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 of each have been around since early last week). Sand Martins continue to pass through the local reserves and there has been the first Cuckoos heard on neighbouring Shapwick Heath.
Swallow
Reed Warblers have certainly increased in number during the week - there was one chattering away on the edge of the Avalon Hide path this morning - trying to make himself heard over the drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker and singing Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs.
Willow Warbler
From the Avalon Hide itself look out for the pair of Common Cranes that are being seen each day dropping into the reeds close to the hide. Toby Fogg took this lovely shot of the ringed female called Meg this week:
Marsh Harriers all over the reserve are busy at the moment. Many seen carrying nesting material, calling in flight and even mating such as these two in front of the first viewing platform, photographed by John Crispin:
The female bird from the above sequence was later seen with nesting material:
This female was also photographed by Toby Fogg from VP1:
While this male was photographed by Mike Pearce at the second viewing platform (VP2):
VP1 is an area of great wildlife interest at the moment. Otter and cub were spotted here last Friday - there have been a few Otter sightings lately from here and behind at Waltons.
The Glossy Ibis (x4) have been seen everyday this week, although often they can be out of sight at times. Feeding well in amongst an assortment of ducks and waders:
For waders look out for displaying Lapwing and Redshank (at least 5 present) who just seem to call all day long whether in flight or perched up. A Lapwing did chase off a Redshank yesterday although this morning a Black Headed Gull was chasing off a Lapwing - invisible territory lines everywhere (or perhaps just getting a little too close). Good to have lots of pairs of eyes on the skies though as they can all warn each other of potential predators.
Spotted Redshank (x2) have also been reported throughout the week and Black Tailed Godwits have also been present most days. I certainly saw a couple yesterday - looked like the breeding colours were present on the ones I was looking at:
Garganey have also been seen every day with fluctuating numbers being reported (up to 5):
Whilst scanning the area look out for the nesting Great Crested Grebes, which seem to have come away unscathed after the very high winds we experienced on Tuesday:
It's a good place too, to see Great White Egrets. There was one present this morning with a Little Egret nearby for the size comparison. This one was seen by Toby Fogg earlier this week:
Cormorants enjoy spending time on the rails visible from VP1, with wings outstretched. Many fly to the south where there is a fairly strong nesting colony on the reserve:
Bitterns are booming well across the Avalon Marshes. The second of the annual booming counts across the Avalon Marshes took place early yesterday morning but no full results in just yet. A few flights have been seen from birds with the Avalon Hide and VP1 seeing like the best spots currently. These 2 were photographed by John Crispin in a chase in front of VP1 this week:
VP2 water levels are reducing slowly, allowing for a little more land to be uncovered. We can't let water out to fast as to cause either problems for birds currently nesting or risk flooding the Avalon Hide path as the water has to pass by here.
The male Pintail often seen in front of VP1 recently, had a change of scenery at VP2 for a time this week. Taking off to go who knows where?
This female Pochard also took off from VP2 this week. Often when sat in the water they can look a little drab. Mike's photo here shows the plumage nicely:
Activity seems to be increasing all over the reserve. Bird song is louder and more consistent - plenty of Blackcap singing away along the main track, joining in with Song Thrush, Goldcrest, Robin and Blackbird amongst others. Other birds are being seen selecting nesting material whilst others are collecting food or prospecting for nest sites. Here's a selection of all the above:
Dunnock pair with the female collecting the nesting material and the male on guard.
Song Thrush with a beakful of worms. It was hopping in and out of the main track and undergrowth for several minutes to collect this bounty:
Male Blackbird was also busy feeding along the main track this week.
Also this female feeding on ivy berries:
Blue Tit looking for a home.
In the reedbeds listen out for Reed Buntings singing, Water Rails Squealing and Cettis Warblers bursting out with their loud songs. It's a good time of year to see them in the undergrowth before it gets too lush or singing from perches before all the leaves appear:
There will soon be many more mouths to feed, so the noticeable increase in insect activity this week will be most welcome for many (unless you are the dinner of course). I saw my first damselflies out yesterday - newly emerged damsels are often hard to identify - think there was Blue Tailed and perhaps Variable, although it's Large Red that is often the first seen (although populations here are small). A female Hairy Dragonfly was also seen on Monday - first of the year.
Bryn Evans has been busy once again tracking down some interesting insects and getting a bit of research in too, to get the ID's - thanks Bryn. There's so much to learn about - and much of this we overlook or simply don't see.
Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena Scotica): Bryn Evans
Tiger Marsh Fly (Helophilus Pendulus): Bryn Evans
Blotch-winged White Belt (Leucozona lucorum): Bryn Evans
Long-winged Dusky Face (Melanostoma scalare): Bryn Evans
Syrphus sp unknown: Bryn Evans
Green Longhorn moth (Adela reaumurella): Bryn Evans
Two different individuals - note the different colour on the wings when looked at from a different angle.
Green Dock Beetle (Gastrophysa viridula): Bryn Evans
Alder leaf Beetle (Agelasica alni): Bryn Evans
Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria): Bryn Evans.
Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis): Bryn Evans
Quite the selection there - just a fraction of what is lurking in the undergrowth and flying overhead, I'm sure.
Some of the more common insects, such as butterflies are also out in greater numbers now. Orange Tips are now out in force and join Green Veined White, Peacock, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell & Speckled Wood all recorded this week.
Roe Deer are also seen on most days in ones and twos but larger groups are frequently seen in the fields to the north of the reserve.
In terms of reptiles: Common Lizard has again been seen from the old rail bridge (including this morning) along with Grass Snake and Slow Worms. An Adder was photographed here last week apparently. Good news to hear we still have some holding on. Populations are very small.
Grass Snakes can sometimes be seen swimming on the reserve - so your eyes aren't deceiving you if you think you see this.
Also seen this week include: a Weasel seen along the Avalon Hide path, Red Kite seen on at least 3 occasions overhead, Arctic Tern reported on the southern edge of the reserve yesterday evening, c150 Shoveler counted from VP2 plus numerous others across the reserve, Tawny Owl in our camera box (see TV in the Welcome Kiosk) sat on eggs we think, 25 Lesser Redpoll seen on the way to the Avalon Hide with a possible Common or Mealy Redpoll amongst them, Kingfisher flew over the old rail bridge towards the car park yesterday and a little later a Sparrowhawk in the opposite direction (not holding a Kingfisher), Kestrel seen over the car park yesterday and Siskin seen around Waltons.
I'm going to leave it there for now. Plenty to go out and search for as you can see and plenty more to come: Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Swift, Hobby & House Martin to name just a few. As well as more butterflies and dragonflies to emerge. What a fantastic time of year!!
Thanks to all who have sent me in their photos this week: John Crispin, Bryn Evans, Sandie Andrews, Mike Pearce and Toby Fogg.
Hope you've enjoyed the read - have a great weekend.