The star of the show this week was probably the White Stork. It's been seen a few times in the local area and was first seen circling high over Ham Wall on Tuesday. It was than seen flying in front of the Avalon hide the next day too and is still currently in the local area as far as I know. John Crispin was on hand to grab these shots of the bird - thanks John.
White Stork - John Crispin
Other welcome stars were more Cranes to add to those seen last week. On Saturday 2nd 4 birds were seen flying over the reserve. One of these was seen to have a leg dangling down in flight. This bird is actually in good health. It seems to be a quirk of his that he dangles one leg when flying and is known to the Crane team. His name is Howard. These 4 were trumped however by the 9 birds seen flying together over the reserve on Wednesday morning at about 10.30. They flew out over high over Shapwick Heath.
It would appear, that particularly on brighter days, it pays to look up and really study the skies - you never know what might be there. Also on Saturday a Red Kite was seen - again fling high, over the 1st platform. A few have been seen in the area recently, so keep your eyes peeled.
Another big draw of course is the Glossy Ibis, still present after several moths now. It was seen on Ham Wall on Tuesday from the 2nd viewing platform (often referred to now as VP2) but has now tended to spend the last few days on Shapwick as they have been pumping down the scrape. They've attracted a few waders - most notably around 90 Black Tailed Godwits. A few have passed over to us - checkout the 2nd platform for these. We are trying to lower the water slightly here too - so may have some interesting characters dropping in here too over the next couple of weeks.
The other more unusual visitor we have at the moment is of course the Ring Necked Duck. It was seen earlier in the week from the 2nd viewing platform but has generally been within the Waltons section on the eastern side. The Tor View hide seems to be the best spot but scan all the Tufted Ducks in this area from the screens too to try and track him down. It was certainly there both yesterday morning and in the afternoon. Thanks to John Crabb for sending me in these photos:
Ring Necked Duck - John Crabb
Apart from these more unusual birds there are lots of new arrivals and birds on passage.
Tuesday saw 2 Whimbrel flying over the 1st platform, while Thursday in particular saw great numbers of Swallow & Sand Martin over Waltons - the windy weather was obviously keeping them low down over the water. There was a report of a Reed Warbler on the reserve on Tuesday around Waltons while in the tree lines Chiffchaffs are in full song. They are joined by the odd Blackcap and several Willow Warblers.
Willow Warbler - John Crispin
Of course we mustn't forget our resident stars. Bitterns are still booming well and next week sees the 2nd of our booming counts. It's last years total of 43 to beat - think it might be close. There have been a few flights from bitterns this week. The Loxtons screen and the Avalon hide have both had reports while 3 were seen in a 'chase' from the 1st platform on Sunday 3rd.
The Great White Egrets are also seen daily - with 9 reported together this week within the Ham Wall reedbeds. Staff and volunteers will be putting in lots of time studying both these species over the coming weeks to establish any breeding activity. Meanwhile, here's some lovely pics sent in by John Crabb for you to enjoy - thanks again John. You can really pick out the breeding plumage and colours.
Great White Egrets - John Crabb
but also this interesting behaviour was witnessed and photographed by John Crispin of what appeared to be a Cormorant stealing a meal from a Great White Egret - very naughty! Thanks for the photos John.
Great White Egret & Cormorant - John Crispin
Of course the Marsh Harriers are our other stars and, as last week, the Avalon Hide is the place to go. Displaying, food passes and carrying of nesting material have been recorded this week from as many as 5 birds.
Marsh Harriers - John Crabb
The Avalon Hide has also been a good place this week to see Kestrel this week and there's always a chance of seeing Barn Owl in the area seen on both Tuesday and last Friday. There was also a report of a Short Eared Owl hunting over the north of the reserve the same evening and a possible Spoonbill seen fling off with Great White Egrets at dusk. This is very possible given last weeks sightings.
Also this week: the first sighting of a Grey Heron chick on the Waltons island - visible from the Tor View Hide path, 4 Jays seen flying around the back of Waltons on Monday and a Roe deer that allowed me to get quite close before running just minutes later, first Garganey sighting on Tuesday from the 2nd platform, lots of Slow Worms under tin sheets left out for reptiles and shed skins from some Grass Snakes, 6 Siskins from the 1st platform on Wednesday and a Treecreeper in Alders by Street Heath (next to Loxtons) yesterday.
Great Crested Grebes seem to be seen more as singles at the moment (unless it's just me) - could be that there's a partner sat on a nest nearby. Here's a nice shot of Great Crested Grebe in flight taken by John Crispin this week. The shot shows well the humped back posture of the flying bird. The back vertebrae are fused together to form a stiff rod. Any rigidity in the body is compensated for by its long and flexible neck!
Great Crested Grebe - John Crispin
Some more action shots to finish - this time from John Crabb.
Lesser Black Backed Gull fishing successfully!
and an aggressive looking Coot!
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!