Another great week on the reserve, with plenty to see for our growing numbers of visitors. It's been so great to be hearing such positive things from our guests and even more rewarding to be able to give them an interesting wildlife spectacle.
There are several stars of the show each week at present, so I'll do my bets to include as many as I can.
Bitterns are an obvious start with plenty of sightings to speak of once again. The 1st platform is a good place to go as parts of Loxtons which were particularly busy yesterday. You often get flurries of activity - particularly earlier in the day before thing really warm up. There are often little lulls in the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest - but there are always exceptions to the rule to prove me wrong.
The Loxtons screen often has a lot to offer - of particular note are the Common Terns which appear to be sitting for long periods - hopefully this is a good sign. They are still sharing their raft with a few Cormorants but if any eggs present hatch they will soon be ousted by these protective parents. A Black Tern was also seen this week in breeding plumage over at Long Drove - an isolated section south of Waltons. It too was chased by a Common Tern - most likely one of the Loxtons pair.
A short walk at Loxtons for me yesterday was rewarded with good sightings of Terns, the peep and a flash of a Kingfisher , a Cuckoo perched and then disturbed (by me), Great Spotted Woodpecker calling in flight as well as good views of a Hobby which flew in front of me and flashed over the hide which sent photographers clicking wildly. It's probably the best area for Hobby at the moment although Waltons can also bring rewards.
Kingfishers have been perching in front of the Loxtons screen and must be nesting in the vicinity, while they've also been spotted within the Waltons section and from the old rail bridge. Great Spotted Woodpeckers have also been discovered this week nesting, we think in the top of a tall dead birch tree in some of our wet woodland.
There not the only birds of prey seen this week. There have been further reports of Barn Owls out hunting - the first platform a good spot to stand in the late evening for your best chance and of course some very busy Marsh Harriers seen passing food and dropping into the reedbeds carrying prey items. Either viewing platform should bring sightings after a short wait. 2 Red Kites were reported yesterday flying east over Waltons in the late afternoon followed by a 3rd 5 minutes later, a Peregrine was spotted during the week and a Kestrel was seen carrying food on the eastern side of the reserve. Buzzards too are present, often seen circling high on hot days but also seen scavenging in the field next to the car park where they have been grass cutting this week.
The car park pools are coming on nicely and beginning to spring to life. The most obvious resident being the Marsh Frogs (Iberian Water Frogs) who croak madly during warm spells. Scanning with your binoculars and following the sound could well reveal their hiding places and give you a sighting. Many dragonflies are starting to use the pools too with 4 Spotted Chaser, Scarce Chaser and Broad bodied Chaser all seen there this week. Blackbirds are regularly hunting along the edges and it was lovely to see a pair of Goldfinches coming down to drink delicately from the edge on Wednesday. We also saw Bittern, Great White Egret and Marsh Harrier all from the car park - easy bird watching from the comfort of your car.
4 Spotted Chaser
Female Black Tailed Skimmer
Other dragonflies seen this week include: Emperor - the biggest dragonfly (apple green body and blue tail), Black Tailed Skimmer (pictured above), Hairy Dragonfly (nearly the end of the flight period for these), Banded Demoiselle (Tor View Hide path and Tinneys this week), Blue Tailed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Red Eyed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly and Variable Damselfly.
Butterflies also present but seems fewer this week - maybe the winds are not making it easy for them: Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Green Veined White, Red Admiral & Peacock all seen.
Also this week: a male Bullfinch seen perched in the woodland next to the footpath track by the 1st gate (other side of the drain), Roe deer seen feeding on the islands opposite the 1st viewing platform for the second week running (enjoys a swim obviously), juvenile Bearded Tits seen at Tinneys (the plot on the Sharpham Road), c75 Black Tailed Godwits from 1st platform yesterday but also 4 Redshank (1 or 2 suspected to be juveniles - great news), small Adder reported on the rail path, Lapwings still defending the islands from 1st platform and a Stoat seen to run along the rail path yesterday.
That's it for this week. Thanks to John Crispin for use of these archive pictures. Hope you're enjoying your holiday John.
Have a great weekend everyone!