Yet another busy week on the reserve for both staff and wildlife. We've been continuing to clear areas of Waltons with volunteers - opening up some views from the 3rd screen and the Tor View Hide. There's a bit more to do but we are making good progress. I've also been out cutting with our machine in areas close and on the way to the Avalon Hide. A contractor has been in and cleared out the ditches which just leaves a bit more cutting to go before we flood this area back up - will be interesting to see what pops in here. We aim to allow some viewing of this by installing a couple of temporary screens. We'll let you know how we progress.
There's been the usual bounty of wildlife sightings this week. Yet another Otter sighting - with one from the Tor view hide on Wednesday and I think another from earlier in the week which I cant confirm but it's at least one a week at the moment - really nice to hear.
Winter birds are on the move too with an increase in Redwing sightings this week - seen from both platforms on Tuesday whilst I got my first Fieldfare of the season as they flew over on Wednesday with their chuckling calls. Redpolls and Siskins too are being seen a little more - particularly along the main path - try the large Alders by Loxtons.
Stonechats often spend winters on the reserve and they have been spotted in front of both platforms this week and from the Tot View Hide. There were 3 close to the Avalon Hide this morning whilst I was out and about. I've been seeing mostly males but just the odd female - thanks to Simon Lewis for sending in these shots taken this week. Look out for them perching up high on reed stems - often flicking their tails.
Whilst you're on the lookout for these keep your ears open for Bearded Tits too. They are still being seen and heard across the reserve. At this time of year they switch their diet from insects etc to seed - you may see them in some places taking up grit to help with digestion ( lots of reports from Westhay reserve of this). They've been recorded from both platforms this week, at Loxtons, from the Avalon Hide and Tor View Hide so you have a good chance. Thanks to John Crispin for sending in these shots of a lovely male taken this week:
You will also perhaps encounter Reed Buntings during your search too - both John and Simon caught shots of a female on reed heads this week and sent them in - thanks to both of you - lovely shots:
All the usual suspects are appearing too. Several bittern sightings this week - including 2 for me on Thursday morning as they appeared out of the mist. Great White Egrets too are seen daily although less conspicuous from the 1st platform this week (same can be said of the Glossy Ibis) but it's not to say they are never there. The second platform has offered plenty of sightings of them this week and the Glossy Ibis has also been seen here. Few reports of Cattle Egrets this week although misty mornings may have prevented sightings of birds leaving their roost.
Misty days do offer opportunities for some lovely atmospheric shots of the reserve though - thanks agin to Simon Lewis for sending these in:
Of all the heron species at Ham Wall you are far more likely to encounter the Grey Heron. Several have been seen feeding along the main drain this week often letting people get quite close before flying off. They fish out in the more open areas too - thanks to John Crispin for these action shots of a Grey Heron doing battle with a large fish:
That should keep it going for a while. It looks like the area in front of the 2nd platform where there has been a good selection of birds this week.Plenty of Teal, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Gadwall and the odd Tufted Duck can be seen (Pochard were also seen in front of the Avalon Hide this week with lots of Shoveler). In terms of waders: Lapwing can be seen most days with as many as 100 counted during the week. There were several up in flight this morning and some have even been displaying a little. Amongst them in flight this morning were around 40 Black Tailed Godwits - which have also been recorded on the ground here too. Also seen this week were Ruff (at least 3), Dunlin and Snipe.
Canada Geese have been seen but its the 50-70 Greylag Geese roosting here which is more interesting. But yet more interesting than that were the 16 White Fronted Geese which flew over the reserve in a loose 'V' formation at 9.45am on Sunday morning. Once again John Crispin was on hand to take a few shots of these birds. There's lots of stuff on the move so you never know what you may see. Thanks John:
The 2nd platform is also a good place to stop and look for Marsh Harriers (as is the Avalon Hide) males and females both seen this week. John Crispin saw this female showing very extensive pale feathering. These feather variations can help with identifying individual birds:
Another nice surprise this week was a Short Eared Owl spotted by a few visitors over Waltons and from the Tor View Hide. Thanks to Liz Slinn for sending in the photos but well done to her daughter Ella who is just 14 - thanks for some lovely shots Ella. I love the first one in particular as it's looking right down your lens:
Also this week: a Stoat seen close to the 1st platform - common place to see these - they often run across the track around here, Bullfinches seen near the 2nd platform and up near the old station house at the very start of the track, Chiffchaff heard singing throughout the week, Coal Tit at the car park, Great Spotted Woodpeckers at various locations around the reserve, Tawny Owl calling from "Central Wood" (the one on the way to the Avalon Hide) at lunchtime today, Kingfishers seen at Waltons, Loxtons, 1st platform and the Avalon Hide, Water Rail seen around the base of the Tor View Hide on a few occasions this week with a very vocal Cettis Warbler nearby, gangs of Long Tailed Tits following all the tree lines, a female Kestrel seen hunting daily from the 1st platform (2 seen on one day) and Jays seen collecting acorns along the main path - photographed by John Crispin - thanks John:
Finally a nice photo from Simon Lewis of a Moorhen doing its best impression of a road runner (yes I know its over water but it's a good impression). Thanks Simon:
That's it for this week - apologies if there are a few grammatical errors or spelling mistakes this week, I've had hardly any time to write it and it's been a bit of a rush. I hope you enjoy it none the less. Have a great weekend.
Very interesting - great blog.