There's no doubt that spring has sprung now on the reserve. There's been some beautifully warm days and lots of action to enjoy on the reserve. I was away last week so no blog - just in case you thought you missed something. Just a couple of things to report from last week to update you before I start on this weeks news.
A Cattle Egret was reported from Loxtons last week but it only stayed briefly, whilst a single Black Tailed Godwit sat in front of the Avalon Hide - another 30 or so flew over from the Shapwick side. We had more definite sightings of Hobby just to confirm as we thought that one or two had arrived and of course the influx of Sand Martins continued.
We had more this week too of course along with a few Swallows although I'm still yet to see my first. No reports of House Martin yet though. Last week saw this little chap stop for a rest in a tree by the 1st platform. Luckily John Crispin was on hand to take these great shots.
and another shot of a sky filled with them from Natalie Talbot...
Thanks to Natalie & John for the photos.
Elsewhere, a simple walk along the old rail path from the car park will be very rewarding. At the car park today there was both Song Thrush and Blackbird with beak fulls of worms along with singing Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Great Tit, Dunnock and Robin. Further along the rail path, just past the bridge 2 Willow Warblers were singing - one in plain sight (my first of the year).
Another first of the year this morning was an Orange Tip Butterfly seen near the first platform. Other butterfly sightings this week include: Brimstone, Green Veined White, Peacock (often 2 chasing each other), Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell.
The first Grass Snake report of the year came last weekend - one was basking on the bank on the left near the wooden gate as you enter Waltons from the main path.
On the right side of this gate a Cettis Warbler has been very vocal and often perching up and singing well. Its a good time of year to see them in general until territories are fully established - so keep an eye out for them.
Bitterns are still booming well - earlier in the morning is best - very early if you're brave but one or two are quite noisy during the day. Perhaps head to the Avalon HIde area to listen to a more consistent boomer. Its a good place to catch flights too. John Crispin too this photo this week of two birds in a chase - most likely a male chasing a female - look out for more of this behavior over the next few weeks. Thanks John!
On Sunday a bird stood out in the open in front of the Avalon Hide for some time to the delight of many visitors. Its also the place to see Marsh Harriers too. Lots of activity there this week again - mating, sky dancing, food passes and nest building - it's all going on. Oh...and they don't like Bitterns getting too close either as this photo from Andrew Kirby shows - thanks Andrew.
Similar things happened last year when bitterns were attacked by Marsh Harriers for getting to close to nest sites. Of course Marsh Harriers have good weapons at their disposal but the bitterns not without. A good sharp pointed bill and strong clawed feet too as this John Crispin photo shows:
John's even sent me some technical info on the bitterns leg (tarsus) and foot: the photo shows well the strong foot and long claws which help the bird climb though the reeds. All birds have scale patterns on the tarsus and there are 5 different parts of scales attributed to a birds tarsus. A Bittern's pattern is called Scutellate reticulate.
Scutellate: the large scales more or less overlapping on the top of the tarsus and foot.
Reticulate: small irregular scales - net like- shown on the underside of tarsus & foot.
Thanks John!
2 male and 3 female Marsh Harriers have been seen active in this area. The colouration of birds can help you to tell them apart but so can irregularities in their feathers eg there is a bird with some missing primary feathers. This photo shows a lot of wear in the tail feathers of one of the birds:
Look out for Kestrel in this area too. It's been picked up a couple of times in the last week.
Other stars of the reserve are of course the Great White Egrets & the Glossy Ibis. They have both been showing well all week. The Glosy Ibis have both been spending a lot of time in Waltons and just across the bridge just past the 1st platform. There are several visitors who are adamant that there is a 3rd bird out there. not seen 3 myself yet but you never know. Thanks to Natalie Talbot for the latest selection of Glossy Ibis photos:
Lovely stuff - we're all still waiting to find out what these 2 (or 3 ) are up to. If you want to come find them look in the places I've just suggested or perhaps pop over to Sahpwick Heath - they've just pumped down the scrape there so there is fresh feeding and they were there today at one point.
For Great White Egrets maybe check out the reedbeds close to the car park or look out from either platform - they seem to like feeding at both these areas. John Crispin took yet another great shot this week. This time a Great White Egret reacting to another one which came close by:
Check out the red legs, dark bill with green lores and brilliant plumes - that's a bird in breeding condition.
To colpte the set of Heron species (along with the odd Little Egret) check out Waltons for nesting Grey Herons within the reedbed. There are 3 nests - one visible from the screens or hide and 2 more on a walk round to the south of Waltons. Here's one in flight from Natalie Talbot - thanks again Natalie:
If you walk this route look out for Kingfisher too. I'm often seeing them in this area. You'll also see plenty of Pochard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Teal and of course Great Crested Grebes - still courting from the Tor View Hide this week and you can hardly miss the Coots - they are loud and often aggressive to others - evn the odd riot as Natalie Talbot's picture shows:
As if all this wasn't enough there's plenty more you could see: 2 Red Kites were reported flying over on Sunday and the same day a Water Pipit flew in front of the Avalon Hide. They have also been seen in the Waltons area too recently so also look here - you could also see Snipe loafing about on the exposed islands too. Around 10 were counted one day this week. 3 Garganey were in front of the 2nd platform during the week too - 2 males (stunning - see photo) and 1 female and while you're there you may also pick up Pintail (often to the back of the area), a Jay flew over Waltons calling loudly on Sunday and once again a Treecreeper was calling near the boardwalk bridge from the car park to the reserve. Even the odd humble Wood Pigeon:
Wood Pigeon: Natalie Talbot
Drake Gargany: John Crispin
That's it for this week - thanks to all those who contributed photos over the last couple of weeks.
Have a great weekend!