It sometimes seems that there's not much to report in the blog some weeks because nothing much new has happened. But when a normal week includes Glossy Ibis, Great White Egret, Bittern and Marsh Harrier, it can't be that bad can it?
We've brought the water levels up a little further in front of the 1st viewing platform by pumping from the section behind. It's creating a nice spectacle from the platform but also creating muddy areas in the section behind. Much of it may be out of sight but it's often packed - yes packed, with Great White Egrets. I drove by this section in my reed cutting machine on Wednesday and disturbed 19 Great White Egrets and several Little Egrets too. 12 of these flew up and landed in front of the 1st viewing platform right out in the open. 14 were reported here on Tuesday also. By the time I got there, there was just a meagre 11.
There's often a couple from the platform but if you're lucky enough you may see the flock come up!
Great White Egrets: John Crispin
There's also a few duck loitering - mostly Mallard & Gadwall but there are many Snipe hidden away as well. At least 14 flew up from here on Wednesday.
The Glossy Ibis are also using the section behind frequently - I disturbed them twice last week when refueling the pump but they have also been using the sections in front of both platforms (they showed well at both locations yesterday).
Glossy Ibis: John Crispin
Bittern flights are much reduced when compared to a few weeks ago but they are still being seen. On Tuesday a bird flew within Waltons from west to east while another bird was spotted in flight a little later at Loxtons. To complete the current heron set there's plenty of Grey Herons on site too. This one was photographed by John Crabb from the screens at Waltons on Wednesday - thanks John!
Grey Heron: John Crabb
Unfortunately, the Bearded Tits have not yet been seen on the grit trays we've provided(at 1st platform and near Avalon Hide) - unless anyone knows different (we'd love to hear from you if you do). A Kingfisher was perched on the 1st platform one however yesterday - although I'd imagine not interested in the grit particularly.
A little later 2 were seen together in this area (just as last week) so it's worth checking all the posts and rails you can see from here in case they are perched up.
The 2nd platform still has much to offer although as always a bit of patience and time may be needed. Several duck species here including Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler. This one photographed by John Crispin this week (at Waltons) looking as if it is starting to emerge from its eclipse plumage - Thanks John!
and Mallards.....
As winter approaches much of the reserves wildlife begins to slow down, look to hibernate or dies off. These warm autumn spells are often the last chances to see them active. Butterfly numbers are reducing although if you walk down to the first platform there are amazing numbers of Red Admirals using the ivy bushes - a really good late nectar source. There have been several comments about them this week from members of the public. At least 30 were seen together on Tuesday along with a single Comma. There were many still present this morning - it must just be the perfect location for them. Thanks to John Crispin & Natalie Talbot for their Comma pictures:
Red Admirals taken by Ray Summers (RSPB Warden)
Comma: John Crispin
Some dragonflies are still on the wing, although I've seen a lot less this week. 1 or 2 Southern Hawkers are still about along with Migrant Hawker, plus both Common and Ruddy Darters. Ruddy Darters are often seen in November until the first frosts see them off. Well there's at least one less dragonfly about anyway as this Kestrel photographed by Natalie Talbot caught himself a meal and perched on a gatepost near the car park pools. Thanks Natalie:
Iberian Water Frogs are still sunning themselves around the car park pools and several jumped into the pond this morning as we walked around - lots of the native Common Frog around the reserve too this week. Lots of small fish could be seen in the pools today as well as a good collection of other pond life.
We've cut the islands in the parking area too and will clear the cuttings this weekend. This should allow fresh growth next spring of the wild flowers, which make the car park look so beautiful at that time of year. As we were working a Marsh Harrier flew over, which was great to see. They're a daily sighting now and there are several individuals being seen, including a well marked female, a dark juvenile type and a male bird.
A trip to Waltons is always worthwhile. From the screens there's always a chance of a Bittern sighting or good views of Great Crested Grebes or Little Grebes. This shot was taken by John Crabb from the screen in the south east corner of Waltons on Wednesday - another successful fishing attempt:
Little Grebe: John Crabb
From the Tor View Hide there's always a chance of seeing the Water Rails out on the open cut area and a Sparrowhawk put in a brief visit on Tuesday morning, while from the woven willow screen at the southern end this Grass Snake was seen by John Crabb. Shame the light wasn't the best for his picture but great to see them swimming - there are stacks of them at Ham Wall (they're just well hidden).
Grass Snake: John Crabb
Also this week: a few Swallows seen over the reserve, lots of Starlings gathering in local villages with a flock of around 1000 roosting on the reserve, Great Spotted Woodpeckers using the woodland areas, Squirrels on the rail path close to the oak trees (caching acorns perhaps), a Yellow Browed Warbler outside our office at the Avalon Marshes Centre & Buzzards seen daily.
Finally this week a nice picture of the humble blackbird (I always like to see them). This one looks as though it could be a juvenile bird which has not quite finished moulting into its adult plumage. Thanks to John Crispin for the photo and his thoughts on the picture:
That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!