Another week over and another step closer to winter. Some new arrivals on the reserve are an indicator that this is the case. The first Redwings of the season, with 6 reported over Ham wall on Wednesday, seen from the Tor View Hide. Redpolls have also been seen - look out for flocks of small birds particularly on the large alder trees on which they like to feed.
Also this week we've had a Yellow Browed Warbler seen on the car park hedge - with another (or perhaps the same one) reported over the road at the old car park at Ashcott Corner and a Whinchat reported by a visitor. Stonechats have been seen every day this week (including in the car park) - from both platforms with a pair seen from the 2nd platform on Sunday. They often perch up on the brambles and other vegetation opposite the 1st platform giving a good photo opportunity as John Crispin discovered - thanks John:
Birds of a feather are certainly beginning to flock together with plenty of duck gathering in front of both platforms. From the 2nd platform the autumn/winter visitors - Teal and Wigeon are gathered along with numerous Mallard, Gadwall and a few Shoveler. There have also been good numbers of Greylag geese here too with as many as 60 counted during the week and there are nearly always a few Great White Egrets to study along with a few Little Egrets for company.
From the first platform it's mostly Mallards in terms of duck but Great White Egrets have been showing well - again with Little Egrets for company. Nice when the stand side by side to get that real size comparison. The Glossy Ibis has spent many an hour here too and was photographed by John Crispin this week - thanks again to John for the photo.
Its also ben spending time in front of the 2nd platform too or in front of the willow blinds on the footpath side just past the Avalon Hide turn off. Volunteers have done well to clear as best they could in front of the 1st one which had a large willow leaning in front. There are just a few bits further out to saw off - but we may need a boat to get to these. Anyway, once again John Crispin was on hand to snap the Glossy Ibis landing in this area:
There's plenty of mud showing but not a huge number of waders to report this week - many are favouring the scrape at Shapwick Heath at the moment so worth a look there too during your visit - it's only over the road. Lapwing have been present and a couple of Ruff recorded (as many as 8 seen at Shapwick) and up to 8 Snipe have also been seen. Thanks again to John Crispin for his shot of Snipe in flight this week:
Another flocking sensation of the week has been the Cattle Egrets. Peak count so far of 32 seen over Ham Wall with John Crispin counting 31 this morning. 20 flew over the 2nd platform and Loxtons on Monday and 9 seen flying over the reserve on Sunday. Thy're out and about somewhere so keep your eyes open and don't assume everything is a Little Egret. Another big thank you to John for this great photo of Cattle Egrets in flight taken this morning:
Other fantastic flocking birds at the moment are the Bearded Tits. Several sightings again this week and once again from all over the reserve. 5 even flew over the car park on Sunday, whilst they have also been reported from Loxtons, The Avalon Hide, the 2nd platform and the Tor View Hide. We also heard some within Waltons whilst out cutting and burning the reeds on the 1st island in Waltons (would have been seen/heard from the 3rd screen). We will carry on with the cutting here over the next couple of weeks when we can and then bring the water levels back up to create a nice splashy area - it's often popular with Snipe on this island and even the Glossy Ibis last season.
Waltons and the Tor View Hide have also come up trumps this week for Kingfisher (as has the Loxtons screen). I see or at least hear one pretty much every time I'm working in the Waltons area - listen out for their whistling call as a clue to the presence and look for that flash of blue - always a treat. Marsh Harriers have also been seen from here this week (both male and female) and the 2nd platform has also been a hotspot for them. Whilst showing a group around on Tuesday afternoon we sighted 2 different birds, one of which got mercilessly harassed by a crow - John Crispin obviously had a similar experience this week as he sent in this photo - thanks John!
The main track as always is a good source of interesting sightings. During sunny spells the Ivy bushes are attracting good numbers of insects - particularly thr Red Admiral Butterfly which can be seen in good numbers. Also spotted - Peacock and Speckled Wood and a Comma in the car park . The car park pools saw dragonflies depositing eggs in pairs (Ruddy Darter and Common Darter) look out also for a few remaining Southern Hawkers and Migrant Hawkers. No Hobby reported this week as far as I know but I did see 2 Swallows flying south over Waltons on Wednesday.
Also along the main track this week: Bullfinches on a few occasions including a group of 7 (4 male, 3 female) seen by the old station cottage near the car park, Treecreeper, Goldcrest (plus in the car park) and large groups of Long Tailed Tits. Great Tit, Blue Tit and Coal Tit all recorded in the car park this week too.
Also this week: Ravens over the car park on most days (listen for their cronking) with 2 on several occasions, Jays also seen and heard around the car park this week, Kestrel seen most days - particularly a female from the 1st platform, Sparrowhawk seen from the Avalon Hide on Sunday & Wednesday, Buzzards seen daily, Peregrine from the 1st platform on Sunday, 6 Little Grebe and 6 Shoveler with Loxtons and a Bittern seen calling in flight from the Tor View Hide this morning (1 also seen here on Sunday and 2 on Wednesday and 2 from the Avalon Hide on Sunday), a noisy Water rail on the Tor View Hide path area this week (sometimes you can see these from the hide itself) and a wonderful Otter sighting from the Avalon Hide on Wednesday morning.
Finally an unusual photo of a duck sent in by John Crispin. Any ideas anyone has would be welcome. Could be a hybrid with a domestic duck perhaps - looks like there might be a bit of Mallard in there somewhere. Any suggestions anyone?
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!