What a lovely week it's been with lovely warm days (almost summer like at times), although the somewhat colder and crisper mornings are a reminder that is actually autumn. The mornings may be colder and at this time some wildlife may have a bit of a lie in but when it begins to warm up the wildlife really wakes up too. Good opportunities for some more atmospheric shots. Thanks to Reg Redmore for his dewy spiderweb shot and Robin Morrison for his shot of the reserve at dawn:
These sunny spells of weather are giving much better opportunities for visitors to see bitterns, marsh harriers, bearded tits and the ever graceful great white egret.
There have been several bittern flights this week to please visitors. The first platform (VP1) has been a good place to look as ever with occasionally birds sat out on the edges of the reed enjoying the sun - always worth scanning along here. Another visitor reported seeing 3 from the screens at Waltons including one which flew up from the very edge just a few feet from him right in front of the screen. Yesterday a bittern was seen mobbing a great white egret too. Perhaps it was in its favourite fishing spot.
Great white egrets are as always fairly easy to come by. Reports from both platforms, Tor View Hide and Avalon Hide on a daily basis. One also was perched on the cut (but not yet cleared) island in front of the western screen at Waltons. It flew off as we approached in the boat to cut some more and returned very quickly after we left. We were also privileged to see some bearded tits here too and from VP1 where they have been reported on a few occasions this week. It's a time of year when you can expect to see multiple flights (or eruptions) of birds around the reserve. Sightings this week from both platforms and the Avalon Hide.
Volunteers were out surveying for them yesterday morning - some had more luck than others. The biggest group seen was a group of 20 so keep your eyes and ears open. 3 great shots sent to me this week of bearded tit. Firstly this stunner from John Crispin of a male in flight followed by a group shot with 10 in the frame - many thanks to John:
Secondly another lovely shot of a male sent in by Robin Morrison. He'd spotted a group at Loxtons which flew up and over the second viewing platform (VP2) and later encountered another group (or perhaps the same) and this male settled long enough to be snapped. Thanks Robin:
Marsh Harriers too have been very evident this week with 4 seen together at one point by John Crispin and one being chased off and mobbed by corvids. Perhaps it had a prey item they wanted and hoped it would drop it. Robin Morrison had a similar experience on Wednesday during his visit and managed to grab this shot - thanks Robin:
Several of our spring/summer migrants are still around - a sedge warbler (pretty late) was sen from the Tor View Hide on Tuesday, willow warbler also noted on a couple of occasions this week along with blackcap and chiffchaff although these last too being shorter distance migrants are more likely to hang around and perhaps even over winter. Chiffchaff have been singing well at times this week - try between VP1 & VP2. A few house martin and a few swallow - often singles have also been spotted this week - this swallow taken by John Crispin this week:
On the other side of the coin we have some of our autumn/winter birds gathering. Teal can be seen around the reserve (Avalon Hide, VP2 perhaps) as can Wigeon. VP2 again for these a good place to start with as many as 25 flying in to land yesterday. Waders are popping in and out too with a common sandpiper reported yesterday from VP2 and varying numbers of lapwing, black tailed godwits and snipe. Around 100 lapwing and 20 black tailed godwits seen here this morning. A marsh harrier then came along and put them all up - nice sight to see. Thanks here to John Crispin for his wigeon shot - they can also graze like geese. Their short bill helps with this form of eating.
These snipe were seen by John Crispin this week. When in flight this wisp of snipe fly very fast over the reeds. When they bank you'll see their white underbelly and on top their upper body feathers which are dark - you can then sometimes lose them against the dark reeds.
Talking of wigeon sometimes grazing like geese - we are still seeing good numbers of greylag geese from VP2 each day. Robin Morrison took this shot of them in the classic V formation this week. Thanks Robin:
These warm autumn days are among my favourite of the year - not only do you get the crossover of migrating birds in each direction but also there's still plenty of insect life to look out for. A few dragonfly species are still on the wing. You may be able to see southern hawker still but far more likely to see the migrant hawkers and then common & ruddy darter. They are not safe though as a few hobby are still being reported this week so worth keeping your eyes open for these.
Sparrowhawk and kestrel have also been reported throughout the week with a kestrel seen taking a bearded tit at one point. Barn owls have also been seen out and about near the owl box in the wood opposite VP1 too - so worth remembering. You can listen out for tawny owls too at the right time of day and buzzards are a daily occurrence. One such individual was mercilessly mobbed by corvids on Wednesday afternoon close to VP1.
Other invertebrates apart from dragonflies are about of course. Several butterfly species can still be seen including: green veined white, small white, brimstone, comma, small tortoiseshell, speckled wood, peacock and red admiral. Over the next few weeks it's worth checking out the ivy on the main path on the way down. the tee line on you left is south facing and sheltered and often harbours many insects as it's a good late nectar source. One of our volunteers was watching a pristine red admiral settle here this week when it was suddenly taken by a hornet and devoured - bit of a surprise. A hornet was again there on both Tuesday & Wednesday this week. Often in October and November really good numbers of red admirals settle here.
Also we have an unusual aphid seen in the car park. Thanks to Graham Hall for taking these shots and getting it sent off to be identified. It's Latin name is Macrosiphoniella subterranea and here are a couple of shots of it. A nice looking thing I think:
Also at the car park this week: Iberian water frogs croaking loudly in the ponds when it's sunny, grass snakes seen again here too, goldcrest seen in the trees as well as quite large groups of goldfinches. Long tailed tits are also moving about in groups. I love seeing these little birds when I'm out and about. They always give me a lift. Thanks to Robin Morrison for his shot:
You'll probably encounter them as you walk along the main path - look out also for Jays - they are busy collecting acorns now - storing large numbers for the winter. Thanks again to Robin Morrison for his shot:
You may also see great spotted woodpeckers - this one was snapped by Robin Morrison on Wednesday feeding on reed mace - there are bugs here too to feast upon:
He also caught this shot of a black headed gull chasing flying insects across the reserve:
Also this week: plenty of duck to look out for as well as wigeon and teal - shoveler, tufted duck, pochard and of course gadwall and mallard. Two shots from John Crispin here. A lovely shot of a gadwall preening itself in the morning sun and a group of male mallards at varying stages of eclipse. Sometimes the males plumage can look very similar to that of the female but his dirty yellow bill will always give him away. Thanks John:
Raven have also been seen on a couple of occasions, 2 more otter sightings one on Tuesday from the Avalon Hide and then from VP2 at around 3pm on Wednesday, roe deer too have been spotted this week with a single on the footpath track on Wednesday and 2 seen there yesterday, water rails seen again from Tor View Hide (also reports from the Avalon Hide this week), a stonechat seen close to VP2 and look out for grey herons along the main drains or in the cut areas. Thanks to John Crispin who came eye to eye for this shot of one in flight.
Finally I mustn't leave out a firm favourite. Kingfishers are often one bird people love to see here. Plenty of sightings this week from the Avalon Hide but more particularly from the Waltons area. Listen out for their whistling call to give you a clue to their presence and then hope for a sighting or even a pose like this. Thanks again to Robin Morrison for his photo:
That's it for this week. Thanks to all who contributed their wonderful photos and information and thanks for reading. Have a great weekend!