Plenty to report once again this week I'm pleased to say with lots of interesting sightings! The Yellow Browed Warbler is still present and often seen at the same location as before - the first wooden No Entry gate along the footpath side of the main drain, by the wood. It's often seen with other birds in close proximity including Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit & Long Tailed Tit, Siskin, Redpoll, Goldcrest and Chiffchaff. Bullfinches have often been seen here too with 2 females & 1 male on one occasion. They have also been seen frequently elsewhere on the reserve this week including by the viewing platforms and by Loxtons screen.
Also from the screen at Loxtons this week: Kingfisher (also seen in the north of the reserve this week), Shoveler, Mallard, Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting, 6 Snipe, female Sparrowhawk and numerous sightings of Great White Egret. Looks like the new bird ID boards in the screen will be coming in handy then.
Great White Egret have been seen regularly all week, especially from the first viewing platform and within Waltons. The following photo was taken this morning (27.01,12) by John Crispin from the first platform and shows a Great White Egret and a Bittern feeding in the newly cut reed. Great shot to compare the size difference. Thanks for the photo John:
3 Bitterns were reported this morning: one flying to Shapwick Heath at 7.10am while 2 others were visible within/flying over the area in front of the first platform. Also 2 Great Whites with an obvious size difference, with the larger bird having a distinctively slower wing beat than the smaller bird it was following. 3 Pintail (2M & 1F) were also reported from the same location this morning.
Marsh Harriers have again been showing well all week, with both males and females seen hunting all over the reserve. The male bird has again been showing particularly well from the first platform and around Waltons and he has been heard calling on a couple of occasions lately. Their continued presence is fantastic and getting staff and volunteers alike, excited about the possibility of them breeding at Ham Wall for the first time, after the successes at Shapwick Heath (nextdoor) in recent years.
One of the most interesting sightings this week came on Thursday morning, although very brief. A Woodcock was seen by staff and volunteers flying down the railway line close to Loxtons/Street Heath. We were stood on the other side of the drain and so soon lost sight of it and couldn't tell where it landed. A Treecreeper was also seen in our vicinity and it showed well and is often picked up in the Alders on the railway line/Loxtons close to where we were.
We have had some quite mild days and the grunting Bitterns picked up at Ham Wall & Shapwick last week are an indicator that spring may not be far away. There have been some other reminders this week with snow drops flowering in Ashcott Corner Car Park, a Red Admiral flying along the grassy track parallel to the main drain on Thursday and 2 Mute Swans courting close to the bridge, which crosses the drain and connects the footpath & railway line. They were washing, rubbing heads/necks and mimicking each others behaviour before taking things a little further in front of the volunteer group, showing no shame (the swans ... not the volunteers).
Also seen this week: large groups c60 of Redpoll and Siskin seen feeding in the Alders on the railway line and around the Loxtons Trail, 4 Ravens together in the north of the reserve observed calling and tumbling, c20 Golden Plover flying over the reserve on Wednesday, good numbers of Lapwing within Waltons and larger flocks flying over the reserve, groups of 30+ Goldfinches and also: Kestrel, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Crested Grebe from first platform, Jay & Stonechat.
The Starlings have been quite split lately from what I've been told but some of the best views are coming from the Ham Wall side within Waltons and a little further down the track. The Starling Hotline is still up and running 07866 554142 and worth calling to check on the whereabouts of the main roost in case the move again.
This months Otter survey showed plenty of signs/activity in certain parts of the reserve and an Otter was sighted within Waltons on Wednesday. Have a good weekend!