Well it's certainly been a colder week, with snow on Monday and temperatures on Friday as I arrived at work at 8.30am as low as minus 7. So not surprisingly, large areas of the reserve have iced up and large numbers of water fowl are gathered in the unfrozen areas. The best places for viewing these are from in front of the first viewing platform and within the Waltons section. Good numbers of duck are present, particularly Shoveler, Teal and Mallard but Gadwall, Wigeon and Pochard are also easily visible and two pairs of Pintail have been seen all week from the platform. Last weekend, before the freeze, good numbers of Lapwing were present in Waltons (see photo) , but few have been seen the latter end of this week. A group of 16 Pochard were seen within Waltons on Sunday and 4 Little Grebes today in a small unfrozen section of water at the back of Waltons close to the single wooden screen in the corner.
Lapwing in Waltons last weekend: John Crispin
Also from the first platform this week several Bitterns have been seen. One was seen to walk across one of the gaps in the cut reed on Tuesday, while 3 were seen today 03.02.12. It is believed that two 'grunting' birds are still present on site - both heard again this week, while I heard one of these birds boom briefly on Thursday daytime. On two occasions a single boom was heard about an hour apart. A Bittern was also seen flying in front of the Loxtons screen on Saturday morning about 10.40 am and later John Crispin managed to take this shot - thanks John.
Although, quite frozen in front of the Loxtons screen today, it had proved quite productive earlier in the week with 11 snipe seen on Saturday, 3 Great White Egret and 6 Little Egret the same day feeding in the cut areas, as well as a badger on the track. Tawny Owls have been heard calling from here on Sat & Sun. On the track leading up to the screen, a Treecreeper has been seen at least twice in the Alder at the junction of the grassy track close to the railway line (also heard frequently in the trees in this area and up on the railway line. Early in the week 14 Canada Geese, several Shoveler and Tufted Duck were spotted from the screen along with Pied Wagtails, Reed Buntings and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard calling close by. They have also been heard drumming on the reserve this week.
Marsh Harriers have been seen hunting on the reserve daily, both Male and Female over Waltons this week as well as on the northern side of the reserve. The light was particularly good today giving great views of the male over Waltons. His markings could be seen very clearly - a good looking bird.
As well as Tawny Owls being heard on the reserve this week a Barn Owl was seen sitting on top of one of the Barn Owl boxes on Saturday morning. This box is in an Oak in the tree line visible from the rail bridge and the 1st Viewing platform. They have also been seen in at least 2 other locations on the reserve in recent weeks. The signs look good for another successful breeding season - despite the icy weather there are plenty of Starlings to keep them going through the winter.
The Starlings have been split still this week, roosting in a few locations, although it appeared that a larger roost gathered at Ham Wall in front of the 2nd viewing platform on Thursday night although quite distant. Keep checking the Starling Hotline for the latest roost locations.
Great White Egrets have been seen on numerous occasions all week from several areas of the reserve. The best sightings however tend to come from the first viewing platform. Again a larger bird with a slower wing beat has been seen following a smaller bird as last week.
The Yellow Browed Warbler was seen last weekend but there have been no reports since although plenty of visitors have been stood at the usual spot hoping for a glimpse. I tried myself for a short time on Tuesday and had no luck although there was plenty of activity from blue tit, great tit, long tailed tit, goldcrest, goldfinch and chaffinch. Several Fieldfares were also present and could be heard calling to one another from distant perches before coming together and flying across to the railway line.
Also this week: 2 Great Crested Grebe in Waltons and one in front of the 1st viewing platform - no mating behavior observed as yet (they got off to quite an early start last year), a Mistle Thrush heard calling/singing from trees along the railway line, a male Bullfinch behind the willow screen at Waltons this morning and then 2 more reported from trees by the first viewing platform, a female Sparrowhawk today but several other Sparrowhawk sightings throughout the week, Song Thrush singing, 2 Roe Deer often at the track where the Yellow Browed Warbler has been seen, Buzzard and Kestrel.
Other news: Common Crane reported from Shapwick Heath on Thurs and Fri from Noah's hide and a Glossy Ibis at Catcott.