It seems we took a long time waiting for spring to arrive and then suddenly it almost felt like summer for a couple of days. The sunshine has certainly brought the visitors into the reserve and there's been plenty for people to see. The spring migrants continue to arrive and it was great to get my first cuckoo of the season. That iconic sound almost encapsulates spring on its own.
I was some way from it, but it sounded like it was beyond the second platform (VP2). Other birds have also been reported from the Avalon Hide, VP2 itself and from the Waltons section so they are arriving steadily. They will soon be watching the reed warblers closely to get the timings just right for laying their eggs in their unsuspecting hosts nest.
Other warblers have arrived in force including blackcaps galore, willow warblers, sedge warblers, chiffchaff and now garden warbler too. Again this week grasshopper warbler was recorded along the grassy footpath between the 2 platforms but near to VP1 on Tuesday. A gentleman also said he'd heard one there today too. Finally saw my first whitethroat this morning. There was one singing on the main path brambles by the first platform (VP1) which I didn't see but one also opposite VP1 on the footpath side of the drain. John Crispin managed to get a couple of shots of this male this week. Thanks for sending them in John:
So we're just waiting for swifts to return and a lot more hobbies. When they do arrive more dragonflies and damselflies will be out. We've had our first ones this week. A hairy dragonfly (normally our first ones) was reported on Monday, while the first damselfly was recorded by volunteer Giles Morris during his survey yesterday - a female large red damselfly - he even got a photo of it and sent it in - thanks Giles:
There's certainly a massive increase in birdsong around the reserve. A short stay in the car park will even tell you that. Blackcaps, chiffchaff, song thrush, goldfinch, great tit, greenfinch, blackbird to name but a few. In the reedbeds reed warblers and sedge warblers are chattering away, reed buntings are singing and the cettis warblers are belting out their loud songs. Many are perching up and singing so it's a good time to get a view of them before all the leaves are fully out.
Along the main path bullfinches (male and female) were seen this morning and goldcrest along with treecreeper throughout the week. On Wednesday, a volunteer, along with some visitors saw an otter to the left of the old rail bridge as you enter the reserve. It was in the small drain by the side of the wood. It swam towards them before popping out of the water for a short while, then re-entering and swimming away - wonderful. That's not the only otter sightings of the week however. On Monday 2 were seen from the Tor View Hide by a visitor - he showed me a picture too and then this morning 2 otters (perhaps the same ones) were seen within Loxtons. We are certainly getting a lot more sightings in recent months which is fantastic. Signs of their presence have increased too - on Tuesday Ali Blaney the Warden found the remains of a large pike head whilst out on her survey.
As well as an increase in birdsong, nesting activity looks to be increasing too and were are even beginning to see young birds from those off to an early start. This morning a greylag goose with 4 young was reported from VP2, whilst at VP1 the great crested grebes have finally hatched chicks - 3 to be precise. Elsewhere the great crested grebes seem to be all at different stages. There's a pair siting on a nest from the 3rd screen at Waltons, whilst others are still head shaking and courting. Fascinating birds to watch whatever they are up to. John Crispin snapped this bird this week with its latest meal - it looks to be a large stickleback. Thanks again John:
There seems to be a lot of activity from grey herons and great white egrets this week. I was seeing several flying around this morning. The reedbeds just beyond the car park and before you get to Waltons is a good place to start although this morning they appeared to be everywhere at one point.
There are certainly grey herons nest within the Waltons reedbeds and one is believed to hold at least one chick at present seen on Tuesday. This photo from John Crispin shows one of the nests occupied - just visible through the reeds:
Great white egrets have also been seen and photographed carrying nesting material this week - things are really hotting up - it's exciting to think what might happen this year.
This one isn't carrying nesting material but it's certainly making its presence known vocally:
Bitterns too are slowly becoming more active. Lots of booming across the reserve still with 19 recorded on last weeks count with 2 just off the reserve. Across the marshes as a whole 50 boomers were recorded which is 5 more than last year. I think I'm right in saying that the Somerset total is 55 which includes 4 at Greylake which is fantastic.
A few extra sightings this week of multiple birds (2 or more) in chases. 3 were reported this morning in front of VP2 - thought to be a female being pursued by 2 males so expect to see more of this over the next few weeks.
VP2 is also a good place to see marsh harriers - a pair have been using this area regularly to hunt this week but also soar higher up on thermals along with several buzzards. If not here then the Avalon Hide would be the place to go - traditionally in recent years a nesting area and this season looks no different. If your visiting at either end of the day look out for barn owls and tawny owls in, or by, the wooded area behind the hide.
Were getting a few waders recorded too. Redshank last week but also regular sightings of lapwing including some displaying - distant in front of the Avalon Hide for this - also scan the fields here for cattle egrets - they were spotted here recently - we're still only up to 9 after the disappearance of them when the snow came (now a distant memory as I bask in the sunshine). Black tailed Godwits have been seen too during the week, including 3 over Waltons yesterday whilst a common sandpiper was spotted hiding amongst the ducks from VP2 yesterday. Thanks to John Crispin for the photographic evidence:
Also this week: as you can see from the photo above there are still a few wigeon roosting in front of VP2 along with gadwall and tufted duck, teal, shoveler, pochard and mallard also present around the reserve. Sand Martins and swallows also seen daily and to a lesser extent house martins - still haven't seen my first one yet, Redpolls in small numbers still being seen in the alder trees on the main path, Kingfishers seen and heard frequently around Waltons and some noisy little grebes too (also in Loxtons), a kestrel was recorded yesterday and a sparrowhawk flew over the car park on Tuesday, water rails seen often from the Tor View Hide but also one from the Avalon Hide on Wednesday. Roe deer are seen often in the fields on the reserves perimeter, but occasionally within the reserve boundary whilst rabbits are frequently seen along the main path. A grass snake was also spotted from the old rail bridge this week.
Butterflies are becoming more abundant with several species recorded this week : Brimstone, speckled wood, holly blue, comma, small tortoiseshell, red admiral, orange tip and peacock amongst them.
That's it for this week - have a great weekend!