On the cusp of winters' wane

Although suttle to the passing eye in which a gaze foretells the spur of the moment, the slow seasonal transition from the cusp of winter merging with spring has caught my attention across the Avalon marshes over the past week or so.


 With a number of icy cold mornings spreading a legion of ice crystals across reedbed and moor, travelling through the marshes on my daily commute, or exploring one of the nature reserves as the sun delivered a pure white late winters light, has filled me with a sense of change for the burgeoning season.

Although not spending enough time to really dive into the avian delights, both common or rare, i've still taken pleasure in catching up with a Jack snipe bursting into the air, flying in a low, heavy circle before coming down to land upon the path before me; being encircled by a flock of vocal bearded tits, all vying for a better look at the alien ape among their reedbed heaven and showing family and friends the winter spectacle of thousands of Starlings passing overhead on the way to their night time roost.

A four year old's perspective of nature watching is an interesting development to observe, however as long as a biscuit or two, icy puddles to jump among and the mystical chance of seeing an Otter are on offer our weekend trips out across the marshes continue to be a success.


Numbers of ducks seem to fluctuate across the pools on the main reserves, some being completely devoid, apart from the odd Coot, whilst others have shown
several hundred, comprised of wigeon, teal, pintail, pochard, tufted duck, mallard and gadwall.

Marsh harriers were out in good numbers on a recent visit to Ham wall as three quartered across the reeds occasionally tilting too close for comfort for a flock of Lapwing, sending them up with thick wings swirling in an attempt to foil any aerial attack.

Coming around the bend of a path cicling the Waltons as Ham wall, i was treated to coming within metres of a Great white egret, its pure white, tall body, striking above the waters surface

As has been reported widely throughout this winter, wild flowers have been fooled by the season with numerous patches of snow drops, lesser celandine and daffodils out in full spring force, across my local patch.

Getting ahead of the game, or perhaps making the most of potentially rich territory, several birds were heard in song on my recent trip to Ham wall with the liquid, cascading notes of a Skylark making me come to an abrupt stop of my bicycle. Elsewhere Reed bunting, Blue tit, Wren, Robin, Great tit and Song thrush were all pleasantly introducing their choral chapter of the approaching spring.