We had some welcome rain this week at the reserve - although it's not made a huge impact on water levels around the site.
It's generally a quieter time on the reserve during August, although there is plenty to see if you look hard enough. The season has perhaps all been a little later this year so it's no surprise to see adult birds still carrying food to the last few nests. Look out also for the array of juvenile birds on display. In fact I've been sent rather a nice selection this week so here we go.....
This young wren was snapped by John Crispin during the week.....
and another from Graham Wagner of an adult bird carrying food (not sure if these two are related though? Thanks to both John & Graham...
The adult bird was seen on the way to the Avalon Hide. Close by too was this juvenile reed bunting photographed by John Crispin:
and also this young blackcap. In this early stage the crowns of both males and females are brown:
While in front of the hide yesterday several house martins (c20) and several swift and sand martins were seen including this juvenile. Thanks again to John Crispin for sending in his shots:
The Avalon Hide is an interesting place to wait a while. Flights from adult Marsh Harriers suggest that there is still an active nest while the same could be said of bitterns who also look to have a late nest in this area too. John Crispin's photo below shows a male - we believe this to be the resident male in this area.
While below Mike Pearce took this shot of a bittern at the Avalon Hide - thanks Mike:
Most bittern nests are finished of course but there's always a chance of seeing some young birds flying about. When fledging young birds will make several short flights around the nesting area or just kind of hop up to the top of the reeds and back down again. Rob Balch sent in these shots of a young bittern last week so I've included them in this week's blog - thanks Rob:
There are , as always, plenty of great white egrets to see - including juvenile birds. Rob Balch also managed a shot of both an adult bird and a youngster this week. Thanks again Rob:
great white egret (juvenile) - Rob Balch
great white egret adult - Rob Balch
Note the extra black on the bill of the adult bird.
Another one here from Mike Pearce too - so photogenic aren't they. Thanks to all for these great shots:
If you're on the hunt for these you can see them almost anywhere but one hotspot is the second platform (VP2) or the small willow blinds on the grassy track that look into the same area. That's what Mike Pearce did and got this great shot of 3 great white egret & 10 little egret with a swan for company. Thanks Mike:
If it's quiet on the bird front there are always plenty of insects to keep you entertained. I guess dragonflies and butterflies are some of the most obvious.
In terms of dragonflies look out for southern hawker, emperor, brown hawker, black tailed skimmer, common darter and ruddy darter along with damselflies: blue tailed, common blue, red eyed and small red eyed - thanks to Giles Morris and John Crispin for their dragonfly pics taken this week:
Small Red Eyed Damselfly: Giles Morris
Blue tailed damselfly: Giles Morris
Ruddy Darter: Giles Morris
Ruddy Darter: John Crispin
Emperor: John Crispin
In terms of butterflies look out for: green veined white, large white, comma, gatekeeper, meadow brown, common blue, speckled wood (pictured), silver washed fritillary (seen along main path), red admiral, peacock and brimstone.
Speckled Wood; Giles Morris
Lots to see around Waltons and Loxtons too. A stop in the Tor View Hide can bring you good sightings of both little grebe and great crested grebe (the same pairing can also be seen around Loxtons) Thanks to Mike Pearce for his photos:
Whilst talking about Waltons and Loxtons it's worth mentioning a wasps nest in the vicinity. We're all for giving nature a home but unfortunately the wasps have selected a hole in the ground on the track as you pass between the 2 sections. We have had to cordon off the area I'm afraid. Both the loops of Waltons and Loxtons area fully open you just can't pass between the two. Access is only from the main track at the 3 crossing points (one at Waltons by the first platform) and 2 at Loxtons. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Look out in both areas too for kingfishers. There have been some good sightings here lately including 2 which chased each other around Waltons yesterday. There have also been a few sightings from the Avalon Hide this week. Here's a great shot taken at Waltons by Graham Wagner. Thank you Graham:
Also this week: 2 linnets seen on the gorse bank to the right of the Avalon Hide - they may come closer, a raven sen flying over the reserve on Thursday, a brief appearance of an osprey last Friday at the Avalon Hide but then again at the car park and 1st platform on Wednesday - may be more passing through at this time of year, bearded tits heard from the Avalon Hide throughout the week - few sightings though, a group of 25-30 greylag geese using areas of the reserve, hobbies seen through the week at the Avalon Hide, Waltons and the 1st platform, 6 teal at the Avalon Hide yesterday, buzzards daily and great spotted woodpecker at the car park. A sparrowhawk has been seen on several occasions too including this male carrying prey at the Avalon Hide - thanks to John Crispin for this shot:
Finally, a shot from Graham Wagner. Just a gentle reminder that with the end of the breeding season almost upon us we look forward to what autumn and winter has to offer. Of course starlings spring to mind. A few very small groups are gathering at the reserve each night already. Just a small fraction of what we can expect in a few months time:
That's it for this week. I'm afraid there will not be a blog next week as I'm off to Cornwall on holiday for a week. I'll be back the following week however with lots to report from this amazing reserve. Thanks for reading!