Sightings 24/3/11

An influx of Little Ringed Plovers at the coast today.

SEVERNSIDE: per severnsidebirds:

Severn Beach:
A Little Ringed Plover dropped in briefly around 11.15am, then flew on northwards. The watery scapes at New Passage-Northwick Warth seem a particularly good bet.

24.3.11 Wheatear © the Sightings Page team

 2 Wheatear, a White Wagtail also seen along with a steady passage of other small birds.

New Passage-Northwick: Little change in spread of the shorebirds except for a good count of 100+ Shelduck.

PORTBURY WHARF:

24.3.11 Buzzard © the Sightings Page team

 A not very good shot of the Buzzard that raised and dashed hopes of local patch birders earlier on in the year who were hoping it might prove to be Rough-legged.

It was showing well around the pools and saltmarsh at the same time as the ringtail Hen Harrier, further adding to confusion with some visitors.

CLEVEDON COAST:
Morning stock check: 50 Shelduck, 50 Teal, single Little Egret, 7 Oystercatcher, 1 Ringed Plover, 15 Grey Plover, 8 Knot, 10+Dunlin, 20+ Curlew, single Spotted Redshank, 210 Redshank, 18 Turnstone, 30+ Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 6 Meadow Pipit, 30 alba Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 10+ Fieldfare, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 singing Chiffchaff, 4 Siskin, 10 Redpoll, 80 Goldfinch,  (combined reports, HE Rose, per clevedonbirds).

3 Little Ringed Plover at the Dowlais farm stretch 5pm this evening (H Taffs).

BARROW TANKS:
For die-hards: 3 Gadwall, 5 Goldeneye, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 5 Sand Martin, 8 Chiffchaff and 4 Reed Bunting (CJ Stone).