Lots of fantastic reports of great wildlife sightings around the reserve and some brilliant photos to match. Thanks to John Crispin (as always), Natalie Talbot and Andrew Kirby for their fantastic submissions.
The Waltons section would seem as good a place to start as any with all sorts of wonderful goings on to tell you about. Of course we have the Starlings which are, unbelievably, still using the same area (along with Loxtons) and have been since the start of the season - this is really most unusual that they haven't moved on to another section - but I guess they must like it here and who can blame them. The bonus is they are in plain view for any visitors wishing to see them. If you're coming be in place by 4pm to get settled. They are roosting closer to 4.30 now but on gloomy days it could be earlier. For morning 'lift off' you really need to be in place by 7.30 (sunrise is around 8am).
Once you've done all that you could check out the Tor View Hide. This week saw reports of Water Pipit (Monday), Yellow Wagtail (Wednesday), Teal and Shoveler in really close but also very close views of Snipe. Its been there a lot - Natalie Talbot took this the following day - thanks Natalie:
Another frequent visitor to this area is Water Rail. Again several sightings this week of one walking about in the cut area in plain sight (2 were seen on Wednesday). Natalie was on hand once again to get a couple of snaps as well as Andrew Kirby - many thanks to you both for sending them in (one was also spotted right in front of the Avalon Hide on Monday):
Water Rail: Natalie Talbot
Water Rail: Andrew Kirby
The other great surprise this week was the sightings of Bearded Tits in the same area on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday. I hit the jackpot myself this morning with a male and female showing really well along the Tor View Hide path. I then traveled to the north of the reserve where i had 8 together including 4 males perched in a row. I could also hear another small group behind me. This was all in the back of the area that the 2nd platform faces onto. So a wonderful morning.
Monday saw a pair flitting and feeding around the Waltons trail as photographed by Natalie Talbot:
Male Bearded Tit: Natalie Talbot
Pair of Bearded Tit: Natalie Talbot
Tuesday saw this female picking up grit from the path right by the entrance to the Tor View Hide. Seen by Both Natalie & Andrew - thanks for the photos both of you - must have been lovely to see:
Female Bearded Tit: Natalie Talbot
Female Bearded Tit: Andrew Kirby
....and on Wednesday 4 birds were seen in the reeds from the first screen at Waltons - what a wonderful week:
Bearded Tits: Andrew Kirby
The Tor View Hide has been a great place to get close to Teal & Shoveler too. This group photographed on the reserve this week by John Crispin are showing a known method of feeding - moving around in a circle to dislodge any food material from the mud underwater to feed on it. The rest of Waltons and indeed the 1st platform are the best places for Waterfowl at the moment - look out for Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Pochard and Wigeon to add to your list. Try also to catch sight of Great Crested Grebes. They have been seen in the early stages of courtship displays - it's mostly just head bobbing at the moment but soon the more elaborate displys will begin - it's brilliant to watch.
Shoveler: John Crispin
The Glossy Ibis have been seen this week but it's less than previous weeks. They are still out there somewhere. One was seen in flight over areas close to the Avalon Hide this week - the cut area on your left on the footpath.
Great White Egrets are a little easier. Not seen in those larger numbers as in previous weeks but they are hard to miss. Platform 1 is usually the best place to search but also try within Waltons, Loxtons or from the 2nd platform. This one was snapped by John Crispin this week having some success fishing.
A Kingfisher was also seen having success this week right by the 1st screen at Waltons. It perched in willows over the water and dived successfully at least twice before flying off. A second bird was also sighted at the south of Waltons minutes before.
Marsh Harriers can be seen daily - often after starling roost but generally throughout the day there seems to be an increase in sightings and activity. One was seen from the Tor View Hide this morning and most days I've seen 1 or 2 out beyond the 2nd platform. Thanks to Andrew Kirby and John Crispin for the photos:
Marsh Harrier: Andrew Kirby
This one was seen hunting successfully - you can see the prey in its talons. The Buzzard in the shot was harassing it without success at stealing a meal.
Thursday saw 3 females types and the male pictured above at the same time (from the Avalon Hide).
Marsh Harrier & Buzzard: John Crispin
The second platform seems a little quieter this week. Always a few Swans and groups of duck but a lot less Canada Geese and Greylag geese than before. The lack of Canada geese in particular would account for the reduced noise in the area. These 2 Greylag were photographed taking off from this area this week so there's still a few there from time to time.
Greylags: John Crispin
There's lots of other stuff around. Groups of Long Tailed Tits patrolling the treelines, a few Redpolls seen this morning feeding in Alder trees along the edge of Loxtons by the main track, Stonechat seen in front of the Avalon Hide, Raven seen & heard flying overhead, calling Great Tits and large flocks of Goldfinches around the car park. Lots of other common species too such as this Chaffinch near the car park this week with Goldcrests and Chiffchaff also seen.
Chaffinch: Natalie Talbot
The car park is also a good place to see and hear Great Spotted Woodpeckers. They are using the feeders in the car park and both male and female appear on the feeder cam beamed back to the TV in the welcome building. One was also seen and heard drumming in the wood near the Avalon HIde. I've seen a new hole appearing in a tree so I'll keep an eye on it.
I'll leave you with another of John Crispin's lovely sunrise pictures from this week - it's worth getting up early for. Thanks John.
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!