Thursday 31 March 2011

Sightings 31/3/11

OLDBURY POWER STATION:
At the evening high tide: 5 Canada Goose, 26 Shelduck, 4 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Oystercatcher and 117 Curlew (108 on No.3 lagoon). 2 of the colour ringed birds also noted (A Middleton).


CHEW VALLEY LAKE:
New birds today: 2 male Common Scoter and a fly-through Kittiwake.

Also reported, the adult Peregrine, the Oystercatcher (Herriott's), the 3 Scaup, 500 Sand Martin and the 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull (R Mielcarek).



CHEW VALLEY LAKE 30/3/11:
3 1st winter Scaup (Stratford), an adult Peregrine, 5 Little Gull (4 adults+ a 1st winter), a 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull (Heron's Green), 1,000 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow, single House Martin and a  Nuthatch (per SH).


Our best Sand Martin count by far this month, birds no doubt brough down by the rain.


SOMERSET LEVELS:
A very early Hobby reported at Shapwick heath, Noah's lake (per SOS).

Wednesday 30 March 2011

Sightings 30/3/11

BRISTOL:
Montpelier: 2 Blackcap and singles of Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler in the park today (D Bowring).

SEVERNSIDE: per severnsidebirds
Severn Beach: a Great-crested Grebe and a flock of 30 Kittiwakes were new today. The Grebe could be the same bird seen nearby at New Passage on 25th.

PORTBURY WHARF:
16 Shelduck, 18 Wigeon, 1 Cormorant, 6 Oystercatcher, 9 Curlew and 5 Redshank. At nearby Portishead lock gates, 3 Rock Pipit, 1 with a ring on it (R Hawley).

BRIDGWATER BAY:
Wall Common-Stolford: underwhelming for migrants this morning, just 16 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow and 10 phylloscopus warblers along the hedges. Out on the mud, 170+ Shelduck and 100+ Curlew of note (S Hale).

Gwent:
Out of area but a Whimbrel reported at Collister Pill today (opposite Clevedon/Severnside).

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Sightings 29/3/11

BRISTOL:
Hotwells: a pair of Red-rumped Parakeet at the Cliftonwood Terrace area (M Gilmartin).

Stoke Bishop: a Nuthatch pair nesting at Trinity College grounds (J Bimson).

SEVERNSIDE: per severnsidebirds
Aust Warth: 2 Short-eared Owl out 5pm.

PORTBURY DOCK:
A Kingfisher at the Drove Rhyne but no sign of the recent Wheatears (S Hale).

PORTBURY WHARF:
A Ring Ouzel near the scrubby bank by the Transformer Station this morning (per SH). Our 5th record of the month.

Monday 28 March 2011

Scotland March 2011 Gordon Youdale

Caelaverock WWT

A few pics from Gordon Youdale who has just returned from a birding trip in Scotland to the WWT reserve.






all photos © Gordon Youdale, many thanks
from top: Badger, Green-winged Teal, Garganey pair and Barnacle Geese


Sightings 28/3/11

Good numbers of Wheatears continue to show at the coast at Portbury and Severnside.

BRISTOL:
Bedminster: a Red Kite reported over Victoria park this morning (per E Shaw).

Eastville Park: 2 Kingfisher of note today, other records of Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Treecreeper, Redwing and Mistle Thrushes (A Devine).

OLDBURY POWER STATION:
16 Teal, 7 Curlew, 1 Swallow, a Wheatear, 2 Blackcap and 21 Chiffchaff (A Middleton).

SEVERNSIDE: per severnsidebirds:
Highlights on the patch today were: the drake Common Scoter still, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Short-eared owl and 12 Wheatear.

PORTBURY DOCK:
16 Wheatear around the estate area today, most near the Drove Rhine section near ASDA/Toyota (S Hale).

PORTBURY WHARF:
100 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 20 Pied Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 7 Blackcap and plague-like proportions of Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers around the bushes (L Wheatland).

The hotspot for the wagtails is the horsefield near the car-park.

PORTISHEAD:
28.3.11 Redstart in the garden mid-day © Sue Blackmore, many thanks
This is our 4th Redstart record of the month which is exceptional for March.

CLEVEDON COAST:
Dowlais: 2 Little Ringed Plover briefly and 4 Wheatear (H Taffs).

NAILSEA:
A Yellowhammer pair in the garden this morning (T Jeal).

Other info:
Club member Gary Thoburn has a new website: http://garytsphotos.zenfolio.com/
All the pics are the usual top quality standard and the site is well worth visiting.


Little Stoke 27/3/11:
10 Waxwing present at Braydon Avenue junction yesterday (R Hindle).

Hampshire 27/3/11:
Mediterranean Gull © Allan Chard, many thanks


Sunday 27 March 2011

Sightings 27/3/11

There was a fall of Wheatears around the Portbury Dock area today with at least 25 birds counted.

BRISTOL:
Eastville Park: 4 Kingfisher, a male Grey Wagtail, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap and a Treecreeper with nest material. Anglers at the lake caught a 20lb carp (R Scantlebury).

Montpelier: a Buzzard over the Cadbury pub and single singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff at the railway line.

St Werburgh's: a Blackcap and 3 singing Chiffchaff at the Narroways area.

SEVERNSIDE:
A similar cast of birds along the shoreline today, 3 Knot were new in plus 2 Little Ringed Plover. The Wheatear count was 10 birds today (per severnsidebirds, S Davies).

Below, some Severnside pics sent in by Andy Jordan.

26.3.11 Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth

27.3.11 Chiffchaff, Northwick Warth

27.3.11 Wheatear, Northwick Warth
all photos© Andy Jordan, many thanks

AVONMOUTH:
Holesmouth: 10 Gadwall, 3 Knot, 80 Redshank and 7 Wheatear this afternoon (S Davies).

ABBOTS LEIGH:
Highlights here: 4 Buzzard, a female Blackcap, 2 Raven and 2 Redpoll (A Rhodes).


PORTBURY DOCK:

27.3.11 Wheatears
14 birds this morning, then another 11 birds in the afternoon
27.3.11 male Redstart 4pm this afternoon

PORTBURY WHARF:
Plenty of stuff at the pools and scrub, best of the bunch: the 3 Bar-headed Goose again, a Grey Heron + eel, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 63 Redshank, 2 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, a Marsh Tit and 8 Reed Bunting (A Rhodes).


CLEVEDON COAST:
27.3.11 Redpolls © H Taffs, many thanks
some of today's birds were thought to be Common Redpolls (flammea)

Wain's Hill: 250 Woodpigeon, 3 Swallow, 2 Tree Pipit, 300 Meadow Pipit, a Willow Warbler, 2 Siskin, 30 Redpoll (H Taffs).


SAND POINT:
Highlights at the BNS meeting here this morning: 1 Kestrel, 150+ Woodpigeon, a Green Woodpecker, 300+ Meadow Pipit, 4 Stonechat (2 prs), a Ring Ouzel, a late Redwing, 6 Chiffchaff, 6 Greenfinch, 2 Siskin, a Redpoll, 6 Linnet and 20+ Goldfinch (E Drewitt).

BARROW TANKS:
Back to normal, just 90 Sand Martin and a singing Willow Warbler (S Davies).

BATH AREA:
Bushey Norwood: 1 Raven.

Lansdown: still loitering at the racecourse, 162 Golden Plover here today.

Batheaston: a male Shoveler on the river Avon (all J Cumming).

BREAN DOWN:
27.3.11 Ring Ouzel © Paul Bowyer, many thanks
Better than the rubbish we posted yesterday

1 Black Redstart, a Ring Ouzel and a few House Martin of note on the Down this morning (P Bowyer).

SOMERSET LEVELS:
Shapwick: an Osprey reported over the village 2.30pm (per SOS).

WINCHESTER:
Blashford Lakes:
27.3.11 Little Ringed Plover © Allan Chard, many thanks.
Not local but a timely photo in view of the passage now underway


Saturday 26 March 2011

Sightings 26/3/11

A great day's birding today, many thanks to everyone, Wendy sends her regards.

BRISTOL:
Redland: 3 Jay and 2 Bullfinch in a Wellington Park garden today (M Baker).

Eastville Park: stacks of common birds here today, pick of the bunch was single Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, single Kingfisher, a singing Blackcap and 4 Chiffchaff (R Scantlebury).

OLDBURY POWER STATION:
Vis mig to north-east noted: 160+ Woodpigeon, 3 Siskin and 8 Linnet (per opsbirding).

SEVERNSIDE: per severnsidebirds, B Lancastle:


26.3.11 Merlin and Chiffchaff this morning on Northwick Warth
 © Allan Chard, many thanks
There were plenty of birds on show on the patch today, combined totals as follows:
the Barnacle Goose, 70 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon, 60 Teal, the drake Common Scoter, 1 Merlin, a Peregrine, 30 Oystercatcher, just 4 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 20 Curlew, 50 Redshank, 16 Wheatear, a late Redwing, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Raven, a flyover Brambling, 10 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll and 8 Redpoll plus numerous (but uncounted) Woodpigeons, Meadow Pipit and Goldfinch passing by. Chiffchaff widespread now.

Still a little early for any passage waders yet.

PORTBURY WHARF:
An influx of Sand Martin here with at least 300+ birds over the main pool late afternoon.
Other sightings: 100 Herring Gull, 4 LBB Gull, the Little Owl yet again, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap, 6 Willow Warbler of note.

Increasing numbers of Shelduck and large Gulls are starting to roost on the island at the main pool, hopefully they won't deter any waders that might want to drop in (combined reports, PG Evans, S Hale).

WALTON COMMON:
26.3.11 male Ring Ouzel
a flukey shot by the Sightings Page team
Also on the Common early am, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Blackcap, 6 singing Chiffchaff and 2 Nuthatch (S Hale).

GORDANO VALLEY:
Highlights of the Club field meeting around the Walton Moor area this morning: 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sand Martin, a Redstart, 4 Wheatear, a Marsh Tit and a Treecreeper (PG Evans).

CLEVEDON COAST:
Wain's Hill: early morning flyovers, a few Sand Martin, 60+ Redpoll and 2 Hawfinch (H Taffs)

Blind Yeo: 8 Sand Martin and a female Wheatear (M Saffery).

CONGRESBURY:
Strawberry Line: 1 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 10 Sand Martin, 2 Blackcap, 30+ Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler and 3 Raven (D Bowring).

BARROW TANKS:
Warming up a bit here: 1 Little Ringed Plover, 13 Sand Martin, 4 Wheatear and 9 singing Chiffchaff (S Davies).

BLAGDON LAKE:
A 1st summer Little Gull off the dam this morning (per BL birds).

BREAN DOWN:
Migrants: 300+ Meadow Pipit passage to N, 2 Wheater, a Ring Ouzel, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 1 Brambling and 6 Redpoll.

Out to sea, 6 Common Scoter downchannel (per SOS).

Friday 25 March 2011

Sightings 25/3/11

Some new birds into the area today:- Common Scoter and Great-crested Grebe on Severnside, 2 Garganey at CVL, a male Hen Harrier at CVL, 100+ Sand Martin and 2+ Willow Warbler at Portbury Wharf, a female Ring Ouzel at North Weston, single male Ruff at Clevedon and CVL and a Red Kite over Clifton.

Short-eared Owls continue to show well at Aust Warth, they have been regularly reported all month so far.

BRISTOL:
Clifton: A Red Kite over Woodland Rd-City museum 11.15am this morning. At Brandon Hill, a singing Chiffchaff and a Greenfinch (rare here).  A singing Blackcap also at BGS (all E Drewitt).

Another or same Red Kite was seen over the Downs 3pm, heading towards Leigh Woods (per C Jones).

 
25.3.11 Jackdaws at the Downs today © Allan Chard, many thanks

City centre: a Peregrine circling over Castle Park 1.45pm (G Davies).

Eastville Park: 2 pairs Kingfisher and a Dipper (A Chard)

OLDBURY POWER STATION:
2 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Goose, 15 Teal and a few singing Chiffchaff reported (W King).

SEVERNSIDE: per severnsidebirds;
Aust Warth: 2 Short-eared Owl out from 5pm, a Stonechat and 1 Wheatear also on the scrub.

New Passage:
25.3.11 Common Scoter & Great-crested Grebe © Tony Scott, many thanks
seen late morning, year ticks for the patch

Orchard pools:

25.3.11 Reed Bunting © Rod Holbrook, many thanks

PORTBURY WHARF:
An influx of 2 spring migrants, 100+ Sand Martin over the pools and 2+ Willow Warbler. Other sightings,  Tawny Owl, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 12+ Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap also seen (A Gibb, per clevedonbirds).

PORTBURY:
3 Yellowhammer along Caswell Lane near the rugby club (S Hale).

NORTH WESTON:
A female Ring Ouzel seen at the Clevedon Rd nurseries 9.15am (M Hedges).

CLEVEDON COAST:
A male Ruff at Dowlais Farm 5.50pm (H Taffs).

CHEW VALLEY LAKE: per BWG:
Several good sightings made today: best of all was a male Hen Harrier which flew through the Villice area.

Other sightings: 2 Garganey (Moreton), a Red-legged Partridge (Herriott's area), a Ruff (Villice),a flock of 13 Black-tailed Godwit (flew to S) and 1 White Wagtail (Stratford).


Late record for Wendy & the ABR guys:
Northwick Warth 10/12/10: a male Hen Harrier seen.
Details on the Severnsidebirds website, many thanks Paul.

Thursday 24 March 2011

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).

Wednesday 23 March 2011

Sightings 23/3/11

The A400M aeroplane is doing a few circuits around Bristol tomorrow, Peregrine watchers at the Downs should get especially good views 2pm onwards. We will not be accepting any records of 'very large unidentified raptors' during this time unless accompanied by full supporting descriptions.....

SEVERNSIDE: per severnsidebirds:

Aust Warth: 2 Short-eared Owl out on display 6pm.

NP-NW: Highlight today: a Red Kite to south at 10am.
Little change at the shore: the Barnacle and Brent Goose still, 80 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 2 Pintail, 30 Oystercatcher, just 2 Dunlin, 46 Redshank, 5 Sand Martin, 1 Wheatear and a Raven.

Severn Beach:
23.3.11 Turnstone © Rod Holbrook, many thanks.
Around 60 Turnstone at the Shaft rocks area, including a Norwegian bird ringed at Revtangen 13/8/10.

PORTBURY WHARF:



23.3.11 the Little Owl again and 3 singing Blackcap were new in.

Late Reports 22/3/11:
We're posting them here to ensure they are not missed and unread.

BRISTOL:
Stoke Bishop: a Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker pair at Trinity College grounds (J Bimson).

MARSHFIELD:
A Red Kite and 48 Corn Bunting (M Johnson). Our best Corn Bunting count so far this month.

BRADLEY STOKE: 15 Waxwing holding out at the Aldi/pub/roundabout area (G Ball). Reported here since 4 March.

KEYNSHAM:
4 Waxwings in the garden (P Laban)

Tuesday 22 March 2011

Sightings 22/3/11

Another frustrating day with little in the way of new migrants appearing.

BRISTOL:
New Cut/city centre: a Ring-necked Parakeet at Clarence Rd 7am today (CJ Stone). Our 3rd 'exotic' record of the month, we could be being colonised!

Brentry: at Charlton Common, 8 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff plus Skylark, Mistle Thrush and Reed Bunting of note (A Devine).

SLIMBRIDGE WWT:
male Scaup © Allan Chard, many thanks

SEVERNSIDE:
Aust Warth:

Short-eared Owl this morning © Allan Chard, many thanks
2 Kestrel, the male Merlin, a Peregrine, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Swallow and 4 House Martin.

Northwick Warth: the Barnacle Goose, the Brent Goose, 73 Shelduck, the Merlin again, and 2 Raven (per severnsidebirds).

PILNING: a Green Sandpiper in a field ditch nr Easter Compton (LF Roberts).

PORTISHEAD:
22.3.11 Purple Sandpiper at Battery Pt 8am this morning.

Just 1 bird seen on the rocks first thing this morning. Our first Purple Sandpiper report since 8 March.

PORTBURY WHARF:
The Water Rail seen along Wharf Lane again today (S Hale).

LEIGH WOODS:
22.3.11 Goldcrest in the garden © John Sparks, many thanks

CLEVEDON COAST:
Plenty of birds but few migrants as yet, full list: 32 Wigeon, 57 Teal, 1 Goosander, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, 6 Buzzard, 2 Water Rail, 4 Oystercatcher, single Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 57 Knot, 10 Dunlin, 103 Curlew, 1 Spotted Redshank (1st since 6 March), 110 Redshank, 23 Turnstone, 14 Sand Martin, 4 Chiffchaff and 2 Raven (A Middleton).

SOMERSET LEVELS:
Meare Heath:
22.3.11 Great White Egret © Roger Staples, many thanks

Also present at the lagoons, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Redshank and 2 Sand Martin.

Noah's Lake: the Cattle Egret (R&J Staples).


Monday 21 March 2011

Sightings 21/3/11

BRISTOL:
Broadmead: a Ring-necked Parakeet at Castle Park this morning (G Davies). Another Parakeet type bird was reported not too far away at Coronation Rd on 7 March.

Montpelier: a Red Kite flew over the the station to SW this morning (D Bowring).

SLIMBRIDGE WWT:
A Great White Egret, the Cattle Egret and an Avocet on site today (per slimbridgebirds).

MARSHFIELD:
6 Red-legged Partridge, single Grey Partridge, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Red-legged Partridge, 9 Skylark, 200+ Fieldfare, a Raven, 30 Linnet, 12 Yellowhammer and 7 Corn Bunting (W King).

SEVERNSIDE: (per severnsidebirds):
Aust Warth: 2 Short-eared Owls pushed out by the huge tide and on show 8.15-10am at least, also 20 Swallow passing through.

NP-NW: the Barnacle Goose, 2 Brent Goose, 90 Shelduck, 44 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 1 Little Egret, singles of Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Merlin, 30 Oystercatcher, just 3 Lapwing, 40 Redshank, 18 Skylark, 60 Meadow Pipit and 4 Chiffchaff.

Severn Beach: a Wheatear this morning and the Water Rail in the residents' garden again.

Orchard Pools: a flyover female Sparrowhawk, 2 Little Grebe and a Pochard (new) of note.

PORTBURY WHARF:

21.3.11 the saltmarsh fully flooded this morning

Shoreline: 46 Shelduck, 100 Wigeon, a Snipe, 40 Redshank, a Wheatear and 8 Reed Buntings (R Hawley).

YATTON:
Strawberry Line: single Grey Heron and 4 singing Chiffchaff this afternoon (M Saffery).

CLEVEDON COAST:
Over the high tide: 2 Canada Goose, 1 Brent Goose (Kenn), 95 Shelduck, 45 Wigeon, 80 Teal, a female Goosander (Blackstone), single Grey Heron, a female Merlin, 18 Oystercatcher, 17 Grey Plover, 8 Lapwing, 18 Knot, c.50 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwit (Kenn), 105 Curlew, 230 Redshank, 53 Turnstone, 15 Black-headed Gull, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Rock Pipit, 3 Wheatear, a Cetti's Warbler, 4 singing Chiffchaff, 6+ Linnet and 2 Reed Bunting in song (HE Rose).

AXE ESTUARY:
A very large count of 669 Redshank near Weston STW area on this morning's tide (per SOS).

SOMERSET LEVELS:
Catcott Lows: a Garganey today (per SOS).

Sunday 20 March 2011

Sightings 20/3/11

Another fine sunny day but with a dearth of new migrants so far reported.

BRISTOL:
Horfield: Blackcap pair still present in a Maple Rd garden. At Golden Hill, 12 Fieldfare (J Bimson).

Eastville Park: highlights around the lake area today, 3 Mute Swan, 12 Canada Goose, 2 Sparrowhawk, at least 3 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtail, a singing Song Thrush, 2 singing Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Coal Tit and 20 Jackdaw (R Scantlebury).

SLIMBRIDGE WWT:


Another couple of pics of some of the long-stayers, the Lesser Scaup and a Greater Scaup pair, present around the Tack Piece this morning.



20.3.11 all photos © Andy Jordan, many thanks
 The Cattle Egret turned up on the site yesterday and a Mediterranean Gull (A Jordan).

SEVERNSIDE:
Combined totals from the main sites: 5 Canada Goose, the Barnacle Goose, 80 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 2 Pintail, single Little Egret, 7 Buzzard, 5 Kestrel, single Merlin and Peregrine, 30 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Plover, 20 Dunlin, a Jack Snipe, 60 Curlew, 20 Redshank, 25 Turnstone, 1 Short-eared Owl (Aust), 3 Sand Martin, 8 Chiffchaff and 3 Raven.

Hoar Gout: the Cetti's Warbler still calling at the Vosa pool (combined reports, B Lancastle, per severnsidebirds).

20.3.11 Robin at the Chittening Warth seabank pools this morning
© Brian Lancastle, many thanks

PORTBURY WHARF:
Underwhelming on the high tide this morning, just a Snipe and c.100 Redshank of note (S Hale, J Williams).

BARROW TANKS:
A White Wagtail here today (CJ Stone). 2 White Wagtails at Chew on 15th is our only other record so far.

CHEW STOKE:
A singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff this morning (E Drewitt).

BATH:
A flock of 157 Golden Plover in fields near Lansdown Racecourse today (J Cummimg).

BREAN DOWN:
Just 2 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and a Yellowhammer of note (per westonbirds).

SOMERSET LEVELS:
A Sedge Warbler reported at Ham Wall today (per SOS).

Gordano Valley 18/3/11:
Late report just received: a male Redstart near How Ham farm at Clapton-in-Gordano (per J Williams). A new earliest date for Avon (previous 20/3/94).


Saturday 19 March 2011

Sightings 19/3/11

Avonmouth HT Sunday 20 March: 7.27am (14.24m) & 7.52pm (14.25m)


BRISTOL:
Henbury: a Green Woodpecker, a calling Chiffchaff and a singing Mistle Thrush around the garden today (E Drewitt).

Sea Mills: 290 Woodpigeon, 2 Dunlin, 108 Redshank, the resident Greenshank and 2 Raven (R Hawley).


SEVERNSIDE:
Aust Warth:
19.3.11 © Paul Bowerman, many thanks
 1 Short-eared Owl out on show in the morning, then at least 2 late afternoon (per severnsidebirds)

NP-NW: the usual spread of shoreline birds still present today, new were 2 flyover Little Egret and 2 Grey Plover.

Severn Beach: at the shore section, 1 Sparrowhawk, 120 Turnstone, a Swallow and 2 Chiffchaff. At Orchard pools, the Tufted Duck pair, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Bullfinch.

Hoar Gout: a Cetti's Warbler at the Vosa pool and 28 Snipe at the nearby Honda pools.

PORTBURY DOCK:

19.3.11 Roe Deer, not an uncommon sight in the
various wildlife corridors around the trading estate.

90 Shelduck, 12 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 44 Curlew, 100 Redshank, 100 Turnstone and 3 Chiffchaff (CJ Stone).

PORTBURY WHARF:

19.3.11 Dunnock © Allan Chard


Not a great deal happening on the reserve today so we took a photo of this delightful field-sketch drawn by a very young aspiring birder in the log-book in one of the hides this morning.


ABBOTS LEIGH:
Plenty of woodland birds in the garden this morning, highlights were: a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Siskin and 2 Redpoll (A Rhodes).

CLEVEDON:
A flyover Redpoll at Wain's hill today (H Taffs).

NAILSEA:

19.3.11 Blackcap pair, regular in the garden © Roger Staples, many thanks

In another garden, 3 Blackcap, 8 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin and a Yellowhammer around the feeders today (T Jeal).

W-S-M: of note on the beach and scrub areas, 57 Oystercatcher, a single Curlew, 2 Swallow (S), 3 Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff (J Hansford).

Friday 18 March 2011

Sightings 18/3/11

Avonmouth HT times for Sat 19 March: 6.42am (13.75m) & 7.09pm (13.9m).


BRISTOL:
Clifton:
28 Waxwing at Mornington Rd this morning 8-9am at least (AD Scott).

Sea Mills:
2 Dunlin, 200 Redshank and 175 Woodpigeon ( R Hawley).

Fishponds:

Blackcap & Bullfinch in the garden today
© Allan Chard

YATE:
A drake Goosander on Cooper's lake today, a patch tick (D Pearce).

WESTERLEIGH:
4 Fieldfare near the crematorium today (G Youdale).

SEVERNSIDE:
Little to report in the way of new birds of migrants, noteworthy were a Mediterranean Gull and a flyover party of 21 Siskin (per severnsidebirds).


PORTBURY WHARF:

10+ Chiffchaff along Wharf lane today

still at home

A female Merlin seen at the pools this morning (A Middleton).

CHEW VALLEY LAKE:
Thin pickings, just a Snipe and a Green Sandpiper reported at Heron's Green (D Nevitt).

Thursday 17 March 2011

Sightings 17/3/11

BRISTOL:
Clifton:
17.3.11 Waxwing © Jeremy Inglis, many thanks
20+ Waxwing at Mornington Rd 8.45am, still present to 4.15pm at least (AD Scott, J Inglis).

Sea Mills: 1 Dunlin and 175 Redshank at the harbour area (R Hawley).

YATE:
Kingsgate Park pool 8am: 2 Gadwall (pair), a male Shoveler, a male Tufted Duck, 5 Sand Martin, c.15 Redwing, 1 singing Chiffchaff, a Coal Tit and 1 Jay (D Pearce).

PORTBURY WHARF:
17.3.11 male Stonechat, near the 1st hide
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12+ Pied Wagtail (horsefields), 1 male Stonechat, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 15+ Chiffchaff, 3 Mistle Thrush of note first thing (S Hale).

BANWELL:

17.3.11 upside down Siskin © John Thorogood, many thanks

RADSTOCK:
17.3.11 Dipper on the river Somer © Rob Beale, many thanks