THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
SPOONBILL – Platalea leucorodia
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
Spoonbill is a regular spring and summer visitor in small numbers to the UK. Most records are from coastal East Anglia, with an exceptional 19 together at Minsmere in July 1996. Long-staying individuals could be found in winter in Poole Harbour, Taw Estuary in Devon and on the River Lynher in Cornwall. Viewable colonies can be seen on Texel (Holland), the Hortobagy-Halasto fishponds (Hungary) and Lake Manyas (Turkey) but feeding birds can be seen in small numbers at many other wetlands, mostly in southern or eastern Europe. The European population is estimated at between 2600 - 3200 pairs.
There have been five Spoonbill reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;
1998: (3)
Two 1st summer birds were watched on April 18th at Severn Beach, they were present from 13:00 to 15:00 when they were flushed and flew off to the north-east. this occurrence constitutes the first record of this species for S. Gloucestershire; A 1st summer was found on May 2nd, it was seen to fly over Northwick Warth and then disappeared inland.
2004: (1)
An adult was seen briefly on February 15th at Northwick Warth.
Spoonbill at Northwick Warth. February 2004. © Paul Bowerman.
2006: (1)
An adult was tracked down the coast on April 23rd. It was seen briefly at Oldbury Power Station then flew down river at 16:25. It was subsequently seen at Littleton Warth, Northwick Warth and finally over Severn Beach late in the afternoon.