Just when you think spring is here we get another load of snow dumped on us and I hear rumours that there may be a bit more to come. You can't help but think of all the wildlife that's been readying itself for warmer weather to be suddenly thrown a curve ball like that.
There was a rather snowy WeBS count (Wetland Bird Survey) across local reserves on Monday. One of our surveyors was shocked to see sand martins sheltering from the conditions in one of our reedbeds. That's a harsh welcome back from the British Weather.
We did manage to record some unusual species during the count though. 2 black swans dropped into the north of the reserve during the survey but didn't stay long. It was long enough for Rosina Robinson and Les Mears who were doing the survey to get a couple of photographs though. Thanks for sending them in:
Elsewhere on the count the ring necked duck was recorded over on the Waltons section. It has been seen throughout the week - worth searching all the Waltons section as it has been quite mobile but start with the screens and the Tor View Hide. Over on Shapwick Heath a male scaup was recorded and the same day an American wigeon was sighted.
Despite the unsettles weather signs of spring are there. The odd butterfly has been see with peacock and brimstone spotted but it's listening that will really do it for you I think. Bitterns are booming well across the marshes with an amazing 46 males counted in last weeks survey. You can even hear one from the car park. There is also a particularly nice sounding male within the Waltons section of the reserve. In terms of flights it's mostly short flights within the reedbeds but occasionally a longer flight can be observed. Yesterday John Crispin saw a bird fly from the north of the reserve over the main track and beyond. A few people have submitted Bittern photos this week. Thanks to Simon Lewis, Graham Wagner and John Crispin for send them in:
Bittern landing: Simon Lewis
Bittern on ground: Graham Wagner
Bittern in flight: John Crispin
As well as bitterns being heard from the car park and elsewhere on the reserve chiffchaffs are singing, woodpeckers are drumming and numerous other bird species are starting to make their mark vocally. With the arrival of spring migrants expect the noise to increase considerably over the next few weeks.
Talking of arrivals we have our first garganey of the season. A male has been spotted within the Waltons section both from the Tor View Hide and looking directly from the main track near the the first platform (VP1). John Crispin was again on hand to get some photos - thanks John:
We expect the arrival of several more yet although they can often be well hidden later on. There are plenty of other ducks to enjoy while you are searching: mallard gadwall (pictured), tufted duck (pictured), shoveler, wigeon, pochard, teal and pintail (pairs seen from both platforms) all spotted this week. Thanks to Simon Lewis for the following shots:
Gadwall in flight: Simon Lewis
Tufted Duck pair: Simon Lewis
One favourite on the reserve at this time of year is the great crested grebe. There elaborate courtship displays, quirky behavior and beautiful plumage make them a real hit. There's a really obvious nest in front of VP1 at the moment as well as other activity being picked up within Waltons, VP2 and from the Avalon Hide. Again I've been sent a few photos of this stunning bird this week including this sequence of courtship and mating from Rob Balch taken late last week - thanks Rob:
Great Crested grebe sequence: Rob Balch
Thanks also to Graham Wagner for his shot of great crested grebes running on water:
and not to be outdone a little grebes shows off the same skills - thanks Graham:
Little Grebe: Graham Wagner
There are a few other birds showing signs of nesting. Within Waltons Grey Herons have been seen dropping in with material. I could see a bird sitting in the far reedbed when I was in the Tor View Hide on Tuesday - there are usually a few nests in this area each year.
Over at the Avalon Hide, Marsh Harriers have been busy nest building too. This is the traditional area of the reserve where they breed but it will be interesting to see if they expand their range a bit this year. Bitterns are also present in this area both booming and making flights so we could also see a repeat of the conflict between the 2 that we saw last year from the Avalon Hide - really interesting to watch.
If your at the hide remember to check out the owl box behind in the wood - a tawny owl was once again spotted sitting outside - could we well see some youngsters here too like last year - lets hope so. Thanks to Graham Wagner for sending in his tawny owl shot:
Also from the Avalon Hide this week the mother otter with the 2 cubs was seen again on Monday but also this morning another report of a single otter, although I have no other information at present - I'll try and find out for you though. It ties in with information from out otter survey volunteer Mike Meechem who recorded far more otter signs on his last survey than he's ever had before - great news all round.
Other recent nest builders include the great white egrets who have been seen carrying nesting material - another good year for them too we hope. As mentioned before cattle egret numbers are still down - the cold weather and snow definitely put them off. 6 are being seen regularly at the moment - lets hope the others feel complelled to come back soon. The same can be said of the glossy ibis - no sign of this bird which has been pretty much resident for nearly 2 1/2 years. If you know any different we'd love to hear from you (as with cattle egrets).
Elsewhere on the reserve we still have a few waders visiting us. Black Tailed Godwits are being seen often - particularly from VP1 where 14 are frequently seen but as many as 24 on occasions. Thanks to John Crispin for his shot showing the variance in their plumage. They are often hard to spot if roosting or feeding but do fly about from time to time.
You can also spot lapwing and snipe on a daily basis. Up to 6 snipe have been feeding and sleeping within the western half of Waltons - try the 3rd screen or the Tor View Hide:
Snipe in the snow: John Crispin
Also this week: Ravens seen and heard flying over (including the car park), kestrel over the car park this morning (and buzzard), Water Rail seen from the Tor View Hide on Tuesday and VP2 yesterday, 3 siskin close to VP2 yesterday but redpoll also sighted this week, kingfishers seen and heard chasing each other around the Waltons section, Bearded Tits recorded from the Avalon hide this morning, Redwing reported last week along the main path and this week and this week goldcrest, bullfinch and treecreeper (2 feeding on the same tree and photographed by John Crispin).
Think that had better do for this week - thank you for everyone's photo contributions. You be glad to hear we are safely moved into our new offices and the computers went online this morning so I was able to bring you the blog. Hopefully all the phone lines and everything should be running smoothly and all teething problems we find ironed out very soon.
Have a great weekend everybody