Wildlife sightings from the RSPB Ham Wall team - 03.04.2020. A trip to the RSPB's Ham Wall Nature Reserve on the Somerset Levels, UK.

Recent Sightings See our ideas to keep you connected to nature during coronavirusFrom our regular emails to your favourite social media, there’s more than one way to keep in touch with natureIf you can’t get outside, why not bring the outside in by downloading our bird song radio app?Following the floods this winter, watch how one area is using nature as a natural protector.Catch up with the RSPB’s own nature detectives on the case as they look to save some very special places.Find out how to identify a bird just from the sound of its singing with our bird song identifier playlist.Read more advice about what to do if you find a bird that needs help It’s nesting season for our waterfowl too but what are the rules you need to follow for ducks, geese or swans?

by Stephen Couch I  have to say I am really missing the place as I'm sure many of you are too. I hope everybody is keeping safe and well and that you have been able to enjoy wildlife in some form whether that is through social media, TV or up close and personal in your gardens or whilst...Well here's part 2 on ways to give nature a home in your garden. All this hard work and further land acquisitions over the years paid off when bitterns first bred at the site in 2008. Enjoy stunning views across the marshes to Glastonbury Tor and make some time to follow secluded paths through the mystical landscape.

This needs to be completed and returned to ensure booking. Providing a flat and even off-road cycle route for those looking to enjoy the countryside away from traffic. Here you need to turn right onto Ashcott Road. At time of booking please state number in group, mobility issues and any special interests as well as preferred dates. I'm having to make do with wildlife sightings from my...Well, I've been asked to write a garden blog for the foreseeable future - given that the reserve is locked down for the moment. Our exciting variety of hands-on activities ensure memorable learning experiences throughout the year. Ham Wall is a wetland teeming with wildlife - from rare species like water voles and otters to magnificent birds like bitterns and kingfishers. by Stephen Couch Murmurations can start an hour or so before sunset (arrive by 3.00pm to ensure you catch the spectacle). You can call the starling hotline on 07866554142 on the day of your visit to find out where they roosted the night before.The habitats at Ham Wall has been created from old peat workings and are now a mature and thriving wetland made up of extensive reedbeds and open water, grassland and woodlands. Continue past the Avalon Marshes Centre taking the next right at Back Lane in Westhay. Visitor centre No dogs are allowed on guided tours.The reedbeds at Ham Wall were specially created to encourage bitterns to return.Listen for their bell-like 'pinging' calls, then watch them whizzing across the tops of the reeds.

by Ali Blaney In icy weather chances of spotting elusive otters increase, particularly near the Tor View Hide, when they gambol across the ice. Its also a local cycle route - great for family bike rides away from traffic. A close encounter. To keep you safe, we will be operating a 'one household at a time' rule and will be cleaning the toilets at intervals throughout the day. Refreshments Consumer demand eventually declined, and in 1994 the landowners, Fisons, gave their old workings to what is now

The reedbeds are cut and the vegetation removed on a rotation to maintain a good reedbed age structure and to help stop the reedbed drying out. At the end of Back Lane turn right onto Main Road.Follow Main Road for about 1.5 miles through the village of Meare past Meare Manor on your left. There are no dog waste bins on the reserve, we ask that you take the waste home with you to dispose of.Join us at RSPB Avalon Marshes near Glastonbury for our outdoor learning programme in partnership with Natural England. Bearded tit flocks ‘ping’ in the reeds and may be seen flitting from edge to edge.Hundreds of thousands of starlings arrive to roost in the reedbeds at dusk often performing spectacular murmurations. The reserve entrance is 1 mile on the left after the Railway Inn.Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, All visitors arriving in coaches and minibuses must book in advance by contacting the reserve office on Guided tours available for groups. Swallows, swifts, martins and hobbies arrive from Africa - up to 30 hobbies may be seen in the air at one time. You will reach a narrow part of the road with a colourful painted fence on your left. Please be aware that this route is shared with pedestrians. I have to say I am really missing the place as I'm sure many of you are too. The internet is full of wonderful ideas - so now that you may have a little more time on...Welcome back to Moth Monday! Ham Wall requires membership for participation - click to join. Previously owned and worked by the peat industry Ham Wall was born in 1994 when the land was passed to the RSPB.

Guided walks

The objective was to re-create vital reedbeds and help the struggling bittern population in the UK.