has had a good selection of ducks recently - many out in the open water or loafing about on the cut islands. Little grebe and great crested grebe have also been present with the odd call from water rails but sightings of these often prove elusive. Snipe can also be seen on the cut islands either in front of the Tor View Hide or the third of the 3 screens as well as out in front of VP1. Thanks to John Crispin who caught these two in flight this week:

In the reedbeds listen out for the punchy call of the cettis warbler, occasional sightings of bearded tit - close to the Avalon Hide your best bet but have been seen and heard at Waltons on a couple of occasions recently and hungry reed buntings clinging to the reed panicles. Thanks to Sandie Andrews for her shots of a female and one of a male too:

 

Also this week: 2 goldcrests together at the new bench on the main track looking into Waltons, bullfinch seen in the car park, kingfishers spotted at VP1 and within Waltons, redpolls seen along the main track in the alder trees, jays heard calling in the wood near the Avalon Hide, Pintails seen at the second viewing platform (VP2), tawny owl heard calling at the car park, kestrel also seen flying over the car park and close to the Avalon Hide on Tuesday, treecreeper along the main path, whooper swan no longer at Loxtons but one has been seen at Catcott Lows (along with a goshawk and a hen harrier this week) and the occasional raven seen flying and cronking like this individual photographed by John Crispin. Thanks John: 

I'd better leave it there for this week. The fog finally looks like it has cleared as I've been writing this. Time to pay us a visit this weekend. Thanks for reading.