There have been several 'firsts' for me this week. On Monday I have my first Sand Martins of the year - I heard them (perhaps 3) fly over the car park in the morning. Later on a visitor reported seeing some from the first platform. As I traveled into work on Thursday morning a single House Martin flew over the Meare road - at the Glastonbury end, so I got my first one of those too.
Monday also saw the first hatching of tadpoles in the car park pools and a first butterfly report for a while. A Small Tortoiseshell was seen along the old rail path. The rail path also came up trumps for Common Lizard. It was seen basking in the sunshine at the old rail bridge. I got some snaps on my phone but Andrew Collins, who was also there, kindly sent me in these photos. Thanks Andrew:
Not my first reptile of the year though after last week's Grass Snake but what a lovely thing to find. A visitor also reported seeing a second Grass Snake on Monday. Unfortunately for the snake it was dangling underneath a Buzzard at the time getting an aerial view of the Loxtons section. It was later seen eating the snake on the Loxtons path before it was disturbed. More Grass Snakes were seen yesterday (17th) in amongst brambles on the edge of Loxtons (behind the 2nd viewing platform). A visitor reported one larger snake with at least 2 smaller ones writhing around it - probably a female with a couple of males. By the time I got there, all I could see was the tail end of a snake disappearing - oh well, you can't win them all.
Another great first for the week was the first bird on our feeder cam, which beams shots back to the visitor building. Visitor Experience Officer Michael Wilson was on hand to take a shot - of the TV at least.
Once birds find it, it could be quite interesting viewing!
Other than these surprises, it's been business as usual - which of course means there's lots going on.
One of the big draws at the moment is the booming Bitterns. Thursday morning saw volunteers out across all the local nature reserves out before dawn to listen for 'boomers'. A max of 15 on RSPB land holdings in the Avalon Marshes and 2 on adjacent land puts us on a par with this time last year. Total figures from the Avalon Marshes are around 36 so it looks like a healthy crop once more. A 2nd survey takes place in mid April and this is where we usually get the peak count - so lots more to come.
It terms of Bittern flights it's a little quieter but they have been seen on a few occasions this week. The first platform, Waltons and the Avalon Hide all good places to try.
Of course our other Heron species are still very much present too. Great White Egrets are being seen on a daily basis - often in pairs, which is quite significant. Grey Herons are also still busying themselves with nests in Waltons - a couple with birds sitting (visible from the Tor View Hide). The hide also offered views of an Otter on Monday on the eastern side during the afternoon and on Tuesday the Ring Necked Duck was seen on the western side. If you're here it's worth scanning all the groups of Tufted Duck and Pochard to see if he's still around. This Waltons area is also the place to perhaps see Great Crested Grebes displaying. The hide can also be a good place to see Water Rail - a few sightings have been reported from here lately. You'll know they're about - they call loudly like a squealing pig. Loud but rarely seen.
The same can be said of the Cetti's Warbler. They have a very loud, punchy song but are usually skulking about in the reedbeds hidden away. At this time of year however, they become a little more showy and can often be seen perching up calling and claiming its territory. Waltons near the screen, by the Tor View Hide and behind the 2nd platform in Loxtons (2 seen together) are all good places to start.
Song in general is picking up more and more. Of particular note this week have been the Chiffchaffs, with several calling loudly along the rail path and around the Loxtons trail. John Crispin managed to get this shot of one this week- thanks John!
Elsewhere, other birds have been seen carrying nest material. I myself watched Long Tailed Tits nest building in brambles around Loxtons. It looked very white but I believe they often used cobwebs to bind nests together. John Crispin also saw nest building Long Tailed Tits this week:
....and Goldfinch too!
The Avalon Hide is still the place to go to see Marsh Harriers. A pair displayed for long periods in front of the hide on Monday and had been seen carrying long reed stems to nest build with. Also on Monday a male Kestrel hovered and flew acrobatically around the hide. It was also seen from the first platform (and another at the far end of the rail path yesterday). Further to these a Peregrine was also reported on Monday.
On some days you may not need to stray far from your car to get some exciting sightings. On Sunday a Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel (pictured) and Buzzard were all seen within about half an hour. Treecreepers, Song Thrushes & Goldcrests are often amongst the trees there too and - also on Sunday- 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (including one drumming).
Kestrel - John Crispin
Also this week: 2 Barn Owls from the box opposite the 1st platform this morning and another from Tinneys ground (on the Sharpham Road) during the BIttern Count yesterday, Tawny Owls also heard calling during the survey, 3 Jays in woods opposite the 1st platform this morning too. Also 3 Water Pipit on the north of the reserve, Raven seen and heard in flight on Monday, a pair of Bullfinch on the rail path between the 2 platforms the same day, up to 5 Snipe on the cut island in Waltons during the week, a few Lapwing seen daily and 2 Black Tailed Godwits from the 2nd platform on Tuesday. ....... almost forgot the 3 Cranes seen flying over the reserve yesterday - be interesting to see how they get on this year!
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!