It seems to be slowly creeping towards that very quiet time of year on the reserve. July is half over and August is fast approaching. Many birds are in moult after breeding which makes flight more difficult so they tend to be more hidden and of course there's a lot less singing. They've been busy feeding and tending their young for several weeks and looking for a well deserved rest. As a parent myself I know how they feel, although my rest may be several years away yet but I feel privileged to be able to escape each day to work in such a wonderful place.
Several young birds are still on show though. I caught sight of a young Cettis Warbler by the Waltons screens on Tuesday and there are often young Reed Warblers flitting around and calling. Often young birds can be a bit naive and perch out in the open sometimes. Some young Robins were doing this on the lower of the 2 boardwalks from the car park on Tuesday and at the same time young Goldcrests were high in the trees being fed by parents - a lovely sight.
The car park pools are still full of life, with the "Iberian Water Frogs" still croaking loudly and sunning themselves on the pool edges. More life can be expected next year with a female Black Tailed Skimmer (example pictured) egg laying in the water this week and appearances from Emperor, Broad Bodied Chaser, 4 Spotted Chaser, Ruddy Darter and a beautiful newly emerged Common Darter seen there yesterday.
Damselflies too are present, with Banded Demoiselle, Blue Tailed, Common Blue, Red eyed and Variable all seen this week. Another special visitor, or more likely resident to the car park pools is a Water Vole seen by volunteer Pete Wood yesterday - he also mentioned that a visitor has seen one previously and mentioned it to him, so fantastic news that they've moved in. Good to see the new car park is "Giving Nature a Home" as well as the reserve.
It's been another good week for Butterflies too with several species sen or reported to me: Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock (pictured), Red Admiral, Brimstone, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Skipper, Painted Lady, Green Veined White, Large White and Comma all on the list. Not a bad list for the week.
The car park can prove to be a good place to loiter for a while and looking towards the reserve will often reward you with Great White Egret and Marsh Harrier sightings. There's some good news in terms of Marsh Harriers too - we've got fledged birds from the first nest with 4 youngsters flying around - you may see these pristine looking, dark birds for yourselves. It also looks like we have 2 birds in a second nest and a third nest with at least one further chick - our best year yet!
As I wrote in a previous blog the Common Terns sadly failed in their breeding attempt this year but have been seen on the reserve on occasion since. On Tuesday one was seen hunting the channels with the Waltons reedbeds and the next day from the 1st platform. The growth in this area has really gone crazy in the last couple of weeks and it's hard to see much of the water at present. Rest assured we will be out cutting soon to really open it up for the autumn and winter - it should be ideal for waders, herons of all kinds and ducks as the water levels rise slowly after we finish. We are already building the pontoon bridge to access the islands with our machine (once it's back from repair) but need to be sure there are no breeding birds still active in the area before we start the management.
Common Tern
The Waltons section still holds a strong interest - people are still hoping to catch sight of a Night Heron or Purple Heron - possible Purple Heron seen distantly from the rail bridge on the right as you walk to the reserve but not confirmed - same place as Friday's bird but no good views seen (Grey Herons sit in this area too but the providers of the sightings are sensing that this bird is different - just too far away and a bit hidden). Waltons also played host to an Otter last weekend - we know they're here but we get so few sightings, it's great to hear about them when we do.
From the other side of the bridge Kingfishers are still active at their nest site in the edge of the wood and active birds have also been seen in the back right corner of Waltons and with Loxtons including from the screen. We have at least 3 nest sites on the reserve this year that we know of. Always nice to see!
#
Another favourite - although more seasonal is the Hobby. There are still some birds around - some of which are young non breeding birds. A single bird flew in front of the 1st platform yesterday and also perched in the tall dead willow in the wood at the back. On Tuesday there were 4 perched in this tree and a 5th bird in flight so a good place to start your search.
There are a few Bitterns still flying too, although most nesting activity is now winding down. A juvenile Bittern was again seen in the Loxtons section of the reserve as last week.
If you're on the hunt for waders it's probably a bit more tricky but you could try the 2nd platform. Water is very slowly draining here and very small areas of mud will appear but it may even be worth walking the grassy bank to get a better view from all angles. Greenshank was recorded here this week and beyond this section 2 Green Sandpipers were seen. Apart from that the section between the the platforms holds a few Lapwing which fly up from time to time visible from the 1st platform and often Little & Great White Egrets are feeding in here (or you see them drop in).
Green Sandpiper
Also seen this week: Great Spotted Woodpecker, several gangs of Long Tailed Tits, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Buzzard, Grass Snake, Slow Worm, Smooth Newt and this Roe Deer seen around the Waltons trail:
Roe Deer
That's it for this week. Have a good weekend!!