Birds of a feather are certainly flocking together at Ham Wall at the moment. It's a sign that winter is on the way. The most obvious of these of course would be the Starling. Numbers are beginning to increase as the weather turns that little bit colder. At least 10,000 birds are currently roosting within Loxtons and the eastern half of Waltons - at least that's where they lifted off from this morning. Phone the Starling Hotline for up to date info for when you plan a visit 07866 554142
Starling (not a flock I know but a nice picture): John Crispin
During the week at dusk there have been sightings of Peregrine and Sparrowhawk looking to pick off an easy meal while Marsh Harriers are often also present. This morning both male and female Marsh Harriers were seen with the female showing a significant amount of yellow on the wings.
Black Headed Gulls were loitering in good numbers from the 1st platform this morning too and often perch on the rafts in Waltons or the posts in front of the platform as this John Crispin photo shows: Thanks John!
Black Headed Gull: John Crispin
Flocking in the car park as always are plenty of Goldfinches - often perched on the telephone wires, as well as our feeders of course. They've also been seen picking up grit from the car park itself - although I cant blame them for the pot holes that are appearing. We will be dealing with this in the near future. You may have noticed a large pile on stone appear in the corner of the car park - that's what it's for.
While at the car park & on the reserve look out for some winter flockers - Fieldfare & Redwing were seen around the car park on Tuesday and plenty have been seen in the local area over the last couple of weeks - although somehow I have failed to see any yet, although heard a Fieldfare close to the car park last Sunday.
Fieldfare: John Crispin
From the first platform plenty of Shoveler, Mallard and Gadwall in particular joined by good numbers of whistling (listen out for their call) Wigeon and Teal. There's also the odd Pochard, Tufted Duck and Shelduck to look out for.
At the 2nd platform several duck here too along with small flocks of Lapwing - while in Waltons working yesterday flocks of 30 or so passed overhead.
Lapwing: John Crispin
We could also hear flocks of geese - both Canada and Greylag. They were also present this morning with John Crispin able to grab this shot as evidence - thanks John!
Greylag Geese: John Crispin
We also get flocks of Great White Egrets on occasions (I should check out the collective noun for Egrets really). Can't get near my 19 from a couple of weeks ago but got 6 together this morning along with a few Little Egrets. We are pumping down a small area close to the Avalon Hide (just behind it to the left) and that's where they've been feeding.
The Glossy Ibis were there too (until we turned up) although I can't claim a flock of these (perhaps give it a few years) but 2 is a nice number. They have also been seen on the cut islands in Waltons this week feeding around the edges. We'll probably have one more volunteer work day there next Thursday and then get the water levels raised up a bit - should create some nice feeding areas for them (Snipe often love the first cut island too). Maybe try the 1st platform for Great White Egret - it's a favourite haunt. Bittern were seen there this morning too.
Glossy Ibis: John Crispin
To add to the heron family the rather tame Grey Heron is still spending a lot of time along the sides of the main drain (what gets called the canal). You can get quite close as Natalie Talbot discovered. Thanks for the photo Natalie:
She also managed to take these lovely shots of a Blackbird feasting on berries - quite iconic for this time of year. Great shots Natalie:
The "flocks" of Red Admiral butterflies on the rail path Ivy are vastly reduced but you can still see the odd butterfly during sunny spells; Red Admiral, Comma and Speckled Wood, all seen this week:
Speckled Wood: John Crispin
Dragonflies too are still present but again in much reduced numbers: both Common & Ruddy Darters have been seen along with Migrant Hawker but the colder weather will begin to see them off.
It was the number of ladybirds that caught the attention this week. With hundreds being seen "flocking" around the edges of the woodlands and along the rail path. Several people commented on it so it must of been quite something. I had a lieu day on Monday and was working at RSPB Greylake cutting the reedbeds there on Tuesday & Wednesday so missed this phenomena. I was lucky enough to see a Bittern there though. Most of the work there has been done now so I suspect that they will soon be bring up the water levels to create the brilliant winter spectacle in front of the hides.
Also this week: 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers together at the wood at the western end of the reserve on the footpath side, another pecking on trees around the Waltons screens yesterday, Kestrel seen hovering at the western end too (near the car park), Buzzards seen daily, Stonechats opposite the 1st platform, Siskin seen late last week at Loxtons and Redpoll seen earlier this week. There's also been plenty of Kingfisher sightings - the majority of these are around Waltons but also reports from the Avalon Hide, the car park and Loxtons. I'll leave you with a great shot from John Crispin - I've used it before but it's a great shot - thanks John.
Have a great weekend !