Another busy week on the reserve with plenty to report. Early flowers, such as Celandine, are beginning to show and yesterday in particular there was some glorious springlike weather which brought out lots of visitors but also bumblebees and butterflies. Peacock and Red Admiral were seen and also look out for the first Brimstone too.
As last week there's plenty of birdsong too. Keep your ears open along the main track for Great Tit, Blue Tit, Song Thrush, Robin, Chaffinch and also the odd Chiffchaff. In the reed beds listen out for Reed Buntings calling and on the scrubby edges in particular the loud call of the Cettis Warbler. As you walk through the gate from the 1st platform towards Waltons look out for one in the 1st tree on the right. It was there this morning and was very vocal. I saw it briefly but these birds will for a short time become much more obvious as they claim breeding territories.
Some birds have already begun to nest build. Within Waltons there are now 3 Grey Herons nests. The one most obvious is on the far side visible from the 1st 2 screens and the Tor View Hide. The others are best seen from the south of the Waltons trail but you may see them carrying sticks in flight as I did this morning:
Once any eggs hatch there will be plenty of noise coming from these nests i should imagine. As you enter Waltons from the main track, Long Tailed Tits have been seen carrying nesting material too to the mass of bramble on the ditch edge.
Other birds are still at earlier stages with tits in particular examining nest boxes around the reserve and birds such as Great Crested Grebes still performing mating rituals including weed dances and head bobbing. Some are looking to nest build too. Try Waltons (at least 2 pairs), Loxtons, the Avalon Hide or the first platform to catch up with these fascinating birds. This photo of a Great Crested Grebe running on water was sent to us by Nicola Berry this week - thanks Nicola:
Bitterns of course are beginning to show their mating prowess with stronger booming coming from 1 or 2 males. There's a quietish one within Waltons and I also saw one perched in the reeds at the back of the same section on Monday. It was so still it took a while to confirm what it was - amazing camouflage. Next weeks booming bittern survey will begin to give us a better idea of how many there might be in the Avalon Marshes. There's a strong boomer in front of the Avalon Hide and there have been several flights seen from here this week including 2 involved in a chase yesterday so this might be a good place to start your Bittern hunt.
The Avalon Hide is most definitely the place to go to see Marsh Harriers though. Lots of interesting activity this week including sky dancing and other aerial displays, food passes and mating. After last weeks Great Crested Grebe sequence from John Crispin here's one for Marsh Harriers from this Wednesday at the Avalon Hide. Thanks John:
There are at least 2 pairs at the north of the reserve at the moment. Lets see if we can beat the 3 nests of last year. You may notice quite varied plumage between different birds - quite handy when picking out individuals. Note the differences between these 2 females photographed by John Crispin on Wednesday - again many thanks to John:
We're of course still waiting to see if the Glossy Ibis get up to anything significant this year. The good news is they are still around and often seen together but not always - sometimes just as individuals although the second one could be nearby, just not in sight. 2 were seen on the cut island in front of the 3rd screen at Waltons this morning but the main spot has been opposite the bridge past the 1st platform where they are seen most days. Scan this whole area on the way to the Avalon Hide as they are sometimes a bit further along.
Great White Egrets are around too of course with one or 2 now showing breeding plumage and looking to stake out nest sites too. The 1st platform is still a favourite feeding place for one or 2 birds but also check out the reedbeds close to the car park for sightings.
In terms of wildfowl it's still quite busy with a good selection of duck. Waltons and the 1st platform in particular are the best spots. Look out for good views of Tufted Duck, Pochard, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon. Pintail have also been seen throughout the week. The 2nd platform could be the best place to look with both males and females seen here this week but on Wednesday a male was spotted from the 1st platform too.
For Kingfisher probably best to check out the Waltons trail. Every day this week I've seen one calling and flying from the southern bank but also seen one from the screens on Wednesday. The same day John Crispin saw 2 in a chase from the 1st platform which then circled round and headed over Waltons so a definite increase in activity this week:
Also this week: Bearded Tits heard but not seen from the Avalon Hide on at least 3 occasions, 2 Ravens in a dispute with a Buzzard over the reedbeds next to the car park yesterday, 3 Woodcock flushed from rides within some of our wet woodland areas on Wednesday - hard for public to see these but great to know they are there, Grey Wagtail seen along the small drain to the left as you cross the old rail bridge on the main track, a Green Woodpecker calling from the woodland next to it this morning, plenty of Great Spotted Woodpecker activity, a Red Kite seen flying over the car park yesterday headed towards Shapwick, a Water Rail reported out in the open near the Tor View Hide and a few reports of Sand Martins including 4 from the Loxtons screen on Sunday and 3 from the 1st viewing platform on Thursday.
I'll leave you with some action shots of Canada Geese sent into us by Nicola Berry from one of her visits this week - thanks Nicola:
That's it for this week, have a great weekend!