Firstly, apologies for the 'missing blog' last week. We've been having a few computer problems at the office recently but i also had to go out late on Friday to rescue a poorly swan who was taken off to Secret World for some treatment. I know - excuses, excuse! Well, I've left myself a 2 week backlog of news and a whole stash of great photos people have kindly sent in.
There has been a noticeable drop in activity (from birds in particular) over the last couple of weeks. It's tempting to say that it's been very quiet because there didn't seem that there was much that was new to report. But the numbers of satisfied visitors leaving the reserve suggests otherwise. Just because I see Bitterns, Great White Egrets and Marsh Harriers every day it doesn't mean others do. It can be easy to forget just what a special place Ham Wall is and the amazing changes that have happened here in recent years.
Many people are still dropping in to see the 2 (yes 2) Glossy Ibis.Still spending much of their time in front of the second viewing platform (or in front of the blinds and benches on the other side of the main drain). Natalie Talbot took these shots of the pair last week and the single bird this week. It seemed to be sunbathing. Stretching out it's wing and holding it there for a minute or so at a time. Thanks Natalie!
The other bird people are talking about is of course the Little Bittern. We still have 2, possibly 3 barking males, but it's still not looking likely that a female is present - unless we are missing something. The way these birds behave, you never know. I'm still not giving locations but people seem to be gradually working it out for themselves. Thanks to volunteers Dean Reeves and John Crispin for the fantastic Photos they've sent me this week and last:
Little Bittern - Dean Reeves
Little Bittern (all 5 above): John Crispin.
Great White Egrets are a big draw too and easy to spot. There are still active nests at Ham Wall and one bird in particular has been making regular low flights over the car park recently. They often fish in the area with the Glossy Ibis and one was even perched in trees close to the Avalon Hide on Sunday. Others were perched in trees more distantly from the car park the same day.
Bitterns are a firm favourite too - we have a minimum of 7 nests this year but could be as high as 9. Still a few flights going on but the pattern is as with other species - reducing. It didn't stop John Crispin getting these shots of Bittern perched in reeds this week before taking off. Thanks for sending them in John!
No further reports of Night Heron as yet although there are plenty of Grey Heron and Little Egret (thanks to Richard Berry for the photo) boost your heron numbers.
Little Egret - Richard Berry
One thing which has increased recently has been Kingfisher activity. Birds have been seen near their old nest site again - the rail bridge a good place to spot them. Birds have also been seen at Tinneys Ground on the Sharpham Road and within Waltons this week. Yesterday a bird flew across there carrying a fish. Birds have been showing an interest in the car park bank but also they have been seen from the Loxtons screen, as Simon Lewis discovered last week where he got this fantastic shot - thanks Simon!
Kingfisher: Simon Lewis
Marsh Harriers are still active from the Avalon Hide although on a much reduced scale. The 2 nests in front have 3 youngsters in one and a single in the other and a further 3 youngsters in a 3rd nest further east. Great Stuff. Young birds can be seen flapping up and down from time to time and the odd food pass from adults has been observed. A young bird was also seen pursuing an adult across Loxtons yesterday.
Marsh Harrier with prey: John Crispin
Other birds of prey seen this week (and last) include Red Kite. observed twice this week - definitely becoming a more common sighting.
Red Kite: John Crispin
Hobbys are also still present with birds seen each day. 4 were seen together on Sunday from the 2nd viewing platform along with a Peregrine, while the same day a Hobby appeared to chase a Sparrowhawk from the same location. Barn Owls are also present - most likely out in the late evenings (youngsters to feed?).
Other birds with youngsters to feed include the Great Crested Grebes. Still birds with young being seen but several sat back on nests. At least one pair from the Avalon Hide, one in Waltons, one in Loxtons and another near the Glossy Ibis haunt.
Great Crested Grebes: John Crispin
Little Grebes are being seen too. I even saw one in the car park pools yestreday. Unfortunately one didn't fair so well as Kevin Bowers saw this week. He photographed one meeting its untimely end. Thanks for sharing them Kevin.
Kevin Bowers
Dragonflies are still about in good numbers. Broad Bodied chasers, 4 Spotted Chasers, Black Tailed Skimmers, Common Darters, Brown Hawkers and Emperor all recorded this week including Emperor emerging from the car park pools. Also first reports of Ruddy Darter this week (pictured):
In terms of Butterflies recent reports include: Green Veined White, Comma (car park), Small Copper (car park), Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Scarlet Tiger Moth and Large Skipper (pictured).
Also still plenty of bunches of Peacock Butterfly caterpillars.
Peacock Caterpillars: Natalie Talbot
In terms of mammals it's fairly quiet although a single Roe Deer was seen around Waltons yesterday and a mother and fawn again seen around the Loxtons trail earlier in the week. On the rail path you'll see Grey Squirrel and Rabbit (perhaps a Stoat or Weasel) and plenty of evidence of Badgers digging. We've also has fresh evidence that Otters have been on the reserve too.
It may feel like the end of the season nearly but Cuckoos have been calling quite frequently this week. Round the back of Waltons is one such hotspot. Elsewhere a pair were heard calling and then seen mating. John Crispin was on hand to grab some photographic evidence - thanks John.
Mating Cuckoos: John Crispin.
Maybe not quite the end of the season yet then. A few waders are appearing though. Groups of Lapwing are seen daily in varying numbers with 70+ at one point. Green Sandpipers are being picked up here and there and 2 Snipe (disturbed by a Marsh Harrier) and up to 5 Black Tailed Godwits seen close to the Glossy Ibis this week.
This area also offers several duck species, Greylag Geese and broods of Coots and Mute Swans (thanks to Nicola Berry for the photo):
Talking of Mute Swans and Coots there was an altercation between 2 adults of each when the two broods of youngsters got close to each other in front of the Avalon Hide. Despite the size difference the feisty Coot gave a good account of itself.
Also this week: Grass Snakes seen in the car park pools and in the main drain at the road bridge, Raven flying north over the reserve yesterday, lots of small Iberian Water Frogs at the car park pools and lots of croaking from the main reserve, Song Thrush seen regularly at the car park where the feeders are alive with charms of Goldfinches and Common Tern spotted on at least 2 occasions this week over Waltons/Loxtons and beyond.
I'll leave you with a Ham Wall rainbow taken by Nicola Berry - looks like form the Avalon Hide. Thanks Nicola!
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!