No let up with the rain this week but no let up with the interesting sightings either if you're prepared to dodge the showers. As I mentioned last week, we have started our reed cutting out on the reserve. We've cut the area on the western side of the Tor View Hide and opened this up nicely. Yes - you can actually see out of it now properly - always a handy thing with a hide. A Water Rail was spotted from the hide on Tuesday - they often use the area we have just cut so keep your eyes open and enter the hide quietly - you never know.
Tor View Hide Cutting : Ali Blaney
I've been out with the reed cutting machine on the islands in front of the 1st viewing platform too so these will gradually get completed over the next few weeks so we can raise the water levels again to create a nice autumn/winter spectacle.
Whilst cutting I'm obviously disturbing some birds but was still seeing plenty of Swift, the odd Sand Martin and House Martins c50 - perhaps feeding on insects I was disturbing although there have been good numbers for much of the week - so perhaps a hatching has increased the food supply. Whatever, they were sure taking advantage of it. The Glossy Ibis dropped into this area on Tuesday and I saw it flying over this area too the same day and it dropped in to the left of the Avalon Hide. This morning it was back in front of the 2nd viewing platform so its moving about a bit. Thanks to John Crispin for sending this shot of what is now pretty much a resident bird - we've had one present since September 2015 now.
Whilst there may be slightly less activity in the 1st platform area whilst we work there - the 2nd platform area is still delivering. Wader numbers are building here with flocks of 200 Black Tailed Godwits and Lapwing present. You often wont get the impression of numbers until they get disturbed by something (Sparrowhawk was seen again this week in this area) - when they all go up it's a great sight. Keep a look out for other waders amongst them or when scanning birds on the ground. 2 Dunlin and 1 Ruff were recorded on Tuesday as well as a Green Sandpiper, whilst Snipe have been seen a few times this week too including this morning. 5 also flew past the Avalon Hide this morning too. Also from the 2nd platform this week: Buzzard, Little Egrets, Hobby, Bittern and 3 Gwe on Tuesday - 2 of which were this years youngsters) Thanks again to John Crispin for this shot of Lapwing and Black Tailed Godwits taken 9am yesterday morning.
The Avalon Hide is also worth a stop off. A good place to shelter while you wait for the rain to pass. Cattle Egrets have been seen in flight here this week (as well as in front of the 2nd platform) - we believe now all the nests are empty, so there are a lot of birds out in the marshes somewhere. Barn Owl has been seen a few times this week too including this morning. One was seen flying around in front of the hide before returning to the box in the wood to the left (west) where a 2nd bird was sitting. Marsh Harriers are still using the area too - look out for the juvenile birds. One very brown looking bird flew in front of the 2nd platform this morning towards the hide - probably a youngster. On Tuesday a Raven and a Kingfisher were also recorded.
A Great White Egret also decided to perch on the raft at the Loxtons screen this week - not sure I've seen one sit there before. It's usually full of Cormorants on a daily basis - goodness only knows what it smells like over there. It doesn't stop other birds having a sit and a sleep or preen. There have been lots of Gadwall and |Mallard in this area recently and this morning a new Little Grebe family photographed by John Crispin - thanks John
It's also worth checking out the rafts in front of the Waltons screens too. Birds often look different when they are out of the water don't they?
Little Grebes, Mallard and what looks like some young Pochard have been sat there this week:
and some more of the young Pochard....
Also within the west side of Waltons look out for a female Tufted Duck with 6 young (5 showing in John's photo)
Tufted Duck brood : John Crispin
Other ducks to look out for include the Shoveler. Great Picture from John Crispin again showing that wonderfully adapted bill:
The weather hasn't been great for you Butterfly and Dragonfly spotters but there's a fair list from this week. There seems to have been a emergence of Small Tortoiseshells this week - check out the flowering thistle heads - they seem to like these in particular. Also this week: Green Veined White, Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown Brimstone (picture taken on Tuesday) and a Painted Lady seen along the path to the Avalon Hide before you get to the wood on Monday. Also a Jersey Tiger Moth reported by a visitor - also on Monday.
Brimstone: John Crispin
In Terms of dragonflies it's been quiet too - not surprised given the weather.Migrant Hawkers have been seen though along with both Southern Hawker and Brown Hawker. For Damselflies, Blue Tailed, Common Blue and Red Eyed all recorded this week.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker is still up to his old tricks. It's using cracks in a telegraph pole to wedge hazel nuts in to break open. It was there yesterday - seen by volunteer, Giles Morris who took some photos of its handiwork (thanks Giles). I also saw it hammering away on the post this morning. It's the 1st telegraph pole on the other side of the drain as you enter from the road. It's also been seen on the next pole which is close to the eel pass - visible from the old rail bridge. The juvenile bird was again on the feeder cam at the Welcome Building in the car park this morning.:
Elsewhere look out for groups of smaller birds flocking together - large mixed flocks of tits and finches seen this morning. Still warblers around too - This Blackcap was photographed by John Crispin this week - most likely a female. Juv males have a blackish brown cap while juv female will be more yellow brown - thanks to John for that info too.
Also this week: Bittern seen from the 1st viewing platform along with Great White Egrets, Osprey sen on Shapwick Heath on Tuesday but not reported since, c60 Gadwall in front of the Avalon Hide on Wednesday, a juvenile Shelduck in front of the 2nd viewing platform this morning, 2 Kingfishers reported from the old rail bridge yesterday but also in and around Waltons this week (including this morning), Bearded Tits heard from the 2nd viewing platform on Sunday and all week a Great Crested Grebe with young in front of the 2nd viewing platform.
If you are walking along the footpath side next to the main drain - perhaps walking to the Avalon Hide you may have noticed a large number of Swans gathered in the water. John Crispin counted at least 30 this week. I saw them on Wednesday and got to 36. They are using one area of bank in particular to haul themselves out to preen - you'll see loads of feathers there. There were still at least 15 there this morning (may have been more further down) - must be plenty of plant matter for them to eat here. Thanks for the photo John - just a small snapshot of the numbers:
Well I think that's it for this week - in fact for a couple of weeks as I'm off on annual leave. We'll catch up then. Have a great weekend (and a great week next week too - let's hope it stops raining)