Sightings 28/2/11

February summary: A quiet month with diminishing numbers of the wintering birds and only a few new species arrivals.

Wildfowl:   mostly unremarkable except for up to 4 long-staying Scaup and CVL and BL.
Herons:      Bittern at Portbury Wharf and Severn Beach were unusual.
Raptors:     Single Red Kites reported 16th-28th at Portbury, ASW, Clifton, Patchway & Bath.
Waders:     An influx of Avocet, max.12 at Clevedon on 26th, 2 at Portbury Wharf on 12th.
Gulls:          Ring-billed Gull at Chew on 19th/26th/28th. A Kumlien's Gull here on 21st and 20+ Mediterranean Gull reported in the Avon area.
Owls:           Disappointing. 3 Short-eared Owl reported at Severnside on 20th only.
Waxwing:   Up to 30 birds at various locations around Bristol.
                
BRISTOL:
Clifton: a flyover Red Kite late afternoon, heading towards Redland (J Madelaine).

Sea Mills:

28.2.11 Mediterranean Gull © John Martin, many thanks
a different individual from yesterday's bird

28.2.11 leucistic Black-headed Gull © John Martin, many thanks

 Present around the harbour area today: the long-staying Coot, 2 Oystercatcher, the resident Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper*, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a leucistic Black-headed Gull, 2 adult Great Black-backed Gull and a Siskin (combined reports, W Earp, J Martin).

* our only Common Sandpiper report of the month.


LEIGH WOODS:

28.2.11 that Goldcrest again © John Sparks, many thanks

John wasn't entirely happy with yesterday's photo so he sent us in this one, taken this morning. We suspect he may have cleaned the windows overnight.

WILLSBRIDGE:
At least 2 Dipper at the California Farm-Mill stretch today (A Chard).

CHEW VALLEY LAKE:

© Bristol Water, many thanks

An adult Ring-billed Gull present at Heron's Green Bay until 1.50pm at least (R Mielcarek). A different individual to the bird seen on 19th.

NAILSEA (garden):
Up to 6 Blackcaps (3♂, 3♀) in Roger and Jean Staples garden during the month, many thanks for the detailed log of sightings which we've recorded on Wendy. The ABR guys will have to employ a mathematician to work out the bird days.