Firstly, apologies for the absence of the blog last week. We've been having some issues with broadband connections at the office and it just wasn't doable I'm afraid. Thankfully, it's all fixed up so there's 2 weeks to catch up with.
Let's just start straight away with the Starlings. They're hard to miss. Estimates have now reached 750,000 birds in the roost. They have continued to use the Waltons and Loxtons sections and continue to attract unwanted attention. Birds of prey are feasting well on the huge numbers of birds roosting. A Barn Owl is still using the Avalon Hide to tuck into the odd Starling. We'll try to keep the mess cleaned up as best we can. A few pellets with Starling remains in can often be found "decorating" the hide.
Marsh Harriers gather at roost time too with as many as 8 being reported this week (3 males, the rest female or juvenile) and they can often be seen in the mornings after the Starlings leave picking off any dead or weak birds.
Peregrines too can be seen from time to time. This one photographed by John Crispin last week from the 1st platform. Thanks John:
The other regular visitor at Starling time is the Sparrowhawk. I've seen a couple out on the reserve this week while working but one was seen taking a Starling in mid air in the field adjacent to the car park on Tuesday just before roost time. They've been spending a long time in the current roost area and it's beginning to show. There has been a lot of gull activity at Loxtons this week and Great White Egrets can often be found there. This suggests that fish are struggling as water becomes deoxygenated due to the amount of droppings deposited in the water over the last couple of months. The reeds are a good filter though and will clean the water up well and fish populations can recover relatively quickly. The reed beds also become quite crushed down too with prolonged use. Yes, they are amazing but there is a downside for us too!
If you're planning a Christmas break visit to see the Starlings then give the hotline a call 07866 554142 to hear the last known location. Alternatively pop into the welcome building in our car park - it will be manned almost every day over the Christmas break and talk to staff or volunteers. Thanks to Paul Marsh for sending in a couple of photos from early this week:
Elsewhere on the reserve, good numbers of wildfowl are present at both platforms. Good numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Mallard and Shoveler can be seen and from the 2nd platform a fair number of Greylag and Canada Geese are using the area - you can't fail to hear them. Last week 4 Pintail were present from the 1st platform so keep an eye out for these too.
The Glossy Ibis haven't deserted us yet either and were spotted last week dropping in front of the 2nd platform and this week 2 seen together from the 1st platform. Still keeping my fingers crossed that they stay faithful to the Avalon Marshes (hopefully Ham wall) and who knows in the spring what may happen!
I've been out doing a lot of reed cutting work this week. I've opened up areas on the left hand side of the path to the Avalon Hide. Had a fair selection of birds to keep me company this week in these areas. A persistent Pheasant, lots of Snipe, the odd Stonechat, a Jack Snipe today in the cut area closest to the footpath,Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipits and Water Pipit too.
As many as 4 Water Pipits were reported during the week on the reserve and they've also been seen over in Waltons too. John Crispin managed to photograph one last week. Thanks again John!
The Water Pipit is a migrant bird from Europe and breeds in mountain regions or bare alpine slopes. It's a short distance migrant which over winters in lowland areas or freshwater marsh or ponds.
We did have some sad news this week. A young female otter (very small) was found dead on the path to the Tor View Hide this week. The body was taken to Secret World to be frozen and sent off for study (most likely to Cardiff University). The lady was surprised to see one so small at this time of year so this could well have been the runt of the litter.
The path or Tor View hide is a good place to try and spot Water Rail - there have been a few sightings in recent weeks.
At the Avalon Hide good views of Shoveler can be had and look out for Tawny Owls in the box in the woodland, a Kestrel who's been seen twice this week (on Wednesday hovering directly over the hide) and for Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the trees on the way up.
Great Spots have been regular visitors to the car park area this week and have been spotted on the feeders. Good numbers of Goldfinches frequent the site too and this morning 2 Mute Swans were seen mating in the pools. We've put out some extra picnic benches recently and some life cycle sculptures are also being put in along with a willow eel (this will be finished in the new year. It will be a willow tunnel for kids to pass through when it's done.
For Kingfishers check out Waltons or Loxtons. They seem to be seen here the most. While you're there take a look at the Cormorants too. We currently have birds in 3 plumage states(breeding, non breeding and juvenile) - useful for those new to birding.
Cormorant in breeding plumage - John Crispin
Also this week: a Roe Deer seen running along the grass bank to the right of the Avalon Hide (most likely disturbed by me as I walked along), Buzzards seen from both platforms today, several Chiffchaff and Goldcrests around the reserve, Redpolls seen on Alder trees along the rail path, Great White Egrets seen in front of the 1st platform on most days, vocal Cettis Warblers in much of the reedbed, 2 Firecrest seen at Tinneys (the small plot on the Sharpham Road and lots of mixed Tit flocks but Long Tailed Tits in particular roving up and down the tree lines.
That's it for this week (and in fact this year). Thanks for reading and of course looking at all the fantastic photographs contributed. Thanks in particular to John Crispin for "blog support" and outstanding photos every week.
Merry Christmas everybody - have a great time
See you in the New Year!