After a week off last week the amount of vegetation growth around the reserve was very striking on my return. It means that some views are becoming slightly more obscured and there's plenty more places for the wildlife to hide away. The weather has also been particularly hot this week which often leads to less activity from wildlife at the hottest times of day but, as always, there's plenty to report and some great pictures to share.
It's certainly the time for seeing youngsters. Many are up and about with parents like ducklings and young Coots or fledging nests and hanging around in family groups like Long Tailed Tits or Goldfinches. The young Heron in Waltons still hadn't left the nest earlier in the week at around 65 days he's rather a lazy individual. Also within Waltons Young Coots, Moorhens and Mallards are all very visible as are now well grown Great Crested Grebe chicks. it looks as though some are left more to their own devices now as the parents are possibly nesting again.
The young Water Rails are still occasionally seen along the Tor View Hide path - although more often hidden just to the side (I counted 3 on Monday). These shots were taken last week by Dennis Upshall and sent into us here at the office. Thanks Dennis!
Water Rail & chick - Dennis Upshall
Some of our other star youngsters have now fledged. The Great Spotted Woodpeckers from Central Wood (on the way to the Avalon Hide). There were many happy photographers there the week before last getting some great shots. Thankfully the parents were unfazed by the attention and the youngsters left the nest last week but can still be heard in the woods calling. Thanks to Natalie Talbot for sending in these shots:
Of course lots of birds are still very busy feeding youngsters. Great White Egrets are still being seen frequently and we know there are a few nests with youngsters. Bitterns are still flying regularly - particularly within Waltons and Loxtons. The birds in front of the Avalon Hide had been kept pretty quiet by a very aggressive male Marsh Harrier but it appears that now his youngsters are of a certain size he is less bothered and the tables actually turned on Wednesday when the Bittern chased off the Marsh Harrier. This suggests to me that it is now the Bittern who has young to protect and the increase in Bittern activity in this area supports this - great news.
Natalie Talbot took this shot of a Bittern this week but also managed to catch one standing in the reeds. Well done Natalie and thanks for the photos!
Bearded Tits were seen again in the vicinity of the Avalon Hide this week and on Monday during survey,s several juveniles were seen. Adults are still busy though as John Crispin's pictures show, with both males and females seen carrying food. Thanks John!
John did mention that the tail feathers were beginning to look worn, when compared to the photo below which was taken in the same area last week.
As already mentioned the Marsh Harriers are still very busy out in front of the Avalon hide. Several interactions and food passes have been witnessed this week. John Crispin manged to grab these shots of a food pass between the male and one of the females this week. They give a great idea of what to expect if you see it for yourself.
Great action shots - thanks John!
Youngsters have been seen at the nest locations of the Marsh Harriers - at least one in each for sure.
Other young birds spotted, just to add to the action are Mute Swans and their cygnets seen in the area in front of the 2nd viewing platform and also some Canada Goose goslings.
The Glossy Ibis is still present here at the moment. It can be tricky to find sometimes but use every angle you can to look into this area to track it down. You could try the 2nd platform itself or go to the track the other side and stop at the 2 willow blinds or the nearby bench. You could also stop on the way to the Avalon Hide and look right across the area. Great White Egrets are also using this area regularly and there are several Lapwings using this area. Unfortunately it appears that what was thought to be a Lapwing chick was swallowed by a Lesser Black Backed Gull during the week. 2 Garganey have also been seen regularly along with a pair of Wigeon and a pair of Teal.
Dragonflies and damselflies are plentiful on the reserve at the moment. Particularly the 4 spotted chaser which is abundant to the point of a plague on occasions around the back of Waltons and Loxtons. there are still a few Hairy dragonflies on the wing but these have been joined over the last couple of weeks by Broad Bodied Chaser, Scarce Chaser, Black Tailed Skimmer and Emperor.
Black Tailed Skimmer female - John Crispin
4 Spotted Chaser - Nicola Berry
Damselflies include: Red Eyed, Blue Tailed, Banded Demoiselle, Azure and Variable. Thanks to Nicola Berry for the above picture.
In terms of mammals, they're harder to come by although John Crispin reported an Otter sighting from the Tor View Hide on Wednesday, which was nice to hear. You can see the occasional Roe Deer grazing on the gassy banks around the reserve - often around Waltons and a couple of Grey Squirrels are busy along the rail path.
Also this week: Red Kite on both Monday and Thursday mornings, 6 Cranes flying north over the reserve on Tuesday, 3 Bitterns in a chase from the 1st platform on Wednesday, Hobby seen daily (2 over Loxtons yesterday), Grass Snake at the bridge next to the Ashcott Road on Wednesday and some noisy Iberian Water Frogs each day. Barn Owls have been seen out hunting close to the Avalon hide (including yesterday), a Raven flew over cronking loudly on Wednesday, while Cuckoos have been heard around Waltons on a number of occasion. The usual chorus of Warblers in the tree lines and the reedbeds add to the visitor experience.
We've also had a report of a Gull billed Tern that flew over Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall on Sunday while a couple of days before a Common Tern was spotted at Loxtons where they've bred in the past. John Crispin was on hand to take this shot. Thanks John:
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!