For the second Friday morning running I was lucky enough to be out and about in the reserve in the lovely sunshine. This time I was leading the Walk with Wardens guided walk. The walk was named Bearded Tit Bonanza. There's always a little bit of anxiety involved in a walk specialising in a particular species - especially this fair weather type of bird. Thankfully it was still and sunny as we gathered at the car park - perfect conditions.
Well, they delivered. Within a few minutes of our walk (onto the non access areas) we were treated to groups of birds erupting from the reed beds and perching up. Not sure how many in total but a group of around 16 were in the air at one point.
It's rounded off a good week for "Beardies". On Tuesday volunteers were spread across the site surveying for them. It's the best time of year to do this as they gather together in September and October before dispersing. Finding and monitoring nests can be very tricky. We get a population count each year to give us a trend over time of how they are doing. The weather has an impact on surveys as they tend to be far less active in dull, wet or even breezy weather. Last weeks minimum total was 112 on the site and we will be carrying out further surveys over the next 3 weeks or so to see if we can beat this total.
If you want to see some for yourself we have been getting reports from the Avalon Hide area and Tor View Hide on occasions. The first viewing platform (VP1) has also be quite good with 12 spotted on Wednesday moving east to west. To the western end of the reserve is where we saw the larger groups this morning. Other days, birds have been heard and not seen but knowing the call can really help you on your quest.
Sandie Andrews has sent in a variety of photos taken over the last week.
There are 11 birds to spot in this first photo:
Next the very handsome male:
Now what could well be a juvenile that is a male? What do you think?
Now the female:
and the more regular looking juvenile - note the bill and eye colour:
We also spotted a couple of Marsh Harriers this morning quartering over the reed beds as well as a Kestrel hovering over grassland on the hunt - this was also visible from the Avalon Hide.
We also saw 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers together on the dead tree in the wood to the west of VP1. 2 eventually flew off leaving the third bird alone.
Reed Buntings were also perching up and calling from parts of the reserve. Sandie Andrew took this shot of a female this week:
It still feels pretty quiet around the reserve in general at the moment. The warm spell is continuing and perhaps not triggering yet a full movement of birds - I guess food levels, be that berries, fruits or insects are still pretty good. The day lengths are shortening though and when the cooler whether comes I expect to see a lot more action. The wildlife is out there though and there are still wonderful experiences to have.
Some birds are on the move though. Some martins are still passing through, albeit in small numbers now and Swallows can be seen each day. 50-60 birds passed by VP1 headed south last weekend during a short time spent there. This martin was photographed by Sandie Andrews, having a rest at the Avalon Hide last weekend:
If you are at the Avalon Hide there is always a good chance of Marsh Harrier but also watch out for Great White Egret and even Little Egret. This one dropped in this week and sent some of the Gadwall heading for cover and was photographed by David Jackson:
Gadwall are perhaps the most numerous duck on the reserve at present along with Mallard. Good numbers occupying Waltons at the moment. Look out also for Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Teal. The odd Wigeon has also been reported. As I've said before the Gadwall is an underrated duck. Close ups of its plumage are just beautiful I think.
A selection of Gadwall action shots from David Jackson, Sandie Andrews and John Crispin follow:
Gadwall (3 photos): David Jackson
These two can be seen interacting. They will reinforce their pair bonds during the winter period.
Great Crested Grebes are also being seen daily - some with young at slightly different stages but mostly well grown now. This shot from John Crispin shows well the grebes lobed foot - ideal for swimming and diving. Look out also for Little Grebe seen both at Waltons and the Avalon Hide:
Coot have similar feet - for the very same reasons although Coot tend to let you know they are around with plenty of fighting, noise and splashing - nothing like the elegance of the Great Crested Grebe but great nonetheless. Sandie Andrew's picture shows a group of Coots "on the run" taken this week:
Work continues out in front of VP1 (reed cutting), although it's proving a slow process - there's quite a lot going on at the moment. We have taken back a lot of scrub on the main track to make it a bit wider for vehicle access this week. Behind it all is good news. It's been widened for vehicles to enter and start building a new replacement bridge at the further end of the road. The current Environment Agency bridge has been condemned and closed for 2 years or more.
They aren't replacing it but we are and have sourced the money and got the permissions to go ahead. This will finally reopen the long loop. it is hoped the work will be done within the week but as with many things there could be unforeseen difficulties but fingers crossed by the time next weeks blog is written we could have it in place.
Also on Wednesday 3 new tern rafts are arriving in readiness for next year. Common Tern have bred here on rafts in the past, so we hope so again. One will go into Waltons - visible from the screens and one in Loxtons in front of the screen and one in Loxtons visible from the main track.
A walk along the main track is quite rewarding at the moment. When the sun shines, its sheltered, south facing aspect is great for all kinds of insects. Check out any remaining flowers but also the ivy on the trees - a great late nectar source. Lots of flying insects such as hoverflies and butterflies making use of it. A selection now of insects, because as well all know, it's not just about the birds - it's all part of the rich natural tapestry of the reserve:
Hoverfly on Bindweed flower
Red Legged Shield Bug
Red Underwing moth (seen at the car park on Thursday): Chris Cardno
Speckled Wood
Green Veined White
Other butterflies spotted this week include: Comma, Large White, Brimstone and Peacock. There was also a mention of a Gatekeeper - could be a late one but not seen any myself for a little while.
In terms of dragonflies I think we are down to just 3 species - happy to be corrected. The larger ones will almost certainly be Migrant Hawkers whilst the smaller ones will be either Common Darter or Ruddy darter - these can survive a while yet - particularly if it's warm. The frosts of November usually see off the last few hardy souls.
Migrant Hawkers mating
Migrant Hawker male: Chris Cardno
Migrant Hawker female: Chris Cardno
Common Darter: Mike Pearce
and a close up from David Jackson:
Common Darter: Chris Cardno.
Still away from birds we were seeing plenty of Common Frogs this morning moving about in the wet grass. One walk guest also found a Smooth Newt on our journey. We also found the sloughed skin of a Grass Snake. It wont be long before they think about moving towards their hibernation areas. On sunny days stop off quietly at the old rail bridge and peep over to see if Grass Snakes are basking on the gabions (stone baskets) - several sightings here this week along with a Common Lizard.
Keep your eyes open for fish too in the main drain - usually a good place to spot groups of fish such as Rudd or Roach.
Around Loxtons this week some visitors heard some Iberian Water Frogs calling - if you're hearing a sound you don't recognise, this could be it. Perhaps the sun is making them call for a bit longer than normal. Thanks to David Jackson for sending in his shot taken this week. Just so you know what to look for:
In terms of mammals your most likely encounter will be with Roe Deer - often seen grazing on the grassy tracks and banks around the reserve. This young looking deer was seen y John Crispin on the grassy footpath side of the main drain this week:
Apart from that a stoat was spotted along the main path this week along with Rabbits and we quite often come across evidence of Badgers and Otter around the reserve but sightings are hard to come by. A Roe Deer was seen swimming at Loxtons yesterday - perhaps got spooked and made a daring escape?
In the trees along the main path listen out for Chiffchaff still singing, groups of Long Tailed Tits, Goldcrest, Song Thrush and a Wood Pigeon still sitting on a nest - they nest quite readily at all sorts of times of year. Coincidentally, a Jay was spotted at the car park today having stolen an egg from somewhere.
Also along the main path this Blackcap. A female or perhaps a late juvenile, which also have the brown cap?
From the second viewing platform (VP2) look out for Snipe who are gathering here in small numbers:
Once the weather changes and we finish management in front of VP1 we should start to see more coming in here and in front of the Tor View Hide as conditions become more suitable.
A Bittern was spotted at the Tot View Hide yesterday. It had flown from the north of the reserve and began to drop down but was not seen to land. It was photographed by John Crispin however. Thanks John:
Also this week: Green Woodpecker seen quite frequently at the car park but one also flew past VP1 on Monday, a Hobby was spotted on Tuesday from the Avalon Hide and a Sparrowhawk from VP2 yesterday, Great White Egrets seen daily from VP1, Kingfisher using perches in front of VP1 for preening, resting & fishing this week, Hornets using nest boxes behind the car park hut but were also spotted this morning using one of the owl boxes visible from the Avalon Hide, Stock Dove seen close to the car park and some very vocal Water Rails and Cettis Warblers heard throughout the week.
That's it this week. As always time is against me. Many thanks to all those who have contributed their superb photos and information this week: John Crispin, David Jackson, Sandie Andrews, Mike Pearce and Chris Cardno.
Thanks for reading and have a wonderful weekend!