Well, as promised here is another blog just before our Christmas break. It's going to be a bit shorter than normal as I'm posting on Wednesday rather than the usual Friday - I don't fancy working on Christmas day!
Several visitors have been in chasing the Dusky Warbler, although perhaps chasing isn't the right word. Standing still for a few hours of slowly walking the tree line up and down more like. Many have been rewarded however, some for good periods - with calling too. It's spending most of it's time on the canal footpath, just on and beyond the junction to the Avalon Hide. It seems mornings may be the best time but you may also need to be patient. It's also, I'm told spending more time lower in the scrub rather than higher up - good luck if you come and try to find it. It's been seen every day this week so far, so you never know!
In the same stretch of trees have been Siberian Chiffchaff and several Common Chiffchaff and a Firecrest late last week. A Treecreeper was also spotted on Monday in amongst the tit flocks along with a couple of Goldcrests. A Chiffchaff was also heard calling in the alder trees in the car park on Monday and there were Daffodils in flower in the village of Meare, close to the reserve - where's the cold snap?
The Starlings are still the stars of the show with at least 500,000 birds present. The flock has split on occasions but they have been using the reedbeds at Waltons (and many just beyond a bit further off). This is right in the public areas and easily visible from the old rail path which offers that great elevation to enjoy the show. The early mornings are also fantastic, where you can see them leave the reedbeds in waves. On Sunday Half a million Starlings, 5 Marsh Harriers, 6 Raven and a Glossy Ibis all before breakfast - as written by volunteer Lee Dutton on Twitter (can't be a bad start to the day).
The Glossy Ibis was seen flying out of Shapwick Heath and headed to Ham wall during the early morning (8.15am) on Sunday. It was later picked up here by John Crabb in the afternoon too (about 2pm) who took these distant shots of the bird flying roughly between Waltons & Loxtons - thanks John:
The bird has since been picked up again today out in front of the 2nd viewing platform at around midday.
The car park & toilets will open and close as normal over the Christmas break. This can be a good place to wait a while and start you bird list for the day. Scan the trees - particularly the Alders as both Siskins and Redpolls have been seen there this week. Kestrel is a frequent flyover as is Sparrowhawk (both Monday) and Raven. A scan over the reedbeds just beyond will often bring Marsh Harriers hunting in the area too. Also listen and look out for Song Thrush. There's been one in good voice, singing from one of its favourite song posts.
A walk along the rail path brings different rewards - with groups of tits - particularly Long Tailed often with other small birds mixed in. Bullfinch has also been seen along here this week as well as on the other side whilst visitors hunted the dusky warbler down. Coal Tit was also recorded along the rail path this week feeding on alder trees.
Within Waltons you'll find ducks and Little Grebes along with the usual Coots and Moorhens. Great Crested Grebe was seen from the first viewing platform in its winter plumage - unusual to have them at this time of year. Of course, if you're lucky, there's always the chance of a Bittern sighting. I was out checking over the visitor areas on Monday and flushed one from the reed island opposite the small willow screen at the back of Waltons. Just prior to this on the west side a Great White Egret was standing on the edge of the reeds up the channel from one of the 2 willow blinds - not a bad couple of minutes.
Great White Egrets are fairly easy to see each day - even if distant. The stick out like a sore thumb when in flight as the white plumage is quite a contrast to the landscape.
Marsh Harriers are also a daily sight - the Avalon hide offers daily views of these birds as well as a bit of cover from the rain and wind. You will need some good footwear to walk the paths however which are quite muddy.
John Crabb took this picture of a hunting Marsh Harrier this week. The intended prey was a coot or a moorhen which splashed and dived furiously as a means of defence.
If you're at the 1st platform in the early morning it's always worth having a look at the far tree line to the owl box. Barn Owls have been seen a few times over the last few days so worth a look.
Also (so far) this week: Roe Deer seen grazing the grassy paths on the north of the reserve, Stonechats perched up on reed stems, groups of Pied Wagtails in muddy areas, Water Pipit spotted in the area just before the Avalon Hide turn off from the canal path, Great Spotted Woodpeckers in flight, 9 Raven flying over on Sunday morning and 2 later on (11 total - most unusual), Sparrowhawk on at least 2 occasions and 25 Fieldfare with 1 or 2 Redwings for company at Tinneys ground along the Sharpham road.
That's it for now. Not much shorter than normal in the end. It just leaves me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a very merry and wildlife packed New Year. Thanks for reading!!