I wouldn't say spring is in the air but there are certainly a few signs of change on the reserve this week. Snowdrops are out along the rail path, although not yet on the car park boardwalk at the Shapwick end where there are large clumps each year.
Birdsong seemed quite significant this morning. Several species were calling along the rail path tree line including: Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit and Song Thrush who was calling loudest of all. Close by to this bird (adjacent to Loxtons) was a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker (there's also been one by our office at the Avalon Marshes Centre) and within the reedbed a booming Bittern. This was just opposite the small bridge which crosses into Loxtons between the 2 viewing platforms.
Earlier in the week it was heard towards the Waltons end of Loxtons, booming in sets of 4. Apparently you could hear his intake of breath before booming. Numbers of booming males should gradually increase over the next few weeks and staff and volunteers will undertake an early morning survey across the whole of the Avalon Marshes to get an accurate booming total - 43 recorded last year.
Another sign of change has been the beginnings of courtship displays from Great Crested Grebes. There are several birds on site: a pair from the 1st platform, a couple of birds within Loxtons and further birds within the Waltons section. It's a pair here which have already begun to reinforce pair bonds through head bobbing rituals and have also started building a mating platform:
Also showing signs of aggression:
Waltons has also been home to Kingfishers this week with one flying close to the 1st viewing platform on Monday. Lapwings are using the area too. Often landing on the cut island in front of the 3rd screen - in fact 50 have roosted here this week, while 150-200 flew over Waltons on Monday.
The Avalon Hide is coming up with the goods again. It was great to get it back open last week and great to have such positive feedback about the path and the hide itself. It's probably the best place to see Marsh Harriers on the reserve - several are seen hunting here each day and people often report seeing 3 or 4 different birds. A Peregrine was also spotted from the hide last weekend, while 2 Kestrel flew over calling on Wednesday. While on the birds of prey theme - do check out the owl boxes visible from the hide. A Tawny Owl was spotted from the box in the woodland you walk through on Sunday (31st) while last week saw both Tawny Owl and Barn owl in and around the boxes visible to the woodland on the left hand side of the hide. On Tuesday 2 Chiffchaff were fluttering up on and around one of the owl boxes. I can only assume there was a good source of insects here - maybe from debris in the owl box.
The Avalon Hide is also a great place to see Great White Egret (although one flew over my head in the car park on Thursday (4th). One individual in particular is often seen out feeding in front of the hide. On Sunday one was seen fishing successfully before being joined by a Little Egret who also fished successfully. Thanks to John Crispin for sending in some handy photos taken on Sunday to help show the size difference between these two:
Quite significant I'm sure you'll agree.
Also a comparison with Grey Heron too:
....and then a great shot looking right down the lens:
John Crispin also saw some interesting behavior from Great White Egrets this week. On Sunday a bird flew in from the east into an area diagonally left from the hide but approached with a distinctive slow and pronounced wing beat giving it an almost bouncy look. It chased away a second bird from the area (this bird flew normally) but all the time kept this slower wing beat. John thinks this could be a threat display similar to that of a male Mute Swan 'busking' when seeing off an intruder from its territory.
Ducks present from the hide include: Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Shoveler, Teal and Gadwall and look out for Little Grebe too. They can be heard around the reserve at the moment with their distinctive 'Whinnying' call.
Starlings at present (as of last night) are split. The majority of birds are over at Shapwick Heath - they have been in the decoy area but were seen just before dusk dancing around the Meare Heath area. There are also a fair number of birds using the Loxtons area on Ham wall.
Also this week: Glossy Ibis seen on Sunday dropping into the area in front of the 2nd platform, a Green Woodpecker heard 'yaffling' close to the Loxtons screen, a group of 6 Reed Buntings or more flitting close to the ramp into the Avalon Hide woodland trail, 2 Snipe disturbed from the wet area on the left just before that ramp mentioned above, a Treecreeper seen in a clump of Alders around the Loxtons trail, a pair of Bullfinches along the rail path close to Street Heath, Bearded Tits at the back of the 2nd viewing platform section (but have recently been seen nearer the front edge), Dusky Warbler reported on Bird Track last weekend (exact location unknown) and Goldcrest also seen along the rail path.
That's it for this week - have a great weekend!