There's been a steady stream of migrant birds passing through all week, including Swifts and both Sand & House Martin. On Saturday there were at least 30 birds swooping really low over the car park - it rained pretty heavy all day if you remember, so this obviously kept insects a bit lower - a treat for the few people that ventured out in those conditions.
Opposite the first viewing platform (VP1) there have been a good number of passerines spotted throughout the last week feeding on the mix of vegetation along the path such as brambles, and the umbelliferous plants such as Hemlock. Passerines including: Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and a brief sighting of Grasshopper Warbler on Tuesday morning. Thanks to John Crispin for his shot of Willow Warbler:
These Blackcaps were also photographed by John Crispin this week. The male carrying food still and the second shot is either a female or a juvenile male from this season whose cap has not yet changed colour. Thanks John:
These juvenile Sedge Warbler and Reed warblers were spotted a little further down the track and photographed by Mike Pearce this week. Thanks Mike:
Plenty of Blue Tits seen along here too this week too with a group of around 8 at one point. Thanks to John Crispin for his shots taken this week including one feeding rather acrobatically:
Mike Pearce's shot taken from the Tor View Hide this week shows one feeding on the reeds - perhaps on the hunt for aphids.
Groups of Long Tailed Tits can also be seen - I enjoy seeing them together - particularly throughout autumn and winter - they always make me smile as the group passes from tree to tree calling. Thanks to Sandie Andrews for her image taken this week:
Also along the paths and trails are a great number of butterflies over the last 2 or 3 weeks - so good to see after a very quiet few weeks. A good selection - particularly Red Admiral, Peacock and Gatekeeper but also: Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Small White, Green Veined White, Holly Blue, Common Blue, Small Copper, Comma, Brimstone, Large White and Painted Lady. Here's a selection of photos from this week. Thanks to Giles Morris and Mike Pearce for their contributions:
Speckled Wood: Giles Morris
Speckled Wood: Mike Pearce
Brimstone: Mike Pearce
Holly Blue: Mike Pearce
Small White: Mike Pearce
Red Admiral (underwing) - Mike Pearce
Comma: Mike Pearce
Comma (Underwing - note the white mark which gives this butterfly its name): Mike Pearce
Thanks also to Sandie Andrews who sent in this pic of a micro moth: Pyrausta aurata
Plenty of other insects about on the wing including a host of beetles and bumblebees. Thanks to Giles Morris for his shot of Common Carder bee taken during his dragonfly survey this week:
Giles did of course see plenty of dragonflies and damselflies during his survey. Seen on the reserve this week: Black Tailed Skimmer, Southern Hawker, Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter and Emperor. Look out also for Lesser Emperor - definitely some in the area - including a report and a photograph on Twitter of a juvenile Marsh Harrier catching one to eat. For damselflies: Banded Demoiselle, Common Blue, Blue Tailed, Red Eyed and Small Red Eyed.
Thanks to Giles Morris for the following images he sent in:
Migrant Hawker
Southern Hawker
Common Darter
Ruddy Darter (male)
Ruddy Darter (female)
Red Eyed Damselfly (female)
Common Blue Damselfly: Mike Pearce
and the close up:
Thanks also to Sandie Andrews who has sent in 2 shots of a female Emperor egg laying on the reserve. Great to see:
Back in the bird world, several Hobbies have been seen through the week at various locations including: the car park, Avalon Hide and second viewing platform (VP2) - no doubt looking for some of the above creatures for lunch.
Other birds of prey include Barn Owl which has been seen a couple of times from the Avalon Hide this week, Buzzards are seen daily, as are Marsh Harriers. They are perhaps not as busy as they were as we now think all nests have fledged. You may catch sight of juveniles - look for browner coloured birds with gingery coloured caps. They can often be seen interacting with parent birds and can be heard calling in flight.
Out on the water you may see a good number of ducks - particularly within Waltons. Mainly Mallard and Gadwall and most in eclipse just to make things a little trickier. Keep and eye out for the odd Shoveler amongst them with their spatula bill. Thanks to John Crispin for his image:
You'll also see Great Crested Grebes at various stages of parenthood. Some very well grown chicks, some quite small and one pair back on eggs (most likely a second brood). You may also spot Little Grebes with well grown young at the Avalon Hide. Thanks to John Crispin for his shot of Great Crested Grebes with young taken at Waltons:
Coots always seem to add a bit of noise and aggression to the day don't they. This individual tried to stand firm against this approaching Lesser Black Backed Gull at Waltons this week. Thanks again to John for his photo:
Also seen this week: some Bittern flights (Avalon Hide, VP1 and Waltons) but have most definitely reduced in movement now, Ravens seen and heard flying over, Green Woodpecker heard from car park, Great Spotted Woodpecker seen at the car park and the wood near the Avalon Hide, Great White Egrets seen daily, Roe Deer seen at a few locations including 2 young fawns (slightly bigger than a couple of weeks ago at a similar location - good to see them doing well, several Grass Snake sightings including in and around the car park area and the old rail bridge, Slow Worm in the raised beds by the toilets, Red Kite over the car park on Tuesday and a Lesser Whitethroat seen at the Tor View Hide.
Think I'd better leave it there for this week. Still go a couple of photos left of the wide selection sent to me this week - I'll save them for next week. Thanks to all those who contributed.
Thanks for reading and have a lovely weekend.