A dull week at Ham Wall ?.....not a chance. As always plenty of exciting things to report. If it's birds of Prey you're into it's been a particularly good week on the reserve.
Monday saw an Osprey (earlier reported at Shapwick) flying over the reserve. We picked it up over the Loxtons section where it was mildly harassed by a couple of Marsh Harriers before it drifted further away. On Sunday a female Hen Harrier was picked up by John Crispin as he stood on the old rail bridge. It was flying in the section between Waltons and the car park and seemed to have a go at a small bird down in the reeds. No photo of that particular bird but here's one taken recently by John Crispin at Aller Moor while he was out photographing Cranes - thanks John:
Hen Harrier: John Crispin
Of course there has also been a Pallid Harrier spotted at Greylake on several occasions this week.
Back on Ham Wall and there have been a few Peregrine sightings of late. 2 were seen together last Friday from the 1st platform (just too late for last weeks blog) and on Tuesday this week another was seen hunting over the 2nd platform area after a tasty duck dinner no doubt. There's plenty to choose from with Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Shoveler & Shelduck all spotted. Pochard were present in Loxtons this week too.
Peregrine: John Crispin
Also too late for last weeks blog was a report of Barn Owl from the Avalon Hide at 11am. An unusual time for one to be around but it had been raining the night before so may have been driven by hunger to hunt in the drier morning. Tawny Owls, as last week have also been heard calling in the early morning.
Marsh Harriers are of course seen every day on the reserve. A birding group from Mid Devon were lucky enough to see male, female & juvenile during their visit on Tuesday (along with the Peregrine).
To add to this a Kestrel was spotted at the far end of the reserve on Monday and a Sparrowhawk from the 1st platform on Wednesday and I guess we shouldn't forget the many Buzzards that are seen daily over the reserve.
Of course there are plenty of other favourites out on the reserve of course. Another Otter sighting to add to last week's, this time in Loxtons last Friday morning (the 3rd thing too late for last weeks blog) was fantastic news and plenty of Bittern activity too.
There have been several sightings in and around the Waltons section this week - a visitor this morning reported 7 flights in this area yesterday morning. There have also been a few seen from the Avalon Hide. This shot was taken by Simon Williams from the Avalon Hide a couple of weeks ago. Thanks for sending it in Simon:
Bittern: Simon Williams
Great White Egrets seem to be easy to spot for most visitors. There are plenty dotted across Shapwick Heath & Ham Wall. The 1st platform and in front of the Avalon Hide seem to be the best places at the moment. We have pumped down a small area close to the hide (just behind it to it's left) and as many as 10 were in here on Wednesday taking advantage of freshly exposed mud and shallower water. Hard for visitors to see though unless the get disturbed by something but keep your eyes open. A few Little Egrets are also in the vicinity.
The 2 Glossy Ibis are also being seen on most days. They are spending a lot of time on the scrape at Shapwick Heath, although levels in here are now rising again slowly so could push them out eventually. When on Ham Wall your best bet will either be from the 1st platform or behind in Waltons. We've drained this area and cut and cleared some of the ends of the islands so they could well drop in here too. They were flying over our heads in here yesterday while we were working so they looked interested.
Glossy Ibis: John Crispin
Here's a shot of them in this section from a couple of weeks ago. One of these over wintered last year and never left. Lets hope they stay again and then in the spring...........? Well, you never know!
Another star bird at this time of year is the Kingfisher. Once again several sightings this week. I was lucky enough to see 2 in the South West corner of Waltons on Monday but they have also been seen from the Tor View Hide, The Avalon Hide and at the car park pools.
A Grey Heron has also been seen fishing here on a couple of occasions. Quite tame by all accounts, allowing you to get quite close. Perhaps the same one as has been feeding on the banks of the main drain by the rail path or canal path, who has also allowed people to get close. Some volunteers & I were just a few feet away yesterday before it flew a short distance away - great to get so close to nature!
Also this week: Great views of Stonechats from the 1st platform on Monday - both male & female perched up. A female was also spotted during the group walk on Tuesday and last week from the Avalon Hide:
Stonechat: John Crispin
Also lots of singing Chiffchaff around the reserve, heard at Waltons, Loxtons, the rail path and by the western wood on the canal path side, lots of Shoveler & Gadwall recorded around Waltons & Loxtons including one very pale male Shoveler (very white looking), the Great Crested Grebe from last week is still present in front of the 1st platform, occasional Jays are still being spotted (most likely still stashing acorns for the winter), 4 Swallows flew south (good direction for them) over the 1st platform on Monday, Raven heard cronking over the 2nd platform on Tuesday, Water Rails & Cettis Warblers quite vocal around the reserve and Bearded Tits heard & seen this week: for seen distantly to the left of the 1st platform on Tuesday but heard (not seen) close in this morning and 2 seen flying within Waltons yesterday as we worked - close to the Tor View Hide. Thanks to John Crispin for this great Bearded Tit picture:
Guess we should mention the Starlings. Estimates of around 5000 birds using Waltons & Loxtons still. Some good displays despite what is for us very low numbers. This will of course will rise rapidly as time passes and temperatures drop.
Remember the Starling Hotline is up and running: 07866 554142 and will give the last known location of the roost.
That's it for this week - have a great weekend!