Another free Saturday, saw me driving down the M5 to the RSPB reserve Ham Wall which lies to the north west of Glastonbury in Somerset. No real rarities were targeted but I knew there was a good chance of seeing a bittern or two and even a glossy ibis which has been there for a while now.
The weather looked promising but still required several layers of clothing at 8.10 am when I arrived. The car park already held a number of vehicles, but I had noted that there was an early morning 'Bittern' walk from 6 - 8.30 which would probably account for most of them.
After scanning my membership card, I made for the first viewing platform where I was told that there had been two bitterns seen just ten minutes earlier. I could already hear bitterns 'booming' so decided it was worth waiting around. A common whitethroat was singing firstly in a bush nearby and then in the reed beds whilst a variety of ducks paddled around the large area of water in front of me. I was also told that the ibis was thought to be in the vicinity, although currently tucked in out of sight the other side of a bramble bush ahead of us.
It wasn't that long before a brown heron-like bird appeared from the left and continued to fly in a horizontal line across in front of us - my first bittern of the day. I followed it with my binoculars as it went towards the distant Avalon Hide.
I crossed a disused canal to access some other hides, a great white egret was on one of the islands but then flew off and I managed a few flight shots though it was a bit too close really. Not something I usually complain about!
I walked alongside the canal, hearing birdsong all around, including chiffchaffs and blackcaps in the trees and reed warblers hiding in the reed beds. Marsh harriers were also fairly easy to spot flying low over the reeds in search of prey. As the day warmed up, the butterflies started to appear; mostly orange-tips but also green veined white, brimstone, peacock and small white.
Reaching the Avalon hide, I found it had 360 degree windows, and it was hard to decide where to seat myself. The direction where I thought the bittern may have landed had people already seated at the windows, though they were letting in cool north westerly breeze. I decided to try the opposite side where I had some good views of marsh harriers hunting low over the reedbeds. After a while I turned and stood up behind others looking north west. I thought I glimpsed a bittern fly in and down but no one seemed to notice even though I was sure one photographer was looking in the right direction. I kept looking then suddenly noticed a shape amongst some cut reeds, though it was hard to see with the naked eye due to the distance and its excellent camouflage.
Is that a bittern?
There was a sudden surge of interest as I pointed it out, and others came across from the other side to look too. I asked the chap with the camera and he said he'd seen it and was keeping an eye out but hadn't said anything!
Retracing my steps I passed the viewing platform again where a group of U3A birders had just arrived. They were all watching the glossy ibis which had found its way on to the top of the sand martin nesting box! Just in front of us a Great white egret was feeding in the ditches below the viewing platform and gave some really good views of its fishing skills.
After eating lunch I called in at a few other small reserves nearby without any significant sightings, then headed home.
A few record shots of the day are below.
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