Wow what a scorcher of a week. So glad it's cooled off a bit today. Not surprisingly visitor numbers have been a lot lower this week - not many of you crazy enough to come out in such high temperatures. It can't be easy for the wildlife either in those conditions. I suspect the early mornings are very busy before things really heat up.
For you early birds there have been all the usual rewards. An early morning visit from the Glossy Ibis at 6.05am on Wednesday - just a short 10 minute stay before heading west. Perhaps to the scrape on Shapwick Heath where it has been frequently seen this week. If it's on Ham Wall it's usually in front of the 2nd platform area or viewed from the wicker screens on the opposite path which look into the same section. A possible sighting of 2 birds flying together on Monday has left us scratching our heads. Only one seen for the last 5 or 6 weeks. .....and only a single bird seen since too - a little help anyone?
Also on Wednesday a Fox sighted - probably 2 actually. The first was on the grass close to the Loxtons screen and photographed by John Crispin. Thanks John:
A little while later another was seen this time taken from the wicker screens I previously mentioned. It went right into the water. Interestingly the reserves wildlife that was present took virtually no notice of its presence. Thanks again to John Crispin for the pictures:
Ok it is quite cute - maybe not quite so cute when it reduces the biodiversity of the reserve every breakfast time - but that's nature for you.
There's a good chance of seeing Barn Owls in the early morning too. There are plenty of young mouths to feed as I discovered yesterday. I was joined by Chris Sperring from the Hawk & Owl Trust who usually rings our young Barn Owls. This year we just put a camera on a pole into the boxes to record the numbers of young. Chris Sperring has a licence to undertake these studies - it is illegal to deliberately disturb the nest otherwise.
I've mentioned in previous blogs that there has been a very active nest to the right of the Avalon Hide and that they must nearly be ready to fledge. Well, the good news is they have. We don't know exactly how many owlets there are but judging by the number of fluffly feathers about and mess under the box (not to mention the amazing amount of activity from adults) it could be as many as 4. They were not present but could still be hiding out in the wood and returning to the box for adults to feed for a little while longer. There's a chance that this pair could well have a second brood.
The box to the left of the Avalon Hide they are, as suspected just slightly behind the 1st pair. 2 well grown young were seen (one male and one female). They are at about 8 weeks old so nearly ready to go too. Keep your eyes open for any of these birds perching in trees after leaving the boxes.
The even better news is of a third pair. These are up on the far north east of the reserve. Perhaps distantly visible from the Avalon Hide. 3 young owls were present but these are only at about 3 weeks old - so a bit of work left for these adults to do. Lets hope the weather is kind to give them the best chance. Thank you so much to Chris Sperring for coming in.
No sign of the Tawny Owls this week - not reported anyway. They usually nest earlier than Barn Owls so they will be long fledged by now. Marsh Harriers however are still very active. The 2 fledglings from the nest in front of the Avalon Hide have been very active and food has been dropped by adults to the youngsters. We are uncertain as to the progress of the 2nd nest further to the east (right) but the nest on the far east side has shown to have 3 young birds present from volunteer observations. All great news.
The male pictured below has been seen hunting successfully over the Waltons section this week. It is known by the distinguishing wing pattern that this is the male from the furthest nest east. Thanks to John Crispin once again for the pictures.
This male successfully hunted and caught this Water Rail chick. Although exception was taken by a female from another nest - he just came a little too close. Thanks to Andrew Kirby this time for the photo:
The Avalon Hide continues to be a great place to go for other stuff too. Great Crested Grebes and several duck species counted and the odd Great White Egret and even the fly overs of Cattle Egrets too. The cattle are still grazing to the far left of the reserve in and around the woodland too so they could be following them.
Bearded Tits have been seen and heard here several times this week too (and also a couple of times from the Tor View Hide). A family group was spotted on Tuesday by excited visitors and I heard some there on Monday myself. John Crispin managed to get these shots of birds on the reserve this week. Thanks John:
Great gymnastics from the second bird. The first shot is a juvenile - they have a black stripe along their back and black outer tail feathers. This is a probable female as it has a darker bill whereas a juvenile male has an orange bill. The females black/darker bill will turn orange on maturity.
During the hot weather Cuckoos seemed to be everywhere. Several calling around the reserve - the car park, Waltons, Loxtons and near the 2nd platform all good places. In fact 4 were seen simultaneously from the 2nd platform on Monday morning. I had several sightings at Waltons myself the same day. Thanks to Graham Wagner for sending in his Cuckoo picture taken on Monday:
The Red Footed Falcon was still with us on Wednesday - I haven't caught up with any other news yet so it could well be still here. try the same place as before. Either in the dead trees near the factory to the right of the car park or stand at the old rail bridge on the main track and scan in the distance near the wind pump. Hobby have also been present at times here and across the reserve - not in great numbers. Loxtons from the screen could be the best bet.
They will be after some of the many dragonflies now on the wing. Still plenty of 4 spotted chasers out there in particular. A walk arpound the Waltons trail still worthwhile for these. Early misty or dewy mornings can also bring photographic rewards. Thanks to Andrew Kirby again for this shot:
Look out also for Scarce Chaser, Black Tailed Skimmer, Emperor (our largest dragonfly) and the first of the Common Darters seen at the car park pools this week.
As far as Butterflies go it's a little quieter. Recorded this week though: Speckled Wood, Green Veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown and Small Skipper. Look out also on nettles for the groups of black spiky Peacock caterpillars - quite a lot around at the moment and also for the Scarlet Tiger moth - there's a big red underwing on this one to help you.
Also this week: 3 Green Sandpiper spotted in front of the 2nd platform on Monday, Small groups of Lapwing in the same area and a couple in the small plot to the left of the Avalon Hide, Common Tern spotted a couple of times from the 1st platform early in the week, Jays and Great Spotted Woodpecker seen in our woodland plots, lots of warblers still going strong at the car park and along the main path, very noisy Iberian Water Frogs - try the car park pools for a sighting, Grass snake seen swimming under the old rail bridge on the main path on Saturday and Black Tailed Godwits, 28 to be precise seen flying at the Loxtons screen - could well have settled at the 2nd platform area for a while.
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!