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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...

Sorry for the dramatic headline but it's all getting a bit bizarre here at the moment, what with the mystery slime and the report of a UFO (hence the links with the slime and ET). The link below shows photos capturing an object streaking across the sky at the time of the Starling roost a few days...

Always nice to report a rarity on site. This bird was first sighted on Ham Wall on Friday 15th in the afternoon from the second viewing platform. It was still there yesterday and has been attracting quite a lot of attention from birders - many whom have travelled considerable distances to see it. ...

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...

The weather was kind to visiting schools last week. Year 3 pupils from St Benedict’s came out after school on Tuesday and enjoyed a lovely view of the starlings over Ham Wall. Simon Beard very kindly helped to transport them in Natural England’s minibus. On Wednesday we welcomed Shipham...

It's been a very snowy day today so was unable to get into work myself what with school closures etc. I also can't be of too much assistance in giving info about the state of the roads close to the reserve but if you are out and about take great care or seek other local knowledge before traveling...

The awe-inspiring sight of Somerset’s swirling starlings just before sunset is well known. However, the RSPB and Natural England are hosting three events to witness an even more impressive spectacle - the Dawn Explosion. Hundreds of thousands of starlings flood out of the reed beds on the Avalon...

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...

Super Starling Saturday & Big Garden Bird Watch Saturday 26th January 2013 10am - 4pm Celebrate our famous Starlings, make a mobile & join in with our monster murmuration. Get ready for the Big Garden Bird Watch, build a nestbox & make bird feeders & learn how to make the most of...

5th January - 28th February Come and visit an exhibition of stunning Starling Photography by Annie Henderson alongside other Starling inspired art and craft by other members of Somerset Crafts. Somerset Crafts Avalon Marshes Centre, Shapwick Road, Westhay, Somerset, BA6 9TT Open...

As I write this the rain is lashing down again at Ham Wall, although the rest of the week has been pretty good, albeit a little chilly. Much of the water on the reserve has been covered with a sheet of ice this week but the wildlife is coping well at present. The evening sunsets have been particularly...

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...

Hi Folks, well we managed to keep it open for a few weeks didn't we, but alas we have had to close the Loxtons Trail again. It's not surprising given the amount of rain we've had and the local flooding. The surrounding drains have again been high and backed up into our 'problem area'...

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...

Starling numbers are on the up at Ham Wall with estimates of 100,000 birds roosting on the site at present. Ham Wall is the favoured site for the birds at the moment but with 3 local nature reserves to chose from this could change. The Avalon Marshes Starling Hotline is up and running and is updated...

It's been a pretty dry week at Ham Wall, which has enabled us to work full steam ahead with management work in Phase 1 (the section in front of the 2nd platform) and things are looking really good out there. Most of the ditching work has been completed and we are all but finished with both reed and...

It's been another busy week at the reserve this week for both staff and our wildlife sightings with plenty of great sightings to report. The 1st platform continues to be a pleasing spectacle, with varying numbers of Lapwing from day to day. Normally 100 or more, but rising today to 200+ a great...

The area in front of the 1st viewing platform continues to offer a wide range of birds to please the more experienced birder as well as the newbies. Good numbers of Wigeon, Mallard and Gadwall are easy to see along with groups of Shoveler (more in Waltons too) and a few Teal, which prove harder to...

Yes, it's that time of year again and Starlings are beginning to swarm over Ham Wall at Dusk. The Avalon Marshes Starling Hotline is now LIVE . This is a recorded message telling you where the last known location of the Starling roost was. The number is: 07866 554142 There are 3 main sites...

After the Starling Roost this Weekend (Saturday 3rd March & Sunday 4th March) you can have a free Hot Drink at Somerset Crafts at the Avalon Marshes Centre, Shapwick Road, Westhay, BA6 9TT. Then Afterwards at 7pm, enjoy a slide show by the RSPB in the nearby classroom. Call (01458) 860426 for...