Very little time to write a blog before the long Easter weekend I'm afraid so I will probably keep this more brief than usual. Thankfully John Crispin has come up trumps with some great photos as always - thanks John!
Another early morning booming Bittern count this morning across the Avalon Marshes produced exactly the same result as the last. 45 in total - fantastic stuff. Ham Wall this time had 19 with 2 just outside our boundary which means one has nipped over the reserves perimeter since last month - but what a great total. Shapwick had 16 boomers whilst 8 were recorded on Wildlife Trust holdings.
Several still boom during the day. The Avalon Hide is a good place to listen. There have also been several chase flights of 2 or more birds - often viewed from in front of the 2nd platform, although not close in. Yesterday 4 birds were involved in a chase as John Crispin's photo shows:
More often than not you'll see just the two involved:
As with the above photo you can often see them on the ground. On Monday one was perched in the reeds in front of the 1st platform for some time, whilst birds are often seen sunning themselves in the cut sections of reed in front of the Avalon Hide too and it's a great place to watch flights (as long as they stay away from the Marsh Harriers - there is the odd bit of conflict)
Marsh Harriers are still busy from the Avalon Hide - very obvious to anyone watching. The Avalon Hide has come up trumps this week for a few things. A Barn Owl is being seen pretty much daily to the right of the hide. It often perches up on the gate there or perches in the trees. One was also seen to the far left in the wood there - the box it uses is actually visible from the 1st viewing platform with a pair of binoculars, so worth a look.
On Monday a Cuckoo was recorded - first of the season (not by me though), on Sunday a Short Eared Owl flew by and also on Sunday the 8 Cattle Egrets flew over again. They have also been using the scrape at Shapwick on occasions and were also seen this morning flying over Waltons and the car park. Keep your eyes open for these and look closely at any supposed Little Egret - it might not be.
Talking of the scrape a Black Winged Stilt dropped in and stayed for the day on Tuesday but it's not returned. There's a fair selection of Waders there too. On Ham Wall we are slowly lowering water levels in the area in front of the 2nd viewing platform. A few waders are being recorded here too. I heard a Redshank this morning (and one was heard at Waltons) but there has also been Grey Plover (on Tuesday), Greenshank and 4 Common Sandpiper:
The exposed areas are also attracting the Glossy Ibis back. They have been seen feeding in this area every day this week (they did take a quick break from here and sit in front of the Tor View Hide this morning - briefly). They are often in front of the willow blinds on the footpath side just beyond the Avalon Hide Junction.
This area is definitely worth a look at the moment. Great numbers of Shoveler are using it - as many as 69 recorded with feeding and courting and the usual males getting aggressive:
Keep an eye out also for Pintail - there was one there this morning towards the back of the section and also look for any Shelduck which pop in (4 recorded this morning) :
Scan in amongst the other ducks too - Gadwall, Mallard, Pochard and Tufted Duck to find Garganey. As many as 4 have been noted this week 3 males and one female. John Crispin got this one in flight this morning - thanks John:
So what else is there - well as always, plenty of Great White Egret - look from the first platform for these or in the reedbeds close to the car park. In fact they often fly over the car park so you may not even have to get out of your car to tick this one off.
Along the main track plenty of bird song including many Blackcaps, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler and many tits and finches. Look out also for Bullfinch between bridge and 1st platform, Treecreeper near car park or by Loxtons and Goldcrests.
The warm weather has been great for butterfly spotting with Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Green Veined White, Orange Tip, Peacock, Red Admiral and Holly Blue all seen today. I also saw my first damselflies - newly emerged so hard to ID but I think one Blue Tailed and one Variable. Listen out also for the Iberian Water Frogs - they are beginning to call (car park or Waltons perhaps) and within the car park pools Common Frog Tadpoles spotted.
Also this week: 2 Jays seen feeding on the ground by the old rail bridge yesterday, plenty of Sand Martins over daily, Water Rail again seen nest building from the Tor View Hide, nesting Great Crested Grebe from 1st platform still visible, Otter spotted today but not in public area - nice to know it's here though, Tawny Owl heard this morning during the early morning survey, Bearded Tits heard close to the Avalon Hide and on the nest box cam at the welcome building in the car park we have nesting Blue Tits to entertain visitors.
Bit of a rush - sorry but I'm out of time. Have a Great Easter Weekend!