Well there can be no doubt now - Autumn is here. It's not just the weather that's the giveaway - the wildlife is a good indicator too. Sightings of Wigeon (14 seen over on Shapwick Heath), Teal (4 recorded on Ham Wall in front of the 2nd platform yesterday) and the first Pintail of the season (again on Shapwick - but look out for them on Ham Wall too - usually in front of the 2nd platform).
Large groups of House Martins were seen yesterday c150 along with a few Sand Martins and Swallows. Saw a single Swift on Monday too from the Tor View Hide. An indicator that these species are heading off south and their numbers are dwindling somewhat. Other large groups of birds are gathering - most notably the Starlings. c2000 roosting each night on Ham Wall - just a small taster of what's to come of course.
Also large groups of Goldfinches and Long Tailed Tits can be seen daily on the reserve and the odd Warbler still hanging on - Reed and Sedge Warbler but these will be gone at any time soon. I saw a Wheatear briefly on the north of the reserve on Monday too - so one or two of these still about. Chiffchaff can also be seen and heard on the reserve - but this short distant migrant is tending to overwinter more these days. This one was snapped by John Crispin near the 1st platform this week - thanks John!
Waders are on the move too. As last week some interest in front of the 2nd platform area (and from the nearby blinds that look onto the same area on the other side of the drain - we will get around to clearing in front of these very soon - we are aware that it's not that easy to access these at present - apologies). From these areas this week: Pectoral Sandpiper reported on a couple of occasions (also seen at the scrape on Shapwick Heath), 2 Dunlin, 14 Snipe seen in the air yesterday morning, 3 Ruff also seen most days this week, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, at least 50 Lapwing, varying numbers of Black Tailed Godwits and this morning a Spotted Redshank - a great sighting for the reserve.
There are still a few young birds around - some more obvious than others - some juveniles amongst the waders (just to make things trickier for some) but this Adult Little Grebe still feeding its youngster. Thanks again to John Crispin for the photo:
Some of the more obvious youngsters of course are the Mute Swans - some still nowhere near full size and very grey while others are beginning to morph towards their adult plumage such as this bird:
There has been a family of Kingfishers sighted around Waltons on a few occasions this week. One gentlemen reported seeing 4 together and hearing a fifth nearby. Many seen and heard in this area this week, so worth a look. I was also saw one from the Avalon Hide on Monday - this one was being chased by a Hobby - they both passed right in front of the hide (superb views of the Hobby) - as far as I'm aware it failed in its efforts.
Still, the consolation is there are still dragonflies on the wing for it to feed up on. Brown Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Ruddy Darter and Common Darter all sighted this week.
Butterfly numbers are quite good too. Lots of fresh Red Admirals seen along with Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell the odd Gatekeeper, Comma and Green Veined White.
Staff and volunteers are still continuing the work in front of the 1st platform clearing the islands. At least another weeks work in here I would think - as long as the weather is kind. We can then start to raise the water levels and create some extra splashy areas. There's a few birds in here using it at present. c50 Mallard were disturbed as the volunteers arrived yesterday and they reported seeing a few Snipe too while overhead a few Swallows and House Martins were picking off flies.
The Glossy Ibis has been using the area on occasions but this week has tended to use the 2nd platform area more - it was seen there this morning and as it dropped in was given some grief by the group of Lapwing that were using the same area. Great White Egrets and Little Egrets are using this area too (keep your eyes open for Cattle Egrets too - with up to 8 recorded on the scrape at Shapwick this week). Great White Egret also use the 1st platform area most days - it's nice and open, so a good opportunity to get some good views as John Crispin's photograph shows. Thanks John:
as opposed to views like this one - although it does add that element of secrecy - something which many of these birds appreciate:
Look out for Little Egrets too - sometimes look up! They are not always on the ground (apart from the obvious flying about business):
Other Heron species are present too (most likely the Little Bittern has left and no reports of Night Heron recently either). Bitterns have been spotted several times this week - 2 yesterday in front of the 1st platform as well as one in both Loxtons (pictured) and Waltons which made good flights.....
.....and of course the Grey Heron. Quite an obvious and often noisy bird they can be interesting to watch. You can get quite close to some on the waters edge on occasions. Nice shot of one preening sent in by ....yes, you guessed it... John Crispin. Thanks again John - great shots as always. Bit of mimicry from the Mallard too!
Also this week: several Ravens spotted flying over the reserve this morning, a Jay perched in trees by the 1st platform on Monday (becoming more visible and active at the moment), Great Spotted Woodpeckers daily, Tawny Owls heard, Black Tern reported yesterday both at Ham Wall & Shapwick, Lots of Bearded Tits on site at the moment - really great to see this fantastic looking bird (sightings recently from the Tor View Hide and the Avalon Hide areas), Hobby in front of the 2nd platform yesterday, groups of geese seen and heard overhead this week - both Greylag and Canada geese, Marsh Harriers - both male and female hunting over the reserve this week - also seen perching in trees in front of the Avalon Hide on Monday and several Buzzards - at least 6 seen following the tractor which was mowing areas of the reserve this week.
That's it for this week but will leave you with a nice picture of a Gadwall in flight to finish!
Have a great weekend!