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December 31st Visited Marshfield today for the first time bird watching and enjoyed it very much despite the bitter winds! Seen a couple of Raven at Castle Farm, there was also c. 30 Fieldfare in fields midway along Rushmead Lane plus 6 Lapwing. A Buzzard in fields by the Tormarton Road, there were also 6 Red-legged Partridge in the allotment area plus a few Stonechat and c. 70 Yellowhammers in fields on the West Littleton Road. (Mike Thomas)
December 27th The Little Egret was still present at New Passage, a female Goosander flew high to the west over Kingswood in Bristol at mid day and a female/ 1st winter Black Redstart was noted on the perimeter fence at Oldbury Power Station.
December 26th A Little Egret was present at New Passage today.
December 24th A flock of at least 17 Bewick's Swans flew up river past Shepperdine this afternoon, a male and female Merlin were present together on Aust Warth and two Woodcock were seen at Grebe Pond.
December 22nd Not much changing at the moment; Three pairs of Stonechat; west end of Northfield Lane, Down Road and Tormarton Road by Davis's Farm Machinery. Reed Bunting on Rough Ground and near Down Track. Corn Bunting - still well over 100. Meadow Pipit - c.30 by Down Road. Several Raven about near Rushmead Lane. (John Barnett)
December 20th Back up to Marshfield today - brilliantly clear, cold day with thin coatings of ice and snow. Good-sized scattered groups of Fieldfare and Redwing feeding on grass meadows. Large flock of maybe 100 or more Yellowhammer in cut cornfield. Flock of perhaps 50-80 Corn Buntings filling a tall tree - some constantly flying in while others flew out; the accumulation of their soft chirrups created a beautiful sound. A flock of Lapwings, a mixed flock of Starlings, Pipits, Yellowhammers and Chaffinches in another field (that's quite an original mixture, isn't it?). Many Buzzards, mostly sitting in low trees and bushes; a low-perched Kestrel. Lots of Ref-legged Partridges grazing. (Lois Pryce)
Spent quite a bit of time out in the last couple of days; not too much about really. The main things; Sparrowhawk Rushmead Lane, Skylark - 100s still in various fields, Linnet - maximum on any walk about 300 - well down on last year. Yellowhammer - 200 on Down Track. Corn Bunting - well over 100 at Rough Ground. Lots of Chaffinches about joining in with other species. Several Ravens in the area. (John Barnett)
December 18th Two Bewick's Swan were seen in flight heading north over Aust Warth this afternoon. More regular than Whooper's with just fourteen records thus far Bewick's are still a scarcity in the region with the count this year soaring to a heady five individuals.
December 13th A Little Egret was noted at Park Farm near Thornbury, with a further two present at New Passage.
Fantastic day in Marshfield area today. On the West Littleton Down road coming in off M4: My first ever Brambling! Took me a long time to feel sure about what I was looking at - never would I have imagined a time when I thought 'Oh I hope it's not 'just' a Bullfinch'! What beautiful birds. At the Marshfield end: Flocks of Linnets, Pipits and Chaffinches. Fieldfare and Redwings. A Kestrel hunting along the A420. A female Stonechat where they often are, by the allotments opposite the little cemetery. When I scared a mixed flock of corvids, the Jackdaws all flew away but 60 Crows flew up and all lined themselves up neatly next to each other along an electrical wire. Also several Ravens present.
Back north up the Tormarton Road: Corn Buntings. So many Pheasants it was difficult not to run them over. Yellowhammers. Along Broadmead Brook: Grey Wagtail, 5 Grey Heron sightings (probably 2 birds). Red-legged Partridges, taking off with a whirring sound like a well-oiled 2-stroke engine. Nuthatch, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawk. 6 Buzzard sightings. On the lane back: a Bullfinch. By this time I was overwhelmed with sightings like a too-rich pudding. Marshfield/ Tormarton Triangle - I love you! (Lois Pryce)
December 12th A number of sightings from Northwick Warth included female Merlin, Little Egret and Jack Snipe.
On the patch today Stonechat appear to be abundant with two on Northfield Lane, two on Rushmead Lane and a further two on Rushmead Farm. Corn Bunting numbers are building with at least 120 on Rough Ground. Three Reed Bunting were noted feeding near the 'tip' Rushmead Lane and around 100 Chaffinch were present on Rushmead Farm. (John Barnett)
December 10th A Jack Snipe was flushed twice on Northfield Lane and nine Lapwing were noted over West Littleton Road. A Woodcock was flushed from the footpath west of Westend Town Farm where there was also a few Greenfinch. Around 900 Fieldfare were present near Slait Lane with a few Redwing. Around fifteen Song Thrush were scattered around the area, two Stonechat near West Littleton with another two at Rough Ground. Also there were the usual Corn Buntings with several Raven nearby at Shirehill and a couple on Northfield Lane. Finally four Grey Heron were seen at Shirehill. (John Barnett)
December 6th At Oldbury Power Station an adult Mediterranean Gull was noted on Lagoon III and nearby there were four Little Egret in a flooded field at Park Farm just outside Thornbury. At Severn Beach a Grey Phalarope was found swimming off Shaft Beach before flying south at 10:40. Three Grey Phalaropes have been seen so far this year (bringing the total to twenty-one for S. Glos) equalling 1983 when the recording areas highest count of three together were noted at New Passage. A Black Redstart has been seen recently on a manure heap to the north-east of Sheppardine.
At a windy Marshfield today there was still plenty to see, especially in the Rushmead area. Five Raven were frolicking over Rushmead Farm plus plenty of Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch and Linnet. There appeared to be an enormous amount of Skylark and corvid activity there, probably due to a marauding male Merlin!
December 5th A Short-eared Owl was noted along the shore near Lagoon III at around 08:45. It was seen to fly low over the estuary when it was mobbed by gulls and returned flying over the hedge into Lagoon III where it probably went to roost. Security officials reported a Barn Owl early this morning in flight across the road near Oldbury Lane. A female Merlin was present on Northwick Warth.
December 4th A male Merlin was seen this morning on Northwick Warth along with Little Egret and Jack Snipe.
Had an enjoyable period of birding this morning on the Patch. Around Rough Ground, large numbers of Corn Buntings, Linnets and Yellowhammers, also a pair of Reed Buntings. At Rushmead Farm small numbers of Chaffinch. North of the farm, large numbers of Corn Bunting, Linnet, Yellowhammer and Crow, also Meadow Pipits and Red-legged Partridge. A male Stonechat at Culverslade Industrial Estate and Great Spotted Woodpecker in Rushmead Lane. Fieldfares, Raven plus the odd Redwing. At the south corner of West Littleton Road, in the potato field, many more Meadow Pipit, Crow and Linnet. Several different coloured Buzzards around, this dark one alongside the potato field. (Don Smith)
An obliging Stonechat at Rushmead Lane this afternoon. Redwings, Fieldfare, Yellowhammers, Corn Buntings, Buzzards and Red-legged Partridges also in attendance.... (Allan Chard)
December 2nd A Snow Bunting heading north over Cake Pill, Aust Warth this morning brought the S. Glos year list total to 209 equalling last years record! Well done Tony Scott!
NOVEMBER
November 29th A single Jack Snipe was seen at Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth and the Pomarine Skua at Beachley made a brief excursion into S. Glos waters when it was noted over Slimeroad Sands mid estuary.
A Willow Tit was reported from Wetmoor at Lower Woods Nature Reserve near Wickwar at 15:30 around ST: 745 875. This is a significant area for Willow Tit in S. Glos in that most of the thirty-five records so far have originated around here.
November 28th A male Cetti's Warbler was heard calling from Northwick Warth. The first Cetti's Warbler reported from S. Glos was as recently as 1994 and with just eighteen records since it emphasises the rarity status of this illusive skulker.
In recent days Severnside has achieved world wide status with the appearance of Black-bellied Storm Petrel off Severn Beach.
November 27th The run of remarkable birds on Severnside continued today when the 'Gloucestershire' adult Pacific Diver dropped in at Severn Beach. This first for S. Glos was noted by yours truly as it flew under the Second Severn Crossing at about 400 yards range to land on the water off 'Burger Bar Bay' at 10:45. Several other birders were quickly put on to the bird as it came to rest where it showed well for around fifteen minutes in the winter sunshine. Taking several dives with no success it preened briefly before flying strongly south-west towards Denny Island and Portishead at 11:00. The salient features were noted including the 'throat strap', lack of rear flank patches and in flight the ventral strap. Also noted was the 'sleekness' of the head lacking the angularity found in Black-throated Diver and several white scapular feathers. Also today from Severn Beach the sub adult Pomarine Skua was present at 09:00.
November 26th Have you caught your breath yet...! Severn Beach sea watching dominates the birding scene in S. Glos again today; On a less windy morning two Little Auk were present as was a pale morph sub adult Pomarine Skua, four Leach’s Petrel and two late Swallows.
November 25th News from S. Glos today is dominated by the occurrence of a Fregetta Storm Petrel off Severn Beach this morning. This finding is significant not only in the fact that it is clearly a first for S. Glos it also a first for Britain and Europe! Although recorded in N. America there are very few northern hemisphere records. Though subject to ratification there is an element of confidence here that the record will be added to the British List in due course. It was first seen off Severn Beach at 08:20 this morning and was lingering off the sea wall until 08:35. It was seen several more times distantly until 09:40 when it was lost to view in mid channel. Despite a desperate and length search by the assembled crowd the bird was not seen again by dusk. In the midst of this incredible find lets no lose sight of the other excellent birding had on the Severnside patch throughout a remarkable day, one that will go down in ornithological history...so... also from Severn Beach there were at least four Leach’s Petrel and quite possibly up to fourteen, Little Auk was noted at around 12:00, Grey Phalarope (the twentieth S. Glos record) flew west at 12:45, a pale morph Pomarine Skua was seen at around 13:30 plus Great Skua.
November 24th Reported from Severn Beach today were at least six Leach’s Petrel, three Great Skua, a juvenile Shag, two Gannets, c.200 Kittiwakes and Fulmar. A Little Auk was also seen from Severn Beach at around 13:35 and again at 14:20 and 14:35. This bird makes a total of four this year so far and the best ever year for this species in S. Glos! A Pomarine Skua was noted in the OPS area unfortunately not specific date or location is available at the moment!
At Marshfield today were two Linnet flocks; one behind the school (80+) and one over the allotments (70+). Forty-seven Golden Plover were in fields behind Davis Farm Machinery. Rushmead Farm; two Buzzard, 40 Corn Bunting, lots of Yellowhammer and Chaffinch in the area as well. Rushmead Lane; two Raven, Pied Wagtail and huge numbers of corvids. (Mark Turnbull)
November 23rd Quoted from Severnside Birds... 'Seabird totals from Severn Beach included a minimum of four Leach’s Petrels (this was the most on view in a single scan but there were probably many more. At least two were still showing four hours after high tide at 14.20), at least four Great Skua's (a marauding gang of four attacked a flock of Kittiwakes but other groups of three and two were seen), two adult Gannets, Fulmar, Shag (much rarer than Petrels here), at least 80 Kittiwakes and a 1st winter Little Gull'.
That Shag is very scarce in S. Glos is emphasised by the fact that the one noted above is no only the first this year but is also likely to be just the thirtieth S. Glos record. The highest count of Leach's Petrel is c.250 on October 26th 1952 off Aust Warth.
Also today brilliant news from Lower Woods on Inglestone Common near Wickwar; The first Great Grey Shrike for S. Glos since 1983 an absence of 26 years and significantly the earliest reported too!
November 22nd On a very unsettled day and south-westerly winds Northwick Warth produced a pale morph Pomarine Skua seen heading north at 13:10 a Great Skua at 13:50 and at least 35 Kittiwakes. Fifteen Pomarine Skua's have been seen in S. Glos this year so far eleven of which occurred in May. At Oldbury Power Station a Jack Snipe was flushed from the salt marsh.
November 21st Before the rain came today there were Lapwing: c.140 around Rushmead Farm, Golden Plover: 50 over Rushmead Farm, Stock Dove: 15 near Down Track, Stonechat: one on Northfield Lane, Raven: several around all of the area and Linnet: c.550. (John Barnett)
November 20th An afternoon showing on the coast produced a Marsh Harrier between New Passage and Severn Beach at 15:30. That's the third this year and just the twenty-second ever for S. Glos. At around the same time, 15:30 a Black Redstart was seen in a garden on Riverside Park, Severn Beach and a female Merlin was noted at New Passage at 16:00.
November 19th A late afternoon visit to Aust Warth was rewarded with two Jack Snipe. Around 250 have been logged in S. Glos with six so far in this second winter period.
November 18th Severnside was the place to be today offering three additions to the S. Glos year list with at Severn Beach; A Leach's Petrel was seen at around 09:00 flying out onto the estuary (the first for two years) and Storm Petrel was logged at 10:00 of the sea wall. Later in the day two Shorelark were reported in flight over Aust Warth saltings at 13:30. This occurrence of Shorelark is significant on several levels. It represents the first sighting for over five years, the first multiple sighting for S. Glos and just the fifth and sixth records!
November 15th A female/ 1st winter Black Redstart was noted in a Mangotsfield garden and an adult Mediterranean Gull was seen in fields with Black-headed Gulls near Cowhill, Oldbury on Severn. A Cetti's Warbler was heard at Northwick Warth bringing the S. Glos total to just eighteen (18) with four counted this year.
Still large numbers of Starling (>2000), Linnet (200), Corn Bunting (>100), Chaffinch (100) and Common Gull (>250) along with good numbers of Woodpigeon, Yellowhammer, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, corvid plus the odd Reed Bunting. At least three Stonechat were noted on Northfield Lane along with several Stock Dove and a surprise Green Woodpecker was logged in the Cemetery.
With the hope of seeing Corn Buntings and getting a few pictures we went back today. One of the first birds we saw in the same position as last time was the Hen Harrier? This was at the east end of Rushmead Lane, just past the cleared area on the left. The sun was right in our faces and it was hard to make out detail but the first and long lasting impression was of Hen Harrier. Right at the beginning of the lane we saw three Fieldfare, very large numbers of Yellowhammers a large flock of Linnets, approximately seven Red-legged Partridge, Kestrel and two Buzzard. (Allan & Mrs Chard)
November 14th Bewick's Swan however is a little more regular and three (the first this year) south past Severn Beach this morning brought the total birds seen in S. Glos this year to 200! Additionally this morning a Richard’s Pipit was seen and heard as it flew south-west over New Passage at around 11:00. There have been five records of 'Dick's Pip' in S. Glos with three occurring in November and one in December. The exception was a spring bird in March 2007 heading north over Northwick and Aust Warth's
Today's stormy weather brought with it a smattering of sea birds; At Severn Beach this afternoon there were three Little Auks, one of which flew south-east over Beach Avenue at 13:55 closely followed by two more flying north-east at 14:40 towards and possibly beyond the Second Severn Crossing, around 200 Kittiwakes, an adult Little Gull and a drake Common Scoter.
Around twenty-five Little Auk have been logged in S. Glos all of which have occurred between October and February and usually the victims of storms emanating from the south-west.
November 13th We had really close views of approximately 15 Red-legged Partridges plus Yellowhammer and a very brief view of what looked like a Hen Harrier, it was moving away from us and being mobbed by crows. (Allan & Mrs Chard)
November 10th Two Whooper Swans were reported flying over Aust Warth this afternoon. There are no documented references to Whooper Swan prior to 1983 though they no doubt have occurred. The count to date has reached fourteen confirming the scarcity of the majestic creatures in the recording area.
Today, there were lots more Fieldfares with Redwings in the trees between Rushmead Cottages and West Littleton Road. 2 (a pair) of the 3 Stonechats had moved up to bushes by the paddock on the flooded corner of West Littleton Road, near the A420. (Don Smith & Len Ingram)
November 8th After a damp start things improved rapidly, and still stacks of birds moving around the area. In and around the Rushmead Lane strip there were 2 - 3000 Starlings, several hundred Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, large finch flocks including Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Linnet and Chaffinch. A female/ 1st winter Brambling was mixing with the Chaffinch at Rushmead Farm where there was also two Lapwing. Two other notably sized flocks present were Common Gull c.200 and Golden Plover c.300. Several Fieldfare and Redwing are now evident but not yet in any real numbers. Red-legged Partridge are very abundant at the moment with at least two coveys noted in excess of 50 birds. One on Rushmead the other on Down Road. A check through the Woodpigeon on Down Road revealed several Stock Dove. Stonechat and Jay both put in an appearance on Down Track as did other corvids especially Crow.
November 7th Lots of birds to be seen in and near Rushmead Lane. On 'Rough Ground' at the east end of Rushmead Lane there were large numbers of Corn Buntings, Chaffinch, Yellowhammers, Linnets and Skylarks. One Brambling seen on fly-over at Tormarton Road, joining birds ground feeding at Rushmead Farm and Rushmead Copse. In Rushmead Lane, good numbers of Redwing and some flyover Fieldfares, several Stonechats and Meadow Pipits and numerous Red-legged Partridge. Large numbers of Starling plus a few Common and Black-headed Gulls. (Don Smith)
November 5th An adult winter Mediterranean Gull was seen on Withymead Playing Fields at Marshfield with around fifty Common Gull this lunchtime. Also on the patch today was a much larger flock of Starlings, with an estimated 3000+ near Harcombe Farm and still a large flock of up to 100 Corn Buntings at Rushmead Farm. (John Barnett)
Over twenty Mediterranean Gulls have been logged this year in S. Glos with seventy plus birds days amassed so far! The best months this year so far are July and August with 34 and 16 bird days respectively.
November 3rd A female Peregrine flew over the Tormarton Road heading west near the cemetery this afternoon, several thousand Starling were scattered around the Rushmead Lane area where there were also double figure counts of Raven. On Down Road around 30 Red-legged Partridge were feeding in newly ploughed fields near the Pine Belt and the same area held several hundred Woodpigeon. Woodpigeon numbers have increased generally in the area with numbers now in excess of 2000 birds. Corn Bunting numbers are also building with a count on Rushmead Lane close to 100 individuals.
November 2nd A female/ juvenile Hen Harrier was seen over Harcombe Wood from the long track near Ebbdown Farm and was chased by two Crows. Also this morning; Meadow Pipit still lots on Down Road and Northfield Lane, 2 Stonechat on Down Road with another on Northfield Lane. Linnet 500+ Rushmead Farm and Lane, Fieldfare c.200 Harcombe Wood and small numbers of these and Redwing elsewhere. Corn Bunting, up to 100 around Rushmead Farm and dotted around the whole area, Raven c.20 at Shirehill, four Kestrel, Reed Bunting and far too many Red-legged Partridge to count! (John Barnett) It's the fourth this year in the recording area and just the twenty-fourth ever for S. Glos!
A quick trip to Marshfield today produced the following: In the Rushmead Lane area, Starlings 300+, Yellowhammer 30, Corn Bunting 25+, 15 Fieldfares, 2 Buzzards, 3 House Sparrows, lots of Chaffinch, Kestrel, 30+ Red Legged Partridge and over 50 Skylarks. (Mark Turnbull)
OCTOBER
October 31st Just the second record this year, a Spotted Redshank was present at New Passage along with Little Egret.
On the patch this morning there were large numbers of birds; 300+ Fieldfare off Downs Track plus a few Redwing and 13 Golden Plover. 50 Lapwing at Rushmead Farm also 1500+ Starling at the east of Rushmead Lane where there are also large numbers of Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Linnet and a few Reed Bunting. Loads of Skylarks, very few Meadow Pipits now but 300+ Chaffinch. (John Barnett)
October 29th One Little Egret was noted at New Passage, and around a mile inland of Oldbury Power Station two were present on a rhine near the Severn Drainage Board Offices. Also at OPS the male Black Redstart was again showing on and off in the same area as on the 26th.
October 28th A single Jack Snipe was present on Aust Warth with Common Snipe and a Brambling flew over New Passage. Just the second Crossbill this year was heard over Pilning this morning.
October 27th Still at least 50 Corn Bunting showing well on Rushmead Lane at Marshfield this afternoon. Whilst on Severnside a Little Egret and adult Mediterranean Gull were at New Passage.
Still good numbers of birds on the patch this afternoon and still at least 50 Corn Bunting present on Rushmead Lane. In addition to those mentioned in yesterday's post several Reed Bunting were evident on Orchid Lane.
October 26th A male Black Redstart was seen between Lagoon II and the cooling towers at Oldbury Power Station. A Little Egret was still present on Northwick Warth.
A good mix of birds and in some numbers today on the patch. On Northfield Lane there were two or three Stonechats, Fieldfare, Stock Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, two Raven and good numbers of Skylark. On Rushmead Lane at least fifty Corn Bunting mixing with Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Linnet plus a small flock of House Sparrow. A least a thousand Common Gull made their way over along with c.30 Lapwing, c.300 Golden Plover and around 500 - 700 Starling. Another couple of Stonechat were on Rushmead Lane as well as c.50 Red-legged Partridge. Good numbers of Meadow Pipit were scattered around the area and two 'alba' Wagtails were seen on the buildings at Culverslade Industrial Estate.
October 24th - 25th Little Egrets were reported from Northwick Warth and the main rhine at Oldbury Power Station on the 24th (taking the total bird days for this species in S. Glos in 2009 to over 200) and an adult Kittiwake was noted off Severn Beach on the 25th.
October 22nd - 23rd One Little Egret was noted on the 22nd at New Passage but two were present there on the 23rd.
October 18th - 21st A further reduction to the Little Egret count on Severnside left a single bird in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area on the 18th, increasing to three on the 19th and levelling out at two on the 21st. On the 20th a Black Redstart visited a garden at Alveston.
October 17th A Little Egret was seen along the shore at Oldbury Power Station and the male Mandarin was on show at Shepperdine. Star bird at Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth was a Cetti's Warbler which was trapped and ringed. Also present were a further two Little Egret.
October 16th Just two Little Egret to report today from the New Passage area.
October 15th A Ring Ouzel was seen in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area and the Little Egret count had risen to three.
October 14th The recently somnolent days birding in S. Glos were rudely interrupted today by the appearance of the regions first ever Glossy Ibis. Tracked up the coast it was first noted at Severn Beach, then New Passage and Northwick Warth where it landed for a few minutes before being lost to view over Aust Warth. Incidentally the Little Egret was still on show in the area.
October 13th In a settled spell a Little Egret was noted in the Northwick Warth area.
October 12th The adult Mediterranean Gull and one Little Egret were seen at New Passage, the Short-eared Owl was seen over Northwick Warth at 17:45.
A Red Kite was seen drifting north-west over Middledown Road and a Curlew also flew over calling heading towards Westend Farm. Good numbers of Skylark generally and what appeared to be hundreds of Meadow Pipit. Three Stonechat in the area and Chiffchaff at West Littleton. Two Marsh Tit were seen in Shirehill Valley along with eighteen Raven with the highest number at Shirehill. In the Rushmead Farm area at least two-hundred (200) Linnet, sixty Corn Bunting with another 20 on Down Road where there was also two Golden Plover. (John Barnett)
October 11th The Barnacle Goose reported on the 3rd was still present with Canada Geese between Keynsham and Swineford opposite Avon Valley CP today. The regular limping adult Mediterranean Gull and three Little Egret were seen at New Passage.
October 10th At Oldbury Power Station today the now transformed Mandarin was showing well in it's finery along the shore. Also two Little Egret roosted on Lagoon III. Two more Little Egret were noted in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area. Also today several Clouded Yellows were noted on Severnside and OPS.
Saturday morning found Reed Bunting at the east end of Rushmead Lane plus eleven Corn Buntings. A pair of Stonechat were seen at the West Littleton Road end of Northfield Lane. (John Barnett)
October 9th Two Little Egret were present still at New Passage and Short-eared Owl was seen over Northwick Warth late this afternoon.
There were three Lapwing near Orchid Lane, two Stonechat by Rushmead Farm (the first since last winter) plus a single Wheatear. Lots of Skylark on Northfield Lane with lots of Meadow Pipit everywhere. Also in the area were three Kestrel. Several butterflies were on the wing today including; Red Admiral, Small White, Comma, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood! (John Barnett)
October 5th - 8th In a lean spell for both scarcities and rarities in S. Glos the momentum was maintained with the presence of several Little Egret at coastal sites with individuals on the 6th & 7th and two on the 8th in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area. The Short-eared Owl was noted on both the 5th & 6th from around 17:00 at Aust and an adult Mediterranean Gull was present on 5th at Severn Beach.
October 5th A cold and misty morning on the patch, did not deter a good array of birds. Around Rough Ground, 50 Corn Bunting, 10 Yellowhammer, Kestrel, Chiffchaff, and Peregrine swooping to ground very close to us. In Rushmead Lane, several Buzzards, one consuming a Woodpigeon breakfast. Also 3 Skylarks, and several Red-legged Partridge part of 20, all north of the lane and a large flock of Black-headed and Herring Gulls. In Shirehill Valley, 3 Ravens in a tree and a flock of 20 Greenfinch. We warmed up with a coffee in Sweet Apples, the lady there reported 3 dead Greenfinch in her garden at the west end of the village. The cause seemed the viral problem that has struck previously. (Len Ingram & Don Smith)
October 3rd - 4th A Great Skua was seen off Severn Beach on the 3rd. On the 4th Short-eared Owl was noted around 18:10 hunting over Aust Warth and Little Egret was seen at New Passage. Another Little Egret was noted at OPS. A Barnacle Goose was noted with c.70 Canada Geese between Keynsham and Swineford opposite Avon Valley CP. This occurrence represents the earliest record of this species for S. Glos by at least sixteen days!
October 2nd Up to three Jack Snipe were flushed from the salt marsh at Northwick Warth today.
October 1st At Oldbury Power Station an adult Mediterranean Gull and the male Mandarin were both preset on Lagoon III. A Little Egret was seen at New Passage.
At least four Wheatear were present on Orchid Lane and three Swallows racing over. A Chiffchaff was noted in Doncombe Valley in the morning. (John Barnett)
SEPTEMBER
LATE NEWS: Unconfirmed reports of a Harrier Spp. in the 'Rushmead' area in recent days and at Mill Farm in Shire Valley a Kingfisher was picked up dead after colliding with a window!
September 30th Sightings from the coast at New Passage today boasted just one Little Egret.
September 29th Good raptor day on the patch today with Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk all riding the thermals over Northfield Lane. On Rushmead Lane two Wheatear were working the dry stone walls on the south side.
September 28th An adult Mediterranean Gull was still present at New Passage today.
September 27th A Little Egret was still present at OPS today but normal service resumed on the coast at Severnside where still available were an adult Mediterranean Gull at New Passage and Short-eared Owl on Aust Warth.
September 26th The first Ruff of the year was found this morning at the mouth of Cake Pill on Aust Warth and was accompanied by a Curlew Sandpiper, however, amazingly S. Glos' second and Severnside' first Semipalmated Sandpiper was identified on the foreshore at New Passage by sadly lingered for just a few hours. Fortunately it was present long enough to not only positively 'call it' as a juvenile/ 1st winter but also to capture some record shots. This occurrence also represents the latest record for this species in S. Glos.
Almost anticlimactically S. Glos' first ever Grey-headed Wagtail went almost unnoticed amongst the frenzy of activity surrounding the SemiP. Noted as Motacilla flava thunbergi the presumed adult was present with Meadow Pipit feeding among cattle for a short while on the salt marsh at Northwick Warth this morning.
Other sightings today included Mediterranean Gull at New Passage, Common Scoter on the estuary there and Short-eared Owl at 18:35 on Northwick Warth. At Oldbury Power Station the male Mandarin plumped for Lagoon III where it was noted as beginning to moult.
September 25th The Common Scoter was still present and viewable from the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area.
September 24th The Common Scoter was still present and viewable from the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area today.
September 23rd Just one Curlew Sandpiper was seen at New Passage today.
September 22nd The Common Scoter was still present and viewable from the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area.
September 21st The Wryneck was known to have been present in the West Littleton garden until at least lunchtime today. On a more normal note still lots of Chiffchaff, 15 plus Raven at Shirehill, good numbers of Meadow Pipit and several House Martin at Ebbdown Farm. A Kingfisher was also noted near Ebbdown Farm. (John Barnett)
The Common Scoter remained viewable from the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area.
September 20th Hot news from the patch where a Wryneck was seen in a private garden at West Littleton. This is the first record for the patch bringing the list total to 134.
In the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area a female/ immature Common Scoter was seen on the river.
September 19th In the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area there was a ringtail Hen Harrier noted flying east. This individual represents just the twenty-third record for S. Glos and the third this year. Also here two Little Egrets were lingering and an adult Mediterranean Gull put in an appearance. At OPS two more little Egret were on show along with Mandarin. A Short-eared Owl was seen quartering over the model airfield on Rushmead Lane at Marshfield at dusk.
September 18th In the New Passage/Northwick Warth two Little Egrets remained on show. At Oldbury Power Station the male Mandarin was seen again on the shore in the evening.
September 17th Two Little Egrets were seen from New Passage.
A Peregrine was present on West Littleton Road, good numbers of Swallow still and some visible migration of House Martin. Around thirty Meadow Pipit in several small groups and several Chiffchaff. (John Barnett)
September 16th Northwick Warth area included the first Short-eared Owl of the autumn and Little Egret. A Curlew Sandpiper was noted at Severn Beach and Lagoon I at Oldbury Power Station furnished another. Also there were Spotted Redshank and Little Ringed Plover.
September 15th The shaft beach at Severn Beach produced two juvenile Curlew Sandpipers.
In a brief visit this morning there were eleven Golden Plover north of Rushmead Lane, 10+ Corn Buntings and a male Whitethroat at Rough Ground at the east end of Rushmead Lane. Five Buzzards and a male Yellow Wagtail at Rushmead Farm and a Merlin near Harcombe Farm. A very sick Stock Dove grounded in Orchid Lane. (Len Ingram)
September 14th A Little Egret was noted as still present on Northwick Warth.
September 13th An Avocet was found at Severn Beach over the early afternoon high tide and from Northwick Warth a Little Egret. At Oldbury Power Station today a Little Egret was seen on the main rhine.
Three Whitethroat and a Wheatear were seen on the Tormarton Road by Harcombe Farm, twenty Corn Bunting in flock at the east end of Rushmead Lane with up to five Quail calling. A Hobby flew over Tormarton Road, small groups of Meadow Pipit were ever present, a flock of 100+ Goldfinch were in flower fields on West Littleton Road. A Whinchat was on Northfield Lane, a Redstart was seen near Down Track and there are still good numbers of Swallow. (John Barnett)
September 12th The second Osprey of the autumn (and twenty-first ever for S. Glos) was seen flying south from New Passage at 07:30 with other visible migrants reported heading north-east (between 06.30-08.30) were five Tree Sparrows. The Northwick Warth/ New Passage area held two Little Egret.
September 11th Reports from Severn Beach today included a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and White Wagtail with a party of Pied Wagtail.
September 10th The number of Little Egret at New Passage have increased to three today.
September 9th The two Little Egrets were noted again in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area.
September 8th Two Little Tern were seen at New Passage this morning and a Little Egret was also seen there.
September 7th An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area and two Little Egrets lingered in the same area.
A single Yellow Wagtail was noted over the Tormarton Road. Two Wheatear were seen on Middledown Lane, a Redstart was present at Shirehill Lane, c.10 Raven were at Shirehill and still several Chiffchaff present. (John Barnett)
September 6th Two Little Egrets were noted in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area and another was noted at Oldbury Power Station.
Large numbers of Swallow were noted in a visible migrating over Shirehill Lane. (John Barnett)
September 5th Two Little Egrets were roosting in fields at Oldbury Power Station.
On the patch this afternoon five Meadow Pipit at the west end of Northfield Lane, still plenty of Swallow plus two Whitethroat at Rushmead Lane along with two Ravens. (John Barnett)
LATE NEWS: After a 74 year absence Marsh Warbler has again occurred in S. Glos! One was trapped, ringed and released at Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth on August 22nd. Once processed the biometric details were shared with several more experienced 'acro' ringers for corroboration who subsequently confirmed the identity. Just four Marsh Warbler have been recorded in S. Glos with the first, a pair photographed at the nest with three eggs, at Patchway exactly 100 years ago in 1909! This occurrence also represents the latest date for this species in S. Glos. Our thanks to the efforts of the 'Severnside Birders' without which this elusive and enigmatic warbler would have gone unrecorded.
September 2nd A Little Egret was on show at Oldbury Power Station today. Three juvenile Curlew Sandpipers the first this year were logged at Severn Beach this evening and nearby two Little Egret were seen in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area and a further individual was noted at Aust Warth.
September 1st A S. Glos record three Ring Ouzel were seen briefly on Northwick Warth this morning and another record eighteen (18) Pale-bellied Brent Geese were logged on the shore at Severn Beach this afternoon. Not only does this occurrence far exceed any previous records it also represent the earliest date for this 'brent goose' form by some three months...! Also at Severn Beach today was a Little Egret.
AUGUST
August 31st A Little Egret was reported at Shepperdine and a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was present on Northwick Warth. Star bird today though was a Grey Phalarope (S. Glos' nineteenth record) which was found off New Passage on the mornings low tide. It lingered throughout the day and was still present this evening.
Four Northern Wheatear were noted on the 'Model Airfield', at least 20 Raven and two Grey Wagtail were present at Shirehill, good numbers of Chiffchaff passing through with Nuthatch and Long-tailed Tit much in evidence at various sites and twelve Mistle Thrush were seen near West Littleton. Pheasant! Unfortunately 100's have been set down in the Shirehill Valley presumable for the 'shooting'. (John Barnett)
August 30th A juvenile/ 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was noted in the New Passage area.
August 29th A Grasshopper Warbler was trapped, ringed and released on Northwick Warth early morning and an Osprey (S. Glos' twentieth record) drifted over there heading south late morning before being seen over Piling shortly after.
A Hobby was seen at the top end of Marshfield High Street chasing Swallows at around 11:00. (Ben Lacelles)
August 27th At Oldbury Power Station this morning two dark phase Arctic Skua's were noted in flight downriver close to the power station at 11:35 also Little Egret there.
August 25th Swallows were moving through the patch at Marshfield in good numbers this morning, just one male Wheatear was present on Northfield Lane and over a hundred large gulls, mostly Herring Gull were actively feeding in freshly ploughed fields there.
August 24th A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was reported from New Passage this morning.
August 23rd Still present at Oldbury Power Station for it's sixth day the juvenile Wood Sandpiper was showing on and off and the Mandarin reappeared nearby at Shepperdine. At New Passage a juvenile/ 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull was noted and at least one 'limping' adult Mediterranean Gull. Two Avocet were on Northwick Warth and nearby a Little Egret was seen on Aust Warth.
On the patch at Marshfield today still four Wheatears present with two immature/ female birds on the 'Model Airfield' plus a male and female along Northfield Lane. (Pete Coslett)
August 22nd Six Grasshopper Warblers including at least four juveniles were reported from Lower Knole Farm, Almondsbury, the juvenile Wood Sandpiper was still present on Lagoon I at OPS, and on Northwick Warth Mediterranean Gull and Little Egret were both present. A Greylag Goose was present at Oldbury Power Station.
August 21st This morning on Rushmead Lane there were at least four Wheatear on the 'Model Airfield', a Yellow Wagtail over, c.100 Linnet with Sparrowhawk in hot pursuit and two Raven. In the Rushmead Farm area Whitethroat and 15 Corn Bunting. In the Down Road area a Redstart was showing in the hedge, Quail was heard calling and good numbers of Swallow were present. (John Barnett)
The juvenile Wood Sandpiper was still present on Lagoon I at OPS.
August 20th The juvenile Wood Sandpiper was still present on Lagoon I at OPS until 11:00 as was the Little Egret, and the same or another Wood Sandpiper was noted flying south over New Passage at 11:30.
August 19th The juvenile Wood Sandpiper was still present and showing well this morning on and off on Lagoon I at OPS. Also noted there was a single Little Egret.
August 18th From the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area this morning there were three Arctic Skua's. One all dark individual probably an adult, two brownish birds with paler brown heads, probably juveniles. One was noted terrorising the Black-headed Gull flock on Northwick Warth before landing on the water where it was joined by two others !! They then flew down and landed at the mouth of the pill, eventually drifting down towards the Second Severn Crossing on the falling tide at 11:00. (Dick Reader) There have been around thirty (30) Arctic Skua in S. Glos waters so far this year!
At Oldbury Power Station the 18th S. Glos and 4th site record of Wood Sandpiper (a juvenile) was present on Lagoon I mid-morning. With three birds occurring between mid May and the end of July, S. Glos has produced more Wood Sandpipers in 2009 than in any previous years.
August 17th Highlight of the day was a Little Egret at New Passage bringing the total bird days for this species in S. Glos for 2009 to 115.
August 16th The moulting adult Mediterranean Gull was still present in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area.
August 15th The moulting adult Mediterranean Gull was again noted at New Passage.
August 14th A male Common Scoter was seen on the tidal reservoir at Oldbury Power Station this morning and was still present late evening. A moulting adult Mediterranean Gull was noted at New Passage.
August 12th The winter adult Mediterranean Gull was again present in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area.
August 11th A winter adult Mediterranean Gull and two Little Egret were both noted on Northwick Warth, and only the second Pied Flycatcher of the year was seen at The Glen, New Passage. A ringtail Hen Harrier was reported from Oldbury Power Station around Lagoon II at about 15:45. It represents the 22nd S. Glos record and just the second this year with both birds coming from OPS.
August 10th An adult winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull was again reported from the Northwick Warth/ New Passage area.
August 9th The Mandarin was again on the 'Lake' at OPS this morning and again relocated to the shore, where it stayed until 09:00 at least. An adult winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull was reported from the Northwick Warth area an Little Egret was seen at New Passage.
Near Middledown Farm there were two Hobby hawking butterflies over a Lucerne crop. Also there were a family of Raven, three Corn Bunting and Quail calling. An unidentified large dark raptor with long slim wings and tail flying slowly over crops put up a large flock of corvids. (D. Godfrey)
Two Quail were heard this afternoon - one near the clover field along Down Road, the other along Shirehill Lane between Down Road and Shire Hill, also Wheatear along Down Road. (Gareth Jones)
August 8th Reports from Northwick Warth included a juvenile Mediterranean Gull and at Oldbury Power Station a juvenile, or eclipse, male Mandarin Duck was on the lake before it flew to the shore where it was in the company of Mallard until 11:00 when it flew upriver. This is the 8th record of Mandarin at the site. (pers. com. Pete Hazelwood)
August 7th In the evening roost at Oldbury Powers on Lagoon III there was an adult Mediterranean Gull. A Hobby was noted near Withymead Fields at the east end of Marshfield Village. (John Barnett)
August 6th A moulting adult Mediterranean Gull was reported from the New Passage area. Still 14 Swift lingering over Marshfield Village, two Spotted Flycatcher's and several Willow Warbler along Broadmead Brook in Shire Valley. (John Barnett)
August 5th A Quail was heard in a clover field on Down Road, two Raven were noted at Shirehill, four Swift were still present in Marshfield village and good numbers of House Sparrows especially at either end of Rushmead Lane. (John Barnett)
At Oldbury Power Station and adult Mediterranean Gull was seen on Lagoon III in the evening roost and a Little Egret flew over Lagoon II. In the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area another adult Mediterranean gull was on show.
August 3rd Highlights from the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area included Hobby and an adult winter Mediterranean Gull.
August 2nd An exceptional day for records in S. Glos today; Equalling the latest S. Glos date - a Wood Warbler was noted along Marshwall Lane at Almondsbury in a mixed flock of small passerines and on Severnside an Avocet was seen in flight up river past New Passage at 10:15 representing the earliest S. Glos record and beating the previous record from Oldbury Power Station on August 7th 1999 by five days!! And at New Passage an 'un-ringed' juvenile Mediterranean Gull was present.
A Quail was heard calling for several minutes this morning from clover along Shirehill Lane just east of Shirehill Farm on the south side of the lane opposite Gunnings Wood where there were also several Raven. (David & Christopher Teague)
August 1st A new juvenile Mediterranean Gull was noted at New Passage today. It sported a green plastic leg ring with white lettering and is apparently of French origin. A Little Egret was on Lagoon I at Oldbury Power Station.
JULY
July 30th The first Gannet of the year, an adult floated up river off New Passage at 10:05 and the juvenile Mediterranean Gull was still lingering.
July 28th A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was seen at New Passage this morning.
July 27th Three Mediterranean Gulls, two adults and a juvenile continue to be seen in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth areas.
July 26th Two Wood Sandpipers (the 16th & 17th S. Glos records & equalling the highest count in August 1979) were seen this morning on Northwick Warth before flying south over New Passage. Also on Northwick Warth were two adult Mediterranean Gulls.
July 25th First for the year in S. Glos today was a fly-over Crossbill heard early this morning at Lower Knole Farm, Almondsbury. At Littleton-on-Severn high tide today there were two Mediterranean Gulls, an adult and juvenile together and on Severnside in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area there were three Mediterranean Gulls, 2 adults & a juvenile.
Bird of the day at Marshfield and first for the year was a Turtle Dove seen flying towards Harcombe Wood near Ebbdown Farm. From around the patch; ten Swift, up to five Quail with one from Middledown Lane, two on private land and two north of Down Track. House Martin were present at three locations away from Marshfield village, good numbers of Swallow, Hobby over Rushmead Farm, c.150 Linnet mainly east of Rushmead Farm, at least twenty Stock Dove, up to nine Raven, at least one Spotted Flycatcher in Shirehill Valley, several Whitethroat, around twenty Buzzard plus Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting and of course Skylark. (John Barnett) In addition a Kingfisher has been seen regularly on Broadmead Brook in Shirehill Valley.
July 24th An adult Yellow-legged Gull and two adult Mediterranean Gulls were present at New Passage. A juvenile Little Ringed Plover was noted at Severn Beach this evening. An adult Mediterranean Gull was noted this evening in the roost at Oldbury Power Station.
July 23rd The Mediterranean Gulls were on show on Severnside today with four birds present, an adult and a juvenile in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth areas, another adult at Aust Warth and an additional adult at Severn Beach. The adult Yellow-legged Gull was again seen at Oldbury Power Station on Lagoon III.
July 22nd An adult Mediterranean Gull was logged in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth areas in the morning and a splendid adult Yellow-legged Gull was bagged at Oldbury Power Station on Lagoon III.
July 21st Mediterranean Gulls continue to be seen in S. Glos with another record equalling haul at Oldbury Power Station this time; four birds were noted, three adults and a 1st summer in the evening roost on Lagoon III.
July 20th A veritable flock of Mediterranean Gulls were seen at New Passage on Severnside this evening with two adults, a juvenile and a 2nd summer. This count equals the previous highest when four were noted on April 13th 2002 also at New Passage!
At Marshfield this morning there were two Little Owls on West Littleton Road, single singing Quail were audible from the road east of Rushmead Farm and Down Road, several Swift in the village, Sand Martin on Northfield Lane, high numbers of Swallow and four singing Whitethroat. At Shirehill five Raven. (John Barnett)
At Oldbury Power Station in a bit of a gull fest both Yellow-legged Gull, a juvenile, and two more adult Mediterranean Gulls were noted in a large mixed roost on Lagoon III. Also today a Red Kite was seen over Church Road at Hanham.
July 19th An adult Mediterranean Gull was noted at Oldbury Power Station.
July 18th At Oldbury Power Station an adult Yellow-legged Gull was present in the roost on Lagoon III this evening and an adult Mediterranean Gull was again on show at New Passage.
July 17th Taking your advice we walked along West Littleton Road where we had Buzzard, Yellowhammer and two really nice Mistle Thrushes outside Castle Farm. We then walked up Rushmead Lane. No sign of Little Owl but had Red-legged Partridge by the roadside near the un-finished barn. We then observed a Corn Bunting on the small barn by the model aircraft flying area. Had a further Red-legged Partridge on the wall alongside the track which leads left off Rushmead Land. Had Skylark and Linnet. Margaret then told us there was a track (Northfield Lane) which led from the Model Aircraft site across the field back to West Littleton Road. As we walked back up Rushmead Lane towards the track we had fantastic views of a adult male Hobby chasing a small flock of swallows. He tried to catch one but missed. Walking between the small barn and the two Black Hangars at the Model Aircraft site along the track I flushed a Quail out from under my feet. We all watched it fly about thirty or so feet along the top of the long grass and then land in grass just by the edge of the flying area. Numerous Swifts, House Martin's and Swallows all in all a good evening walk. (Charles Stapleton, Gordon Youdale & Margaret Gorely)
July 16th An adult Mediterranean Gull was again present at New Passage this morning.
July 15th Hot on the heel's of the first Eider for three years in S. Glos were another two; a female was accompanied by an immature male off Severn Beach this morning. Nearby at Aust Warth a juvenile Little Ringed Plover suggests an early returning migrant?
July 12th A 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull and a 3rd year Yellow-legged Gull were both present at this mornings high tide roost and an adult Mediterranean Gull was present at New Passage.
July 10th A Grasshopper Warbler (the first on the patch this year) was heard 'reeling' for around five minutes at 22:00 just south of Marshfield church in the Doncombe Valley. (John Barnett)
July 9th There were three Quail calling at Marshfield today; One in fields north of Down Track plus two more east of Rushmead Farm one of which was audible from the road. (John Barnett)
July 7th At a windy Marshfield this afternoon there were three Little Owls from West Littleton Road with one a nearly fledged bird. Also there Grey Wagtail, Whitethroat, Bullfinch, three Stock Dove flew over and a Pheasant. On Rushmead Lane 20 Swifts, a few Corn Buntings singing and two Buzzard being mobbed by crows. Still lots of Skylarks singing, a few Yellowhammers and Linnets. A few Swallows and only one House Martin seen, two Red-legged Partridge and another Buzzard further along Rushmead Lane. Coming back along Northfield Lane good views of two juvenile Skylarks. (Pete Coslett)
July 6th The first Eider (a female) for S. Glos this year (and first for three years) was logged from Severn Beach on this evenings tide. At Marshfield today a summer male Yellow Wagtail carrying food was seen from the track between West Littleton Road and Whiteshill Barn around ST: 774 753. (Jack Wilmott)
July 4th A Red Kite was reported at Swineford just inside the S. Glos recording area boundary.
July 2nd & 3rd Despite extensive coverage there was just on Quail singing along Shirehill Lane. Other news; twenty Swift over Marshfield village plus lots of Swallow and a few House Martin. Skylark are singing everywhere, several Linnet, lots of Yellowhammer singing and at least twenty Corn Bunting; altogether still a lot of noise! A few Whitethroat are still singing at Ringswell in the Doncombe Valley along with a Lesser Whitethroat. (John Barnett)
JUNE
LATE NEWS: A male Black-headed Bunting was seen briefly in a Yate garden in mid June.
June 26th Goshawks doing well and rearing up to three chicks - see full details from the home page link!
June 21st A Quail was heard from Down Lane, three Mistle Thrush were noted from West Littleton Road, good numbers of Swallow and a Little Owl at Rushmead Cottages. In the Doncombe Valley at Ringswell, Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat were present. (John Barnett)
A pair of Goshawk have bred for the second year running in S. Glos and are currently rearing chicks.
June 19th At least sixteen adult Mandarin with eight ducklings in three broods were noted at Dodington Lakes today. This occurrence represents the highest count for S. Glos eclipsing the previous record by one when twenty-three were seen on September 30th 1990 at Tortworth.
June 17th At Severn Beach this evening a dark morph Arctic Skua was seen pursuing gulls and the first Little Tern for S. Glos this year was also present.
Three Quail were still present in fields east of Rushmead Lane between Culverslade and Rushmead Farm. Also five Whitethroat, two Raven around 200 Starling including lots of juveniles. sixteen Corn Bunting plus lots of singing Skylark and Yellowhammer. (John Barnett)
June 14th An Arctic Skua was seen off Severn Beach today.
June 9th Three singing Quail were present this evening at Marshfield east of Tormarton Road around the Rushmead Farm area.
June 7th Lots of singing Corn Buntings around Rough Ground on the north-east corner of Rushmead Lane, also there were Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, House Sparrow and 8 Starling. (Mark Turmbull)
June 5th This afternoon at Marshfield there were three Quail calling to the east of Tormarton Road; one just north of Rushmead Copse at the end east of Rushmead Lane and two near Rushmead Farm.
June 4th A Little Owl was seen at Rushmead Cottages today also 4 Corn Buntings from Down Road. (Len Ingram) Two Quail were still present on Middledown Lane, south of the lane in the barley field about 400 metres east of the A46. (John Barnett)
Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were a present this evening at Severn Beach at 18:40 and were last seen to fly off to the south-east.
June 3rd A Red Kite was seen at around 13:05 from Station Road, Staple Hill being mobbed by gulls before heading towards Mangotsfield.
A Little Owl was present from West Littleton Road plus four Whitethroat, five Raven and three Corn Buntings singing on Northfield Lane near the horse paddock and towards Bollard Bushes. (John Barnett)
MAY
May 31st Corn Bunting seem to be singing from ever small tree, bush and wall this morning along with Skylark, Yellowhammer and Whitethroat. Good numbers of Swift, Swallow and House Martin too. As the morning warmed the Buzzards took to the air with around ten or so over the open fields above Orchid Lane. Along Broadmead Brook several Blackcap singing and a pair of very noisy Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
May 29th Three Spotted Flycatchers were present early this morning along Broadmead Brook at Shire Hill. (John Barnett)
May 28th A male Goshawk (the thirteenth S. Glos record) was seen with two Buzzard in St. Catherine's Valley briefly today. (John Barnett)
May 26th Fantastic news early this morning when a Black Kite, the first recorded in S. Glos was watched drifting out of St. Catherine's Valley at around 06:00. First seen over the track between Halldoor Lane and Nailey Farm at approximately ST: 776 720 about 1.5 kilometres south and west of Marshfield it was noted leaving the valley heading generally north- north-west towards West Littleton.
Also today two Arctic Skua's were noted off Severn Beach this evening.
May 25th This afternoon two Cetti's Warblers were heard singing by the R. Boyd at Wick Quarry from the Ravens Rock raptor watch point with one seen in flight. With the appearance of a second individual (and presumably a second male) at this site it is remarkably just the seventeenth time Cetti's Warbler have been reported from S. Glos.
At least two Quail (the first for S. Glos this year) were noted on an Atlas survey near Middledown Road at ST: 749 742 north and west of Marshfield. (Richard Bland)
May 24th A Hobby was noted over Thornbury this evening.
An evening romp around the patch produced a flock of c.40 Stock Dove from Northfield Lane plus singing Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer and Common Whitethroat also plenty of Skylark, Linnet, Swallow, Swift and House Martin.
May 23rd On the patch at Marshfield today there were fourteen (14) singing Corn Bunting on territory, two Spotted Flycatcher's at Shire Hill on Big Pond, three Raven from Northfield Lane plus female Wheatear and Grey Partridge. On the south side of the village, six singing Whitethroat and Garden Warbler in Doncombe Valley. (John Barnett)
May 21st A Cetti's Warbler was heard in scrub near the R. Boyd at Wick Quarry from Raven's Rock raptor watch point this evening. It represents the sixteenth S. Glos record, the first this year and the first record of this species at this site. A Nightingale was present at Horwood Farm in Lower Woods at Inglestone Common.
May 20th Two Grey Partridge were seen from Northfield Lane today. (John Barnett)
May 18th A Channel Wagtail was present on Northwick Warth with two Yellow Wagtails.
May 17th At Heneage Court Pools, Falfield this morning there were at least nine drake Mandarin seen from the road gate. If visiting this site please keep strictly to the public footpaths!
Garden Warbler west of cricket club off Beek's Lane. Two Spotted Flycatcher at Shire Hill by bridge, Stock Dove 20 at Rushmead Lane, Hobby from Down Road and ten House Martin near Ebbdown Farm with Swallows. A few Willow Warbler here and there mainly on West Littleton track to Shire Hill. (John Barnett)
May 16th Two Sandwich Terns were seen heading south-west at Oldbury Power Station at 07:25. At Severn Beach there were six Arctic Skua, one upriver at 09:30 with five lingering over high tide plus a Sandwich Tern.
May 15th At Severn Beach there were two Arctic Skua's seen before flying inland and a flock of 90 Kittiwake, this evening at 19:40 a flock of eleven Pomarine Skua's (ten pale morph, one dark morph), a dark morph Arctic Skua and a mobile flock of 40 Kittiwake were present.
May 14th Two pale morph Pomarine Skua's, three Arctic Skua's, around 60 Kittiwakes and three Common Scoter were all present off Severn Beach this evening.
May 13th The first Wood Sandpiper (a spring adult) for twelve years was seen at Severn Beach this morning with Dunlin before heading north towards the Second Severn Crossing where it was lost to view. This occurrence represents just the fifteenth documented reference of Wood Sandpiper in S. Glos since it first occurred in 1943 and only the third ever spring record. And another Red Kite was reported over New Passage at 17:20.
May 12th A Red Kite was seen drifting north over the A432 at Yate around 17:55. Two to three Nightingale were heard singing at 20:45 at Lower Woods, Inglestone Common.
May 11th On a very windy but warm afternoon Corn Buntings, Yellowhammer and Linnet at Rough Ground. Several Red-legged Partridge pairs. House Martin, Swallow and Swift and one Willow Warbler from Ringswell. (Len Ingram & Don Smith)
May 10th A Hobby was noted over Chipping Sodbury Quarry this afternoon.
Along Broadmead Brook this morning were Grey Wagtail, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk and several Blackcap. On Northfield Lane Pied Wagtail, several Whitethroat, three Wheatear including one probable 'Greenland Wheatear', Red-legged Partridge, lots of Yellowhammer plus good numbers of Swift, Swallow and House Martin. Also today: Six Whitethroat, six Wheatear, 25 Corn Bunting in a group by Down Track and Little Owl near Ashwicke. (John Barnett)
May 9th Two unidentified Skua's (one light and one dark morph) were noted at long range off Severn Beach this morning.
A new arrival today (and the first for S. Glos this year) in the form of Spotted Flycatcher near Big Pool along Broadmead Brook in Shire Valley. (John Barnett)
May 8th A blustery Severn Beach realised a dark morph Pomarine Skua with a full set of 'spoons' at 06:50 followed closely bat a dark morph Arctic Skua both departing up river over the Second Severn Crossing. This is the first 'Pom' in S. Glos waters since 2007 with no reports from 2008. Nine more Arctic Skua's (three pale and six dark morph), the first Great Skua of the year and a pair of Common Scoter were also noted at this site throughout the day. Two Nightingale were present at Inglestone Common.
LATE NEWS: A Wryneck was reported as being present until May 5th at Blake's Road in Thornbury,
May 7th A Grasshopper Warbler was reported in scrub at Severn Beach.
May 6th The same or another Red Kite was seen drifting south over Orchard Pools at Severn Beach late this morning.
May 5th A Red Kite was seen just after midday drifting north over the sheep fields at Aust Warth.
On Northfield Lane there were two Greenland Wheatears in stock fields east of the lane, plenty of Swifts, Swallows and House Martin and good numbers of Corn Bunting. Several Whitethroat were holding territory on Northfield and Rushmead Lanes a Wheatear was also on Rushmead Lane and a Raven flew south there. South of the village in Doncombe Valley there were good numbers of migrant warblers including Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat.
May 4th The first Fulmar of the year was seen today off Severn Beach and the first Hobby's were noted at Severn Beach and Thornbury.
In Doncombe Valley this morning; Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, several Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff and lots of Blackcap. Also 2 pairs of Bullfinch. (John Barnett)
May 2nd A Red Kite was seen over Cow Hill near Oldbury village at 12: 50 where it circled and flew high north and a Grasshopper Warbler was showing well and in full song on Severnside this afternoon.
May 1st Whitethroat, Linnet and House Sparrow on Rough Ground. Two Wheatear, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Corn Bunting, lots of Skylark,12-15 Stock Dove and five House Martin from Rushmead Lane. (Mark Turnbull)
APRIL
April 28th A Merlin was seen early this morning at Severn Beach and two Grasshopper Warblers were heard reeling from Aust Warth also early morning.
April 27th This years first Manx Shearwater was logged in murky conditions from the shore at Severn Beach today.
April 26th A Wryneck (S. Glos' seventeenth record) was seen and photographed around 17:00 in a garden at Thornbury, also at Thornbury an unconfirmed report of a Hoopoe at Lower Morton seen on a fence post, and at least 100 'Comic Terns' were seen from the shore at Severn Beach this evening.
A couple of firsts for the year this morning on the patch with one or two Swift over Rushmead Lane and a Cuckoo heard from trees near Downthorns Farm. Other sightings included two Lesser and one Common Whitethroat in Doncombe Valley, three Whitethroat at Rough Corner, c.70 Yellowhammer including a flock of 50, around 45 Corn Bunting including a flock of 30, a female Wheatear off Tormarton Road, c.20 Stock Dove and at least five Raven. A Lapwing flew over Northfield Lane and a probable Grey Partridge was flushed there. (John Barnett)
April 25th A first of the year 'Comic Tern' was noted at Oldbury Power Station at 08:00. On Severnside a Pale-bellied Brent Goose (the latest S. Glos record) was seen from the shore at Severn Beach and a roosting Short-eared Owl was flushed from a ditch on Northwick Warth.
April 24th The first Sanderling of 2009, a flock of at least ten, were present on the shore at Severn Beach this evening.
April 23rd Unfortunately there was no sign of the reported Hoopoe at Doynton in a brief search this morning however, a Grasshopper Warbler was heard at Severn Beach and the first Whinchat for 2009, a male was logged from Northwick Warth.
April 22nd A Hoopoe (S. Glos' sixteenth record) was seen on a telegraph pole at Woodmead Lane, Doynton at 18:30 around ST: 725 744 and was last seen in flight heading north-east towards Dyrham. This area is rapidly becoming the 'Hoopoe Triangle' of S. Glos with three separate occurrences within a mile of one another! One in 1950 at Woodlands Farm, Doynton, one at Sands Farm, Dyrham in 2008 and now this latest sighting at Doynton.
April 20th A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Warth both this morning and this evening.
The first House Martins for the patch arrived today with two over West Littleton Road/ Northfield Lane. There was also Wheatear, Swallow, Goldfinch, Linnet, Skylark, Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer. On Rushmead Lane another couple of Wheatear were reported and a Common Whitethroat was singing from Rough Corner. In Doncombe Valley this years first Lesser Whitethroat was seen. (John Barnett)
April 19th An adult female Hen Harrier (the first of 2009 and S. Glos' twenty-first record) flew over Lagoon I at Oldbury Power Station around 16:20 and continued north-east and a Short-eared Owl was seen on driftwood at Aust Warth early this evening. The nineteenth S. Glos record of Osprey (and first this year) was seen drifting over Almondsbury.
April 18th At Shirehill, Marshfield a male Goshawk was seen well in trees and then in flight for five minutes. Also lots of Skylark, Yellowhammer and Linnet. A few Swallows, 6+ Buzzard displaying, 40+ Stock Dove near Rushmead Farm with 100+ Woodpigeon. A Golden Plover flew over Rushmead Lane on its own. Also Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing. Two Grey Partridge were also noted on Northfield Lane. (Pete Coslett)
Three dark morph Arctic Skua's were seen together off Severn Beach, an adult Little Gull flew high inland and a female Merlin was also present.
April 17th A Short-eared Owl was present at Aust Warth from 18:30 and the first Sandwich Terns and Sedge Warblers appeared on the coast in a steady passage of migrants.
April 16th Two singing Grasshopper Warblers were heard at Severn Beach this morning with clear signs of migration along the coast heading north-east.
The first Common Whitethroat of the year was noted at Castle Farm Copse, three Raven were seen near West Littleton and a record c.70 Stock Dove were present on Rushmead Farm. (John Barnett)
April 15th A second female Marsh Harrier was seen today at Severn Beach around 10:00, it then flew north-east towards New Passage. The first Pied Flycatcher (male) of 2009 was logged on Siston Common near the dog kennels at 13:30. Two Short-eared Owls were still present at Aust Warth this evening.
April 14th A male Wood Warbler was reported at New Passage early this morning. This occurrence represents the earliest record of Wood Warbler for S. Glos beating the previous record by four days.
April 13th A Short-eared Owl was present and on show for around ten minutes this morning at the Yacht Club near Oldbury Power Station. On Severnside a female Marsh Harrier, the first for S. Glos this year and just the twentieth ever record, flew low south over Northwick Warth, and a Grasshopper Warbler was also present there just two days later than the earliest record. Migrants at Severn Beach included 11 Redpolls several of which were probable Mealy Redpolls.
April 12th Coastal regions were the place to be today, Aust Warth produced a dark morph Arctic Skua which was 'picked up' coming from the Welsh sector and noted continuing north-east inland. Three Short-eared Owls were also seen at Aust Warth with a further individual over the shore at Severn Beach in the evening.
Also this evening S. Glos' 7th & 8th records of Spoonbill, two juveniles, were seen very briefly on the shore at Shepperdine. Click here for all Spoonbill records. Pete Hazelwood (pers. com.) Flying low up the middle of the river at 19:15 they started heading towards the near shore and landed at Shepperdine. Just had enough time to put up my telescope, attach the camera and take two photos (about 1 minute!) before they headed upriver again.
A male and female Wheatear were present at Rushmead Lane this evening. (Pete Taylor)
A fairly slow day on the patch with all of the usual suspects in evidence, plenty of Skylark, Yellowhammer and Linnet plus the odd Meadow Pipit. The highlight for the day was male Wheatear on north walls Rushmead Lane. 'Rough Ground' produced ten to twelve Corn Bunting but there was no sign of the over-wintering Brambling. Two Grey Partridge were also noted on Northfield Lane. (John Barnett)
April 11th This years first Tree Pipit was heard flying over Aust Warth Sheep Fields and two Short-eared Owls remained on Aust Warth from 17:15.
April 10th The first Reed Warbler, Whitethroat & Lesser Whitethroat of 2009 were noted at Oldbury Power Station today. These reports precede the previous earliest records by several days. On Severnside an adult female Merlin and at least two Short-eared Owls were seen again at Aust Warth.
April 9th A Water Pipit was present on the shore at Severn Beach this evening.
April 8th Two Tree Sparrows, the first for 2009, were noted at Oldbury Power Station today around Lagoon II, three Short-eared Owls were still present at Aust Warth this evening, but the highlight of the day goes to S. Glos' third and latest record of Pale-bellied Brent Goose, seen from the shore at Severn Beach. Click here for previous records. The previous earliest date for this 'brent goose form' was February 12th 1995 on Northwick Warth.
On the patch this evening; Swallow at Culverslade Chicken Farm, and gull counts included 30 Lesser black-backed Gulls, 20 Herring Gulls and 20 Common Gulls. (Rob Laughton) One Brambling still plus c. 100 Linnets and 20 Stock Dove. (John Barnett) and at least four Brambling are lingering at Rushmead Copse at Marshfield.
April 7th A male Redstart was watched on Westerleigh Common at lunchtime today and Little Ringed Plovers were noted at Severn Beach and OPS.
This morning a Yellow Wagtail was seen and heard flying high over Rushmead Lane and at least four Brambling remain at Rushmead Farm Copse.
April 6th A male Ring Ouzel was seen in trees on south side of Lagoon III at Oldbury Power Station this morning. Two Short-eared Owls and an immature Merlin were seen on Aust Warth this evening.
April 5th A male Merlin was seen in the New Passage area and three Short-eared Owls were noted on Aust Warth this afternoon.
Around 100 Golden Plover in summer dress were seen on Rushmead Farm and two Swallows from West Littleton Road. (John Barnett)
April 4thA very windy Marshfield this morning: On Rushmead Lane, Corn Bunting 3, Skylark 20, singles of Raven, Yellowhammer, Buzzard and Red-legged Partridge. West Littleton Road, lots of Chaffinch and Skylark plus three Meadow Pipit. Shirehill, Greenfinch (pair), Kestrel, Pied Wagtail 3, Chiffchaff, lots of Blue and Great Tits and six Mallard. (Don Smith, Mark Turnbull)
At Marshfield this afternoon: Two Pied Wagtails from West Littleton Road, 2 Grey Partridge along Northfield Lane along with lots of Linnets, eight Stock Dove with Woodpigeons also 5+ Red-legged Partridge there. Still a few Fieldfare from Rushmead Lane. Male Kestrel by Rushmead Farm, a few Corn Buntings at Rough Ground. 2 Sand Martins and 5 Swallows flew over Rushmead Lane. Lots of Skylarks singing and 20+ Yellowhammers seen also at least 5 Buzzards displaying. (Pete Coslett)
Two Willow Warblers were noted at Ringswell STW. Two Grey Partridge were also noted in Doncombe Valley. (John Barnett)
On Severnside, an immature Merlin was noted on Northwick Warth and three Short-eared Owls were seen from 18:30 on Aust Warth.
April 3rd A single Grey Partridge was seen in 'Bunting Fields' from West Littleton Road this afternoon and at least ten Brambling were feeding in trees at Rushmead Copse. On Severnside the first Redstart and Yellow Wagtail of 2009 put in a very welcome appearance.
April 1st At least one Hawfinch was still present at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green late on this afternoon and a male Merlin was noted at Aust Warth this evening.
Nothing foolish in spending the first morning of April around the patch! Still some Brambling at Rushmead Copse. On Northfield Lane, Meadow Pipits, 2 Grey Partridge, Pied Wagtails and Linnets. Plenty of Yellowhammers and Skylarks plus Greenfinch, Song & Mistle Thrush, Buzzard and Kestrel. (Don Smith)
MARCH
March 31st Two Short-eared Owls were seen over Aust Warth again today at 17:30 a Ring Ouzel was reported from the 'sheep fields' adjacent to Aust Warth at 1800.
Just one Wheatear remained along Northfield Lane this afternoon, a Raven was cruising Rushmead Lane and a number of Brambling were still present at Rushmead Copse.
March 30th A Short-eared Owl was on show again at Aust Warth from 18:30.
A strange mix of lingering winter birds and spring migrants on the patch today; Wheatear and White Wagtail had arrived overnight with at least five of each on Northfield Lane, a number of Brambling were still present at Rushmead Farm and a kettle of at least a dozen Buzzard were thermaling over Rushmead Lane. Along Broadmead Brook four Swallows were hawking over the fields and both Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers were heard.
March 29th This morning in the Ringswell area; Chiffchaff -10, Bullfinch (pair), Yellowhammer, Blackcap (female), Buzzards (pair) mating in the top of a tree, Long-tailed Tits nest building, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Fieldfare - 4, several Robin, Blackbirds and Magpies. Lots of corvids everywhere and plenty of Skylarks singing. (Mark Turnbull) A male Merlin was seen in trees near Rushmead Farm and a White Wagtail was logged on Northfield Lane. (Darren Pearce)
March 28th Between flurries of snow around thirty-five to forty Brambling continue to show in fields around Rushmead Farm and Copse at Marshfield and the two Short-eared Owls were again seen at Aust Warth from around 16:50.
March 27th Northwick Warth produced a Jack Snipe, a Barn Owl was noted early morning crossing the coast road at Severn Beach and late afternoon Aust Warth gave up two Short-eared Owls showing very well from 17:00.
Most of the activity was centred around Rushmead Lane with plenty of finches and buntings showing well. Thirty Corn Bunting around Rough Ground similar numbers of Chaffinch plus at least four Brambling lingering. Other sightings from around the patch were: Raven,100+ Yellowhammer altogether, Grey Partridge, 60 Golden Plover, 300 Linnet and c.50 Fieldfare. (John Barnett)
March 25th At least two Hawfinch were still present at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green mid-afternoon.
March 24th A male and female Mandarin were present on Heneage Court Pools near Falfield this afternoon along with four Greylag Geese. Seen by Dick Reader who notes that it's the first sighting from this site this year and coincidently the first S. Glos sighting this year.
March 23rd Yesterday's immature Merlin had relocated to New Passage.
March 22nd On Northwick Warth there was an immature Merlin and Jack Snipe.
A fairly quiet day today; Meadow Pipit -15 on Northfield Lane also 25 Fieldfare. Chiffchaff and Siskin at Ringswell with Tawny Owl calling in Cloud Wood. C.400 Common Gull were present on Down Road and two Raven were at Shirehill. Also seen there was Brown Hare. (John Barnett)
March 21st Two Merlin (adult male and immature) were seen again on Northwick Warth this morning and nearby a Brambling was located at Orchard Pools where there was another (female this time) Merlin. Four Greylag Geese were noted at Oldbury Power Station.
March 20th Still at least two Hawfinch in St Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green at lunchtime today. Two Merlin (male and female) in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area and on Severn Beach shore a Water Pipit.
March 19th The only notable scarcity in the region today was that of a male Merlin on Northwick Warth.
March 18th At St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green mid-afternoon, two Hawfinch were calling from Yews and at Willsbridge Mill this afternoon a Dipper was heard about 50 metres up from the Visitors Centre. On Severnside; A male Merlin, Jack Snipe and White Wagtail were all on Northwick Warth, a Water Pipit and at least one Scandinavian Rock Pipit were seen on the salt marsh at Severn Beach.
March 17th A Firecrest was seen again late morning in the lane leading to Orchard Pools.
A pair of Mallards on the pool at West Littleton with Coot and Moorhen. A flock of 15 Stock Doves in Rushmead Lane, several Corn buntings in bushes at Rough Ground and still at least one Brambling at Rushmead Farm. (Jan and Don Smith and Len Ingram)
March 16th Two Hawfinch were still present at Kingsgate Park, Yate this morning. Two Firecrest were reported again in the lane leading to Orchard Pools and two Short-eared Owls were seen over Aust Warth at 16:30.
One male Wheatear (1st summer) this morning along Rushmead Lane along with 50+ Fieldfare, 20 Corn Bunting, 30 Yellowhammer, 2 Greenfinch and 2 Buzzard. (Rob Laughton) A Merlin flew over West Littleton and Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Brimstone were on Rushmead Lane. (John Barnett)
March 15th An adult summer Mediterranean Gull was seen at New Passage and a Jack Snipe was reported from Orchard Pools.
On a wonderful spring morning around twenty Meadow Pipit were present at the southern end of Northfield Lane and c.75 Fieldfare were at the northern end. Still good numbers of finches present around Rushmead Farm all showing pretty well all in full song. Several Brambling were also at the farm including a near summer male. Two vocal Raven flew high south-east over Rushmead Lane where there were also a couple of Small Tortoiseshell.
This afternoon a Little Grebe was noted at Shire Hill, Little Owl on West Littleton Lane, Meadow Pipit c.20 on Northfield Lane plus Red Kite (the first for S. Glos this year), 30 Stock Dove at Rushmead Farm and c.200 Golden Plover over W Littleton. South of the village a Bullfinch was singing in Doncombe Valley plus Chiffchaff. (John Barnett)
March 14th S. Glos' earliest ever Little Ringed Plover was logged this morning at Oldbury Power Station at 09:55 before departing upriver at 10:05. On Severnside both Firecrest remained in the lane leading to Orchard Pools and the years first Sand Martins arrived. A female/ immature Merlin was seen early this morning on Northwick Warth a Water Pipit was noted on the shore at Severn Beach and two Short-eared Owls showed over the salt marsh at Aust Warth from 17:50.
Northfield Lane: Greenfinch, two Meadow Pipit and four Pied Wagtail. Rushmead Lane at the flash end: 250 Fieldfare and Grey Partridge. Rushmead Farm: 500 Linnet, 40 Corn Bunting, 250 Chaffinch, 25+ Brambling and lots of Yellowhammer everywhere, Skylark singing in large numbers. Down Track area: Merlin, male Wheatear and two Stock Dove. South of the village at the Sewage works: two Chiffchaff with one in song and three Siskin on garden feeders. Blackcap in sub-song in the village. (John Barnett)
March 13th At least three Hawfinch were seen in St. Anne's Churchyard at Longwell Green this afternoon. On Severnside; Three Firecrest (and S. Glos' highest count) were showing very well in the lane leading to the Orchard Pools from 14:00 - 14:20 and at least four Jack Snipe were also present around the pools. Both male and female Merlin were present at New Passage and three more Jack Snipe were on Northwick Warth.
Brambling were still present in the Rushmead Farm area at Marshfield. Also; Two Raven and two Red-legged Partridge were seen from West Littleton Road, five Stock Dove were in stubble fields south of Rushmead Cottages and a single Brambling was noted with Chaffinch south of Rushmead Farm. (Don Smith)
Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Robin, Blackbird and Yellowhammer in the conifers at the Cemetery. Big flocks of Linnets, Corn Bunting around Rushmead Farm and about 20 House Sparrows by the entrance to Rushmead Lane. 200+ Fieldfares and good numbers of Starling, Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer around the Northfield Lane area and a very vocal Raven flying over. Plenty of Pied Wagtails and Chaffinch by the West Littleton Road stirred up by a male Sparrowhawk. (Mark Turnbull)
March 12th Two Firecrest were at Orchard Pools at midday around brambles just inside entrance to pools on the left hand side with two Jack Snipe on second pool.
March 11th Four Hawfinch were present at Kingsgate Park, Yate at lunchtime. Hawfinch were also showing very well mid-afternoon at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green with five birds at the church entrance and a further three heard near the car park. At Orchard Pools two Firecrest were still present along with Jack Snipe and on Northwick Warth a couple more Jack Snipe were logged.
March 10th A Firecrest showed very well on occasions in the lane leading to Orchard Pools near Severn Beach late on this morning.
March 9th Both Firecrest and two Jack Snipe continue to show around Orchard Pools at Severn Beach.
March 8th A Firecrest was still present in bushes opposite the gates on the lane to Orchard Pools at 08:00 this morning plus two Jack Snipe and Woodcock. At least two Hawfinches were lingering in Kingsgate Park, Yate also this morning and a partial summer adult Mediterranean Gull was seen from Severn Beach Shore this afternoon.
March 7th Two Firecrest were present along Ableton Lane before the entrance to Orchard Pools at around 09:30 but they were generally difficult to 'pin down' and two Jack Snipe were flushed from around the pools. Several (possibly six) Hawfinch were heard calling with snatches of song at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green this afternoon.
Plenty of Skylarks up and singing in the sunshine. On 'Rough Ground', a few Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers, Chaffinch and Goldfinch plus large numbers of Linnets, some bathing in the flash. On Northfield Lane a single Fieldfare and Grey Partridge flushed (only 3 metres ahead) from the grass of the walled section. (Don Smith)
700+ Linnet at Rushmead Farm along with a few Brambling in a smaller Chaffinch flock. Also a few Fieldfare on Rushmead Lane and lots of Gulls including Lesser Black-backed Gull the first I've seen there this year. (John Barnett)
March 6th At least two Hawfinch were present at Kingsgate Park, Yate at lunchtime and at Least one Firecrest was still showing at Orchard Pools at 15:00.
At West Littleton both Coot and Moorhen were on West Littleton Pond. No Little Owl in the tree near Broadmead Brook! Sparrowhawk high over Rushmead Lane, Corn Buntings on 'Rough Ground' and wires east of Rushmead Copse. Red-legged Partridge off Tormarton Road. (Don Smith & Co.)
March 5th At least two Firecrest were present near Orchard Pools at 15:30. They were in the large Leylandii on the left hand side of Ableton Lane before the entrance to the pools. Two Jack Snipe were seen in the New Passage area.
March 4th At Northwick Warth there were two Jack Snipe, at Orchard Pools there were two more Jack Snipe, a Water Pipit was seen at Severn Beach and a female type Black Redstart was reported on Aust Warth at 14:00. At least five Brambling including a breeding plumage male at Rushmead Farm. Two Dippers were showing well from the Queens Head Pub car park Willsbridge.
On a cold but sunny day one Little Owl was in the tree from West Littleton Road near Castle Farm Copse. At least five Brambling including a breeding plumage male were with the Chaffinch/ Yellowhammer flock feeding in the farm yard between the barn and Rushmead Farmhouse. Several Corn Bunting were in the bushes on 'Rough Corner' and very vocal. About 100 Linnets also in Poplars and mobile. Still a Magic place despite the cold wind. (Len Ingram)
March 3rd Two White-fronted Geese flew north over Aust Warth at 09:55 and two Jack Snipe were still present on Northwick Warth. Several Brambling were still present at Rushmead Farm, Marshfield.
March 2nd At Severn Beach a near adult Mediterranean Gull and an adult Yellow Legged Gull (the first of the year) were both present today and at least one Firecrest remained at Orchard Pools. Three Jack Snipe were flushed from Northwick Warth.
Not many birds singing this afternoon! From Tormarton Road, large flock of gulls (Common, Lesser Black and Black-headed) east, some Stock Doves in the next field. Small group of Skylark moving off south west, leaving one still singing opposite the Chicken Farm. In trees and ploughed field south of Rushmead Copse, Chaffinches, several Brambling, Starlings and one Yellowhammer. A few Corn Bunting on 'Rough Corner'. Some Red-legged Partridge north of Rushmead Lane towards Newhouse Farm. A large flock of Pied Wagtail with at least one 'alba' between West Littleton Road and the A420, opposite Northfield Lane. (Don Smith)
March 1st A male Merlin was seen at Northwick Warth early this morning. A colour ringed adult Mediterranean Gull was present on Lagoon III at Oldbury Power Station this morning.
A Pair of Stonechat kicked off March on the 'patch' at West Littleton Lane followed by ten Fieldfare from Northfield Lane. On Rushmead Farm at least twenty Brambling were showing well in a mixed flock of around two hundred finches. On 'Rough Corner' a number of Corn Bunting were evident (10) along with a couple of House Sparrow. Additionally in the Rushmead Lane area; 8 Buzzards, Peregrine, 200+ Starlings, 2 Red-legged Partridge and hundreds of gulls all over the freshly ploughed fields. (Mark Turnbull)
FEBRUARY
February 28th Two Firecrest were relocated in the hedge on the approach road to Orchard Pools and on Northwick Warth there were seven Jack Snipe.
A good morning with lots of singing Skylarks, Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting. Grey Partridge and Stonechat off Northfield Lane, 80 Golden Plover over Rushmead Farm. A large flock of very vocal Chaffinch in the trees by the pond at Rushmead Copse with at least 15 Brambling and 600+ Linnet nearby. South of the village three Marsh Tit were in Doncombe Valley. (John Barnett)
February 27th Four Hawfinch were still present at St Anne's Churchyard at midday and a Dipper on the Siston Brook near the Queens Head Pub car park in Willsbridge. On Severnside, nine Jack Snipe were seen on the marshland next to Grebe Pond, Northwick Warth and another was noted on Severn Beach shore.
At Northfield Lane this morning and despite a cold breeze, plenty of birds around. In fields to east, 40 Fieldfare, 20 Skylark, 30 Starlings, 10 Redwing, 20 Yellowhammer plus several Pied Wagtails and Chaffinch. To the west, a pair of Stonechats and two Grey Partridge keeping low by the hedge row again. Also seen, Buzzard, Kestrel and an enormous flock of Common Gulls behind Rushmead Farm. (Don & Jan Smith) South of the village in the Ringswell area there were 30+ Redwings, several Brambling among the hundreds of Chaffinch, plenty of Robins and Blackbirds. Further down in the valley were Buzzard, female Sparrowhawk and Merlin. (Mark Turnbull)
February 26th Three Hawfinch were present at lunchtime at Kingsgate Park, Yate this morning (ST: 716 819).
At Marshfield this afternoon; there was a Brambling at Rushmead Farm, two Stonechat (pair) on Northfield Lane plus 80+ Fieldfare, 2 Corn Bunting, 30+ Chaffinch, 50+ Red-legged Partridge and 20+ Yellowhammer. (Robbie Laughton)
February 25th A single Hawfinch was still lingering at Kingsgate Park, Yate this morning (ST: 716 819) and at least six Hawfinch were present at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green this afternoon.
February 24th A male Merlin was seen at Northwick Warth and a Firecrest remained at Orchard Pools.
February 23rd Still at least six Hawfinch present at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green this morning and the male Merlin was again on show at Aust Warth this afternoon.
February 22nd Two Mediterranean Gulls were present roosting on Lagoon III at Oldbury Power Station. On Northwick Warth this morning a male Merlin was on show again, a Greylag Goose flew north and a Woodcock was flushed at Severn Beach.
A dip into the Marshfield 'goody bag' this morning produced two Grey Partridge on Northfield Lane along with male Merlin, twenty Stock Dove and Raven. At Rushmead Farm there were at least four Brambling, three hundred Linnet, thirty Corn Bunting, nine more Raven and around two thousand Common Gull.
February 21st A male Merlin was seen early this morning on Northwick Warth along with two Jack Snipe. Just a little way down the coast at least one Firecrest was seen in brambles at Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
February 20th In St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green this morning (09:45), eleven Hawfinch flew into the large Yew tree closest to the church in groups of seven, one and three. This represents the second highest count of Hawfinch in S. Glos! Another two Hawfinch were present at Kingsgate Park, Yate also this morning. (ST: 716 819)
February 19th A male Hawfinch was seen in trees at the bottom corner of Manorbrook School Field and Streamside Walk, Thornbury again this morning (ST: 643 910) and at Yate at least two Hawfinch were seen at Kingsgate Park. (ST: 716 819)
February 18th At Yate at least one Hawfinch were still present at Kingsgate Park, Yate. (ST: 716 819) and on Severnside a male Merlin was seen again early morning on Northwick Warth.
February 17th A male Hawfinch was seen in trees at the bottom corner of Manorbrook School Field and Streamside Walk, Thornbury this morning (ST: 643 910), and five more were noted at Lunchtime at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green peaking at seven from 14:30 onwards.
February 16th A male Merlin was seen at Northwick Warth this morning, seven Hawfinch were still present at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green.
Nice to be back to birding in the sunshine! Very similar sightings to yesterdays report. From Northfield Lane, the Black Redstart was located on and around the semi-circular corrugated building just south of the Industrial Estate. In company with a Pied Wagtail and sharing the adjoining tree with some Yellowhammers, it remained for about an hour, disappearing after a Magpie arrived. (It is closer to view this site from Tormarton Road, by the locked gate of the track.) Also from Northfield Lane, 12 Red-legged Partridge, a good number of Skylark and Raven. From Tormarton Road, 25 Common Gulls and one Lesser Black-backed Gull, large flock of Linnets in and around the road. At Rushmead 'Rough Ground' several Corn Buntings and Yellowhammers. Large flock of Fieldfare in stubble field north of Rushmead Lane. Large flock of Redwing in trees by the brook on West Littleton Road. Just past the brook In the old tree west of West Littleton Road there were 2 Little Owls. (Don Smith)
February 15th Six Hawfinch were still present at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green at 11:00.
At Marshfield this afternoon. 30 Common Gull in fields to the east of Tormarton Road. Also 2 Buzzards by the allotments. Large finch flock by Rushmead Farm 500+ birds, Chaffinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer and at least 15 Brambling, up to 10 Corn Buntings by Rushmead Farm and 2 Pied Wagtails there. Walking back along Northfield Lane I could see a bird on a post at the back of the Culverslade Industrial Estate. I put my scope up and found it was a Black Redstart [female/1st winter] watched it for 45 minutes before a Blackbird chased it out of sight over wall into the estate. Also seen Wren, Dunnock, Robin, 2 Mistle Thrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, 3 Meadow Pipits at least 30 Skylark along Northfield Lane, 2 Stock Dove, 20 Red-legged Partridge,150 Starling and a large flock of corvids along West Littleton Road. (Pete Coslett)
February 14th Starting on Severnside; A male Merlin was seen on Northwick Warth, seven Jack Snipe were logged around Grebe Pond and two Short-eared Owls were performing over the salt marsh on Aust Warth. At Longwell Green at least one Hawfinch was showing at around 08:30 with two more seen around lunchtime. At Yate three or four Hawfinch were still present at Kingsgate Park, Yate. (ST: 716 819)
February 13th Just one Hawfinch still present at Kingsgate Park, Yate this lunchtime. (ST: 716 819) At least one Short-eared Owl and a male Merlin were seen at Aust Warth.
At Marshfield today; From Northfield Lane, Grey Partridge, Red-legged Partridge 5, Linnet 800+, Skylark 2, Chaffinch 50+, Buzzard 2, plus Song Thrush. Also a possible Dartford Warbler seen very briefly in silhouette - right size, right shape, right habits and well worth a look for anyone who's up there over the weekend! (Rob Laughton)
February 12th On Severnside this morning there were three Short-eared Owls on Aust Warth, female Merlin at New Passage and at least five Jack Snipe on Northwick Warth. One Hawfinch found this morning at Kingsgate Park at Yate had increased to four at lunchtime thanks to Darren Pearce who regularly covers this neck of the woods. (ST: 716 819) No news either way on the Hawfinch at Longwell Green!
February 11th At least six Hawfinch were available from 08:45 at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green and then on and off all day. Three Short-eared Owls were showing well over the salt marsh at Aust Warth this afternoon.
February 10th Three Hawfinch were showing at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green this afternoon. Three Short-eared Owls were present over the salt marsh at Aust Warth at 16:35.
Had a quick flit around the patch today. 40+ Red-legged Partridges along the roads, at least six Brambling with c.150 Chaffinch, Meadow Pipit, two Yellowhammer and Pied Wagtail at Rushmead Farm. Goldcrest, Blue, Great, Marsh and Coal Tits on the feeders at Ringswell and a Grey Wagtail at the Water Treatment Plant (posh name for Sewage Works!!) Sparrowhawk flew over the path on the way back to the Village. (Len Ingram & Don Smith)
February 9th At least seven Hawfinch were showing at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green this lunchtime.
February 7th Two Jack Snipe were seen today on Severnside, one at Northwick Warth the other at Orchard Pools.
The snow along Northfield Lane was fairly deep in places making it almost impassable... almost! At Culverslade Dump Clump there was a mixed flock of around 50 finches including Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch and Brambling. At the east end of Rushmead Lane four Common Snipe circled the 'Flash' and on Rushmead Farm at least ten Brambling were feeding with the pigs and another 150 mixed finches. Fifteen Lapwing flew west over fields north of Rushmead Lane but there was no sign of the recent Skylark flock! On the south side of the village two Siskin on feeders at the bottom of Ringswell Lane.
February 6th Four Goosander (all redheads) flew upriver at 15:30 at Oldbury Power Station.
A bit of a clear out today with no sign of the Skylark flock nor Merlin, in fact not many finches or buntings either, mainly Rooks and Jackdaws, maybe it's all too cold for them! Two Blackcap in the garden though. (John Barnett)
February 5th A Black Redstart was seen briefly at Severn Beach on Shaft Beach, 100 metres below the Second Severn Crossing also Merlin and Jack Snipe was noted on Northwick Warth. At least five still present at 15:00 at St. Anne's Churchyard. Also a pair of Goosander on R. Avon 300metres up river from the Chequers Pub in Hanham.
A female Merlin was again around the Rushmead Lane area plus Skylark 1000+ again, male Reed Bunting, 30 Chaffinch, 2 Buzzard and 30+ Yellowhammer. (Rob Laughton)
February 4th Three Hawfinch were still present and showing well around 09:30 at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green this morning.
At Marshfield today: Very cold with a least 3 inches of snow lying on the ground and a massive flock of Skylark present the biggest I've ever seen there. 1000 + Skylark in a snowy field near Culverslade plus 38 Lapwing. A female Merlin on a kill (Skylark) near Culverslade Farm, 10+ Brambling Rushmead Farm. Also plenty of Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting & Chaffinch in the area. (Rob Laughton)
February 3rd At least three Hawfinch were watched at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green this morning. On Severnside a Jack Snipe was flushed from Northwick Warth and two White-fronted Geese flew north past Aust Warth.
Still pretty frozen on the patch but plenty to see. c.160 Skylark on Northfield Lane, Brambling with Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail at Culverslade Dump Clump. Another Brambling at Rushmead Farm and a finch flock close to a thousand birds which included c.50 Corn Bunting and four to five hundred of both Chaffinch and Linnet. On Rushmead Lane there were half a dozen Red-legged Partridge and eight Stock Dove.
February 2nd Still at least three Hawfinch present at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green this morning.
A female Merlin was seen over Rushmead Lane plus 150+ Skylark. A Snipe on West Littleton Pond. 20 Fieldfare, 20 Chaffinch, 10 Yellowhammer and 20 Corn Bunting were seen around the patch. (Rob Laughton)
February 1st At least five Hawfinch were present at St. Anne's Churchyard, Longwell Green with one wandering as far as Willsbridge Mill car park on Longbeach Road. A Water Pipit was seen again at Severn Beach. A Barn Owl was seen well at 23:45 along the Avon Ring Road between the Longwell Green & Warmley roundabouts.
Plus 2°C felt more like -5°C this afternoon on the patch! Still there was plenty to see including; around ten Brambling at Rushmead Farm mixing with Yellowhammer, Chaffinch and Linnet as well as ten or so Corn Bunting. Off Orchid Lane; ten Lapwing a dozen Pied Wagtail, several Red-legged Partridge, Stock Dove and a couple of Raven. Near Rushmead Cottages a small flock of mostly Chaffinch were feeding on the footpath and a Green Woodpecker was calling near Broadmead Brook. From West Littleton Road there was a sizable mixed flock of Chaffinch, Yellowhammer and Skylark and on Northfield Lane half a dozen Meadow Pipits.
JANUARY
January 31st Starting on Severnside where the highest count of Brent Geese (115) were recorded today at Severn Beach along with an adult Mediterranean Gull and Water Pipit. On Northwick Warth a flock of four Jack Snipe were noted at Grebe Pond. In Longwell Green at least nine Hawfinch were showing well on occasion at St. Anne's Churchyard off California Road. At Willsbridge at least one Dipper was seen near the Queens Head on Siston Brook.
On Saturday morning there were three Grey Partridge on the Down Track public footpath near Down Road also Merlin there. PLEASE KEEP TO THE PUBLIC FOOTPATH!! A few Brambling at Rushmead Farm and Raven on Northfield Lane. (John Barnett)
January 30th At 10:00 this morning the Hawfinch flock at St Anne's Churchyard off California Road in Longwell Green had risen to five birds and by 14:30 peaked at nine! This figure represents the second highest count for S. Glos so far only bested by twelve individuals seen on February 7th 2006 at Brimsham Park in Yate. A Firecrest was still present at Orchard Pools near Severn Beach.
January 29th Following one Hawfinch at St Anne's Churchyard off California Road in Longwell Green at 14:30 a second bird joined the first at 14:50 before both flew off. Shortly afterwards three were noted in flight in the same area.
January 28th A Hawfinch was seen near St Anne's Churchyard off California Road in Longwell Green this afternoon.
January 27th A Firecrest was still present at 13:30 this afternoon at Orchard Pools near Severn Beach along the cycle track signposted to Gloucester.
January 26th One of the two Firecrest was still on show at Orchard Pools near Severn Beach this morning and three Jack Snipe were seen on Northwick Warth.
A Tawny Owl was calling at 07:00 in the churchyard at Marshfield. In the Shire Valley at Broadmead Brook a Dipper put in an appearance as did Marsh Tit, and on Rushmead Lane a flock of nine Stock Dove. ( John Barnett)
January 25th Two Firecrest were present at Orchard Pools near Severn Beach this morning and a Jack Snipe was flushed from Aust Warth. At Bodkin Hazel Wood just south of Petty France five Hawfinch flew into the top of trees for a minute before flying off over the road towards Badminton. They flew in from the Hawkesbury Upton direction.
At least three Brambling were mixing with a flock of c.200 Chaffinch on West Littleton Road near the A420, twenty Red-legged Partridge were flushed from Culverslade Dump Clump, c.50 Corn Bunting were on 'Rough Ground' on the north east corner of Rushmead Lane and a further three Brambling were with c.100 Chaffinch at Rushmead Farm.
January 24th A Short-eared Owl was seen on the salt marsh south of Severn Beach this afternoon.
January 23rd A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Warth.
A good walk this morning; Reed Bunting in Doncombe Valley, Snipe at Garston Farm, Peregrine over Down Road with a Grey Partridge nearby. Usual numbers of finches and buntings around the patch including a few Brambling at Rushmead Farm. (John Barnett & Jack Willmott)
January 22nd A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Warth from 13:20.
Today on Rushmead Lane there were large numbers of Yellowhammer, Skylark, Stock Dove, 4 Red-legged Partridge and Fieldfare. On the brambles opposite Rushmead Farm was a flock of Corn Buntings. (Gareth Rees)
January 21st A Goshawk was disturbed this morning in Cloud Wood at the east end of Doncombe Valley south of Marshfield. It called several times as it flew off. This occurrence represents just the eleventh record for S. Glos. It also equals the earliest date with one occurring on the same day in 2005 also in the Marshfield area. Additionally there are still plenty of Brambling scattered around the area.
January 20th Just one Short-eared Owl was on show over the salt marsh at Aust Warth from 14:00.
January 19th A Woodcock was seen at Orchard Pools, Severn Beach and a Short-eared Owl was at Aust Warth from 14.40.
January 18th On Severnside a Mealy Redpoll was present at Orchard Pools. This occurrence represents just the fourth record for S. Glos the previous three were all in 2004 at Thornbury and Severn Beach. An adult Mediterranean Gull was in flooded fields at Southworthy Farm near New Passage and a Short-eared Owl was on show over the salt marsh at Aust Warth from 15:15.
Eight Lapwing were roosting in ploughed fields off West Littleton Road and a Snipe was flushed from Northfield Lane. A conservative estimate of 3000 finches were present in the area including around ten Brambling at Rushmead Farm along with Linnet, Yellowhammer, Corn and Reed Bunting and Chaffinch. Good numbers of Fieldfare were scattered around the various fields and five Raven flew over 'Red Girder' Barn near Rushmead Cottages. South of the village on Ringswell Common in the Doncombe Valley a probable Hawfinch flew east and a Barn Owl was quartering the fields along Doncombe Brook.
January 17th A female Merlin was flushed from its roost in long grass around Lagoon II at Oldbury Power Station. Two Brambling in a garden at Frampton Cotterell. A Jack Snipe was reported from Northwick Warth and two Short-eared Owls from Aust Warth from 13:30.
January 16th Just one Short-eared Owl was seen this afternoon over the salt marsh at Aust Warth at around 14:30.
Around Marshfield this morning: From West Littleton Road, three Redwing, large mixed flock of Chaffinch/ Goldfinch/ Yellowhammer all feeding on the ground and 25 Skylark in the fields opposite Marshfield Primary School. At Shirehill, 400+ Wood Pigeons, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, 7 Ravens, 3 Buzzards, lots of Blue Tits and some Pheasants flying away from a shoot. (Mark Turnbull)
January 15th A Hawfinch was present this morning on Ringswell Common in the Doncombe Valley south of Marshfield by the footpath near the brook and a Merlin was on Rushmead Lane.
January 14th Up to 25 Brambling were seen at Rushmead Farm near Marshfield this morning. A Jack Snipe was seen around the small pond on Westerleigh Common at lunch time. A male Merlin was present at New Passage and two Short-eared Owls were showing at Aust Warth.
January 13th An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen at New Passage late morning and two Short-eared Owls were forced from the roost by an exceptionally high tide.
January 12th Two Short-eared Owls were seen over the salt marsh at Aust Warth from 15:00 and a male Merlin was also present.
January 11th A Firecrest was on show at the north-west end of Orchard Pools near Severn Beach at 14:15 and a Merlin was seen on Aust Warth.
At least one Brambling still present at Rushmead Farm, several hundred Skylark from Rushmead Lane along with six Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, good numbers of Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush, 12 Golden Plover, Merlin, 15 Stock Dove, Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting, Linnet and Chaffinch and around 25 Red-legged Partridge. Four Lapwing over West Littleton Road plus a couple of Redwing and more 'corvids' than you can shake a stick at. Quite a few Song Thrushes in the hedgerows. Little Owl on West Littleton Lane, 4 Snipe at Shirehill another on West Littleton Pool plus 3 Moorhen. A Tawny Owl in Cloud Wood at the east end of Ringswell Common. (John Barnett)
January 10th A Water Pipit was seen on the salt marsh south of Severn Beach plus Merlin. A Firecrest was seen around Orchard Pools another Merlin was present at Aust Warth and two Short-eared Owls were there at 16:00.
January 9th A Short-eared Owl was seen over the salt marsh at Aust Warth at 16:00.
January 8th The male Merlin was noted off New Passage.
At least four Brambling were present between Rushmead Barn and Rushmead Cottages. A Little Owl was at Rushmead Cottages plus six Lapwing over Tormarton Road with ten Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, 30 Chaffinch and two Raven. (Rob Laughton)
January 7th A Hawfinch was seen at 15:20 near Hawkesbury Upton in trees on west side of Cotswold Way track around ST: 773 871. A Woodcock was seen at Orchard Pools near Severn Beach.
January 6th The male Merlin was still on Aust Warth.
A Peregrine was seen from Rushmead Lane on bush near MotoX course also Brambling, Chaffinch and Meadow Pipit at Rushmead Farm. On the south side of the village on Ringswell Common, Grey Wagtail, Goldcrest, Pied Wagtail and Wren at Sewage Works plus several Bullfinch and Marsh Tit. (Len Ingram & Don Smith) This afternoon on Rushmead Lane there were 23 Red-legged Partridge, 200+ Starlings a big mixed finch flock and a few Fieldfares. Temperature -2°C, felt like -10°C!! (Mark Turnbull)
January 5th A male Merlin on Aust Warth.
Two to add for this morning in Doncombe Valley; Snipe and Grey Heron. Brambling at Ringswell, and by the half built barn on Rushmead Lane there were at least 10. They're everywhere! (John Barnett)
January 4th A male Merlin and Jack Snipe were seen at Northwick Warth this morning and a Short-eared Owl showed over the salt marsh at Aust Warth from 15.30. Away from the Marshfield stronghold two Grey Partridge were present at Frampton End Road, Frampton Cotterell.
January 3rd An Avocet was seen roosting with waders on Aust Warth and then active at Northwick Warth and New Passage, also from Aust Warth there were two Short-eared Owls and a male Merlin this afternoon.
On a bright, clear sunny afternoon the temperature soared to a balmy 0°C. Still plenty of finches including Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Linnet & Brambling along Rushmead Lane and Farm. Large numbers of Jackdaw probably close to three hundred east of Tormarton Road. Several Stonechats on Northfield Lane with good numbers of Skylark. Several more Brambling were still frequenting trees along the footpath at the east end of Withymead Playing Fields. (Don & Jan Smith) A two hour walk this morning produced 40 species the highlights being; 43 Golden Plover in the field behind Marshfield Cemetery,15 Brambling behind Marshfield Primary School. Two Nuthatch, Treecreeper and two Stonechat on Ringswell Common. (Mark Turnbull)
January 2nd An adult winter Mediterranean Gull was seen at New Passage and at Aust Warth, Merlin, two Short-eared Owls continued to show over the salt marsh. Three Goosander (2 drakes, 1 redhead) also flew past there. An Avocet was reported near the Yacht Club at Oldbury Power Station.
January 1st On Severnside; Two Water Pipits were seen at Severn Beach, an adult Mediterranean Gull was photographed at New Passage, a Woodcock was flushed from a garden at New Passage, an Avocet was noted in flight down river off Northwick Warth where there was also a Jack Snipe. And at least two Short-eared Owls were seen at Aust Warth this afternoon. In a repeat of early 2008 a Long-eared Owl was seen at dusk briefly on a line of fence posts before heading inland.
Several hardy souls braved the arctic tundra otherwise known as 'The Marshfield Heights' today! And with some success. Three Brambling were with a mixed finch flock in the pig pens at Rushmead Farm where there was also a flock of over 200 Skylark. Good numbers of Lapwing and Golden Plover, Corn Bunting and Linnet. 150 Yellowhammer were near Rushmead Cottages. Another half a dozen Brambling were in trees along the footpath at the east end of Withymead Playing Fields. (John Barnett) Wearing it's winter coat for the new year, the patch was cold but picturesque. The car once again, proved a good hide! With 27 species seen in a quick visit, there were plenty of birds around. From A420 two Song Thrush & two Red-legged Partridge. From Tormarton Road a vocal Raven, 40 Fieldfare and the Rushmead flock of Chaffinches. From Rushmead Lane a large flock of Yellowhammers, Skylarks, Chaffinch, Corn Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Starlings, two Stock Dove and Woodpigeons in bushes and ground feeding, on the slope above Rushmead Cottages. From West Littleton Road, Little Owl (inside old tree), five Mistle Thrushes and a flock of Redwings. (Don & Jan Smith)
There were 4 or 5 Brambling at Rushmead Farm including two males. There were also 14 Golden Plover with a small group of Lapwing which flew off when a Merlin flew north over the east end of Rushmead Lane. West of Rushmead Barn there were in excess of 35 Yellowhammer and several large groups of Skylark that I would estimate were easily in excess of 400 birds. (Richard Headford) |
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