Happy New Year everyone - I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year and are ready for another eventful year at Ham Wall. As expected the Christmas break brought lots of visitors in (a few thousand recorded) the majority of which came to see the Starlings who have continued to roost in the Waltons and Loxtons sections of the reserve offering visitors really close views. They may change roost sites soon - it's been a very long stay here. Ring the hotline to check on the last known location just in case 07866 554142.
It's always worth checking out the roost for birds of prey, whether it be in the evening or during the morning take off. Marsh Harriers are commonplace at this time and the odd Peregrine has been seen this season but Sparrowhawk is your most likely hunter. One has been seen on a couple of mornings this last week. John Crispin manged to photograph this individual yesterday from the Avalon Hide during the morning. Thanks John:
Starlings aren't the only bird currently roosting in the Loxtons section. Many Great White Egrets have taken up residence here and many spending the night. In fact we've been getting incredible numbers. I thought I did well to get 15 together here on Tuesday but yesterday and amazing 26 were recorded followed by at least 21 this morning. They are using the trees and reeds at the back of the section behind the 2nd platform (left of Loxtons screen) and also reedbeds in front of the Loxtons screen. They are often joined by Little Egrets and Grey Herons too and this morning the 2 Glossy Ibis were seen flying North East out of the Loxtons section.
The Great Whites seem to be everywhere at the moment. 8 dropped into Waltons this morning too and more often than not there is one feeding in front of the 1st platform. If you approach carefully you can often see one feeding within Waltons from the 1st screen (as photographed by John Crispin):
Waltons and Loxtons seem to be bird rich at the moment. A stay in the Tor View Hide will often present you with good views of Marsh Harrier as it did this morning but also really close views of Teal and Shoveler in particular coming very close to the hide. A snipe was also feeding just yards away this week and seemed unconcerned at anybody in the hide. Water Rails were also spotted crossing the Tor View Hide path this morning.
On Wednesday 21 Tufted Duck and 10 Pochard were recorded here along with Gadwall and Mallards. Look out for the Gadwall stealing vegetable items off of Coots. The Coots dive for food and bring it to the surface where the Gadwall help themselves:
Also within Waltons this week was a Great Crested Grebe still in its winter plumage. A second bird in front of the 1st platform is showing signs of a plumage change to summer plumage. Also within Waltons you maybe lucky enough to see a Bittern flight. I had one myself this week flying from the Avalon Hide area and landing in front of then 1st platform. Another bird was spotted yesterday flying over the water directly in front of the hide.
The Avalon Hide also came up trumps with an Otter sighting yesterday although it was very brief. The Barn Owl continues to use the hide as its dining room with further Starling remains being found and in the box in the wood Tawny Owls have been seen on a couple of occasions. Yesterday in the gloom before there was much light, John Crispin manged this shot - just to prove I'm not lying!
There's been several reports of Bearded Tits both on the way to and in front of the Avalon Hide over the past week. On Bank Holiday Monday 9 were seen in front and the day before 5 seen in reeds just before the hide and yesterday around 3 birds were heard but not seen - so keep your eyes (and ears) open. I also heard some at Tinneys ground (the plot on the Sharpham Road) on Wednesday.
Lots of Marsh Harrier activity this week too. Watched a female performing acrobatics over Waltons this morning, scattering ducks as she went while earlier over in Loxtons John Crispin observed a male bird along with 2 juveniles:
Also this week: Kingfishers observed at Tinneys, Waltons and Loxtons (this morning), Stonechats seen - female in Loxtons and male along the grassy footpath towards the Avalon Hide and a pair in front of the hide on Monday, Raven seen flying over at least twice this week, 8 Redwing distant from the 1st platform on Tuesday, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers at the car park in trees - they are also using the feeders and one was heard drumming near the Avalon Hide yesterday, lots of Greylags still using the area in front of the 2nd platform, 6 Goldcrest this morning in the car park trees (no Firecrest this time but was seen on Monday near the metal gate on the main track and 2 Bullfinch seen along the main track between the car park and the 1st platform:
Kingfisher landing at Loxtons: John Crispin
Bullfinch: John Crispin.
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!