Ham Wall

• About Ham Wall
• Star species
• Seasonal highlights
• Recent sightings
• Events
• Facilities
• Accessibility
• How to get here

• Home >
• Reserves >
• Reserves by name >
• H >
• Ham Wall >
• Recent sightings

Recent sightings

• 14 June 2013

  Recent Sightings at RSPB Ham Wall 14.06.2013

  Not such a pleasant week for weather at the reserve but it's breeding season and there are hungry mouths to feed do there is still plenty to see on the reserve. Just like on Springwatch on BBC birds are beginning to fledge out on the reserve and plenty of juvemile birds are in evidence. In fact, in the willows to the left of the 1st platform this morning some young Whitethroats were sat waiting patiently for a parent bird to feed them - they duly obliged and gave some nice views.

  Elsewhere, you can see Cygnets (1st platform & Waltons), Canada Geese with young (Garleys & 2nd platform) and plenty of young  Coots (unfortunately they can occasionally be sen dangling underneath gulls or birds of prey - but that's natures way, I guess).

  Great Crested Grebes too have young in a few locations on the reserve including the Waltons section where young grebes can often be seen riding on the backs of the parent birds. In Loxtons too, the now well grown youngster is still present (from the screen) but is left now for longer periods as the parent birds feed. They have also been seen displaying again with head shaking as the picture below shows.....

  

  Runs across the water........

  

  and plumage displays..........

  

  always an interesting bird to watch.......

   

  All the usual suspects are out on the reserve too with what appears to have been an increase in Bittern activity this last week. With the late spring I guess we shouldn't be too surprised about what seems to be later nesting than usual. Again the 1st platform and within Waltons are the best places for a sighting with the wide vista the platform provides. The Little Bittern too has been seen this week within Waltons. The news released this past week has attracted a few extra visitors. We have closed the Waltons trail as a result to reduce disturbance for these Schedule 1 birds (disturbing them is an offence). We ask that people respect the closure of the path and view the area from the rail path - which to be honest is probably a better vantage point anyway. Sightings are few and far between though but it is hoped that if breeding is happening for sure extra flights from parent birds to feed young will offer better opportunitie. This may not be for a couple more weeks or so any special tips to try and see this bird could be better planned for a slightly later date.

  Whilst waiting for Little Bittern sightings there's a good chance of Kingfisher sightings too with several sightings each day, including 4 birds seen together on at least 2 occasions. This suggests successful breeding from our known nest site nearby.

   

  Great White Egrets are being seen daily too with bird reported in Loxtons, Waltons and both viewing platforms this week. Other star birds of the past week include: a Red Kite which flew over last weekend, a Black Tern seen over Waltons on Monday afternoon and into the evening and a drake Ferruginous Duck seen from the 2nd viewing platform. This bird has a damaged eye which is the same as one seen recently at Chew Valley Lake - so almost certainly the same bird.

  The second platform is still providing some good sightings, so worth the extra walk down. This week as many as 5 drake Garganey were reported, although they were in varying stages of moult so it may take a little longer with the ID's. In terms of Waders around 40 Lapwing dropped in on Tuesday, 1 Green Sandpiper on Wednesday along with a small group of Black Tailed Godwits and 2 Redshank on several occasions. Redshank have also been reported from the 1st platform this week.

  Elsewhere this week: Great Spotted Woodpeckers seen in Garleys (the newly restored area) with an adult bird flying across frequently to a juvenile heard calling in amongst the mature trees, Kestrel also seen hovering at Garleys and Marsh Harriers reported in front of both viewing platforms. Within Loxtons in front of the screen good numbers of Cormorants can be seen perching on the large rafts. As many as 19 were seen on Monday. They are often an overlooked bird but John Crispin's photo shows some nice colours and shape of the bird.

   

  

   

  Also this week: Still plenty of Buzzard activity with one well mobbed by crows over Loxtons on Thursday, 2 Shelduck again in Garleys, plenty of Swift over the reserve - particularly on Weds & Thurs, Cuckoo's calling and some good Hobby activity too with some nice aerial displays and acrobatics over Waltons and from the 1st platform on Friday. A Spotted Flycatcher was also reported along the rail path on Wednesday from the rail bridge - this has also been a good area (between the entrance and 1st platform) fro Bullfinch over the past few months - so worth taking some time along here (lots of Warblers to enjoy too). 

  

  Spotted Flycatcher

  That's it for now - apologies for the later posting than usual! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

   

   

   

  Posted by Stephen Couch

• 7 June 2013

  Recent Sightings at RSPB Ham Wall 07.06.2013

  Well, what a beautiful week on the reserve weather wise, with lovely hot days almost across the board. The downside is of course that activity in the main part of the day is a bit reduced but of course the early mornings can bring their rewards. This was the case this morning as local birder & volunteer Joe Cockram discovered this morning seeing 6 Bitterns circling together over the reserve - this was around dawn.

  If you don't fancy quite such an early start, then there's still plenty on offer. Last Saturday saw a single Wood Sandpiper in front of the 2nd viewing platform - there have been as many as 3 in the past month and have been seen on both Ham Wall & Shapwick Heath - so they are using both sites. The area in front of the 2nd platform is still proving to be an interesting area with larger groups of duck now gathering here, with 40+ Gadwall and similar numbers of Mallard but also 3 Wigeon STILL present here (most unusual for us) and Garganey still showing well most days. Garganey have also been seen this week in the last open area on the left after the 2nd platform.

  Opposite this is Garleys - the newly restored area. 2 Shelduck continue to reside in this area - they were sitting up on one of the banks this lunchtime with a couple of Mallards. Lapwings too have been in this area recently and 3 young appeared in here this week - great news. The adult birds were seen chasing away crows on Wednesday & today 3 youngsters were seen running down the railpath nearby with adults calling overhead so they may well have moved locations now. Hopefully, they will stay safe. Garleys has also had 2 pairs of Canada Geese with 8 young between them this week.

  The area in front of the second platform has also attracted varying numbers of Black Tailed Godwits this week: 10 last weekend, c30 on Monday and as many as 47 on Wednesday. Lapwing too are present daily and a flock of 12 dropped in to join 2 already present  on Tuesday morning. Redshank are also present daily (1 or 2).

  One of the best sightings of the week has got to be a Purple Heron seen close to Waltons on Tuesday evening - this was an adult bird so was different to the one seen last Friday in Loxtons which was said to be a juvenile bird.

  The 1st platform and Waltons still tend to be the best places for a sighting of Bittern , sometimes a little patience is required. Marsh Harriers too from the 1st platform with both Male & Female birds seen most days but particularly the male. Male and female birds were also seen from the 2nd platform on Weds.

  One bird people often ask about is the Bearded Tit - they can prove quite elusive at Ham Wall - despite the fact that we know they are present in fairly good numbers. They tend to hang out on the non-access side of the reserve but can be seen from the footpath on the other side of the drain on occasions. If you are luck enough they can also be seen or heard from the first platform. This was the case on Wednesday when 2 birds were seen - one perching half way up the reeds and a 2nd flitting through the reed tops.

  

  Male & Female Bearded Tits

  Great Crested Grebes are busy on the reserve with a pair with young in Waltons - often with young riding on the parents backs, a pair with a well grown youngster in Loxtons near the screen, a pair at Long Drove and another pair in Waltons seen weed dancing this week.  Kingfishers too seem to be doing well with a pair seen perched & feeding in Waltons by the screens this morning, usual sightings from the rail bridge, constant sightings from the Neales section (next to Garleys) and a pair at Long Drove too - always a popular bird for visitors. It's a good job the reserve has a healthy fish population with all these hungry mouths to feed.

  Many birds, such as Herons & Bitterns of course, are happy to feed on a variety of things - frogs included and from the loud choruses coming from the pools, it seems that there is a healthy Marsh Frog population on the reserve again this year - many people are confused by the sound at first and cant place it - so if you're out for a visit and here something unusual (and in abundance) it's probably Marsh Frog.

  

  Marsh Frog

  Also this week: Several Cuckoos heard daily - often around Loxtons (trail now fully open - although a bit muddy), Hobbies daily again Waltons and Loxtons seem to be a good bet 4 seen on Wednesday, Green Woodpecker heard and then seen flying across Garleys, fledged Swallows seen at the Avalon Marshes Centre by our offices sat on telephone wires, Sedge Warbler perched up in full view in front of the 1st platform - good here too for Whitethroat sightings. Lots of other Warblers about particularly Reed Warbler, Blackcap & Cettis Warbler but also Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler and Willow Warbler (pictured).

  

  Also thought I saw Treecreeper on Wednesday by the roadside on a piece of land we call Turners - it was very brief and I was driving at the time but I know they've been there in the past (often get them along the rail path close to Loxtons too.

  

  Dragonflies on the increase now with great numbers of 4 spotted chaser around but also Black Tailed Skimmer, Broad Bodied Chaser, Hairy Dragonfly, Banded Demoiselle (along the banks of main drains usually), Blue tailed Damselfly, Red Eyed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Variable Damselfly - all seen this week.

  That's it for now - have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine!

   

  Posted by Stephen Couch

• 7 June 2013

  Species List for RSPB Ham Wall - May 2013

  Here's the full bird list for Ham Wall for April 2013:

  Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine, Hen Harrier, Red Kite, Osprey, Hobby, Bittern, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Cranes, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Ring necked Duck, Garganey, Argentinian Lake Duck,  Moorhen, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Pied Billed Grebe, Water Rail, Lapwing, Snipe, Black Tailed Godwit, Bar Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Kingfisher, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Common Tern, Black Tern, Arctic Tern, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wren, House Sparrow, Starling, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Spotted Flycatcher, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler,  Blackcap, Whitethroat, Stonechat, Linnet, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Reed Bunting, Cetti's Warbler, Bearded Tit, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay, Raven, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Collard Dove, Pheasant, Swallow, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swift, Cuckoo.

  TOTAL: 108

  Well, it was always going to be difficult to beat last months total but it's still a good total.

  Please let me know if there's anything you think I've missed and I'll add it to the list or you could always post your sightings from your visits on the forum. 

  Other notable non avian sightings include:

  Large Mammals: Otter, Roe Deer.

  Butterflies: Peacock, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Green Veined White, Small Copper. Red Admiral.

  Dragonflies: Hairy Dragonfly, 4 Spotted Chaser, Black Tailed Skimmer, Broad Bodied Chaser, Banded Demoiselle, Azure Damselfly, Variable Damselfly, Blue Tailed Damselfly, Red Eyed Damselfly.

  Other: Grass Snake, Slow Worm, Marsh Frogs.

  Posted by Stephen Couch

• 24 May 2013

  Recent Sightings at RSPB Ham Wall 24.05.2013

  We've experienced a range of weather this week on the reserve with cold winds, calm sunny spells, rain & hail. It's confusing for us so imagine how it is for the resident wildlife, nest building, incubating eggs or rearing young.

  It's been an interesting week again though with the tail end of the migration of birds still passing through the reserve. Great numbers of Swift have been seen on a daily basis this week often joined by Swallows and House Martins and a few Sand Martin. The area in front of the 2nd viewing platform was particularly active this morning with good numbers swooping low over the water catching flies.

  Hobbies too, were seen in abundance over the weekend with 35+ reported from Shapwick Heath & 17+ from Ham Wall. The numbers have certainly dropped off though but they can still be seen daily. The large numbers have arrived just in time to co-incide with an emergence of 4 Spot Dragonflies and Damselflies (mostly Blue Tailed and Azure). Beyond Loxtons screen has been a good bet this week.

  

   

  The tree line at Loxtons has been a good place for Cuckoos also although, alas, none were seen on the Cuckoo Quest walk this morning -  there's no guarantees with this pesky wildlife. Cuckoos are still on site and can be heard daily if not seen - John Crispin captured this shot this week:

  

  Waltons has yielded plenty of Great White Egret activity this week - must be a good feeding area here for them and Little Egrets seem abundant on the reserve this week. In front of the 3rd screen at Waltons is a favoured feeding site for at least one individual, who can frequently be seen feeding there. Grey Herons also enjoy feeding within Waltons so there must be a good fish population in here at present. Of course it's also packed with Marsh Frogs too - you can hear them croaking away. There's a great chorus - particularly when the sun is shining.

  Sticking with the heron theme - Bitterns have certainly been more active this week and even showed for the BBC TV cameras this week as they broadcast live from Ham Wall after the launch of the State of Nature report which the RSPB have been heavily involved in. It was great to see the reserve on the national news. Catch it on BBC i-player  (BBC 1 news on Wednesday at both 1pm and 6pm bulletins)

  They have also been seen in interesting interactions with Marsh Harrier on a couple of occasions this week as seen below - see also previous blog!

  

  Several flights have been seen in front of the 1st platform - 12 in about an hour and a half on Weds when the BBC filmed and Thursday too from several areas of the reserve - looks like feeding activity of hatched birds is picking up.

  In front of the 2nd platform this week (bit quieter now) - 13 Black Tailed Godwits on Thurs (seen there today too), Redshank, Lapwing, Canada Geese with young, Great Crested Grebes, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Garganey - once again out in the open. One also flew in front of the 1st platform on Wednesday.

  Loxtons screen is still open although the whole of Loxtons loop is still not. The last piece of flooded path is still just under water - just 2 or 3 inches now, but it's coming down slowly. In front of the screen a pair of Great Crested Grebes are proudly showing off their new addition, pictured below:

  

  Also the usual hoards of Cormorants on the old tern rafts and a few Tufted Duck, Pochard but a nice regular booming Bittern nearby. A fair few flights from Bitterns too along with occasional visits from Great White Egrets too and Kingfisher seen perched up in front this week too.

  Kingfisher was also seen on the Warbler Workout walk this week - which was pleasing. Several sightings facing left of the rail bridge as you enter the reserve. Several Warblers were identified during the walk - plenty of Blackcaps, Garden Warbler near the first platform for a nice comparison, nice loud Cettis Warblers and Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler by the main entrance and plenty of Reed Warblers in the reedbeds. Participants on the walk also heard Cuckoo and had good sightings of Jay.

  Also this week: both Red Kite & Peregrine seen last weekend, 20 Greylag Geese flying over the reserve this afternoon, 2 Shelduck in Garleys (the newly restored area beyond the 2nd platform) most days this week, Bearded Tits heard pinging from a few locations around the reserve but unfortunately not in public access areas (the best bet would probably be to walk the grassy footpath that goes in front of the platforms on a sunny still day and keep your ears open), Great Spotted Woodpecker flying along the footpath this morning, Snipe from the top of the reserve, Buzzards and Sparrowhawk from 2nd platform.

  I'll leave you with another shot of the Loxtons Great Crested Grebes - have a great weekend!

  

   

  Posted by Stephen Couch

• 17 May 2013

  Recent Sightings at RSPB Ham Wall 17.05.2013

  The weather was pretty dour early in the week and the blog was looking a bit lean a couple of days ago but the brighter weather has woken everything up again and the last few days has seen plenty more activity on the reserve.

  Last weekend saw a huge influx of Swallows and Martins and Swifts in particular. This trend has continued this week with hundreds of Swifts soaring over the reserve on Wednesday and Thursday - this sight always lifts my spirits - they always look like they are having such fun.

  One of the biggest surprises is for us still to have Wigeon on the reserve with 5 recorded last Friday and 3 earlier this week. A visitor also reported seeing one yesterday - they are normally all gone by this time with perhaps just 1 or 2 Teal left behind.

  

  A duck which migrates into the the reserve for the summer - the Garganey, has been very much in evidence too this week with yet again sightings from the 2nd platform this week of a drake but more surprisingly a pair of Garganey sitting in full view on the small rafts in Waltons by the screens yesterday - what a treat.

  There seem to be plenty of Pochard across the reserve too and a pair of Shoveler showed well in Waltons also yesterday. Mallard, Gadwall and Tufted duck are also present, often hidden with many females potentially on nests currently. 2 Shelduck have still been present in the newly restored Garleys area this week and one flew over the first viewing platform this morning. The Ring Necked Duck which was in Loxtons has not been reported this week so may have moved on.

  So too, it seems has the Pied Billed Grebe with no sightings reported in the past week - he could of course still be in the area on land not owned by the conservation bodies or in areas hard to access.

  Black Tailed Godwits have popped in again this week although currently seem to be favouring Shapwick but 30+ were seen last weekend (1st platform) along with a single Whimbrel, 7 Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpiper from the second platform.  5 Whimbrel were also seen earlier this week.

  Other waders seen this week include 2 Redshank seen in Waltons, one of them photographed preening below:

  

  

  Several Lapwing too are on site with birds seen displaying in front of both platforms, land beyond the first platform (a wet field called Broomfield) and with Garleys. Up to 14 birds are believed to be present at the moment with several other pairs on fields adjacent to the reserve.

  

  Several Bittern flights had every day with Loxtons, Waltons and in front of the 1st platform - see previous blog for a chase sequence of photos. One has been particulaly antagonised by crows within Waltons this week - the crows made several passes on Thursday!

  Great White Egrets are also being seen daily often within Waltons or Loxtons but also seen up on the northern side of the reserve. Marsh Harriers too are busy with at least 4 birds being spotted daily. The first viewing platform offers the most likely place for a sighting.

  Hobbys too have been seen in abundance this week - co-inciding with an emergence of damselflies - particularly blue tailed damselfly. 4 spotted Dragonflies are also beginning to emerge and these can be seen in huge numbers around the Waltons trail every year - lets hope this years no different. As many as 10 Hobby were spotted together at one point yesterday from the 1st viewing platform. I had one myself perched on a post just a few feet away while I was driving the truck - terrific!

  Also this week: 4 Black Terns seen at Long Drove on Thursday were also picked up at the south end of Waltons by a visitor, several Sparrowhawk sightings, several Cuckoo sightings with Loxtons and Waltons still favourite, 11 Cranes flying over on Monday, a Bearded Tit heard pinging in Waltons (normally they are all on the non access side - this week several sightings out there), Goldcrest nest building, Great Crested Grebes nesting in front of 1st viewing platform and lots of warbler song and activity on the rail path.

  

  Well that's it for this week. Have a great weekend!!

   

  Posted by Stephen Couch

• 10 May 2013

  Recent Sightings at RSPB Ham Wall 10.05.2013

  The amazing weather of last week continued into the early part of this week and with it the interesting sightings continued to flow.

  The weekend saw a huge influx of Swifts over the Avalon Marshes, with 1000's seen and there were several hundred flying over the reserve today as well along with groups of House Martins. There were large groups of House Martins yesterday feeding on the low flying insects pushed down no doubt by the high winds and occasional rain. Great streams of birds were following the line of the canal behind the rail path trees in the lee of the wind.

  Last weekend also saw another Osprey passing through along with 2 Red Kites on Bank Holiday Monday seen whilst visitors watched the Marsh Harriers from the 1st platform and the Cranes put in another appearance with a group of 8 flying over. When the weather is good it's worth scanning high in the sky - particularly for passing Cranes or raptors. Whimbrel too have visited again this week with 4 last weekend and another 7 seen on Wednesday. The second platform area a firm favorite for these.

  

  The waders continue to flow through the reserve - often just odd birds stopping off briefly but the variety seen over the last couple of months has been amazing. Monday saw a single Grey Plover, Tuesday a single Pectoral Sandpiper, a single Greenshank on a couple of occasions and today saw, most unusually a Turnstone. Maybe the strong winds were a factor in this most welcome appearance -well spotted by Joe Cockram.

  To add to these were c10 Dunlin (maybe more) on Sunday and a single bird today, Common Sandpiper on several occasions from the 2nd platform but also seen on the small rafts in Waltons on Tuesday and the usual Lapwings and Redshank from both platforms. Groups of Black Tailed Godwits often sit in front of the 1st platform (up to 30 reported).

  As previously mentioned Marsh Harriers are still spotted frequently from the 1st platform - also the best place for a Bittern sighting with a few had this morning (and within Waltons) where 4 were seen flying/chasing each other. Several Boomers continue to boom - both platforms, Waltons and Loxtons the best bet.

  Loxtons also the best bet for a Cuckoo sighting. Several birds can be heard around the reserve but the trees in this area are a favourite perch. The Ring Necked Duck has also been seen this week from the Loxtons screen although wasn't there this morning when I looked but it has been quite mobile, having been seen in Waltons and other parts of Loxtons recently. It could have moved on of course and I have my suspicions that the Pied Billed Grebe may have done the same with no sightings or calling reported for a few days(since Monday). If you know differently then let us know!

  The 2nd platform has been a good draw for waders but there's plenty more species to see. Garganey continue to show well - particularly a drake who seems happy to sit in full view (2 seen on Weds), Great Crested Grebes are present and one flew across in front of visitors today - can catch people out at first as they are not often seen in flight, an Arctric Tern flew over this morning and a Hobby flew low across the water and came in nice and close (up to 6 were seen above the reserve on Monday). 2 Wigeon are still present here - very late for them and Teal has also been seen today.

  2 pairs of Canada Geese are present, one with a few young and a third pair in Waltons had 8 young. 2 Greylag Geese also sat in front of the 1st platform on Tuesday.

  

  Also this week: 2 Shelduck again seen in the newly restored Garleys area, Wood Warbler 100 yards or so past the 2nd platform, 2 Sparrowhawks together on Monday, Red Kite on Tuesday morning from 1st platform, Peregrine also seen Tuesday by a visitor, a single Redpoll on the canal track near the main gate, a Weasel ran across the rail path on Wednesday, Kingfishers at Long Drove, Loxtons and Waltons and c100 Mute Swans also at Long Drove (near Sharpham fishing pools).

  Lots of Warblers on the reserve with a notable increase in Garden Warbler. The best ones to find are by the Waltons screens and immeadiately left of the 1st viewing platform. John Crispin caught this shot of it in full song yesterday! Thanks John!

  

  There's also been an increase in Dragonflies and Damselflies this week - we're not just about birds remember. A few more Hairy Dragonflies seen but also Broad Bodied Chaser (male pictured below):

  

  Damselflies this week include: Blue tailed, Azure and Large Red.

  That's it for now - let's hope for a nice weekend. Have a good one wherever you are!

   

  Posted by Stephen Couch

• 3 May 2013

  Recent Sightings Ham Wall - Extra!! 03.05.13

  It's been quite a month at Ham Wall, I'm sure you'll agree with so much to see. 118 Species recorded in April was pretty fantastic, let's hope this continues.

  One of our volunteers Paul Marsh popped into the office to give me some info for my Friday Blog - just a few minutes too late though, so here's some extra news from today.

  18 Cranes were seen flying over the Car Park earlier today. They have been seen on at least 4 days this week out over the local reserves - great to see.

  Also, from the 2nd platform the return of our Oystercatcher of last week, seen again today along with some Common Sandpipers. They have been seen a fair bit recently, including on the small rafts floating in Waltons as pictured below:

  

  A brief visit to Long Drove this afternoon saw an abundance of Mute Swans c100 as there have been all winter and a selection of ducks and some well grown Coot chicks with adults. Some of the brambled edges are a good place to spot Linnets too - they've beenseen there this week:

  

  On the way back through the reserve a female Marsh Harrier was hunting over the Emery's section, the last section on the left beyond the second viewing platform - opposite the newly restored area.

  Enjoy the bank holiday everybody - a good chance to get out and see the reserve - there's plenty to see!! 

  Posted by Stephen Couch

• 3 May 2013

  Species List for RSPB Ham Wall - April 2013

  Here's the full bird list for Ham Wall for April 2013:

  Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Peregrine, Hen Harrier, Red Kite, Osprey, Hobby, Bittern, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Cranes, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, White Fronted Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Ring necked Duck, Smew, Pintail, Garganey, Wood Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Pied Billed Grebe, Water Rail, Lapwing, Snipe, Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Avocet, Dunlin, Ruff, Whimbrel, Little Ringed Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black Winged Stilt, Oystercatcher, Kingfisher, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Little Gull, Common Tern, Black Tern, Sandwich Tern, Whiskered Tern, Arctic Tern, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wren, House Sparrow, Starling, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Treecreeper, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Pied Flycatcher, Brambling, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Reed Bunting, Cetti's Warbler, Bearded Tit, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay, Raven, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Collard Dove, Pheasant, Swallow, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swift, Cuckoo.

  TOTAL: 119

  Wow! What a month I'm sure you'll agree.

  Please let me know if there's anything you think I've missed and I'll add it to the list or you could always post your sightings from your visits on the forum. 

  Other notable non avian sightings include:

  Large Mammals: Otter, Roe Deer.

  Butterflies: Peacock, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Green Veined White.

  Other: Grass Snake, Slow Worm.

  Posted by Stephen Couch

• 3 May 2013

  Recent Sightings at RSPB Ham Wall 03.05.2013

  Another great week nearly over, with once again plenty to report. The wonderful weather and the amazing variety of birds on show at Ham Wall & Shapwick Heath has proved to be a big draw for visitors and we have been very busy all week. The new car park for Ham Wall (work should begin in August) can't come soon enough as the current one shared with Natural England fills up quickly each day.

  One of the highlights of the week had to be the pair of Black Winged Stilts which were seen on Saturday from the 2nd platform. They stayed for a while but as I understand it they weren't seen again after Saturday. A few lucky people were able to catch sight of these great looking birds - unmistakable when you see them. Joe Cockram managed to get a couple of distant shots of the birds and has sent this one on to me - thanks Joe!

  

  The second viewing platform continues to throw up all kinds of nice surprises and 2 Wood Sandpipers also popped in on Saturday and spend most of their time on the ridge towards the back or right at the back on the far bank near an entranceway. They can be hard to see so a scope is a must - they were still there yesterday from what I've heard and perhaps as many as 3 were seen on Wednesday.

  Garganey continue to be spotted from here too but perhaps the best views can be had of a drake bird in front of the 1st platform who seems quite content to sit out in the open. The Pied Billed Grebe is still present at the same location and can be heard calling most days. He seems to spend a lot of his time towards the right of the platform in the reedy area there.

  Great numbers of Whimbrel have been seen every day this week - usually in front of the second platform or just behind. They have been seen taking to the air on a few occasions each day if disturbed in some way. Varying numbers reported between around 20 to as many as 48. A Yellow Wagtail was also reported amongst them at one point.

  Other highlights from the second platform include: a single Wigeon still present on Thursday, Dunlin, Common Tern briefly on Thursday and Redshank (Redshank can also be seen from the 1st platform) and a pair of Red Crested Pochard yesterday (I haven't been out to the reserve today yet so I couldn't say if they are still present)

  

  

  The re-opening of the Loxtons path to the screen brought immediate results with a drake Ring Necked Duck presnent. This is likely to be the one we had on site just a few weeks back - now we know where he's been hiding. He spends much of his time in the reedy area to the right of the screen. Present too are a fair helping of Tufted Duck and Pochards. A Bittern or 2 boom quite close to the screen at times too, which is nice. Most of the Loxtons Trail is open but you still cannot complete the loop as one stretch still remains very wet. It's improving though and we will keep monitoring the situation and open it up when we think it's passable and safe. Bitterns too seen daily, with 3 seen together from the 1st platform on Monday and distant from the second platform on Thursday and several single sightings at various locations.

  

  Ring necked duck

  The extra visitors and variety of wildlife has created a real buzz on the local reserves but that's not the only thing buzzing. There have been huge numbers of flying insects over the reserve this week - great news for birds, particularly the hirundines. Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows have all been seen this week along with Swifts of course all dining out on the bounty of insects. Hobbys too are seen daily catching insects on the wing - 5 were reported over Loxtons yesterday and I saw at least 2 together from the 1st platform at lunchtime yesterday. They are best known for catching dragonflies - the first of which should be emerging at any time. The first to appear on Ham Wall usually would be the Hairy Dragonfly - so keep you eyes open.

  Butterflies too seem to be enjoying the sunshine: Peacock, Orange Tip, Green Veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood & Brimstone have all been seen this week.

  Other non avian species of note this week include; Roe Deer seen around Waltons, A Grass Snake swimming and then climbing the bank edge at Tinneys. a Buzzard carrying a second Grass Snake also at Tinneys, 2 Slow Worms under a tin sheet around Loxtons and a big increase in calling Marsh Frogs over the last week.

  Back to the birds and another highlight has been the frequent visits to Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath of the Cranes (well at least flying over). 8 were reported at Ham Wall last weekend, 7 on Tuesday and at least 1 yesterday - often flying high so it's worth studying the sky from time to time. Another bird flying high yesterday had some of us scratching our heads at the 1st viewing platform. A bird of prey with a white rump and black wing tips and some streaking underneath - it's either male Hen Harrier of a Montagues Harrier - we convinced ourselves of the latter but it was very high and so can't be 100% sure.

  Other highlights this week include: A Peregrine seen on Sunday disturbing the ducks from the 2nd platform, Varying numbers of Godwits in front of the 1st platform (30+ often), Great Crested Grebes seen catching fish in Loxtons, A Wood Warbler heard along the boardwalk (under the shelter and along) at the car park on Weds, Great White Egrets daily, Grasshopper Warbler heard reeling along from the 2nd platform towards Sharpham on Thurs, more Garden Warblers heard singing, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Cuckoos seen and heard, Redpolls seen and heard, Marsh Harrier daily, 2 Shelduck seen in the mud at Garleys - the newly restored area and Bullfinches seen along the rail path between the Bridge and 1st platform.

  

  Steve Hughes our Site Manager also had a nice experience whilst out on the reserve yesterday evening. Just as it was getting dark he was able to watch an Otter feeding and jumping in and out of the water under the bridge from the rail track on Ham Wall. It then saw him and swam off down the drain towards Long Drove. What a treat!

  That's it for now. Have a great Bank Holiday Weekend!

  Posted by Stephen Couch