Lots of great sightings to report this week as well as an update on the new facilities.
As you may know the Avalon Hide is now open and is offering great views to visitors over the north of the reserve. The Starlings have been dropping in up this end of the site, so the hide or the 2nd platform have been the places to catch the best views. There must be at least 250,000-300,000 birds in the roost by now although I haven't counted them all personally. Your guess will be as good as mine when the numbers are this high, so come and watch them and tell us how many you think there are.
This morning a Bittern flew in front of the new hide but also 3 other fabulous sightings: one Barn Owl, one Fox and one Otter (good to see the recent flurry of sightings continuing). Not bad for a mornings work. Couple these with the numerous sightings of Marsh Harriers and Kingfishers and it's definitely worth staying while.
Marsh Harriers are a common sight during the Starling murmurations. On Tuesday some RSPB South West staff came to see the hide and progress on the other facilities and also took in the Starlings from the 2nd platform. 4 Marsh Harriers were present at the time - there were as many as 5 on Saturday 14th Nov. Here's one photographed by John Crispin this week from the 1st platform:
If you're planning a visit you'll be pleased to hear that the rail path and bridge is now back open for the moment at least. The Environment Agency may well be getting it painted, although we hope they may be able to keep this open during this time.
In the car park - the toilets are now plumbed in and just about ready to go. They could well be up and running next week, while the reception building may well be following shortly after - although the interpretation panels are not expected until the new year. We'll be trying to man the building as much as possible but aim to be open at least every weekend with volunteers. In fact we are looking for people to help out with this. If you think you might be able to spare some time drop us a line at the office and we'll talk it over 01458 860494.
Back on the reserve and one of the most notable things of the week has been the passage of large numbers of Wood Pigeons. Several local sightings of high numbers have been reported and during the WeBS count (Wetland Bird Survey) on Ham Wall on Monday c5000 were seen flying over the reserve heading south. One theory is that it could be British birds heading south to France and Spain to spend winter in the southern oak forests. Portland Bird Observatory reported an exodus of c25,000 birds the same day.
It's not often I talk about Wood Pigeons!
The WeBS count for November was generally up on last month. Figures below (not including Waltons & Loxtons - recorded separately), October figures in brackets:
Wigeon (48) 50
Gadwall (100) 182
Teal (47) 112
Mallard (64) 60
Pochard (0) 2
Shoveler (4) 54
Still not massive numbers but this could be as a result of the prolonged spell of warmer weather we've had (and on the continent).
Shoveler have shown a good increase and there are a few hanging about in front of the new hide as well as from the screens at Waltons. A few are still showing eclipse plumage like this Waltons male on Wednesday:
An underrated duck is perhaps the male Gadwall. This photo shows its wonderful intricate breast markings:
Another duck we see during the autumn and winter months is the Pintail. 2 males took off during the Starling 'take off' on Wednesday morning and flew over the 2nd platform. Another good looking duck!
The area in front of the 2nd platform is still a good place to find Lapwing with around 200 seen there during the week along with a good list of duck species.
The only other wader recorded this week was the Snipe. Waltons maybe the best place to see these. 2 flew over on 2 occasions on Thursday. We've now finished the cutting work in here and the water levels will slowly come back up. The first cut island (once splashy) is often a good place to pick up Snipe and loafing ducks.
Also this week: 2 Grey Squirrels running up the rail path. They can often be seen hanging around the larger oaks in the area. Raven flew over on Thursday, 2 Red Admirals seen on Wednesday (one on canal path, one on rail path), Firecrest reported in the first band of trees on the footpath side of the main drain, several Great White Egrets seen throughout the week, Water voles reported on Twitter but location not known, Short Eared Owl recorded last Friday, Glossy Ibis last Thursday at the new hide, 2 Bearded Tits seen and heard in front of the 1st platform on Monday and a Stonechat on the north of the reserve. One was also seen in Waltons on Thursday and there is often one in the brambles etc opposite the 1st platform:
Male Stonechat
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!