The spring migration is gathering pace with lots more new arrivals this week. A noticeable increase in the numbers of sand martins and swallows over the reserve - the 1st platform (VP1) as good a place as any to observe this. Good numbers passed over this morning picking off the many flying insects that are hanging in the air. Some visitors also reported a few house martins but I'm still waiting for my first.
John Crispin managed this great shot of sand martins alighting in the Ham Wall reedbeds to take a rest and have a bit of a preen. Thanks John:
Also thanks to Graham Wagner for this shot of a swallow in flight in front of the Avalon Hide this week:
I maybe waiting for my first house martin but did manage my first hobby on Wednesday as it flew high over the very north of the reserve (distant from the Avalon Hide) but we will be expecting a big influx of the soon - it's quite a sight to see so many at once. In a 5 minute burst we managed hobby sparrowhawk, buzzard and at least 3 different marsh harriers which was nice. Yesterday 5 buzzards circled together over Waltons and we had visits from marsh harriers although generally most of their activity tends to be in front of the Avalon Hide - a male was busy chasing off crows on Wednesday, indicating a nest here is likely.
There has also been an increase in reed and sedge warbler numbers - more noticeable through song than actual sightings. I did catch a glimpse of a sedge warbler on the way to the Tor View Hide this morning. While John Crispin managed to capture this shot of a singing sedge warbler earlier in the week:
Other new arrivals to look out for include Whitethroat. There is usually a territory in the brambles directly opposite VP1 and that is where one was reported yesterday although I had a good look this morning without success. It probably won't be long before we see them here regularly with their distinctive song flight patterns .
Another to listen out for is grasshopper warbler. One was recorded yesterday on the left side of the footpath about half way towards VP1 although not heard again. Listen out for a repetitive reeling noise - a bit like the sound of a fishing line being wound in.
Lots of other warblers are present and making themselves far more obvious. There is plenty of noise from blackcaps in particular but also chiffchaff and willow warbler and lots of cettis warblers too. In fact this is perhaps the optimum time of year to catch sight of these elusive birds. They are frequently perched out in the open in full song doing their best to secure a mate. This won't last long though and soon they will be back to their usual, more secretive, selves. Thanks to John Crispin for his submissions:
Other birds are also making themselves known vocally - perhaps the most obvious of these is the bittern. Lots of booming still going on, particularly earlier in the day but there are a few which boom all through the day. A couple out near the Avalon Hide and within Waltons. There have been a few flights or chases too - one chase involving 2 birds over Loxtons this morning.
Other members of the heron family are active too. Take a stroll along the main path from the car park and look to your right into the first section of reedbed. You will more thank likely see some sitting in the reedbeds here (you can see them from the car park too when they fly up). You could also try VP1 - one in particular enjoys sitting and feeding in this section.
John Crispin snapped this one showing a large chunk of feathers missing from it's right wing. Thanks John:
These birds are now looking great in all their breeding plumage and so too are their smaller cousins the little egret. Another one of John Crispin's photos show this one in all it's finery:
Grey herons too are present with several flying over Waltons this morning. They also drop into the reedbeds where there are other adults most likely sitting on eggs. The most obvious of the nests is visible on the left as you walk up to Tor View Hide. When the birds get together there is plenty of noise which makes things more obvious still.
The path has also been a good place to see water rails this week. Several visitors have seen up to 3 walking across the path this week. If not hear, approach the hide quietly and scan around its base and the reed piles to the right. Again most mornings people are telling me they've seen one - I saw one myself this morning.
Close to the hide here this morning was a common tern. It first arrived on Wednesday where it was spotted (and photographed by John Crispin) over Loxtons hunting and sitting on the raft preening. This morning it was over Waltons and sitting and preening on the rafts on the east side that the first 2 screens look at. Lets hope a mate arrives and we have some successful breeding like we have had in the past.
Lesser black back gulls were chasing it off at times today and black headed gulls were also present. There has been some courtship displays from these on the reserve this week - observed and photographed once again by John Crispin - thanks John:
Also from the Waltons screens (3rd one) is a nesting great crested grebe. Good view available of this and often close by is tufted duck, gadwall, mallard and even a teal. This teal was photographed by Graham Wagner from the Avalon Hide - thanks Graham:
Another great crested grebes nest is well underway in front of VP1. Hatching must be imminent. Another Graham Wagner shot here of great crested grebe in flight - thanks Graham:
Also this week: Barn Owl seen by the wood behind the Avalon Hide yesterday, still redpoll present with up to 20 seen in the alder trees by Loxtons. Thise behind the second platform (VP2) a good place to start your search, 2 oystercatchers flew over the car park this morning, a brambling was spotted along the main track yesterday and a female redstart this morning just before the old rail bridge - look out also on the main track for goldcrest, bullfinch and treecreeper, bearded tits were heard on the way to the Tor View Hide on Monday and kingfishers are being seen daily in and around the Waltons section.
A few butterflies are being seen but the weather hasn't been that kind. With warmer weather next week look out for: Peacock, red Admiral, Green Veined White, Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma - all seen recently.
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!