A dry week has been very welcome for us here at Ham Wall. The pumps have been on for a further week and we are finally beginning to see it making a difference in the north of the site. By this time next week, it should really be noticeable but it could be a further week before we start thinking about getting the Avalon Hide path open again.
We were out this morning removing a potentially dangerous tree from around the Waltons screens and popped up the Tor View Hide path. It's still closed as there is still some standing water - frozen like some mini ice rinks, but it's looking good for us getting this back open next week. Levels have dropped by at least 10cm in Waltons this week and I have been seeing visitors walking around the loop - Haven't done it myself this week but suspect wellies might still be a good idea - especially if we have a bit of a thaw.
We have also got some of the picnic benches back open at the car park as levels have dropped here too - slow progress but progress nonetheless.
The freeze has certainly impacted on wildlife. Many birds tend to get braver in the search for food in the icy conditions and spend more time out in the open or foraging in different places. water Rails are a classic example I think - often see more when its frozen. Cettis Warbler too can be seen a bit more often flitting in amongst the scrub.
With water freezing, wildfowl often get squeezed into smaller areas where their movement keeps the water open. Tis can be seen from the first viewing platform (VP1) at present as well as over in Waltons. Large numbers of Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard and Teal can be seen with Tufted Duck, Wigeon and Pochard amongst them. No reports of Ring Necked Duck this week as far as I'm aware but a Garganey flew by VP1 on Saturday 13th - there has been one lurking on Ham Wall for a while but not seen often.
Here's a Gadwall having a good splash in some of the open water on the west side of Waltons:
Here's a lovely male Teal from Bryn Evans taken last weekend at Loxtons:
Pintail have also been seen this week - large numbers on Noah's Lake at Shapwick Heath, whereas we have 2 males and 2 females early in the week but one female down on yesterday - John Crispin with the photo of a pair taken from the second viewing platform (VP2):
Alison Uren's photo shows the sunrise this morning taken from VP1 looking over Waltons - note the duck all gathered together in one place - the ice was pretty solid in some parts of Waltons this morning:
Early morning often sees a big movement of birds - this morning was a beautiful time to be out - cold but clear. Starlings taking off is a classic example - you'd have to be in place before the sun comes up but you get to see the mass exodus - as long as you know where they were before the night before of course. The car park opens at 5am so you can't use that as an excuse.
Cattle Egrets leave their roosts and spread out to their favoured feeding areas locally - well over 600 have been counted in the local area recently.
Geese too often roost on Ham Wall and leave in the morning. Greylags have used the VP2 area quite a lot in the past. There was one there as we drove past earlier today just peeping it's head up from the front edge. Canada Geese are seen (and heard - generally pretty noisy) quite frequently - these were photographed by Mike Uren this morning taking off in the light of the new day:
Egyptian Geese have also been seen in the local area with brief visits to Ham Wall. 4 were seen together on Saturday but more often than not it's a single pair seen flying over in the mornings with their squelching calls. This photo was sent to me by Sandie Andrews - probably a month ago or more - perfect opportunity to use it here, so you know what to look for:
With all this wildfowl around it's no wonder there are plenty of Marsh Harrier sightings each day - with several different individuals being spotted. Early mornings can be good as they hunt over the Starling roost after they have departed looking for dead and dying Starlings. A duck obviously makes a much tastier and long lasting meal but the wildfowl gathered together means there are plenty of eyes watching the skies.
We were watching a Marsh Harrier getting a hard time from a Carrion Crow on Tuesday - although the Marsh Harrier did have a go back on occasions. All this disturbance did shift a few duck - so maybe the Crow did them a bit of a favour. Just before this happened we flushed a Woodcock of the side of the bank, which was nice. Don't see many at Ham Wall. John Crispin's photo, taken this week, shows a Marsh Harrier low over the reeds.
Note the alula - I've mentioned these before in the blog. They are on the forewing and are used to smooth out any air turbulence over the wing - especially when coming into land as this bird is doing. Thanks to John Crispin once again for this info - good to chuck in a bit of science now and again:
From VP1 this morning there were Cormorants and a Grey Heron perched on the rails - assuming they were sunning themselves as a dive for a fish from here would definitely resulted in a headache - all the open water and wildfowl were further back.
The main drain is generally moving water so stays ice free - the most likely place to find birds such as Grey Heron and Great White Egret until the ice melts. There were 3 or 4 there on Tuesday. This Egret did get itself a meal from the drain close to VP1 - a Perch we think. John Crispin on hand to provide us with these images:
While this character was having a lot less luck in front of VP2 this morning.
Great White Egret on ice : Mike Uren
Not the only birds stood on ice this week by any means. Several Mute Swans seen stood out in the open. We saw one scrabbling away like an ice breaker as it was pursued by another male from a pair - it must have wandered a bit too close.
These Lapwing were out on the ice in front of VP1 this morning and photographed by Mike Uren. Quite a few small groups seen in flight this week but not seen an awful lot on the ground (or ice in this case):
The only other waders seen this week have been Snipe - flying up from the edges of the water/banks when we have walked past. Some were spotted at Waltons again this week. If they are there they may be well hidden - not surprising given the conditions and higher than usual water levels (we're working on it!).
The main path and edged of the grassy tracks are a good place to spot the smaller birds, although the feeders are busy at the car park not surprisingly.
Chiffchaffs are once again being seen feeding on the path edges quite a lot - especially when frosty. They often just flit on in front of you as you move. Stonechats are also being spotted - saw a beautiful male on the north of the reserve this morning. VP1 can be a good place to try in the public areas.
Groups of Long Tailed Tits were feeding along the tree lines this morning and contact calling as they went. Other groups of mixed tits were also seen along with Goldcrests.
Firecrests have also been seen again this week. Hotspots include the boardwalk bridge leading out of the car park to Ham Wall, by VP2 or between the two car park boardwalks on the main path. 2 were seen here together this week, flitting in and out of the ivy on the trees.
Ivy berries are still proving to be a useful snack - unless this poor Wood Pigeon is getting desperate -
Wood Pigeon: Bryn Evans
Also seen along the main track or at the car park this morning were: Bullfinch, Mistle Thrush, Redpoll, Siskin, redwing and Fieldfare.
Great Spotted Woodpecker are being seen daily - I even heard one drumming on Tuesday this week. This one was spotted feeding down at VP2 by John Crispin:
In a nearby Oak tree this Jay was also present taking some shelter:
Also this week: A Sparrowhawk spotted at the back of Waltons this morning but also one nearer VP1 earlier in the week, Kingfisher at Waltons on Thursday, a Muntjac seen from VP2 this week plus a couple of sightings of Roe Deer, 3 Ravens seen flying at the western end of the reserve on most mornings, Buzzards seen daily, very few Bittern sightings recorded recently - still waiting to hear the first efforts of a boom (not uncommon at Ham Wall in January - perhaps the freeze has delayed that this year), Little Grebes seen at Waltons and Loxtons and Bearded Tits recorded at VP1 - but this is all the info I have on this one.
Finally, any fungi experts out there? This was photographed by Bryn Evans at the weekend. It was on a live birch tree. As Bryn points out, it's not a bracket fungus as it has gills. I'll throw it open to the Ham Wall collective to see if anyone has nay ideas:
That's it for this week. Let's hope there's not too much rain over the weekend.
Thanks as always to those who have contributed there photos and information: John Crispin, Bryn Evans, Mike & Alison Uren & Sandie Andrews.
Thanks for reading and have a fabulous weekend!