Sightings 31/1/11

BRISTOL:

 photo: Ben Ofield, many thanks

15 Waxwings in a tree at Siston Hill estate today 4.45pm, later flew towards Kingswood. Record shot by Ben on camera phone.

No other reports of Waxwings around Bristol today.


FRAMPTON COTTERELL:
2 Blackcap (pair) and 2 Coal Tit of note in the garden today (W King).

OLDBURY POWER STATION:
At the main site, 42 Wigeon, 130 Teal, 290 Lapwing and 400 Dunlin.

Upriver near Windbound pub, 2 Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit and a staggering 40+ Yellowhammer (A Middleton).

Yellowhammers anywhere on the Avon coast are uncommon, to get a flock like this is truly exceptional.

SEVERNSIDE:
Aust Warth: A female Merlin at 5pm this evening and 2 Short-eared Owls seen later briefly into dusk.

Northwick Warth: A male Merlin this morning. Similar waders on show today: 35 Oystercatcher, 80 Lapwing, single Knot, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 60 Curlew and 20 Redshank.

Avonmouth Sewage Works: On the square pool, 33 Gadwall, 15 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 8 Pochard and 52 Tufted Duck (all per severnsidebirds)

PORTBURY WHARF:

31.1.11 Little Owl at home

It may look like pictures that we've previously posted but this one was taken 9.30am this morning at the usual spot at the barns. The pools were frozen today with just a handful of Coot holding out.

LEIGH WOODS:

31.1.11 garden Brambling this morning (though window)

photo: John Sparks, many thanks

NAILSEA:
Blackcap regular in the garden at Friendship Rd all month. Up to 3 birds from 10th onwards but 4 birds (3 males) on 28th (R&J Staples).


BATH:
A Tawny Owl calling at top of Widcombe Hill early this morning (D French)

STEART:
14 Pink-footed Goose in fields at Wall Common, present to 2pm at least (per SOS).


Portishead 30/1/11:

A Black Redstart around the marina pier (S Hughes-Games). Presumably the female bird first seen here on 2 January and again on 8th.

A male bird was also present nearby, 1 day only on 2 January on the Ashlands housing estate.

Members Photos:

Male and female Blackcap, regular in the Portishead garden, sent in by Pete Evans.

Sightings 30/1/11

BRISTOL: 

9 Waxwing reported at Henleaze Waitrose today (RM Andrews, C Jones).

High tide for this species around Bristol seems to be well and truly over and there has been a gradual decline in the numbers of birds being reported as the month has progressed.

Has anyone ever seen a tatty looking Waxwing? They are always wearing smart bib and tuck.

Waxwing, photo by Chris Jones, taken today.

SEVERNSIDE:

Aust Warth: at least 3 Short-eared Owls on show again, birds did not appear until 5.35pm (A Jordan).


PORTBURY WHARF:

fox scent marking on the reserve this morning

Little change on the pools, 2 Little Grebe, 10 Canada Goose, 22 Gadwall, 10 Shoveler, 8 Pochard, 12 Tufted Duck, still plenty of Bullfinch and Reed Bunting along Wharf lane (S Hale).

There are still no radiators in any of the hides.


PORTISHEAD:

3 Purple Sandpipers still at Battery Pt rocks today (S Matthews).

Best to visit around high tide time when the birds are pushed up higher onto the rocks and into view. Low daytime tides for the next few days, the next viewable (morning) tide will be Friday 4 February.

BLAGDON LAKE:

Highlights today: 14 (feral) Barnacle Goose, the 4 Scaup, 5 Goosander and 3 Little Egret (per BL birds).


SOMERSET LEVELS:

The usual Starling swarm reported around the Shapwick-Ham Wall reserves plus at least 1 Bittern.

Rob Daw managed to get a photo with the iconic Tor landmark in the background as proof of calling!

Bittern in flight

Starlings in locust like proportions at Ham Wall

The 6 Great White Egrets were also still present (J Martin).

FOREST of DEAN:

A couple of photos from club member Allan Chard taken recently around Cannop ponds.

Siskin

Mandarin Ducks

The woodland is currently in fine fettle with lots of birds on show everywhere including plenty of Crossbills around the Speech House area.

BOC Sightings

Welcome to our new sightings blog. Issues beyond our control has meant we haven't been able to update the
BOC website sightings page as normal. However, this blog should rectify the problem and provide you with our daily dose of birds and humour!