Well, it's been a few weeks since I've been able to post anything. A work commitment scuppered one week, then I was on leave and then the community pages got a face lift but we're back now and ready to go again. Not surprisingly, there's plenty to report as always. I don't think I will dwell to much on what we missed and concentrate more on what's been going on over the past week.
The first thing you might notice is the newly resurfaced car park which took place on Tuesday this week (and a short time on Wednesday morning). Thank you for your patience with this - hopefully you're happy with the results and all car suspensions will breath a sigh of relief.
Around the car park area we were still hearing the croaking of Iberian water frogs last week during the sunny spells and still the odd dragonfly and butterfly being seen. Migrant hawkers have been seen along the main path along with the occasional ruddy darter. I even had a southern hawker on Tuesday following along one of the drainage ditches. It has been mild and the lack of frosts have obviously left them hanging on. Check out the ivy bushes along the main path for other insects - particularly red admirals which traditionally like this south facing sheltered area, with the ivy as a good late nectar source.
Also on the main track close to the metal entrance gate or the boardwalk which leaves the car park, have a listen for yellow browed warbler. Perhaps not the easiest bird to see but there have been up to 3 reported so you're in with a shout. Bullfinch, chiffchaffs x5, goldcrest, treecreeper, lesser redpoll, siskin, gangs of long tailed tits, great spotted woodpecker and jays all seen along the track this week.
Once you get to the first viewing platform (VP1) you may notice an increase in the water levels. The islands should be getting a bit more splashy now and so we should begin to see it being used a bit more by wildfowl and of course the great white egrets which can be seen here daily. These wigeon were present last week and photographed by John Crispin - thanks John!
There have also been several sightings of raven this week including these 3 from VP1. Thanks again to John Crispin for his shot of the 3 of them plus the individual close up -
Good to watch these birds. Often they will perform display flights and seem to love to tumble. They are about as big as a common buzzard, especially in body length and wing span. Often you will hear them first - listen out for the deep 'Korrp' call often repeated 3 or 4 times.
The second viewing platform (VP2) still has a fair bit of mud showing. Around 150 lapwing are seen here quite frequently along with a few snipe. Great white egrets are regulars - usually more than one and increasing numbers of wildfowl. Gadwall are of particular note but look out also for teal, wigeon, mallard and shoveler. Here's a good a place as any to sit and wait for marsh harrier.
They can be seen all over the reserve really but will often take a look over here due to the numbers of duck on show. Alternatively, come in early and look over where the starling roost has been and watch them quartering over the reeds looking for any carrion. As many as 5 were seen together one day last week. Thanks again to John Crispin for his photos taken this week:
The starling roost has still been dropping into Loxtons and the section just behind. A couple of really good displays this week and a definite increase in the numbers. If you are planning a visit arrive in plenty of time. Sunset is around 4.30pm at the moment so suggest arriving at least one hour before that. On Tuesday, I passed the area at just after 4 and had missed the bulk of it - just to give you an idea. The hotline is up and running so give it a call just in case the roost moves location: 07866 554142
Bitterns have been seen on occasions this week making the odd flight. Guess you just have to be in the right place at the right time for a sighting. Reports this week of flights from Waltons, VP2 and the Avalon Hide.
The Avalon Hide has also been a place where bearded tits have been observed this week too. Listen out for their pinging call to help you track them down. Graham Wagner took these shots of a male and female on the way to the hide last week and sent them in. Thanks Graham:
Also from the hide look out for pochard, shoveler, teal, gadwall and kingfishers. Other good kingfisher activity can be found around Waltons and from VP1 where John Crispin managed these shots of a bird diving from the rails in front of VP1 and then returning after an unsuccessful fishing attempt. Thanks John:
Plenty of interesting activity from other birds too - even those common ones often overlooked such as this coot photographed by John Crispin this week running across the surface of the water.
Also this week: sparrowhawk seen from Vp1 on Wednesday, lots of fieldfare activity yesterday with a few flocks flying over including a flock of about 100 over the Avalon Marshes Centre in the evening, water rails seen from both the Tor View Hide & the Avalon Hide this week, both little grebe & great crested grebe from the Tor View Hide, buzzards seen daily, a flyover by 7 cranes last Tuesday (6th), the young heron still using the main drain for fishing and allowing people quite close - good photo opportunity and this grey wagtail seen at the very far end of the main track where the land owner has drained a section down- thanks to John Crispin for the photo:
One final picture to leave you with - this lovely shot of a wren taken by Graham Wagner last week. Too nice to leave out I thought. Thanks Graham:
Just one final bit of information:
ROAD CLOSURE
There is currently no access to Ham Wall via the village of Ashcott as there is an emergency road closure in place due to subsidence just outside of the reserve entrance. Access to the reserve is via the village of Meare only. We have been told that work on the road is scheduled for sometime in December but we don’t have any further details at present. We will of course update you as soon as we have further news from the council.
That's it for this week - have a great weekend!