Firstly, an apology for the absence of the blog last week. I just couldn't find the time I'm afraid - it happens sometimes. Anyway, with it being the last full day of work before the Christmas and New Year break I thought I ought to at least do a quick update on what's been about lately.
I guess the starlings are a good place to start. Recently the main roost site seems to have moved to Shapwick Heath - in fact as the week has progressed it seems that most birds are using this site. From what I'm told they have been using the area known as The Roughet. This is towards the Shapwick Road end. However, there is limited parking at the Avalon Marshes Centre so it could be advisable to park at the Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath car parks on Ashcott Road and walk through - this could take 20-30mins so give yourself time.
Huge numbers of starlings even fly over the Ham Wall car park most nights at the moment too so if you don't fancy a walk you could try this - at least you'd get some idea of the numbers - it's quite impressive.
There are plenty of other stars on show most days. There have been a few bittern sightings from the 1st platform (VP1) and across Waltons. One was calling in flight on Monday as it flew past the Tor View Hide. Great white egrets are being seen daily - again VP1 is a good place to start. One was present yesterday while last Tuesday 3 flew together across Waltons and a fourth later dropped in front of VP1 and began preening.
Staying on the egret theme - the cattle egrets (33 of them) have been seen feeding in local fields. Recently they have been seen in fields right next to the Ashcott Road along with the glossy ibis. John Crispin tracked them down and sent in these photos - thanks John:
Spot the glossy ibis in amongst the cattle egrets (slightly easier below than above)
Other stars of the reserve - the marsh harriers are also being seen daily. The 2nd platform (VP2) or the Avalon Hide seem to be good places to look for them - you can often see 2 or 3 together and the odd buzzard flying around to confuse things too.
On the way to the Avalon Hide, check out the flooded areas on your left. One section yesterday had over 500 Teal which took to the air when we passed by. Look out also for smaller birds popping about. Meadow pipits have been seen here but so too have water pipits. In the reedbed stretch just before the hide I heard bearded tits yesterday although unfortunately I didn't see them. There have also been recent reports of them from VP2 and Waltons including the Tor View Hide - great to see them doing so well - they can often be illusive. Another illusive bird can be the water rail - best suggestion is to go to the Tor View Hide and sit quietly. One has been seen wandering down around the foot of the hide (on both sides) - so worth a shot.
Teal on ice from last week.
As well as the good numbers of teal about - there is plenty of other wildfowl. Go to either platform or perhaps the Tor View Hide for views of mallard, gadwall (pictured), tufted duck, wigeon and shoveler. There's also a chance of a pintail dropping in from time to time - VP2 probably the best bet here. Thanks again to John Crispin for the photos:
Gadwall showing it's intricately patterned plumage
Shoveler preening its coat of many colours.
A walk from the car park to VP1 can bring its own rewards. Firecrests have again been seen at the car park within the last few days along with good numbers of goldfinches and a very friendly robin.
Song thrush has been seen too but also along the main path where one was seen (and photographed) smashing up a snail using the stones on the path as anvils. Thanks to John Crispin for the photo sequence:
Also look out along the main track for treecreepers, bullfinches, goldcrests, chiffchaffs and gangs of long tailed tits as well as other tits and finches. Check out any mixed flocks too you never know what could be hiding amongst them.
Also seen recently - several sparrowhawk sightings, ravens seen frequently (2 often from VP1), great spotted woodpeckers, small groups of redpoll and a few siskin, occasional sightings of fieldfare/redwing, groups of lapwing seen from both platform along with a few snipe (pictured - photo by John Crispin).
A bit of a quick overview but I hope it gives you a flavour of what's possible here at Ham Wall. Why not come down and visit us over the Christmas break - even if it's just to walk off the Christmas turkey! The welcome building opening hours are below- remember the reserve itself, the car park and toilets are open as normal.
Thanks for reading - I hope you've enjoyed the blogs this year.
Merry Christmas to you all from the Ham Wall team - the blog will return in the new year.