Another week has passed and although there's not much new to report it is easy to forget what wonderful wildlife lives here week in and week out. We must remember how lucky we are to have them. I'm guilty of it too - Oh it's just a Great White Egret or ......it's just another Bittern. The slightest glimpse of one of these birds 12 years or so ago when I started working here would have been major news. Now they are part of the very fabric of the place. It's heartening to know that what we are doing here is really working.
Both the birds mentioned above are commonplace with the Great White Egret in particular offering really obvious and easy sightings from both viewing platforms on a daily basis - this morning being no exception. There was even a Little Egret close by for comparison and the Glossy Ibis which has now been resident on Ham Wall for 2 years this month. It's been spending a lot of its time in the 1st platform area this week so perhaps make this your first port of call. We're now very close to finishing the work out here and have cut the tops of the vegetation on the opposite bank to improve viewing for visitors. When we finish work in here next week we will slowly bring the water levels up and create some nice splashy areas.
Bitterns have been spotted from both platforms this week too with 3 separate sightings from the 2nd platform in a short space of time on Tuesday. Scan the reeds too particularly on sunny mornings as they can sometimes be seen on the edges feeding or preening themselves and enjoying some sunshine. John Crispin took these shots of Bittern this week. Thanks John:
The 2nd platform has been a bit of a hotspot this week. we have been letting some water out of here over the last couple of weeks and there is now some nice areas of mud showing. It's not as open as the scrape at Shapwick perhaps but we've had plenty of interesting sightings reported throughout the week. Here's a bit of an overview. Monday saw a Pectoral Sandpiper reported (also seen at Shapwick and could still be about), Ruff seen daily - up to 6 along with Black tailed Godwits (up to 4), Lapwing and Snipe (6 also seen from the 1st platform on Tuesday). Through the week reports of Dunlin x1, Ringed Plover x2, Common Sandpiper x1, Green Sandpiper x3 & Redshank x1.
John Crispin has sent in a selection of photos taken this week from the 2nd platform - thanks John!
Ruff - Probably male & female (reeve) given the size difference.
Ruff in flight
Group of Ruff in flight
Black Tailed Godwit
Black Tailed Godwits
Black Tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper & Green Sandpiper
Not surprisingly a Marsh Harrier - often the female - has been hunting over this area for much of the week. This morning a Marsh Harrier chased off a Sparrowhawk which then dropped its prey item. Seconds later a Buzzard flew up from the reedbed and then a Hobby appeared and flew directly over the platform. It's funny how you get these flurries of activity sometimes. There have been a few sightings of Sparrowhawk and Hobby throughout the week from both platforms, the Tor View Hide and the Avalon Hide. Still a few dragonflies for the Hobby to feed on including: Brown Hawker, Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Common Darter and Ruddy darter.
The Avalon Hide has also been a good place to spot a Kestrel which has been hunting over a newly cut area to the left of the hide. It has been perching up on a high bench we use for monitoring and hovering for long periods in true Kestrel style - what a fantastic bird that is!
There are still plenty of birds on the move - sightings of House Martin and Swallow throughout the week but also the arrival of more Teal and the odd Wigeon - one was giving it's familiar whistle on the reserve on Monday - a sound we will hear a lot more throughout the winter months.
Some of the other reserves favourites have been on show this week too. Kingfishers have been spotted at several locations (including the car park yesterday but the best bet is probably the Tor View Hide or the Screens that look over Waltons but you could also try the Loxtons screen or either platform where they have also been recorded this week.
Another favourite, although normally very elusive has been spotted at least twice this week. An Otter was seen from the Tor View Hide on Tuesday lunchtime and then on Thursday morning after 8am another was seen on the bank of the main drain passing through the reserve. The reserves truck drove right past it. Ali the Warden had to double take to make sure she wasn't seeing things. Sure enough there it was close to the blinds just past the Avalon Hide Junction. It then dropped into the main drain and swam off - great that they are being seen - let's hope it becomes more regular.
A third favourite is surely the Bearded Tit. In fact it's probably a good time of year to see them as they gather into larger groups at this time of year and often fly up ino the air in large groups known as eruptions. Don't believe me? A small eruption happened this morning from the 1st platform....and guess who was there to see it. No not me but luckily John Crispin was who manged to get these shots - thanks again to John:
There have also been double figures reported from the 2nd platform too and the odd sighting around Waltons or by the footpath leading towards the Avalon Hide to keep your eyes and ears (listen for their pinging calls) open. You never know you may get some closer shots like John too:
Bearded Tit - male
Bearded Tit female or juvenile
They seem to be having a great season with good numbers reported across the Avalon Marshes (30+ at Westhay moor this morning) and we will be conducting a population survey next week. If we get a nice warm and calm day the results could be really good.
Also this week: Raven flying over the reserve, 5 Little Grebes in Waltons, Chiffchaff singing on the reserve (and in car park), Treecreeper and Goldcrest in Central Wood (the wood on the way to the Avalon Hide), Shoveler numbers increasing slowly, 2 Bullfinch reported along the main path though the reserve, Peacock, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Green Veined White, Comma and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies all sighted, Great Spotted Woodpeckers daily and Tawny Owls heard (Barn Owls known to be present).
The small Starling roost is still in the western side of Loxtons at present with c2000 birds taking off at around 7am if you fancy starting your day here. In a month or so these numbers will climb rapidly.
That's it for this week. Lots to see, so why not pay us a visit. Have a great weekend!