The wet weather and the ongoing bridge closure has certainly kept some visitors away this week. You really should visit though as there is plenty to reward you for your efforts.
The bridge closure on the rail path doesn't mean we are closed. All you need to do is walk the footpath on the other side of the drain parallel to the rail path then cross over the new bridge back to the rail path (Waltons, Loxtons and the platforms are all open as usual). The wet weather has made one small stretch of the path a bit muddy but I have cut back vegetation on one side of this to widen it and make passage a bit easier. It's all hard underneath so you wont be getting stuck in any mud. I would advise wellingtons or stout boots for this part though. Then you can enjoy what the reserve has to offer.
Last week I was very excited about the Otter sightings we had last week. Well we've had more of the same this week with a sighting in the main drain on Monday (am) and from the Tor View Hide the same day (pm) and this very morning a sighting within Waltons from the Tor View Hide again at 7am followed by a further sighting by the screens at 8.10am. I also managed to make my way to the Otter Holt we built last year it's diagonally right of the 1st platform where 2 white pipes stick up (often mistaken for birds with long necks). There was a fresh spraint (otter poo) by one of the entrances and lots of footprints close by. Not really evidence that it had been used regularly but at least we know now that it's been discovered.
That's 3 sightings for October of singles and one sighting of a pair and now at least 4 sightings for November already - wonderful stuff!
Waltons has been a great place to spot Bitterns this week too. Thursday although very wet and soggy was hot for Bitterns. 5 sightings between 7.40am and 10.10am followed by a further 4 before lunch by my self and volunteers who were working in the area. Regular visitor John Crabb managed to get this great shot of a Bittern within the Waltons section recently and sent it in for me to use - Thanks John.
Bittern - John Crabb
We've now cleared the cut vegetation in front of the Tor View Hide and cut some extra to open up more views (we also aim to cut the end of the island opposite soon). It's been a good place to see Water Rails the last couple of years and clearing it may encourage them to venture out further. They have been seen already though and these photos were taken by John Crispin yesterday - thanks once again John for some great photos:
Waltons has also been the place to see Marsh Harriers this week - particularly in the early morning. 3 different birds were seen on Thursday morning but I also saw a single bird myself there at lunchtime too. Waltons also played host to some Redpolls this week with c20 seen by the Waltons screens on Sunday. Last year was very quiet for these just a few seen all winter. If you're hunting for them it's often best to check out the larger alder trees - the ones at Loxtons are often a favourite.
Some very late hangers on were seen too this week. 3 Swallows flew over Waltons on Thursday followed by another 4 this morning all flying south - very far south eventually of course.
Arrivals on the reserve include Wigeon and Teal which can be seen from both platforms and of course more and more Starlings. Estimates are at 150,000 but it could be more. It's hard to tell at the best of times but the flock has been split for much of the week with good numbers continuing to drop into the Loxtons section and others have roosted in other parts of the reserve this week we believe also. There is also a good number dropping into the Meare Heath of Shapwick Heath next door to us. They don't always make it easy for us.
The Starling Hotline may be able to help. It's updated as often as possible giving the last known location of the roost to give you a guide (not a promise I'm afraid). 07866 554142 is the number to call.
Elsewhere the 1st platform is flooding up nicely. Great White Egrets are seen here daily along with a selection of duck. Kingfishers are also being seen here as well as within Waltons and at Loxtons, where one often perches up close to the hide. 2 also flew in front of me across the rail path at the very far end of the reserve on Wednesday - they seem to be all over at the moment and are always a firm favourite.
The second platform is also worth a sit and wait. c300 Lapwing are still using the muddy areas (you can often get better views from the path on the other side of the drain as it allows a different angle to view the area). A single Redshank has also been observed on a couple of occasions this week along with a good number of duck, along with Canada Geese, Greylag Geese and the usual smattering of Mute Swans.
Having mentioned Swans in the blog a coupe of weeks ago looking like they were nest building Sandra Hignett contacted us to say that she had visited on the 13th Oct and observed Swans mating - maybe the result of milder bouts of weather we are having. Thanks for the pictures Sandra.
Mute Swan Photos - Sandra Hignett
There are also still dragonflies on the wing. This week Migrant Hawker, Common Darter and Ruddy darter all seen (last sighting of Ruddy darter last year was Nov 14th) and a few Butterflies too - mostly Red Admirals abut Speckled Wood also recorded.
Also this week: Kestrel seen flying along the grassy footpath, pinging Bearded Tits heard in Waltons, 14 Fieldfare flew over on Tuesday, Jays heard at the Central Wood and also 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the same area (close to the new hide - opening soon) Iberian Water Frogs still sitting on the edges of the car park pools, Common Frogs seen about when clearing by the Tor View Hide, Grass Snake seen under a tin around Waltons on Monday, and Ravens flying over.