The best news of the week is perhaps the long awaited opening of the Avalon Hide. It's been a long time coming but we're finally there. You access iby following the footpath beyond the new bridge and take a left turn up towards the wood. There are plenty of signs out so just follow those.
It faces an open pool which is usually home to a few duck species throughout the winter but there have been frequent sightings of Kingfisher, Bitter and Marsh Harrier from here during its construction. You may also hear the frequent tip tapping of a Pied Wagtail on the roof - he seems to like it here at the moment.
The Starling murmuration has also been up towards the top of the reserve the last few days so this could well be a good vantage point (bring a torch for the walk back ) or an easier walk with a slightly more distant view would be from the 2nd viewing platform.
The rail path bridge is still closed. They have all but finished the western approach but the Environment Agency have informed us that they are now wanting to paint it so it will more than likely be closed for a further fortnight while this happens. Due to a problem they came across with the structural work they will also have to return in March/April to complete works, which will mean a further closure unfortunately. It's out of hands I'm afraid and it's not making access to the site very easy for staff either but we'll deal with things the best we can.
Starlings could be numbering as many as 200,000 at present but the cold weather will likely keep these numbers climbing steadily. The main bulk have been at Ham Wall but some birds have been dropping into Shapwick Heath this week. As always the Starling Hotline can give you a good guide as to where to start your search. Hotline: 07866 554142
Remember the mornings can be just as impressive and if you know where they were the night before you can guarantee the show. On Wednesday morning the birds flew directly over the 2nd platform at a height of about 20-25 feet and just before departure 3 Marsh Harriers were present along with a Peregrine. This bird actually made a kill although low down so there was no aerial formation dancing - John Crispin viewed this through his binoculars.
Dawn Explosion...
The Otter sightings continued this week with yet another sighting on Sunday morning from the Tor View Hide in Waltons. This could also be a good place to spot Water Rails at the moment as they have been seen in the cut area to the side. A silent approach to the hide could bring you a great reward by the looks of things. Waltons has also played host to Marsh Harriers frequently this week, while Kingfishers were also heard here on Monday. Several Bitter sightings have also been noted with the eastern section of Waltons this week.
From the screens Tufted Duck, Little Grebe and Shoveler along with large groups of Black Headed Gulls and the usual presence of Cormorants. Fish Populations seem to be good within Waltons although one had a lucky escape this week.
Black Headed Gull with "the one that got away"
Platform 1 is looking onto quite open water at the moment and a number of Wigeon have been using it this week. Great White Egrets are also here on a daily basis:
Thanks as always to John Crispin for some fantastic pictures.
It seems I have a bit less to report this week than others although I've had a bit less time than usual out and about on the reserve. As a result though the new hide is open and we have successfully cut and burnt the first island in Waltons (visible from the 3rd screen). We aim to cut the end of the next one and the end of the island opposite the Tor View Hide before raising the water levels. It's often a good place for loafing ducks and when splash,y Snipe often use the island.
Talking of Snipe, a Jack Snipe was disturbed on 2 occasions during reed cutting work with our machine in the section between the 2 platforms this week. It did its classic behaviour of waiting until the very last second before moving and the silently flying a very short distance and disappearing - great camouflage.
Also this week: Raven flying over the reserve on a couple of occasions, Buzzards often mobbed by crows, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, c20 Redpolls in the alder trees in the car park, Grass Snake on Monday under a refuge tin at Waltons - expecting it to be the last sighting this year looking at the weather, Migrant Hawker Dragonfly seen along the rail path, Groups of Lapwing from the 2nd platform and often airborne over the reserve, small groups of Fieldfare and amazingly 4 Swallows passing over the 1st platform on Saturday 7th (bet they cant wait to get away). Also a very busy Kestrel once again seen hovering over the 1st platform canal path and Waltons trail.
That's it for this week. Come and check out the new hide if you can and let us know what you think.
Have a great weekend!