A much colder feel this week and it finally felt like winter on the reserve - there were even a couple of icy patches. As with last week there seems to be an upturn in the numbers of wildfowl on the reserve - I have particularly noticed good numbers of Teal this week.
The Dusky Warbler was seen again early in the week. This time on the rail path by the Autumn/Winter bird ID board before flying through the trees back towards it's 'normal' location on the canal path. It hasn't been reported again but then again maybe those people who wanted to see it have done so and people are less interested. Of course the temporary closure of the Avalon Hide and the main path closure by the Environment Agency for the bridge work has also meant less visitors in general. We are open - you'll just need to walk down the footpath on the other side of the main drain. Wellies or stout boots are advisable as it is quite muddy.
We are making progress with getting the path to the Avalon Hide open again. Staff and volunteers have been clearing and leveling off a better route through ready for the rubber matting which could arrive next week. It's going to be at least a couple more weeks before we open again I'm afraid. We want to act quickly but we want it to be right too.
Another star visitor of late has been the Glossy Ibis - again this was reported at Ham Wall on Monday from the 2nd viewing platform but not since. However, on Wednesday it was seen in fields on the other side of the River Brue which runs parallel to the Glastonbury to Meare road.
Back on the reserve Barn Owls have been seen on at least 3 occasions this week. 2 were seen in the box opposite the 1st platform last Sunday, one form the corner of the central wood box on Monday and another in flight from the 1st platform the same day. 2 Tawny Owls were also seen in another box (close to the 1st one mentioned) on Sunday too. Great to know they are still present on site in at least 2 different locations. They are known to feed on Starlings during winter months so they always have a chance of a meal.
The Starling roost seems to have moved further east again in the last week. Some birds are still using the Decoy area of Shapwick Heath but some are even further east. You may catch up with them by crossing the road from Shapwick Heath at the bridge and continuing a little further down the path by the drain but I'm not 100% sure. In any case the eastern end of Shapwick is the place to head for and perhaps park at the Avalon Marshes Centre and walk the short distance up the road.
Other winter visitors are still on site - Wigeon and Teal of course but also a few Redpoll and Siskin seen today along the footpath track. A couple of Fieldfares were also present at Tinneys ground on the Sharpham Road this morning.
Some birds are showing signs that spring will be coming soon though. Coots are constantly fighting in the open water but so were these 2 male swans this week in front of then 1st platform:
Elsewhere there seems to be more bird song in the air with Blackbird, Robin, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Wren, Chiffchaff and Blue Tit all heard singing this last week. With the latter snapped by John Crispin:
Some birds are also beginning to show signs of breeding plumage. This photo of the Great Crested Grebe shows how its plumage is developing when compared to the photo of the same bird in last weeks blog:
There are currently 2 in front of the 1st viewing platform and a 3rd (pictured) within the Waltons section.
The cut island in Waltons in front of the 3rd screen has been home to a few Snipe this week as well as: Mallard, Teal, Coot, Moorhen, Gadwall, Cormorant and this morning, Little Egret.
Their larger cousins, the Great White Egrets are a daily sight with as many as 3 reported this week. Another daily sighting is that of Marsh Harrier with at least 4 different birds seen on Tuesday. One a very well marked male and another very brown looking male (almost female looking).
Also this week: Kingfisher at Loxtons & Waltons, Roe Deer seen on grassy banks within the reserve, Siberian Chiffchaff along the canal path, 30 Black Tailed Godwits circling the reserve on Thursday, Treecreeper in trees between the 2 platforms, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Buzzards daily, Sparrowhawk on Tuesday, large groups of Long Tailed Tits (but often mixed flocks with other tits, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest) and Raven in flight and calling.
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!