There's a bit to catch up with as there's been no blog for a couple of weeks due to me being off last week. The previous week saw our office porta cabin picked up and moved to the other end of the Avalon Marshes Centre ready for building work to take place by the workshops (this will eventually be our plush new office, shared with Natural England & Somerset Wildlife Trust). Thankfully the office stayed intact and is now up and running again.
There's an anticipation of spring in the air. There's an increase in birdsong, with some more obvious than others. Bitterns are the one bird people are particularly listening out for. There are several booming weakly - we're calling it 'wumphing' - not quite the full projection yet. There are at least 2 in Loxtons, at least one in Waltons and a couple on the north of the reserve - one heard from the Avalon Hide on Monday.
There have been a few flights recorded this week too. One this morning from the 2nd viewing platform, on Monday one in Waltons and one from the Avalon Hide while John Crispin managed this shot from the 1st platform last week, thanks John:
Great White Egrets are again very obvious on site. The 1st platform has a regular visitor while there has also been on sitting in the southern end of Loxtons on a few occasions this week. I also saw 2 flying together from the 2nd platform this morning. Looking to see where they may decide to nest this year.
Another potential breeder is the Glossy Ibis. The pair are still present and have become more conspicuous over the last couple of weeks. The 1st platform seems to be a favourite haunt of late but they have also been seen in the splashy area right in front of the bridge over the drain (the one that you take to walk towards the Avalon hide from the main path. John Crispin has provided an excellent selection of photos from the last couple of weeks. They're in adult plumage but no breeding plumage showing yet. Thanks for the photos John:
Glossy Ibis with Snipe for company: John Crispin
Exciting prospects I'm sure you'll agree. Another stunner this morning was the sight of 2 Cranes in front of the 2nd viewing platform. There didn't stay long and were spooked but John Crispin was once again on hand to bring you the evidence:
You could compile quite an interesting list out there this morning. The 2 birds headed off north and then veered to the east. The rings identified them as a male called Clegg born May 2014 and a female called Cherry born May 2013.
Lots of birds look like they are pairing up out there - one of the most obvious would have to be the Great Crested Grebes. They've been spotted head bobbing and weed dancing this week. There are a few pairs out on site. Go to the 1st platform, Tor View Hide, Loxtons screen or the Avalon Hide to catch some action. The latter was the place I saw some weed dancing this week. John Crispin grabbed a couple of shots of another 2 birds. One of them is still not in full plumage. Interesting to see this change over the next couple of weeks or so.
Duck numbers on site are still quite good. There's a fair spread across the reserve but for the chance of closer views of Tufted Duck, Teal and Shoveler (see photo showing the great plumage) in particular head for the Tor View Hide or Waltons screens and wait a while.
Water Rail was again seen from the Tor View Hide this week. This time walking about on the cut island opposite on the right hand side (west). I could also hear some very vocal rails close to the path on the way up but couldn't see them. Coots are also still aggressive chasing each other and having a good scrap to establish territories. Thanks to John Crabb for this action photo of a Coot at the Avalon Hide:
Many birds are becoming more vocal: Cettis Warbler for one - over the next few weeks will be the best time to see them as they begin to sit out in the open more to claim territories - they will soon return to their more skulky nature afterwards, Song Thrushes are also quite audible. Birds have been heard singing along the rail path and at the car park with a pair feeding together there on Monday, Great Tits are going full pelt and so too are Dunnock - there are several singing along the main track:
Singing Dunnock: John Crispin
This is one sign that spring is imminent - another is the appearance of frogspawn - a couple of clumps seen on the reserve and Common Frogs and Toads hopping about. Some spawn was found on top of a gate post - perhaps taken there by a Crow. Take time also to check out the Snowdrops on the boardwalk from the car park at the Shapwick Heath end.
Also this week: Marsh Harriers very evident. Often seen hunting over Waltons but particularly in front of the 2nd platform or from the Avalon Hide - these have been their traditional breeding areas over the last few years so perhaps some displaying and territorial behaviour will become more apparent in the next couple of weeks, good numbers of Lapwing seen - lots of groups but flocks of c300 seen at times, small groups of Snipe seen in flight over Waltons in tight flocks but some seen on the ground from the 3rd Waltons screen and the Tor View Hide, a Jack Snipe seen opposite the small bridge over the drain in the splashy area - it was disturbed by a passing helicopter with 7 Common Snipe which helped with the ID, 2 pairs of Pintail seen from the 2nd platform on Wednesday (one pair this morning), Tawny Owl seen in the owl box again in the wood near the Avalon Hide (look back to the wood from the hide to see it), Raven circling and calling at 2nd platform this morning, Peregrine flying very fast yesterday with the high winds behind it (visible 2nd platform) and this Buzzard seen this week carrying off what looks like a Starling carcass.
That's it for this week - have a great weekend!