The cold snap hit hard last week during my week off. Temperatures plummeting down into minus figures and often holding there throughout the day. Much of the reserve was iced over with little open water left. Only where larger numbers of birds gathered did their movement keep it open.
Much more mild this week, which has of course brought rain and quite high water levels in the drainage channels, but no doubt, some relief for wildlife on the search for food.
In the car park song thrush have been happily gobbling berries from some of the bushes. This one managed to grab a quick snack before being chased off by a second bird - competition becomes more fierce when food is harder to come by. Fieldfare have also been seen and one individual has been hanging around for a few days now - I saw it yesterday feeding. Thanks to Sandie Andrews for her song thrush shot and to Mike Pearce for his fieldfare shot:
I was greeted yesterday on the reserve by some very friendly robins and a great tit who got very close - hoping for a snack from me I suspect. The great tit was very close to me and it was fascinating to watch it stripping bark from the tree just above my head in the search for food.
Last week things were a bit tougher, with a heavy frost on the reed stems making things harder for birds such as reed buntings and bearded tit - now feeding exclusively on reed seeds - one would imagine they would have to eat many of the seeds to sustain themselves during the cold weather. Thanks again to Sandie Andrews who took this shot of a female reed bunting feeding on frozen reed panicles:
Bearded tits have been seen and heard around the reserve these past couple of weeks. The Avalon Hide area is the most common place but they have been recorded over in the Waltons section recently too. 2 were spotted by Sandie Andrews at the Tor View Hide last week and, perhaps the same 2, were seen again from the viewing areas on the main track close to the old rail bridge on the way back to the car park. They weren't hanging around though and didn't sit still long enough for her to get the shot she wanted but here's what she did get. Thanks Sandie:
Smaller birds can often be hard to photograph - particularly if they tend to skulk about in trees and bushes feeding. Here's a couple of great examples. Here's a lovely shot of a goldcrest by Sandie Andrews. It was one of two which were chasing each other about in the undergrowth. This one just stopped still long enough, distracted by the second bird, for Sandie to get her shot - thanks Sandie:
Another example is the treecreeper. Always on the move winding their way up tree trunk to tree trunk - you've just got to wait for the opportunity. Thanks for your shot Sandie:
It's always worth checking the tree lines along the main path - there are all sorts of birds hiding out there. We've had recent reports of blackcap, bullfinch, siskin, redpoll, coal tit, gangs of long tailed tits as well as other flocks of tits and finches - remember it's worth scanning the whole flock in case something else is hiding amongst them - you never know what you might see. Chiffchaffs often travel in mixed flocks of birds for example - these individuals were photographed last week by Sandie Andrews searching for food in the frosty weather:
Larger birds might have more fat reserves etc but it must be tough out there. When water bodies get frozen birds may have to move around to find open water for feeding. Most likely what these dozen black tailed godwits were up to last week. Thanks again to Sandie for her shot of these birds in flight last week during the frozen weather:
Of course, we try to minimise disturbance to birds - particularly when it's cold and icy. Birds need to preserve as much energy as possible and frequent disturbance would be detrimental. We reduce activity in certain places and try to keep visitors screened on the approaches to hides and screens etc.
Some disturbance is inevitable - particularly from birds of prey also looking for a meal. Some birds are more easily spooked than others and with large groups of lapwing present, it only takes one bird to get a bit twitchy to set the whole group off. It is nice to see the flock in the air though and I love the noise and action they bring to the reserve. Check out the first viewing platform (VP1) to see lapwing and small groups of snipe too on occasions.
There area a fair few duck present here too. Winter visitors such as wigeon and teal and to the chorus of noise with their peeps and whistles, but also look out for gadwall, mallard, shoveler and a few tufted duck. Thanks to John Crispin for his shots of both teal an shoveler in flight:
If a bird of prey is disturbing flocks a marsh harrier is the most likely culprit but there has been a couple of sightings of a male hen harrier recently (it's been spotted more over at Catcott Lows - Somerset Wildlife Trust). The hen harrier was spotted on the 9th and wowed the crowds during the starling murmuration. Starling roost time is often a good time to see birds of prey too (as if the starlings aren't enough). Sparrowhawk and peregrine have also been seen quite frequently.
There have been some wonderful murmurations recently with a peregrine flying through the flock on Monday. The location of the roost has been a little changeable lately with birds split into different roosts at times with a brief visit to Shapwick Heath included. The best advice at the moment is to go to VP1 (it's where the main bulk were last night) and wait to see what happens.
We have a map in the car park with a magnetic starling placed on the location of the last known roost site. Alternatively staff or volunteers present will do their best to direct you. Avoid weekends if you can and during Christmas week be warned - it gets very busy, as lots of people are on holiday. Come early, otherwise the car park often fills up and we have to turn people away. Please do not park on the road or block gateways as it causes absolute chaos for traffic. The roost will be present on the levels in good numbers throughout January and February too, so you have plenty of opportunities. For further tips and advice about coming to see the starlings click here: https://bit.ly/starlings2022
Thanks to John Crispin for his sunrise shot of starlings and to Alison Morgan for her sundown shots all taken this week:
In the mornings marsh harriers and other birds of prey will hunt over the roost site after the starlings have left looking for dead or dying starlings and therefore an easy meal to start the day. 4 were seen together last week. Thanks to John Crispin for his shots of a male hen harrier taken last week:
Buzzards are also seen pretty much daily. This individual was following the tractor as it trimmed the hedges around the car park. It was either hoping to find some disturbed prey or for a share of the drivers sandwiches - on both counts it was unsuccessful and so moved on to perch on the bug house. Thanks to Sandie Andrews for her observations and lovely photo:
This buzzard might think twice before perching on the marsh harriers favourite perch again after getting some aggressive treatment. Thanks to John Crispin for capturing the scene:
The driver also trimmed some of the vegetation in front of VP1 (whatever he could reach anyway) and was followed, on this occasion, by a kingfisher working its way along the main drain.
There was also a kingfisher whistling its way around Waltons yesterday and there have also been reports from the Avalon Hide.
Grey herons are often spotted along the main drain too waiting patiently for an opportunity to pounce on a fish. This one was disturbed but luckily knew to follow signs to the Avalon Hide, where it could fish in peace. Thanks to Sandie Andrews for her shot:
The Avalon Hide, VP1 and VP2 are also good places to catch sight of great white egrets too. A once rare bird now commonplace on the Somerset Levels. Another rarity, now more common locally is the cattle egret. I've been seeing some feeding in fields on the way into work so worth keeping your eyes peeled as you drive to us for a visit (keeping your eyes on the road too of course).
Hopefully views into VP1 have improved after some trimming back - there are still a few reed stems towards the back that we may tackle in the New Year. I've already mentioned many of the birds you may see there already but things did get a little more festive last week with seven swans a swimming last Friday. Well they were more skating on ice much of the time but these were no ordinary swans. They were Bewicks - they arrived last Friday but left the next day. Thanks to John Crispin we have some photographic proof. One of the shots also includes a mute swan to give you a size comparison.
Other visitors to this area during the last week have also included 3 pintail (2 male, 1 female), 3 Egyptian geese (17th) and some water pipits. Thanks again to John Crispin for his pintail shots and one of a water pipit (all taken this week):
Also on Saturday 15 common gulls flew over the reserve to the south west. Identifiable by white tips to the birds primary feathers. Thanks to John Crispin for his photo:
Over in Waltons look amongst the ducks for great crested grebes - there were two yesterday and for little grebe also. You may also hear water rails, although sightings can be elusive - the icy weather often brings more out into the open though, so worth bearing in mind.
Well that's nearly it from me for this year - the next blog will be in January.
January also sees the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch - are you signed up yet?
Big Garden Birdwatch is fun, free and for everyone. You don’t even need a garden (big or otherwise!) to take part as counting birds from a balcony, or local park plays an equally important role in helping us understand just how the UK’s birds are doing.
Sign up for your free guide here today and let’s get ready to look out for birds together on 27-29 January
That just leaves me to say thank you for reading the blogs and a special thank you to all have have contributed photos and information throughout the year - it really is a massive help.
Wishing you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas and New Year - lets see what the New Year brings.