It's felt more like winter this week with colder, wetter days, darker skies and high winds at times. The colder, shorter days bring about changes in birds behaviour with many birds flocking together for security, warmth and in areas where food is more plentiful or it's more sheltered. Starlings are of course our most classic example of this. Estimates of over 100,000 birds roosting on the reserve each night - these could be quite conservative estimates but this number will undoubtedly grow quickly with this colder weather.
One problem we have is that the flock has split. Since last week the main bulk of birds has moved to the top of the reserve - this is quite distant from the 2nd platform (VP2) but can offer good views as its a nice open vista. Other smaller flocks are continuing to use Loxtons and Waltons to roost with some visitors reporting many birds around the Tor View hide - so a smaller display for a shorter walk. Either way it would be worth ringing the Starling Hotline in case the flock moves. We also aim to have our welcome building open as much as possible during the busy starling season and staff and volunteers will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.
You could of course be brave and get up early to watch the birds taking off in the morning and you may get a nice sunrise to enjoy as well - thanks to Simon Lewis for the photo:
Starlings at sunrise - Simon Lewis
Some more early morning pictures taken by John Crispin at the Loxtons section - thanks John:
...and another sent into me by Graham Wagner - thanks Graham.
Sunrise from the Avalon Hide: Graham Wagner
There are plenty of other birds flocking together to keep you entertained too: There were at least 300 lapwing in front of the 1st platform (VP1) on a few occasions this week - most notably on Tuesday where they frequently popped up into the air and were quite unsettled at times. In the morning c30 black tailed godwits were with them and around 20 snipe were hidden amongst them too.
Plenty of duck on site with 100's of birds at several places on Tuesday morning - this includes both platforms (gadwall, mallard, teal wigeon, shoveler), in front of the Loxtons screen (lots of gadwall, wigeon and shoveler) and the Avalon Hide (shoveler and gadwall in particular). It was quite impressive to see so many birds across the reserve on the same day. We are also now bringing up water levels in the open and newly cut areas close to the footpath on the way to the Avalon Hide. c300 teal reported using some of these areas this week. It will be interesting to see what else starts using these areas as water levels rise - a water pipit was reported in here yesterday. Other ducks reported this week include pochard within Waltons and from the Tor View Hide and tufted duck from the Avalon Hide. This tufted duck taken last week by John Crispin - thanks John - hope you are enjoying your holiday this week.
Look out for plenty of other flocks of birds that visit us in winter. Fieldfare and redwing are a good example with a group of 8 of the latter seen over the car park this week. Redpoll & siskin can be seen too. Sightings this week from the car park but generally further down the main track flitting in and around the lines of alder trees. The large ones at Loxtons is a good place to start - several seen here yesterday.
Plenty of long tailed tit flocks as well. They tend to follow lines of trees and are constantly calling to each other keeping in touch. They are great birds to watch and I always enjoy seeing them. There are often flocks around the screens at Waltons too feeding in the willows there. Thanks to Graham Wagner for his long tailed tit shot taken this week:
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Long tailed tit: Graham Wagner
Lots of flocks of smaller birds are often mixed so don't always assume they are all of a kind. For example Long tailed tits will hang around with great tit and blue tit also but look out too for other more unusual birds hidden amongst them You may often see birds like goldcrests, possibly firecrest or chiffchaff - or who knows what other unusual warblers may be there. A siberian chiffchaff was seen this week and a yellow browed warbler last week (at the car park) so you never know. We had a couple of sightings of firecrest this week - one at the car park and one further down near VP1. Looking at this photo taken by Graham Wagner I would suggest this is a firecrest with the broad white band above the eye (supercilium) and the black eye stripe which are absent on the goldcrest. Thanks Graham.
Firecrest: Graham Wagner
Cattle Egrets are still flocking together with 30+ being seen in field in the surrounding area along with the glossy ibis at times. They have also been roosting together - sometimes on Ham wall but it has also been suggested that they have roosted in front of Noah's hide on Shapwick Heath this week too. The Glossy Ibis has also put in a couple of appearances at VP1 this week but has been far more elusive over the last fortnight than in previous weeks.
As if all this wasn't enough there are still plenty of other things to report. Marsh harriers have been particularly active this week. Lots of sightings from the Avalon Hide and across Waltons too. Several sightings from the Tor View Hide this week too. On Tuesday I had 2 birds flying together and often interacting with each other. At the same time, more distantly, over Loxtons I could see a further 2 birds doing something similar. there have also been similar reports of birds in front of the Avalon Hide showing similar behaviour. Yesterday, interaction of a different kind between a marsh harrier and a sparrowhawk from the Tor View Hide with other reports of sparrowhawk across the reserve too throughout the week.
These birds appear more frequently around starling roost time - not surprisingly and we've also reports of Peregrine on a couple of occasions. These birds can be seen in the mornings too often dropping into the reedbeds after the starlings have left to pick up any dead or struggling birds for an easy meal. A couple of Great White Egrets did this too last week - perhaps they were doing the same?
Other birds of prey seen and heard this week include a Red Kite seen from the VP2 on Monday, buzzards seen daily and tawny owl heard from Central Wood during the week. Barn Owls could also be seen and they are known to pick of starlings as we find carcasses in the owl boxes when we clear them out or ring owlets.
Other favourites seen this week include Bittern flights from the Avalon Hide (inc 2 on Tuesday) and within Waltons in particular with one flying in front of the 1st screen there yesterday. Kingfisher also seen from the same location - Waltons is a bit of a hot spot but sightings have also been had from the Loxtons screen and the Avalon Hide as Graham Wagner's shots show - thanks again Graham:
Kingfisher: Graham Wagner
Bearded tits are still being seen - perhaps not quite as frequently as before but the fact that they have been seen and heard from the Avalon Hide this week and on the path to the Tor View Hide yesterday is really good. I even had some whilst I was at Greylake last week doing some work in their reedbed which is great.
Also this week: Brambling seen in the car park on Monday, Raven flying over yesterday, another otter sighting - this time from the VP2 yesterday afternoon, the usual kestrel being seen from VP1 and close to the Avalon Hide, vocal water rails (listen out for their calls - they sound like squealing pigs) - one also seen from the Tor View Hide - keep a look out here, coal tit in the car park, still lots of greylag geese c40+ using the area in front of VP2 and smaller numbers of Canada Geese too making plenty of noise c30, Stonechats being spotted from the Avalon Hide and the 2nd platform on a regular basis, treecreepers (pictured) being seen quite often along the main track and a few butterflies still being spotted such as Red Admiral and Comma (end of last week) along with a few Common and Ruddy Darter dragonflies seen earlier this week although any more frosts are likely to see these off completely.
Treecreeper: Graham Wagner
That's about it for this week - happy hunting everyone and have a great weekend!