The best news of the week was being able to get the Avalon Hide back open again. As you may know the access had become extremely muddy and too difficult access. It's taken a lot of work in a short space of time but we've done it. Rubber matting has been laid throughout the woodland and beyond to the hide. Thanks to all the volunteers who worked so hard to turn this situation around so quickly. It's fantastic to have it back open.
Yesterday and this morning saw feeding Great White Egrets (x2 yesterday) and as many as 4 hunting Marsh Harriers. Within the woodland on Thursday a Great Spotted Woodpecker was repeatedly drumming on the silver birches before flying off, followed by a second bird. Great Whites seen to be feeding here daily at present. A Little Egret joined in on Monday but didn't stay long, while another dropped in for a longer feeding session on Wednesday, hunting in the cut area at the back of the pool. Also on Wednesday one of the Marsh Harriers dropped into the reedbed on two occasions - the second one for some time (unsure whether it had caught prey).
Again on Wednesday, croaking Common Frogs in the adjacent ditch to the woodland and in pools close by - at least 3 individuals and perhaps.....but not 100% sur a booming Bittern, booming just once on a couple of occasions. 3 were heard for sure last week and it's not unusual for us to have boomers in January - the Avalon Marshes often has the first boomers nationally each year. It's all down to our balmy south west location I guess.
Away from the Avalon Hide and the star is probably the Glossy Ibis - if you're lucky enough to see it. It's clearly able to find some very secluded areas in which to hide away during the day but is often seen towards dusk flying from the Ham Wall direction towards Shapwick Heath where it roosts each night. You may see it if you are out Starling watching - the birds are currently using Shapwick Heath to roost also. It was seen by our ecologist yesterday evening flying over the Ham Wall car park and by another visitor on Monday evening coming from the same direction.
The best sighting was during the morning on Monday as it sat on the cut island in front of the 3rd screen at Waltons. Unfortunately it was spooked by a visitor who approached the hide without realising what was there. John Crispin was on hand however and manged to grab these shots - thanks John:
Later the same day - when I turned up, of course it was gone. There were however a good 150 Lapwings (maybe more) present as well as a few Teal. Roughly the same number were seen by John Crispin in the section opposite the new bridge which crosses the main drain. This could be the same group as on both occasions the groups were very unsettled. On Wednesday a groups of around 250 flew over the Central Wood (where the path to the Avalon Hide passes through) and more were seen last week using the fields south of the River Brue (this runs parallel to the Meare Glastonbury Rd). so there's plenty in the area. Another Plover ....the Golden Plover was sighted on Monday. Around 50 flew over the reserve heading south during the late morning.
Also within Waltons are a few Great Crested Grebes. I think as many as 4 at present. Some showing their wonderful plumage. It won't be long before we are able to witness their wonderful pair bonding and courtship rituals.
Waltons was also a hot spot for signs of Otter activity during the last survey. This coincides with last weeks sighting from the Tor View Hide (photo in last weeks blog).
Another favourite sighting for me (and several volunteers) this week was the group of Bearded Tits seen at the back of the area in front of the 2nd viewing platform. The sun was out and shining and we could hear them on both sides of us and then .....there they were. Wonderful! At least 8 crossed the path to join the others - maybe as many as 12 in total. I saw them in this area last week too (just a couple on that occasion). It worth having a scan over this area if your there as they have also been seen at the near side of this section close to the gate on the canal bank - you never know your luck. Here's a stunning male photographed by John Crispin this week:
I also saw a Stonechat perched up in this area this morning, with it's obvious tail flicking stance. Another was also along the bank where the line of gorse is to the right of the Avalon hide section on Monday. Again, photographed by John Crispin:
A pair have been seen in this area regularly, while we've been using our reed cutting machinery.
Also this week: Green Winged Teal reported from the Loxtons Screen last weekend (look out for Kingfishers here too), female Sparrowhawk from the Avalon Hide on Wednesday which flew in close, Lots of groups of Long Tailed Tits following the tree lines (always a cheery sight), calling Cettis Warblers and very vocal Water Rails around the reserve, small groups of finches (goldfinch and Chaffinch) along the rail path, Raven flying over calling and still a fair amount of birdsong - of particular note this week - the Great Tit with its familiar "teacher, teacher" call.
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!