S. GLOSS NEWS - 2008

As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees

MAY:

16th:

A Red Kite was reported from Warmley this afternoon cruising over Cock Road Open Space running parallel with the Ring Road.

12th:

A female Montagu's Harrier (the 6th and earliest S. G. Record) was seen in flight just north of Tormarton at around 11:00. It was watched in a tree, then in flight heading south towards Marshfield before returning north to be watched north of the B4040 near Lyegrove House, east of the A46.

11th:

Two Greenland Wheatears were present at Littleton-on-Severn and the 1st summer Mediterranean Gull returned to Severn Beach this morning.

Greenland Wheatear at Littleton-on-Severn. May 2008. © RS Roy.

10th:

The 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull was again at Severn Beach today.

9th:

A drake Mandarin was present on Kingsgate Pond at Yate this morning.

7th

A male Hen Harrier (and 17th S.G. record) was seen at 09:05 flying upriver at Severn Beach.

Hen Harrier at Severn Beach. May 2008. © Paul Bowerman.

6th:

Two Mediterranean Gulls, single 1st and 2nd summer birds were present at Severn Beach.

4th:

At Oldbury Power Station a Red Kite flew in off the estuary at the yacht club at about 16:00 then drifted east over pylons being mobbed by corvids. And remarkably whilst searching for the kite a presumed Common Crane (S. Gloss' eight record) was seen flying north-east before being lost to view just seconds later. Also on Severnside a Wood Warbler was reported from Aust Warth.

3rd:

A female Marsh Harrier was seen in flight over Lagoon II at OPS around 08:05 this morning and was noted heading upriver. The Short-eared Owl was still at the yacht club.

2nd:

A Short-eared Owl was reported at Oldbury Power Station again near the yacht club.

There have been eleven first for S. Gloss in May; Northern Willow Warbler in 1913 near Thornbury,  Kentish Plover in 1947 at Severn Beach, White Stork in 1971 at Hallen, Franklin's Gull in 1984 at Severn Beach, Roseate Tern in 1990 at New Passage, White-winged Black Tern in 1990 at Aust, Black-throated Diver in 1991 at New Passage, Icterine Warble in 1992 at Brentry, Red-spotted Bluethroat in 1998 at Marshfield, Subalpine Warbler in 2004 at Severn Beach and European Bee-eater in 2007 at Severn Beach.

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