Well it's September so I guess that means autumn is here. August is traditionally a quiet month for birding although it could be argued - not in the Avalon Marshes - there always seems to be something of interest these days. We should start to see a slight increase in movement from some birds - particularly waders. In fact this week saw the arrival of a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper (on Monday evening) seen feeding on the muddy margins in front of the 2nd viewing platform. A fine looking bird by all accounts - not that I got to see it. By Tuesday morning it was reported at Shapwick Heath and was still there yesterday on the scrape at Meare Heath showing well along with a Ruff. A juvenile Ruff was also seen feeding in front of the 2nd platform on Monday.
The Sandpiper flew on a couple of occasions with a small group of Snipe. Also present in this area this week: groups of Black Tailed Godwits, Lapwing and a Green Sandpiper.
Another visitor came in the shape of an Osprey - a traditional visitor on the August Bank Holiday to the Marshes. Generally it hangs around over Noah's lake area on Shapwick Heath but did visit Ham Wall yesterday - although from reports it just took a fish and carried it back to Shapwick - the cheek of it!
Our own bird of interest at the moment is still the Glossy Ibis. Pretty much a resident now - assuming it's the same bird from Sept 2015 - nearly 2 years completed. We're continuing with the reed cutting in front of the 1st platform and when we are not there it tends to hang out here most of the time. On Wednesday it was on the front island on the left with a group of Mallard but did fly back and forth a few times:
Its also been spotted sitting on the rails in front of the islands this week as well has making the odd trip down to the 2nd platform area - particularly when we are at work at the 1st platform area. Whist watching the Glossy Ibis on Wednesday we were also treated to views of Great White Egret, Little Egret and Grey Heron at one point they were reported to be all in a row - a good photo opportunity there. We also saw Bittern flying over both here and in Waltons - there must be a good game of Heron Bingo to had at some times of year here given that we've also had Little Bittern, Cattle Egret and Night Heron on site at various times. Always the chance of a high flying Crane too.
It is a little quiet in front of the 1st platform at the moment (apart from the Glossy and daily Great White Egrets) due to the lowered water levels but once we've finished the work here and raised the levels again it should be a different story. There has been a Great Crested Grebe with some young here over the last couple of weeks too and a smattering of duck. Thanks to John Crispin who sent me this photo while I was away last week:
Marsh Harriers have been seen hunting over here too as well as over Waltons. I've been seeing several dark brown birds with creamy heads - most likely this years youngsters although a male bird has also been seen hunting over Waltons this week too.
Kingfishers are being seen and heard daily around the Waltons area too - listen out for their whistling call as a clue to their presence. At the Tor View Hide Water Rails have been seen on a couple of occasions. They can certainly be heard - some very vocal birds out there. Another vocal bird - the Cettis Warbler has also been sending out its punchy call but one has also been seen frequently perching next the hide in the willows and showing well. On Wednesday plenty of Swallows were overhead too along with a few Swift.
As I left the hide a couple of Ravens were calling and I could see then circling the hide and cronking of a few minutes. Some visitors also spotted a Sparrowhawk flying quickly over the reeds before it dropped in swiftly or so they thought. It wasn't sen again. Another was spotted over Loxtons on Thursday morning looking at the small Starling roost there. John Crispin gabbed this shot of Sparrowhawk this week looking cryptic in a tree:
Yes, I dared to mention Starlings - a bit early I hear you cry. Well, there is a small roost c1500+ birds currently dropping into the Loxtons reedbed (as if they didn't destroy it enough last season). Birds are taking off around 6.50am from here and is probably best viewed from the 2nd platform but facing behind into Loxtons. Also over around Loxtons on Thursday morning was Marsh Harrier, Kingfisher, Little Egret and 3 Great White Egrets. There were at least 4 Great Whites in the 2nd platform area on Tuesday. Such a common feature in the Avalon Marshes these days. No sightings of Cattle Egret reported to me this week - rumour has it the Westhay might be the place to go or checking out the fields on the main road out of Westhay towards Wedmore (but don't take my word for it).
Generally there's lots to see on Ham Wall but on those quiet days it's often interesting to just watch the behaviour of what you may consider to be a more common species. John Crispin has taken some nice photos of a sub adult Black Headed Gull fishing over the reserve and sent them in - some nice action shots, thanks John:
....and these pics of cygnets - interesting to watch the plumage changes and how these and other species feed. Thanks again to John:
Fewer dragonflies out and about now. You can still see Common Darter and Ruddy Darter (these can still be on the wing in November if the frosts stay away) but also Migrant Hawker and Southern Hawker as photographed by John Crispin.
When clearing up some old plastic this week we came across a couple of grass snakes, as well as mice and voles and a shrew which we had to move to avoid it being crushed by cattle who were inquisitive as to what we were up to. I also collected up some tin sheets set out for the reptile and amphibian day we had recently and again came across a grass snake but also a slow worm.
Volunteers also stumbled across what they believed to be harvest mice when clearing reed from the islands. I just happen to have an image of one found by some visitors on the track at the far end of Ham Wall this week. Kirsty Huntington took the photo and sent it in to Kevin Anderson at the Avalon Marshes Centre and he forwarded it on to me - thank you both. Ready for the cute factor:
Look out also for the many very small frogs and toads around at the moment and keep your eyes open for the Iberian Water Frogs - they can still be seen around the pools at the car park. Check out the ponds too for the plethora of life that's in there. Thanks to John Crispin for sending in this photo of a diving beetle which he sent me a few weeks ago and I forgot to include. Thanks John!
Also this week: Barn owls seen out hunting from the Avalon Hide in the evenings. There is a distinct possibility that they are now feeding a second brood - great news. Try the early evenings for these. The Great Spotted Woodpecker from previous weeks has still been heard in the same area - perhaps still trapping its hazelnuts in the crack of the telegraph pole to try and break them open - very clever! Tawny Owls have also been heard on the reserve this week, as have Bearded Tits both from the Avalon Hide and around the Waltons section, Chiffchaff have been calling on the reserve this week - many of these birds now overwinter with us. In the reedbeds Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers have been seen flitting about - enjoy them while they're still here and sightings of both Jersey Tiger moth and Painted Lady Butterfly this week. Also news of a daring rescue last week by colleague Michael Wilson who freed a Pipistrelle bat which was stuck on burdock burrs at the car park.
That's it for this week. Thanks for reading - Have a great weekend!