Welcome to the first reserve blog of 2018. Happy New Year to you all - I hope you had a restful Christmas break. Wildlife of course carries on as normal and as always there's plenty to report.
The majority of starlings switched to Shapwick over the Christmas break but this was only short lived and most of them appear to back back on Ham Wall again - distant from the 2nd platform as before. This can change again though so perhaps pop into the welcome building in our car park where staff and volunteers will do their best to help you.
Estimates of numbers vary depending on who you ask but with numbers this high who really knows. Well in excess of 500,000 birds is a good starting point. The weather's not been great so visitor numbers are slightly down on those more inclement days but the starlings still come so if you're brave enough - give it a go anyway - just wrap up warm. You could try the mornings to watch them take off too - a guaranteed show if you know where they landed the night before and watching the sun come up can bring some spectacular views too. Richard Berry sent in these sunrise pictures this week - thanks Richard.
The Christmas break saw good numbers of wildfowl from the 1st platform (VP1) and this morning was no exception either. Great to listen to the sounds of wigeon and teal along with varying numbers of lapwing all adding to the mix. Also on view, plenty of shoveler (pictured), tufted duck, mallard and gadwall and there have been 1 or 2 pochard also. On Christmas Eve a golden plover was spotted amongst the lapwing before flying up, calling briefly and heading south. I remember seeing a large flock of golden plovers flying over the reserve some years ago but can't remember one touching down - so perhaps a first for the reserve in that sense. Thanks to John Crispin and site manager Steve Hughes for that sighting.
Pintail have put in an appearance too with 5 (3 male, 2 female) on Dec 23rd and 3 (2 male, 1 female) on the 30th Dec and the 1st Jan so look out for these too (see photos below). The area to the right of this section (and then on your left as you walk to the Avalon Hide) has taken in more water and has been packed at times with Teal and Lapwing in particular. Probably 200 of each at least. Sometimes, when disturbed, they will fly up in big groups and are visible form VP1.
Pintail from 2nd platform: John Crispin
Pintail in flight from 1st platform: John Crispin
Great white egrets are still being seen daily but perhaps not in the numbers as the last couple of months. They have spread out into the wider landscape and other wetland areas. One was certainly present in Waltons yesterday standing in plain sight and another was sat in front of the Avalon Hide yesterday - the marsh harriers were particularly visible here too with several being seen - at least 4. A well marked male is among these - perhaps loitering in this area as it is close to the current starling roost sight. This is probably the best area to see them although other birds have been seen hunting over both Waltons and Loxtons this week.
Bitterns are still being seen but are proving more elusive - the time of year and weather are not helping with this. This will soon change and January is the month where we usually hear our first boom (more of a weak grunt really at this time of year - but it's a start). There have been a few sightings though. A long flight of a calling bird over Loxtons was seen by John Crispin on the 30th Dec while on my Christmas visit to the reserve 2 were reported in front of the Avalon Hide sat in the reeds. An otter was also reported in the morning on the same day from the same location.
I sadly had to pick up a dead otter (a large male) from the side of the road near the River Brue yesterday - hit by a car I suspect. I took it to Secret World who will kindly freeze the body before it is sent to Cardiff University for an autopsy. Any data is useful - eg, where it was found, what killed it, how healthy was it prior to this, what was its diet etc. Sad news though.
Cattle egrets are still being reported locally. Mostly from local fields around Meare, Westhay, Burtle etc. They are roosting each night on the reserve so you may see them in flight early or late in the day. As far as I'm told the glossy ibis is often among them but has been seen on the reserve too. It was present from VP1 for some time on my Dec 28th visit. Thanks to John Crispin as always for his great pictures:
Also over the last couple of weeks several snipe have been seen - up to 16 from VP1 and around 5 from VP2. I spotted some from the 3rd Waltons screen on the 28th. Unfortunately we have had to close this screen temporarily to repair its base which is showing signs of rot. We've got some very capable volunteers coming in to repair it and redo the whole base over the next couple of weeks or so. The good news is you can view this island directly from the main track too.
The great crested grebes which usually disappear towards the end of the year are beginning to return. One seen in Loxtons on the 30th Dec and another within Waltons. On the 3rd a great crested grebe was seen from VP1 and I've heard a rumour of a pair showing signs of a courtship ritual - or at least reinforcing pair bonds. Look out for this great spectacle in a few weeks when the courtship display becomes far more elaborate.
The great crested grebe in Loxtons: John Crispin
Also seen recently: Bearded tits seen on occasions - including a pair right next to the Tor View Hide on the 28th, water rail also seen from the Tor View Hide (stay quiet and check around the base), kingfishers seen around Waltons and Loxtons, bullfinch (pictured), chiffchaff and treecreeper all seen along the main path, ravens seen frequently including over the car park, firecrest still present around the car park last week - no reports this week yet I don't think but it has been quiet - that's not to say it isn't there, buzzards seen daily, green woodpecker heard today, great spotted woodpecker on the feeder cam yesterday at the car park, sparrowhawks - particularly around starling time, 4 Roe deer seen on the strip east of the car park by the main drain (from the rail bridge) today and plenty of calling little grebes around Loxtons yesterday.
Well, that's a bit of a flavour of what's been going on over the last couple of weeks. With the first full week back next week - things should get back into more of a routine. Thanks to John and Richard for the photos this week - always welcome (without them it's just me rabbiting on!)
Why not pay us a new year's visit. There's lots to see. Have a great weekend!