Bit of a wet and miserable week on the reserve this week. It hasn't dampened our enthusiasm though and there is, as always lots to talk about. We have had the odd spell of sunshine this week - or at least some breaks in the rain. There is a noticeable increase in birdsong of late with several species singing with gusto. One of the most obvious is the Song Thrush. One was belting out it's song in the trees by the car park on Monday. You'll also hear Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting.
Out on the water Coots are calling loudly and consistently (and also fighting a fair bit too as territories are becoming established) and Little Grebes are whinnying, while hidden within the reedbeds Water Rails are squealing loudly (known as sharming). Having mentioned last week that the Bitterns had already been heard booming by this time last year - this week the first vocalisations were being heard. Not strictly booming yet - more of a 'wumph' - they still need to build up those strong neck muscles to project. The most obvious one is within the Waltons section. Try standing along the boardwalk on the east side - early morning would be best. It was heard on Wednesday giving sequences of 5 wumphing calls, while this morning sequences of 8 were heard.
Mornings are still good to come and see the Starling 'take off'. They continue to roost in the Waltons and Loxtons sections although there have been some flocks splitting off from the main roost and either going to Shapwick Heath or further down the path on Ham Wall. Some also took off from the area in front of the 2nd platform this week - perhaps an over-spill from Loxtons on the other side of the main track. It could be that they are finally becoming unsettled in these areas and looking to roost elsewhere - just in case phone the Starling Hotline for the last known location 07866 554142.
Wildfowl continue to use the reserve in good numbers. This morning good numbers of Shoveler (listen for the males nasal knocking call) were present in front of then 2nd platform, while up at the first platform and within Waltons Tufted Duck and Pochard were present along with Teal (listen for the ringing whistle of their call), a few Wigeon, Mallard and Gadwall. For close views of Shoveler & Teal head to the Tor View Hide. They often sit quite close in and you can really see the intricate feather patterns. Thanks to John Crispin for the photos:
Teal: John Crispin
Shoveler: John Crispin
Loxtons has also proved good this week. On Thursday John Crispin counted the following from the screen: Pochard 15, Tufted Duck 20, Great Crested Grebes 2, Marsh Harriers 2, Little Grebe 4, Great White Egret 1 along with a Kingfisher and a brief flight from a Bittern - not a bad haul.
The 2 Great Crested Grebes were showing some interesting behaviour. The two birds swim towards the edge of the pool, carry out a brief preening session and then both take off in unison and fly to the other end of the pool and begin again - they did this 3 times. John Crispin managed to get some shots of this behaviour - thanks John:
Great Crested Grebes: John Crispin
Great Crested Grebes have also been seen from the Tor View Hide (including in flight on Monday) and from the 1st viewing platform. The Tor View Hide has also been the place to see Water Rail. A few days this week one has been seen walking directly in front of the hide. 1 or 2 Snipe have also been seen close in this week. Bearded Tits were heard again last weekend and on Monday so their presence has continued in this area, which is great to hear. Marsh Harriers have also been seen frequently flying over the Waltons area - particularly early mornings after the Starlings have left.
Marsh Harriers were also seen from the Avalon Hide this week, one of which dropped into the reedbed. This was the area where they have nested over the last few years so keep an eye out here over the next few weeks for an increase in activity. A Great White Egret was seen from the Avalon Hide this morning looking a bit forlorn in the rain, while a second bird flew up from in front of the 1st platform - one is often here fishing each day.
The Glossy Ibis are still a bit aloof but both birds were seen this morning flying together over the Waltons section in a north easterly direction. It's good just to have conformation that they are still both in the area.
Another visitor favourite - the Kingfisher is also being seen fairly regularly - often in the Waltons area but also at Loxtons and this bird which was seen on the water level gauge board visible in the ditch near the old rail bridge on the main track:
Also this week: Buzzards seen daily, Ravens seen flying over on Monday, 4 Redpolls seen in Alders next to Loxtons from the main track, a Red Admiral seen very briefly on the main track near the 1st platform on Monday, Goldfinches in good numbers by the car park along with Great Spotted Woodpecker (still using the camera feeder and heard drumming) - one was also seen in the wood close to the Avalon Hide this morning, Lots of Lapwing seen from the Loxtons screen on land beyond (c1500) while c100 flew over Waltons yesterday morning and a small group of Snipe seen in the area in front of the 2nd platform this week (see photo) while it seems the majority of Greylag Geese and Canada Geese have moved on:
That's it for this week. Next week we are involved in an office move so it's very unlikely I'll have any internet connection to produce a blog and the week after I'm on annual leave. So there should be plenty to talk about when the blog returns. Have a great couple of weeks!