Another brilliant week on the reserve this week with, once again, loads to report.
Birds of prey feature highly this week, although I'm falling short of photos in this area I'm afraid. Last weekend, Monday and Tuesday saw Short Eared Owl hunting over the reserve (probably 2 different birds here). Three sightings on Monday morning from the first platform and around Waltons followed by a further evening sighting. Tuesday saw another sighting around Waltons but also an Osprey which perched in trees by Long Drove - land south of Waltons. It was also seen over the Avalon Marshes Centre and Shapwick Heath that day.
Thursday morning saw a sighting of female Hen Harrier on the reserve and an hour or so later a Red Kite passed over.
Marsh Harriers are still busy out in front of the Avalon Hide and on the section beyond that which the 2nd viewing platform looks upon. It could well be another 3 active nests this year. Buzzards have again been seen getting a little too close this week before being seen off by the harriers but also a Bittern was circling above the area yesterday (Thurs) before being attacked by a Harrier and bombed constantly for several minutes. The Bittern never reappeared so its fate remains a mystery.
I've still yet to see my first Hobby of the season, although a few have been reported. At least 2 were seen last weekend. No dragonflies yet either, although there was a report of Variable damselfly this week, so with another warm spell plenty more should begin to emerge over the coming weeks. There are plenty of other flying insects for them to feed on though and of course these are enjoyed by the many returning hirundines and Swifts. Plenty of Swallows and House Martins over Waltons feeding this morning with the odd Swift (several were seen on Tuesday morning).
Several other migrating bird species have found their way to Ham Wall over the last week. There has been an increase in the number of Reed Warblers and I've heard my first Sedge Warbler of the year today. Garden Warbler was spotted in the rail path trees yesterday to join the throng of Blackcaps already present:
Blackcap: John Crispin.
Add to this Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and all the "usual suspects" and there's quite a build up of song on your walk into the reserve.
It would seem the place to head for is the 2nd platform at the moment. There's plenty of mud showing and the Glossy Ibis seems to be loving it and is present very day. There's also been a great selection of waders here too. Of particular note were Black Tailed Godwits of varying numbers but a peak of over 100, Dunlin x1, Redshank x4, Little Ringed Plover x2, Ringed Plover x4, Greenshank x2, Green Sandpiper x1, Snipe x2 and Common Sandpiper x2. These are the peak counts of any one species recorded here this week.
Common Sandpiper was also seen from the 1st platform over Waltons on both Monday and Tuesday. On Tuesday it perched long enough on the rafts in Waltons for John Crispin to grab these shots - thanks John:
Also in Waltons this week is the continued presence of the Ring Necked Duck. It's been seen most days on the east side of Waltons either from the Tor View Hide or lurking up the channels. On the way to the hide look out for the Grey Herons nest on the left (east) clearly visible. As reported last week, a chick was visible from time to time and here's definitive proof sent in by volunteer Rob Balch - thanks Rob:
Grey Heron and chick (nice hairdo); Rob Balch.
Also in the Waltons section this week: Lots of Pochard and Tufted Ducks, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Great White Egrets, 2 Roe Deer on the back path this morning, a pair of Linnets in the far corner (male in full song and a female with a beak full of food) and 2 Bitterns yesterday perched up and climbing in the reeds right on the edge in the open. Volunteers who were out in the area at the time enjoyed great views through John Crispin's scope but unfortunately he didn't have his camera at the time. Luckily, Andrew Kirby was nearby and got shots of the same incident. Thanks Andrew!
John did did however have his camera on Sunday when he got these shots of a Bittern enjoying some sunshine:
It's always worth scanning the edges of the reed beds on sunny mornings to see if you can spot any sunbathing Bitterns. Mind you, you never know what you might see flying over the reserve these days:
Like this Chinook flying very low over the reserve on both Monday and Tuesday. Pairs of Hercules have also passed over low on several occasions.
There may be a lack of dragonflies still but there are plenty of butterflies on the wing: Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma, Green Veined White, Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone all spotted throughout the week.
Also this week: Sparrowhawks seen on several occasions, Stoat seen running across the rail path near the 1st viewing platform on Tuesday, up to 3 Garganey and 2 Pintail seen from the 2nd platform this week, Raven flying over on a number of occasions, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 2 White Wagtails from the 2nd platform over the weekend (and a Whinchat on Saturday), up to 4 Great White Egrets seen within Loxtons during the week, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Siskin by the 2nd platform, Displaying Lapwings (they also chased off crows), croaking Iberian Water Frogs and Bearded Tits seen just beyond the 2nd platform area.
Finally John Crabb sent me these shots of the first Coot chicks of the year - saw some myself in Waltons - perhaps the same ones. Thanks John!
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!