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Although there is a hint of spring on the reserve, it seems the winter is reluctant to release its grip for the moment. It's been a cold and wet couple of days on the reserve and wildlife has seemed more reluctant too to show its face - not surprising (I've felt the same way). There has been...

Firstly, apologies for the lack of recent sightings blogs for the last 2 Friday's. I was on annual leave last week and the week before I had to stay home and nurse my 2 daughters through chicken pox - mildly bird related I guess but I'm back now and ready to blog away. With all the stories of...

It's been a relatively dry week for a change in comparison to many we've had recently, although water levels locally are still high with the last of the snow melt and a few deluges adding to the problems. We have been able to operate our pump for much of the week and are beginning to make some...

Thankfully the snow we had in midweek came to nothing, although the temperature has remained low as I have found out to my cost after slipping in a ditch up to my waist on Wednesday morning and filling my wellingtons with more icy water this morning - I seem to be making a habit of this lately. Thank...

Firstly apologies for the lack of blogs recently. Of course, it was the Christmas break but then I had a bout of sickness which means I have only just returned to work. This means there is plenty to catch up with and I have done my best to gleen information from wherever possible - thanks to John Crispin...

Well, as suggested by some, the world didn't end today and the reserve is indeed full of life. A visit out this very morning proved highly productive with a host of species on show. The female Smew is still present from the 1st platform but often swims down the channels and is hidden from view. Today...

Some more great sightings for you this week. The stars of the week turned up yesterday (x2) and more joined them today. This morning 6 Waxwings were present (and still there at lunchtime when I left) in the Alder trees surrounding the car park at Ashcott Corner and also feeding in the small Rowan Tree...

It may be cold but at least it's stopped raining and water levels in surrounding ditches are beginning to fall. This now means that we are able to expel some of our excess water too. Several areas of the reserve have risen to levels higher than we would have wished for, but sometimes there's...

We've had some horrendous weather this week with high winds and a LOT of rain. With the surrounding drainage system so high it's over-topping in places Ham Wall is almost full to the brim in some areas and causing a few problems. There is one area of the reserve where we are actually trying to...

The final push to complete the work in Phase 1 (the section in front of the 2nd viewing platform) has enabled us to complete the works and we are now allowing water levels to rise in this section. As the levels rise, albeit slowly, the habitat should become suitable for wading birds at first (with several...

The area in front of the 1st viewing platform is a top place for a bit of bird watching at the moment. We are aiming to hold the water levels at their current position to create a great feeding area for ducks and waders. The varying heights of the islands offer varying depths of water to suit a wide...

The last couple of days have been a welcome relief for us (and no doubt the wildlife) on the reserve and the water levels will soon reduce to a more suitable level. For the moment however, Loxtons Trail remains closed due to the flooded paths but the rest of the reserve is open as normal. The Great...

The main talking point again this week has to be the weather. If you find yourself struggling with it as a human, spare a thought for the wildlife struggling in the conditions day after day. There have been a few good spells but with water levels still rising, the struggle looks set to continue for a...

It's been another great week for working on the reserve and you can really now get the sense that things are changing. There's been some great Dawn Choruses on the reserve already, with Blackbirds, Robins and Song Thrushes all trying to outdo each other. Chiffchaffs are singing in several areas...

Despite a brief thaw early in the week, it's remained very cold at the reserve here in Somerset and it's giving the wildlife a tough time of it. Groups of wildfowl have congregated in areas in front of the first viewing platform and within the Waltons section and kept some of the water, ice free...

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...

It's been another mild week and many people are reporting 'mini dawn choruses' on their local patches and on the reserve. Robins & blackbirds are particularly vocal in the mornings but Dunnock, Wren, Great Tit and Blue Tit are all joining in. Song Thrush has been heard on the reserve...

It was a very icy Ham Wall this morning but an early trip out to the reserve this morning proved quite fruitful. A female Hen Harrier was perched in willows around the Waltons section for some time and offered good views. A Song Thrush was singing merrily along the old railway line and on the northern...

There seems to have been a big increase in Starling numbers over the last week. Current estimates are at about 100,000 birds and they have been showing well at Ham Wall with good views from the first viewing platform. The flock has been split at times this week with some birds choosing to roost on Shapwick...

A female Hen Harrier was seen hunting over Walton Heath on Thursday afternoon,while Marsh Harriers have been seen on a daily basis. The male with the missing primary was also seen on Thursday. One Mrash Harrier was reported to carry what looked like a Moorhen in Walton Heath on the same day. Bitterns...

The Starlings seem to very happy at the far end of Shapwick Heath as they have now settled for their 2nd week. The numbers of birds are still huge and crowds of people who have been coming down to enjoy the spectacle have not been disappointed with their fantastic displays. In fact this week the displays...