Firstly, apologies for the lack of blog over the last couple of weeks. I was helping to run a corporate team day for some employees of Bristol City Council 2 Fridays ago (when I usually write the blog) and just didn't have the time. Then I was off on annual leave last week. It means there's a bit to catch up with but I think I'll concentrate on this week and just add in a few snippets from the previous fortnight. Fortunately I have lots of lovely photos to really pack it out.
It's been a little bit of a mixed bag when it comes to weather over the last few weeks - bit of snow, hail high winds but as a rule it feels as though it's warming up a bit and spring is within touching distance. Wildlife on the reserve is responding too and the mornings have generally been for alive and tuneful with birdsong. The Song Thrush takes some beating though. The car park has been a good place to hear them recently.
Song Thrush - John Crispin
In the car park pools, if you look closely enough, you'll see several patches of frogspawn - look to the shallower edges where the water warms up quicker and there's other things beginning to stir too. On Wednesday morning - probably the coldest and windiest day this week, was the day this little grass snake decided to emerge. It was by the wooden gate at the footpath entrance to the reserve (on the other side of the main drain). I took a quick picture with my phone and then moved a couple of things round to give it some cover.
Within Waltons the Grey Herons are still sitting or bringing in extra nesting material (3 nests for sure). The Tor View Hide is probably the best place to view these. Thanks to John Crispin & John Crabb for the photos.
Grey Heron - John Crispin
Grey Heron - John Crabb
While you're in the hide there's usually plenty of other stuff to see. Last weekend Water Rail was seen right in front and Coots were boisterously displaying and being very territorial on Tuesday - although they do make rather a lot of noise about it. If you prefer grace and elegance, it's hard to beat the Great Crested Grebes. On Tuesday they were performing their courtship display close in to the hide and undertook a bit of weed dancing for the cameras. Thanks to Rob Balch for sending me in this shot of the action - what a lovely sight it is.
Great Crested Grebes - Rob Balch
Fishing Great Crested Grebes - photos by John Crabb
Great Crested Grebes in flight - John Crispin
In fact, this area has been a little hot spot over the last week. Bitterns are booming well in both Waltons and Loxtons, while plenty of Pochard & Tufted Duck have been frequenting the area. In amongst them from last weekend until Tuesday a Ring necked Duck was present on the west side of Waltons. This is likely to be the same bird that's been at Glastonbury Heath pools until recently - just a stones throw away from the back of the reserve. While it was in Waltons John Crispin managed to grab these great photos - thanks John!
Ring Necked Duck - John Crispin
It has since moved into the area in front of the 2nd viewing platform and was seen there yesterday.
Waltons has also been visited by the Glossy Ibis over the last few weeks. It's either been sat on the cut island in front of the screen on the west side or in front of the Tor View Hide. On other occasions - including a couple of occasions this week, it's been spotted in front of the 2nd viewing platform. These tend to be it's favourite haunts when it visits the reserve but of course it could literally be anywhere. As far as we know it still roosts each night over on Shapwick Heath.
Last Wednesday morning (2nd Mar) John Crispin came across this heart warming sight on the cut island on the east side of Waltons:
Glossy Ibis, Great White Egret and 8 Little Egrets (unfortunately he couldn't squeeze in the eighth Little Egret)
Glossy Ibis again! - John Crispin
From the first platform this morning a Great White Egret was present with another 2 in flight over the reedbed next to the car park. You could also try the Avalon Hide for these - they often sit and feed in the cut areas. Bitterns can be heard booming here too and you catch the occasional flight. Staff and volunteers will be out before dawn next Thursday across the whole of the Avalon Marshes to undertake the booming Bittern survey - with a follow up survey in April. Last years total of 43 is the target to beat.
Also from the hide - great action from Marsh Harriers. 2 weeks ago I saw 2 males displaying to females over the same nest sites as last year - more of the same please!. Tawny Owls have also been spotted in the Owl boxes in the central wood, while left of the hide 2 Barn Owls were seen last Sunday.
This handsome little chap was spotted in front of the Avalon Hide before I went away on annual leave but I have seen one close by this week too.
Stonechat - John Crispin
Elsewhere on the site good numbers of duck - particularly Shoveler, Pochard, Teal (male seen displaying this week) and Tufted Duck.
Shoveler in flight - John Crispin
But also plenty of Wigeon, Mallard and Gadwall....
Gadwall in flight - John Crabb
....and on the odd occasion some lovely Pintail - male seen from the 1st platform this Tuesday (and last).
Pintail photos by John Crispin.
Other recent sightings include: 4 Siskin and 2 Redpolls seen by the 2nd platform, Treecreeper seen by the car park boardwalk, Dusky Warbler reported around Loxtons on 29th Feb and 3 Cranes flying over the car parks the same day, Ravens seen in flight, male Bullfinch seen & heard close to the canal path/Avalon Hide path junction with at least one more bird calling close by, colour ringed Coot in Waltons ringed at Abbotsbury in July 2015, 14 Snipe flying over Waltons at the weekend and c30 Lapwings yesterday and singing Chiffchaff at Waltons too. Chiffchaff and Goldcrest were also seen feeding by the 2nd platform this week sometimes from the treeline - other times hawking in the air. Dave Chislett sent me this Goldcrest photo recently for use in the blog too - thanks Dave.
Goldcrest - Dave Chislett
Finally - a firm visitor favourite - the Kingfisher. Staff and volunteers have cleared the Kingfisher bank in the car park and inserted a post and perch in readiness for some wildlife cameras to be installed in the coming weeks. Sightings at both Loxtons and Waltons this week. Lets hope they find their way to the car park pools too!
Kingfisher - John Crispin
That's it for this week - have a great weekend!