Things are finally slowing down a little on the reserve after a frantic breeding season. There's a bit less action but you can see lots of family groups of birds moving around together. On a brief trip out this morning I came across a group of Reed Buntings on the way to the Avalon Hide with also groups of Long Tailed Tits and Great Tits in the wooded area. The most spectacular sight though was that of 100's of House Martins hunting low over the open water and channels. There were masses along the main drain running through the reserve - quite a sight.
With the scrape on Shapwick now filling up many waders have been pushed over to Ham Wall. They're not that easy to see necessarily but head to the 2nd platform or the willow blinds on the other side of the track to see what you can find. This week we've had Wood Sandpiper reported along with both Common Sandpiper (2) and Green Sandpiper (4). As last week Redshank, Snipe and Lapwing also all recorded in this area.
There area is also a favoured feeding area for Great White Egret, Little Egret and the Glossy Ibis. I also saw the Glossy Ibis yesterday on the patch of ground immediately right of the Avalon Hide. I disturbed it as I drove by and it flew right in front of the hide.
The news of our breeding Cattle Egrets has spread far and wide and I believe there may be a couple of other sites in the South West where they may have bred - any news of this will be released at some point soon I'm assuming. Here's some photos of both adult and juvenile Cattle Egrets taken on the reserve this week by Andrew Kirby - thanks Andrew:
Adult Cattle Egrets: Andrew Kirby
Juvenile Cattle Egrets: Andrew Kirby
They are not the easiest birds to catch up with but now that they are beginning to fledge they may well disperse out into the local area so it's worth scanning groups of Egrets you see anywhere locally. Around 7 were seen together in fields over at Westhay this week. Cattle are still grazing the area to the left and in front of the Avalon Hide so you may want to look here for them (they were seen here on Monday morning) - otherwise, like with many things, it's pot luck.
While you're at the Avalon Hide though there's plenty to look for. Several Bittern flights have been reported from there this week, as well as the usual flurry of Marsh Harrier records - many of these juvenile birds.
Bearded Tits are also being reported from here on a regular basis - for me often heard here but not seen but if you spend a bit of time here you'll have a good chance. Andrew Kirby snapped this picture from the hide this week and sent it in - thanks again Andrew:
Bearded Tit: Andrew Kirby
He also got a lovely snap of Whitethroat from the same location:
Whitethroat: Andrew Kirby
Barn Owls have also been reported from the hide on Monday morning but were also seen here in the evening. Whether this is adult birds or the youngsters still hanging around I don't know. Tawny Owl was also heard on Monday evening along the main track through the reserve.
Also from the Avalon Hide this morning:Great White Egrets, Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall, Mallard, Coot, Mute Swan and Moorhen in just a couple of minutes. Also found a Willow Warbler in trees on the junction with the main path whilst I watched the House Martins acrobatics.
Not the day for Butterflies or Dragonflies this morning but you can build quite a list when the sun is shining. Butterflies recorded this week: Small Skipper, Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper (mating pair in the car park - along with many others), Comma, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral, Green Veined White, Large White, Brimstone & Speckled Wood. Also a White Admiral reported along the main path near the car park.
Dragonflies: Southern Hawker, 4 Spotted Chaser (just a few left), Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Emperor, Brown Hawker, Black Tailed Skimmer (pictured), Banded Demoiselle, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue Tailed Damselfly, Red Eyed Damselfly and Small Red Eyed Damselfly (try the car park pools for these).
Mating Black Tailed Skimmer: Andrew Kirby
Also this great Musk Beetle (Aromia moschata) captured by the Education Team this week during a school visit. Thanks to Sue Hapgood for sending it on to me:
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In terms of mammals it is often quiet but I've gleaned some information this week. A fisherman reported seeing a Water Vole in the main drain whilst he was fishing near the old rail bridge. I've also had 2 reports of Otter this week. One on Monday morning of a large (most likely a male) Otter form the 1st screen at Waltons and a second report yesterday of an otter carry some large prey through the water in front of the screen at Loxtons. Badgers were reported along the main path in the gloom on Monday evening and I encountered several Rabbits just inside the wooden gate that leads to the footpath at the main road this morning.
Also this week: Raven flying over the car park on Monday cronking loudly, more loudness form the Iberian Water Frogs at the car park pools during sunny spells but also all through the night as we discovered from our sound recorder which has been left out over a few nights, Purple Heron reported from Decoy Hide at Shapwick Heath yesterday afternoon, Marsh Harrier from the 1st platform this morning (also several Bittern flights here yesterday), juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker still being seen on the feeder cam in the Welcome building, along with Blue Tit and Great Tit and lots of Goldfinches and a few Greenfinch using the other feeders. There's also still a regular Great White Egret flyover in the car park - giving really great views.
It may be hard to believe but we also have a small murmuration of Starlings (around 2000 birds) in the Loxtons section of the reserve. Just a gentle reminder that autumn and winter are around the corner (and I've not even had my summer holiday yet).
We will also soon start our reed cutting work - we just need to leave it until we are certain everything has stopped breeding before we do. Please bear with us - we are aware that views from platforms and screens/hides etc are becoming slightly obscured. We will deal with it as soon as we believe it is OK to do so.