Sightings 21/2/11

Please note that Western Power Distribution are carrying out essential maintenance work near the Portbury Wharf pools for the next 2 weeks. There is still access down to the seawall and hides but inevitably there will be some disturbance.


A couple of unusual Gulls into our area today, a Glaucous Gull at Slimbridge and a Kumlien's Gull at Chew.

Mediterranean Gulls also seem to be on the up, we have had about 7 birds in the last few days, not counting anything from Chew.

BRISTOL:
Sea Mills: an adult Mediterranean Gull seen this morning at the harbour area, summer hood beginning to form (J Martin)

SLIMBRIDGE WWT:
An immature Glaucous Gull seen on site this morning before flying off north (per slimbridgebirds).


SEVERNSIDE:
Aust Warth:

21.2.11 Stonechat

21.2.11 Kestrel

21.2.11 1 of 2 Merlin present this morning
all photos © Allan Chard, many thanks

Unfortunately, there were no reports of any Owls despite the full tide.

New Passage: a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull present (per severnsidebirds).

PORTBURY DOCK/PORTBURY WHARF:

Shoreline only: 9 Canada Goose, 42 Shelduck, 67 Wigeon, 163 Teal, 26 Mallard, 66 Curlew, 176 Redshank, 33 Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser black-backed Gull, 22 Herring Gull and 10 large Gulls (S Hale).

PORTISHEAD:

21.2.11 Turnstone on the beach

21.2.11 1 of 5 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks 

CHEW VALLEY LAKE:

A Kumlien's Gull found at at Stratford Bay 2pm and present until 5pm at least when it went off to roost (AHD per BWG). Only about 6 previous records of this offshoot of Iceland Gull.


Leigh Woods 20/2/11:

Treecreeper © John Sparks, many thanks

A very confiding bird into the garden, John was able to photograph the bird down to 3ft. 

Health & Safety: Older club members who may suffer from neck-ache or any other associated illness may wish to open up this photo in Microsoft Picture Manager and rotate it through 90° to the right in order to avoid any spinal discomfort.


Further to our Goa/Indian sub-continent birding theme, members may care to check out John's website and  account of his recent trip to India in December 2010 at: www.johnsparks.org.


Claverton Down 19/2/11:
2 Stonechat present (D French).

Slimbridge WWT 17/2/11:

Jackdaw

Wren
photos © Geoff Harris, many thanks

We thought we'd post a couple of very common species which always seem to appear in our monthly Bird News as 'unsung heroes' or 'also recorded'. 

So, Jack and Jenny....enjoy your time in the sun!