Another week has flown by but it's been a productive one. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers we have finished reed cutting on the islands in front of the 1st viewing platform and we are currently raising the water levels once more. There have been some naturally lower and stickier parts on the islands anyway and a few birds have been sitting and feeding on the islands. WE even saw some voles & shrews scampering for cover (Could of been Water Shrews - we do get them on the reserve).
A family group of Mute Swans are regulars with the 8 cygnets in tow. A few Snipe are out there too but it's the Glossy Ibis which people enjoy seeing most. They have both been out feeding on the islands during the week and we unfortunately had to flush them off the island yesterday to finish our work there - I'm sure they will drop back in again. They moved to the north yesterday but then a single bird flew again and dropped in front of the 2nd platform so it's worth checking both these areas. Thanks to John Crispin for sending me in these photos of the Glossy Ibis seen in front of the 1st platform on Wednesday:
Glossy Ibis with Gadwall for company: John Crispin.
The other feathered star this week once again is the Osprey. It was still about yesterday (it arrived on the 9th August I believe) and is still spending much time over at Shapwick Heath. It's been seen daily at Ham Wall too, often from the Avalon Hide as on Monday & Tuesday but was seen over Waltons on Wednesday too. It's habits haven't changed since last week. Still catching fish at Ham Wall and taking them off to scoff at Shapwick on its preferred perch. I guess its nice that it pays us a visit though.
The non-feathered stars were the 2 Otters seen, albeit briefly, from the Tor View Hide on Monday morning just after 7am. Just after this a Water Rail was seen walking and feeding in the cut area in front of the hide. It was very wary though. Despite this John Crispin managed to catch these great shots. Thanks John:
Marsh Harriers have been seen hunting over Waltons too including a male on Tuesday morning. The previous day one was hunting over the section next door (just beyond the car park). At the same time a Kestrel was performing its distinct hover over the grassy banks at the end of the car park. The best view of this was from the old rail bridge. Also from the Tor View Hide this week - a few Bittern flights, Great Crested Grebes, 2 Kingfishers which flew past the hide, Reed Warbler and a late (or passing through) Sedge Warbler pictured below:
Sedge Warbler: John Crispin.
The 2nd platform is still of great interest, although you have to work a little harder than at the Shapwick Heath scrape for your rewards. This week in here: Varying numbers of Lapwing, with at least 170 seen in flight over the area yesterday having been disturbed by something (a Marsh Harrier perhaps), 4 Ruff (including 1 Reeve), 5 Green Sandpiper, 14 Snipe seen feeding and loafing, 2 Black Tailed Godwit (200+ reported at Shapwick) and a Wood Sandpiper reported on Monday.
In terms of duck there's the usual Mallard & Gadwall along with a few Shoveler plus at least 7 Wigeon loafing on the higher ground, a single Garganey reported and good numbers of Teal c50. 2 Bearded Tits were seen close to the platform of Tuesday morning and there was a single Bittern flight.
2 Bearded Tits were reported by a volunteer on the way to the Avalon Hide (again on Tuesday). They were on the left of the track leading to the hide and flew across the path. 2 were also heard in front of the hide just after (the same of different we don't know) but nice that they are present.
Just before this there was a Great White Egret perched in the trees in the woodland block there (we call this Central Wood). On Thursday a Sparrowhawk and a Kingfisher were seen in the same area.
The other places to see Great White Egrets are: in front of the 2nd platform, the Avalon Hide or as often is the case from the Waltons screens in the early morning. One has been seen perched on one of the small rafts in front of the screen (there's a photo in last weeks blog I think).
Insect life is still busy on the reserve - a few Martins and Swallows are still feeding over the water and there is the occasional Hobby sighting still as they chase the now reduced number of dragonflies. Southern Hawker, Common Hawker, Migrant Hawker as well as Common & Ruddy Darter have all been recorded this week.
Butterflies aren't abundant, but you can build a fair list with a bit of effort: Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Green Veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood and Comma (seen In the car park) have all been recorded. There's always plenty of interesting critters in the ponds and look for crickets in the log grass too:
Lots of spiders too. When the frosts and dewy mornings come it's always amazing to see the webs and strands of gossamer hanging with water - good photo opportunities. In the meantime here's a regular spider photo:
Also this week: Great Spotted Woodpecker calling and perched every day in the first strip of wood on the footpath side of the track, Buzzard flew out of the same wood this lunchtime while another was spotted at the far end of the reserve earlier in the week (they very frequently seen at Ham Wall), Kingfisher & Grey Wagtail seen at Tinneys ground (the plot on the Sharpham Road) & lots of Iberian Water Frogs still seen easily in the car park pools.
Iberian Water Frog: John Crabb
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!