Well it's been quite a time since the last blog but it seems all the favourites have still been performing at Ham Wall in my absence. The 2 Glossy Ibis are still being seen regularly - usually in the area in front of the second platform but we have also lowered levels in the adjacent section (to the left of the Avalon Hide Path) and they have also been seen in here this week. Unfortunately, like the 2nd platform area not all this area is easily visible and there are plenty of hideouts for birds to disappear in. It's that time of year I'm afraid when the growth is at its peak. We have however started reed cutting on the lower vegetation in front of the 1st platform.
Cutting it at this time of year (knowing no breeding birds are present) suppresses the regrowth leaving it lower, sparser and more varied when it grows back. Once cut and cleared water levels will be raised to further suppress regrowth and should leave large splashy areas for passage waders and loafing/feeding areas for ducks and heron species.
In the lowered areas the Glossy Ibis use, it has also been common to see both Little Egret (12 together on Monday) and Great White Egret (5 on Monday) as well as an array of ducks, grebes and waders. A Garganey is of particular note - spotted in front of the bench just past the junction to the Avalon Hide path where it meets the main track.
The second platform area often sees Green Sandpiper - although just a single this week, a single Ruff last week and Lapwing this week (up to 30) but most abundant is the Black Tailed Godwits with 60+ reported yesterday. These were photographed by John Crispin:
Bittern are of course still present. A couple with very purposeful looking flights perhaps late nesters going back to feed young. On Wednesday flights were observed in both Waltons and from the 1st platform and left of here a bittern in moult was spotted.
Another favourite, the Marsh Harrier is sighted daily with a Male seen hunting near the car park on Monday while juvenile birds are now far more mobile and out hunting on their own looking very adept. The colouration on their heads makes them stand out. Natalie Talbot sent me these photos of juveniles taken at Shapwick Heath (we won't hold it against her) this week. Thanks Natalie:
Marsh Harrier - Natalie Talbot
A few other birds of prey have frequented the reserve this week. On Monday a Peregrine flew over the car park and shortly after a Sparrowhawk passed over being mobbed by a few smaller birds. Unusual to see one being mobbed by it's own dinner?
Occasional Hobbies are also seen at various locations and of course daily Buzzards. On Wednesday night on the Nature by Night walk at Ham Wall a Barn Owl was spotted in the box opposite the 1st platform. They also picked up several bats as did the Brue Valley bat survey this week. I'll try to find out exactly how many species we've had recorded here but it's looking healthy.
Not a Ham Wall sighting (as far as I'm aware) but an Osprey has been present from Noah's hide on Shapwick Heath for most of the week (seen this morning). It sounds like the usual bird for this time of year so there's a good chance of it loitering for a while.
Duck ID's are tricky at this time of year as many are in eclipse. Many ducks become more difficult to tell apart as many colours are lost. This picture was taken last year but shows both male and female Mallard in eclipse. The bill colour being the best identifying factor for telling the apart:
Within Waltons there is the usual selection of ducks including Mallard (some with youngsters) and Gadwall. There is also a large brood of well grown Tufted Duck to look out for. It's a good area also for spotting Great Crested Grebes with youngsters while in the far corner with the single screen Little Grebes have been recorded feeding their young.
This has also been the case in front of the Loxtons screen along with the usual noisy group of Cormorants which use the rafts.
It is a quiet time of year for birds as most of you know. Bug life however is quite abundant and the closer you look, the more you see. The obvious ones of course being butterflies and dragonflies. Butterflies this week include: Red Admiral. Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Skipper, Green Veined White, Large White, Speckled Wood and Painted Lady.
Red Admiral: Giles Morris
In terms of dragonflies the following have been recorded this week: Emperor, Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Black Tailed Skimmer, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Blue Tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly and Variable Damselfly.
Common Darter female - Giles Morris
Southern Hawker female: Giles Morris
In terms of mammals it's always harder to come by sightings. Roe deer are seen around both Waltons and Loxtons each week while rabbits and Grey Squirrel will be seen daily along the rail path along with the rare sighting of Weasel or Stoat. Evidence is always present of Badger - plenty of digging and foraging marks and while Otter sightings are unusual you can often find runs and spraints (posh word for Otter Poo!)
Just a couple of shots to finish this week. First one taken from last year - yes I'm cheating again but I did see Song Thrush smashing snails on the main rail path earlier this week - always fascinating to watch. I remembered that John Crispin had sent me some action shots last year. Thanks again John!
Finally another from John taken this week at the car park. This Kingfisher perched on the new water vole raft. Eventually we hope that we can beam back some footage of feeding water voles. Currently we've got some underwater footage we can play on the TV in the visitor building. Gives you a little taster of all the action that goes on underwater in and around the Avalon Marshes.
That's it for this week. I'm away again next week so no blog again - I know, it's the Life of Riley. I'll be back the week after and get everything back to normal.
Have a great couple of weeks!