he most notable change over the last week or two on Ham Wall and indeed Shapwick Heath has been the large increase in duck numbers. It will be interesting to see what numbers the WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) brings this weekend.
If you stand at the 1st viewing platform (VP1) you'll see what I mean. Plenty of wigeon, teal, shoveler, gadwall, mallard and tufted duck on show - it's a great sight and some great sounds too to add to the experience. Great white egrets showing really well here this morning. You'll see more if you look behind you into Waltons too where 3 Pochard were also present - don't get huge numbers at this time of year.
Just to the right of VP1 in the newly cut and flooded area, hundreds of teal and shoveler in particular are present. They flew up en masse this morning - disturbed by something (marsh harrier perhaps) and gave some visitors a thrill, with good numbers of the teal flying in tight flocks and calling before dropping down once more. Also in front of VP1 this morning a great crested grebe. There was one in Waltons on Wednesday & Thursday too - beginning to look resplendent with it's fine plumage.
It's the pair in Loxtons which make the headlines though as they have been seen undertaking pair bonding activities such as head shaking, vocalisations, short low paddling flights, displaying with wings pushed forward and of course the best known of all the weed dance. Thanks to John Crispin who's managed to capture these shots of the birds:
The weed dancing is fantastic but there's far more to their elaborate displays than that - they are both fantastic and fascinating to watch.
Perhaps some of this activity has been triggered by some gorgeous sunny days - Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday were all glorious and although it's still only January there's a hint of spring. This may all change next week with high winds and rain of course but that's Britain for you.
Many other birds are becoming more active too. Some beginning to sing such as great tit and Wwren and many calling such as an increase in noise from little grebes and we await the first booming (or at least grunting) bittern - we often get one in January. Great white egrets seemed to be showing an interest in one another yesterday and then there's these marsh harriers. It could just be young birds playing around of course - thanks to Graham Wagner for the photos:
Several marsh harriers are being seen from the Avalon Hide. I've certainly seen 4 but there was one report of 6 together this week. Great white egrets are also seen on occasions including this one looking rather indignant at the arrival of a marsh harrier on the ground. Other birds from the Avalon HIde include: tufted duck, gadwall, teal and shoveler and also this morning a green woodpecker (heard but not seen). There have also been recent reports of bearded tits both on the way to and in front of the hide, bittern flights and stonechats in front too.
Stonechats were also reported directly in front of VP1 this morning on the brambles opposite - there was also a coal tit and several long tailed tits.
This one in flight taken by Graham Wagner this week:
These can also be seen along the main track of course with a host of other birds including: Chiffchaff, goldcrest, goldfinch, chaffinch, treecreeper, song thrush redpoll, siskin and bullfinch. I saw a lovely looking male bullfinch this morning on the grassy footpath side not long after you turn right from the small footbridge over the drain that takes you out towards the Avalon Hide. Looked to be eating buds off the willow trees.
Waltons and the Tor View Hide are worth a visit too. Kingfishers were very active while we worked around the perimeter cutting back scrub this week. Lots of flights up and down the channels. Thanks again to Graham Wagner for this shot of a kingfisher in flight:
Water rails are calling occasionally too but also showing well on occasions from the hide. Thanks to John Crispin for taking this shot this week. He had the rail, a female bearded tit and a goldcrest all feeding close together at the bottom of the reeds near the hide:
Also this week: Cattle Egrets still roosting on site but generally feeding out in fields in surrounding area during the day. Glossy Ibis usually with then but occasionally can be seen on the reserve - last Friday it was on site but to late for the blog. Worth keeping your eyes open for it. Lapwing also seen most days, 2 pintail reported today from VP2 where Canada geese were also present and making plenty of noise. Water pipits were noted in the newly flooded area on the way to the Avalon Hide, ravens have been seen flying over, buzzards are seen daily as are great spotted woodpeckers:
VP2 is the place to see the starlings at the moment we think. The largest roost has been here but is quite distant. A smaller roost has begun to form in Waltons - much smaller numbers but a closer view so you could try either. Of course they can move around from night to night so best to pop in the welcome building in the Ham Wall car park to check or phone the hotline for the last known location: 07866 554142
Finally, John Crispin has sent me a couple of shots of 2 local cranes doing a bit of 'dueting' - the female: Christmas Shoes and the male Shadow are the two pictured here.
If you'd like more info on the local cranes why not visit the website:
http://www.thegreatcraneproject.org.uk
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!