Yet again another wonderful week on the reserve - although the very hot weather has made working quite difficult as well as perhaps calmed down some of the activity from the birds. The early mornings have been the time to come by the sounds of it, with cooler weather, good light and a magical feel.
The early starts is best for catching up with the Little Bittern (well beyond the 2nd platform on the right). 2 males have been recorded barking here again this week and most days see several flights before the sun really gets going. Lots of visitors are trying to see it - often it's the luck of the draw. Some people stand for hours and then miss it, while the lucky ones turn up wait ten minutes and get a sighting - oh to be in that category. Thanks to Robin Morrison for sending in this shot.
There's plenty of other stuff to keep you occupied while you wait. Kingfishers are being seen and heard regularly here along with several Jays and a family group of Great Spotted Woodpeckers - these 2 taken by John Crispin. The dead tree is the one close to the Little Bittern area - thanks John:
Young and adult jays seen regularly too:
Bitterns are often seen in this area too although activity generally across the reserve has greatly reduced, they are still seen fairly regularly. Some going into moult like this landing bird from Robin Morrison again:
Often perched in the reeds too:
Bittern in reeds - Robin Morrison
Other birds have been seen passing through this area including a Greenshank and Green Sandpiper. Green Sandpiper have been seen several times in front of the 2nd platform this week with as many as 10 seen together last weekend. Wood Sandpiper was recorded at the back of this section on Tuesday and Little Ringed Plover on Saturday and Sunday last week.
Green Sandpipers: John Crispin
The Glossy Ibis x2 have also been seen here this week - although not always immediately obvious. They were however also seen from the first viewing platform on Monday. The vegetation is high here at present and making visibility difficult. We have drained the water slightly in readiness to start cutting the reeds at the start of next month. This will open up the views once more and provide good feeding and loafing areas for birds over the autumn and winter months.
The hot weather may be keeping the birds a little quieter but it seems to be good news for butterflies and dragonflies. Quite a good list forming this week:
In terms of butterflies we've recorded: Comma, Red Admiral, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Green Veined White, Small White, Large White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Common Blue & Ringlet. Also a possible Silver Washed Fritillary along the rail path near Loxtons.
Gatekeeper: John Crispin.
For Dragonflies: Emperor, Southern Hawker, Brown Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, 4 Spotted Chaser, Broad Bodied Chaser, Black Tailed Skimmer, Common Blue Damselfly, Red Eyed Damselfly, Blue Tailed Damselfly and Variable Damselfly:
Black Tailed Skimmer: Giles Morris
Ruddy Darter: Giles Morris.
Variable Damselfly: Giles Morris
Other bus of note this week include a large hornet which was working along the brambles close to the Little Bittern area and a leaf cutter bee which was carrying leaves into the visitor building early in the week.
The hedgerows are good places for bug hunting but also look and listen out for juvenile birds being fed by adults. A Goldcrest was also spotted this week collecting spiders webs for nest building.
The Avalon Hide is still the place to go for Marsh Harriers. 3 juvenile birds were all seen perched up in small willows in the reed beds on several occasions this week. Their crowns still a very coppery colour in the sun. Hobby again seen here this week perched out on a tuft or old nest in the water but also seen from the second platform and over Loxtons.
The Collared Pratincole has thought to have left although a volunteer thought they may have seen it again on Tuesday and described it's colours and behaviour perfectly. Nobody else has reported anything but you never know. Thanks to Brendan Sheils for sending in a couple of shots of last weeks star bird:
Elsewhere on the reserve this week: both Great Crested and Little Grebe adults and chicks from the Waltons screens, Cuckoo heard calling for the whole week until yesterday, Raven flying over, Kestrel spotted last weekend, Great White Egrets abundant with 11 seen together from second platform last Sunday and both Adder & Grass Snake seen by yours truly on Monday around the Waltons trail.
Finally some pics to finish:
This morning (and during the week) 4 young Water Rail chicks seen on the Tor View Hide path all feeding independently with an adult close by. Thanks to John Crispin for the photos taken this morning:
Other young families include Mute Swans. Thanks to Robin Morrison for this photo:
and this lovely shot of a Roe deer hind and fawn from around the Waltons Trail on Tuesday. Thanks to Robin Morrison again:
That's it for this week. There maybe no blog next week as I have to attend a funeral and then I'm off on annual leave, so it could be 3 weeks before I write again for which I can only apologise.
Hope you have a great weekend in the sun!!