The reserve has been bustling the last few days with lots of visitors out enjoying the lovely sunshine - particularly this morning with lots of families out for the half term break - great to see.
There has, as always, been plenty for people to feast their eyes and ears on this week and some subtle changes in the numbers of birds - and some less subtle. Starling numbers look to be increasing having had a fairly steady 5-6000 birds for a few weeks it leapt to 10,000 midweek and has continued to climb by the sounds of it up to as many as 20,000. No great surprise given the time of year and we expect this number to rise quickly as we enter October. I've also just been informed that the Avalon Marshes Starling Hotline is now up and running.This will give you a recorded message giving the last known location of the roost. Call 07866 554142 for the latest information.
They have continued to roost in Loxtons and the section just behind coming in roughly from 5.15 until 6.05 and taking off in the morning from around 7.15 until 8.10. If you are planning to come and see them arrive in plenty of time (but don't forget the clocks go back this weekend so will adjust the times above too). At either end of the day there's always a chance of seeing the Cattle Egrets on the move to and from their roost too. 25 seen during the day on Tuesday but 31 flying into roost in the evening.
Other arrivals sen this week include Redpoll and Siskin seen from the 1st platform on Tuesday and a few small flocks of Redwings seen again this week. We've also had a few Swallows departing still seen over Waltons on Monday.
Wildfowl numbers seem to have increased this week too. This was most noticeable from the Avalon Hide where plenty of Shoveler were present right in front of the hide - many in (or at least still coming out of) eclipse. John Crispin has sent in some shots this week of both Shoveler and Teal both in full plumage and coming out of eclipse - really useful to pick out these differences - thanks John!
Shoveler both in breeding plumage and coming out of eclipse
Teal in breeding plumage and coming out of eclipse.
Plenty of Teal (and Shoveler) in the area in front of the 2nd platform and elsewhere on the reserve this week along with Wigeon, Mallard, Gadwall and the odd Tufted Duck - also reports of a Pochard and this Pintail drake which popped in on Sunday. Thanks once again to John Crispin for taking these shots of the bird:
A fair few waders species are being recorded too with Green Sandpiper seen from the 2nd platform yesterday and a Dunlin this morning. Up to 5 Ruff (some photographed) have been recorded on most days along with varying numbers of Lapwing, with at least 40 counted.Snipe are present here too but also 10 spotted from the 1st platform this morning.
Ruff; John Crispin
The Tor View Hide has proved a good busy spot this week with plenty of Bittern sightings including one I saw myself, which called in flight as it flew the length of Waltons on Wednesday. Reports this week also of Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and a very late Hobby all from this location and a Water Rail which was passing under the hide. Volunteers have since been onto the area to the right and cut and cleared the regrowth so this may also encourage it out into the open a bit more -as it did last year. Reports also of Marsh Harrier, Great White Egret, Little Egret and Kingfisher from here this week and yet another Otter sighting on Wednesday. Seem to be getting one or two reports every week from around the reserve at the moment.
The warmer days are also great for Bearded Tit spotting. They are being seen in all kinds of places including Waltons but several reports from both platforms (c20 from the 2nd platform on Tuesday) and the Avalon Hide this week. You could also try loitering near the gates just before you enter the wood on the way to the Avalon hide - several reports from this area too this week. Great to see these birds doing so well.
The warm days have also meant that there are still plenty of flying insects around for birds to feed on. Also Hornets have been reported a few times this week - on a couple of occasions around the Loxtons section. Look out also for late flying butterflies: Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood all seen this week and the last of this seasons dragonflies. Any larger ones seen will almost certainly be Migrant Hawker while there are also plenty of the smaller Common and Ruddy Darters about too. Quite often the first frosts tend to finish these off although it's not uncommon here to have Ruddy Darters on the wing well into November.
These 10 Ruddy Daters were taken by Carol Coward in November a few years ago and she kindly sent me in her photos so I thought I'd use it again. Thanks again Carol:
Bit quieter in terms of mammals with a few small mammals such as voles seen quickly crossing the main track and the odd Grey Squirrel collecting nuts or acorns. I have seen several Roe Deer around the site this week and John Crispin reported 2 around the Loxtons Trail early on Sunday morning.
Also around the reserve this week: Stonechats (both male and female) seen from the 1st platform in particular but also elsewhere on the reserve, 5 Ravens flew over on Wednesday, c15 Canada Geese in front of 2nd platform but look out also for groups of Greylags, Great Spotted Woodpeckers daily, Little Grebes in both Waltons and from the Avalon Hide, Meadow Pipit seen at the car park along with Buzzard (as well as elsewhere) Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Pied Wagtail and the very tame Robin which hangs around all the cars and picnic tables looking for titbits. The female Kestrel is being seen daily - usually from the 1st platform hovering over the area just beyond, a Treecreeper along the main track but also look out for Bullfinch and Goldcrest all seen throughout the week. Marsh Harriers are being seen daily - male, female and juveniles spotted during the week - try the 2nd platform or the Avalon Hide for the most likely encounter.
Finally we still have the Glossy Ibis on the reserve - guess we can call it resident now - it's been over 2 years. It's still using areas in front of both platforms but takes some searching out sometimes. Thanks for another photo from John Crispin taken this week from the 2nd platform:
That's it for this week. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend. Who know what next week will bring!