Sightings 16/3/11

BRISTOL:
Clifton: A Peregrine circling over BGS this afternoon (A Rhodes).

AUST SERVICES:
Just off the Severnside patch, a Whitethroat reported today, present with Chiffchaffs (per severnsidebirds). Our earliest record to date for this species is 31/3/68 so we'd wouldn't complain if the observer sent us details for the record.

SEVERNSIDE:
New Passage: the Barnacle Goose, 25 Shelduck, the Merlin, a Peregrine, 2 Sand Martin, 30 Pied Wagtail and 2 Raven.

Severn Beach: 70 Shelduck, single Gadwall, 2 Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, another (or same) Merlin, 30 Oystercatcher, single Ringed Plover, 60 Dunlin, 50 Curlew, 20 Redshank, a Rock Pipit, 3 Swallow and a Chiffchaff (per severnsidebirds).

PORTBURY WHARF:
mid-day update: 2 Buzzard, 15 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow, 3 Cetti's Warbler and 3 Chiffchaff along wharf lane and at the pools. No sign of any passage waders yet (S Hale).

16.3.11 the Little Owl this morning 11.30am



PORTISHEAD:
A Tawny Owl calling at East Wood early morning (D Horlick).

CLEVEDON COAST:

16.3.11 Merlin at the seawall © Howard Taffs, many thanks

Present at the Dowlais stretch, the Brent Goose still and 2 Shoveler (H Taffs).

MIDDLE HOPE:
Birds moving to north, 1 Golden Plover, 300 Meadow Pipit and 10 alba Wagtail. On the ground, 80 Filedfare and 3 Chiffchaff (per westonbirds).

BATH:
The church Peregrine pair are on 3 eggs already (E Drewitt).

RADSTOCK:
2 singing Chiffchaff and a Kingfisher on the river Somer (R Beale)

STEART:
3 Red Kites reported here today (per SOS).
Spring is prime time for these birds passing through Avon so well worth keeping a look out for. Last March we had 7 records and then a shed-load in April!

Redland 15/3/11:
Late report just in of an (escaped) male Zebra Finch at Ashgrove Rd yesterday morning (M Bulpitt).