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).

Sightings 15/3/11

BRISTOL:
Clifton: 24 Waxwing at Mornington Rd-St John's school this morning (per AD Scott).

SEVERNSIDE:
Little to report in the way of waders along the shoreline at any of the main sites. Few migrants to be seen except for single Chiffchaffs at New Passage and the orchard pools and a flyover party of 20 Siskin at Severn Beach (per severnsidebirds).


15.3.11 garden Redpoll © Rod Holbrook, many thanks



PORTBURY WHARF:



15.3.11 Bar-headed Goose type birds
If anyone can.....Kodak can



3 Bar-headed Goose types on the pools first thing this morning, presumably the trio of birds that have been seen sporadically in the Gordano Valley in recent years (S Hale).

The Bittern was seen again at the main pool area 11am (per CJ Stone). 1st seen here 6 February.

CLEVEDON:

A Hoopoe in a garden in the Channel Rd area this morning (per J Martin). There has been a mini-influx of these birds into southern England recently with a couple in Cornwall and another at Portland.

CHEW VALLEY LAKE:

Dam: 2 White Wagtail mid-day.

Herriott's: the White-fronted Goose still hanging around.

Lake general: the 1st winter Scaup seen out on the water (R Mielcarek).

BREAN DOWN:

1 Skylark (N), 50 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail (N), 10 alba Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff, a Redpoll and 14 Siskin (N).

A flock of 90 Oystercatcher flew into Weston bay (per westonbirds).

FOREST of DEAN:

15.3.11 © Allan Chard, many thanks



Allan out and about in the woodland today and sent in these pics, from top, Mandarin Ducks and Siskin at Cannop ponds and a male Adder.

Sightings 14/3/11

BRISTOL:
Clifton: Peregrine pair in courtship at the downs today (A Devine).

Centre:


14.3.11 juvenile Blackbird © Des Bowring, many thanks



Des found this young Blackbird being fed by the parents near the BRI this morning

SEVERNSIDE:
Aust Warth: 2 Short-eared Owls out at 5.45pm

NP-NW: the Barnacle Goose, the male Merlin and 2 Raven of note, no migrants reported.

Severn Beach: an immature Gannet seen heading downriver late morning (all per severnsdebirds)

PORTBURY DOCK:
Very quiet along the shoreline and scrub, just 1 Wheatear of note (S Hale).

PORTBURY WHARF:
The Little Owl was seen again first thing this morning and 5 singing Chiffchaff near the middle hide later in the day (A Gibb, S Hale).

PILL:
3 blackcaps in the garden this afternoon (G Morris).
TICKENHAM RIDGE:
Plenty of woodland species on the radar here today: 3 Buzzard, a Woodcock, 6 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Mistle Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Coal Tit, 4 Marsh Tit, 4 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, 8 Jay and 6 Bullfinch (PG Evans). Phew!

NAILSEA:
A Reed Bunting in the garden today, only 2nd record (T Jeal).

BARROW TANKS:
A singing Chiffchaff at the car park (D Nevitt).

DUNDRY:
5 Yellowhammer (D Nevitt).

SOMERSET LEVELS:
At Ham Wall-Meare Heath: 1 Bittern seen (but more booming). at least 2 Great White Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier, the Little Ringed Plover, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Sand Martin and a Chiffchaff (A Middleton).

MENDIPS (Green Ore):
A Red Kite 'worming' in a recently ploughed field (A Middleton).

Northwick Warth 13/3/11:

Barnacle Goose © Andy Jordan, many thanks
present on Severnside since 5 March

Sightings Page team photography

We've had hundreds of e-mails from West Africa and a Mrs Trellis of North Wales begging us to reveal our secret on how we manage to take such awesomely stunning bird photos (other websites or photographers cannot compete with us).

Today, we can let the cat out of the bag.....we only use the best and latest equipment!

This is the only camera we have so taking this photo was no mean achievement

Sightings13/3/11

Please note : we are going over to a new Internet Provider tomorrow so there may be some delay in updates whilst the system settles down. Please continue to send stuff in otherwise Wendy will get upset. Many thanks.


BRISTOL:
Sea Mills: river Avon residents this morning, 1 Dunlin, 120 Redshank, 1 Greenshank and 4 Common Sandpiper (AD Scott).

Lawrence Weston: a singing Chiffchaff at the pumping station this morning near Campbell's Farm (S George).

Eastville Park: 2 Mute Swan, 13 Canada Goose, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, a Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff, single Coal Tit and a Jay (R Scantlebury).

Snuff Mills: a Grey Wagtail only (R Scantlebury).

MARSHFIELD:

13.3.11 © Sarah Loaring, many thanks
in the field, the bird looked even bluer than the photo suggests

SEVERNSIDE:
Northwick Warth: the Barnacle Goose still lingering. Just 1 Wheatear reported so far.

Chittening Warth: 2 Buzzard, a Kestrel, 85 Dunlin, 50 Curlew, a Short-eared Owl (mobbed by large Gulls, Stup Pill area) and 2 Stonechat.
At nearby Holesmouth, 15 Gadwall, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 85 Redshank and a Chiffchaff.

13.3.11 Skylark on Northwick Warth © AD Scott, many thanks

Tony was trying to take a picture of Sightings Page team quality. He hasn't quite managed it as you can see clearly what the bird is.

PORTBURY WHARF:
21 Shelduck, 8 Wigeon, 300 Dunlin, 19 Curlew and a Rock Pipit (R Hawley).

PORTISHEAD MARINA:
The ♀ type Black Redstart seen again near the fisherman's pier. Another or same bird was seen shortly afterwards some distance away (D Horlick).

CLAPTON-in-GORDANO:

5 Brambling in the garden today © Melvin Hedges, many thanks

ABBOTS LEIGH:

Highlights of birds noted on this morning's Trevor Silcock Memorial Walk: single Sparrowhawk and Buzzard, 4 Green Woodpecker, single Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Coal Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Raven, 20+ Brambling, 5 Siskin and  6 Redpoll (A Rhodes/Abbots Leigh Wildlife group).

What a lovely way to remember Trevor. All these birds were very regular visitors into Trevor's garden and there were all the best of mates.

Many thanks to everyone who attended and to Ed Drewitt for leading.

CLEVEDON COAST:
1 Brent Goose (Dowlais), 50 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, 20 Teal, single Little Egret, a Merlin, 6 Oystercatcher, 10 fly-past Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 3 Lapwing, 200 Dunlin, 100 Curlew, 200 Redshank, 20 Turnstone and just 2 Wheatear (per clevedonbirds).

BARROW TANKS:
A Wheatear and 6 Chiffchaff early morning (S Davies).

LITTON RES:
Today's WeBs count: 1 Teal, 7 Mallard, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 8 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 6 Moorhen, 6 Coot, a Treecreeper, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 3 Dunnock and a Jay (C Porter).

CHEW VALLEY LAKE:
30 Canada Goose, 6 Shelduck, 42 Shoveler, 7 Goldeneye, 19 Cormorant, a Grey Heron and 17 Great-crested Grebe recorded (C Porter).

SAND PT:
A ♀ Stonechat at the point today (S Matthews).

BREAN DOWN:
Just 1 Stonechat and 4 Chiffchaff of note on the down today (per westonbirds).

W-s-M 12/3/11:
A Red Kite seen nr M5 junction 21 12.45pm, flying to south being mobbed by a Crow (S Matthews).

Sightings 12/3/11

An upsurge in Wheatear, Stonechat and Chiffchaff numbers reported today.


YATE COMMON:
9 Redwing of note this morning, also recorded, 6 Dunnock and singles of Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Bullfinch (C Porter).

YATE RIDGE WOODS:
A good showing of birds here today: singles of Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Dipper, 5 Redwing, a singing Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaf, 3 Goldcrest, single Treecreeper, 3 Siskin and 3 Bullfinch (D Pearce).

BRADLEY STOKE:
25 Waxwing still present at the Aldi/roundabout area 6pm this evening (G Ball). Birds have been present here since 4 March.

OLDBURY POWER STATION:
WeBS am: 5 Canada Goose, 16 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 30 Mallard, 2 Coot, 4 Oystercatcher, 32 Dunlin, 53 Curlew, 22 Redshank, 9 Turnstone, 60 Common Gull, 5 Fieldfare and 10 Redwing (A Middleton).
Also noted, a Stonechat and 3 Chiffchaff (per opsbirding).

LITTLETON WARTH:
WeBS this morning: 2 Canada Goose, 51 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, 53 Teal, 10 Mallard, 4 Cormorant, single Buzzard, Moorhen and Oystercatcher, 65 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 21 Curlew, 65 Redshank, 13 Common Gull, 1 Chiffchaff in song and 1 flyover Siskin to North (J Martin).


SEVERNSIDE:
Lots of birds on show here, aggregate totals at the main sites as follows: the Barnacle Goose still, 60 Wigeon, 60 Teal, just 15 Oystercatcher, 100 Dunlin, 80 Curlew, 100 Redshank, 100 Turnstone, 3 Sand Martin, 6 Stonechat, 6 Wheatear, 1 Chiffchaff and 3 Raven.

3 Short-eared Owls out by 6pm at Aust Warth.

Hoar Gout: At Vosa, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Gadwal, 2 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck and a calling Cetti's Warbler near the sewage works (combined reports, B Lancastle, per severnsidebirds)

12.3.11 Stonechat, Severn Beach  © Brian Lancastle, many thanks

12.3.11 Wheatear at Chittening Warth © Tony Scott, many thanks

AVONMOUTH:

A Wheatear on the busy A403 roundabout at M5 junction 18 this morning (S George).

PORTBURY DOCK:
126 Shelduck, 3 Buzzard, 4 Ringed Plover, 350 Dunlin, 4 Wheatear, 6 Rock Pipit and 1 Chiffchaff (partial song) (combined reports S Hale, CJ Stone)

12.3.11 Wheatear, 1 of at least 4 birds here today 

PORTBURY WHARF:
16 Tufted Duck, 2 Oystercatcher, 12 Ringed Plover, 400 Dunlin, 40 Curlew, single Stonechat, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff (2 in song), 60 Linnet, 1 Bullfinch and 6 Reed Bunting (combined reports,PG Evans, R Hawley).

12.3.11 Stonechat and Chiffchaff © Pete Evans, many thanks

CLEVEDON COAST:

At Wain's Hill first thing, 3 Sand Martin and singles of Mistle Thrush, Chiffchaff, Siskin, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting (H Taffs).

BARROW TANKS:
4 Gadwall, 4 Goldeneye, 3 Sand Martin, 25 Meadow Pipit and 2 Chiffchaff (combined reports, S Davies, TE Bond).

BREAN DOWN:
2 Golden Plover, 4 Sand Martin, 25 alba Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 12 Stonechat (9♂), single Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaff, 50 Goldfinch and 5 Siskin (per westonbirds).

Sightings 11/3/11

Wheatears again at Clevedon and Severnside but no other obvious spring migrants reported but note Stonechats at these sites.
3 Short-eared Owls showing well at Aust Warth from 4.15pm.


BRADLEY STOKE:
24 Waxwing at the usual Aldi/pub/roundabout area 4.50pm this afternoon (C Porter).


SEVERNSIDE:

Aust Warth: 3 Short-eared Owl showing well from 4.15pm, 2 Stonechat also nearby.

Northwick Warth: a ♂ Wheatear by the 1st sentry box and 2 Little Egret on the Grebe pond.

Severn Beach: at the pipes section, 27 Shelduck, 13 Dunlin, 8 Curlew, 67 Redshank and 2 Stonechat (pair) at the bushes.

Orchard pools: 2 Gadwall, 2 ♂ Shoveler and 2 Tufted of note (per severnsidebirds)

Shoveler at the orchard pools

Stonechat at the scrub by the outflow pipes

GORDANO VALLEY:

At Weston Moor today, 20 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Heron, 5 Buzzard, single Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Meadow Pipit, 200+ Fieldfare, 200+ Redwing, 2 Jay, a Treecreeper and 6 Linnet (PG Evans).

BACKWELL LAKE:

Noted today, the ♂ Wood Duck, 2 Little Egret, 30 Redwing and a Reed Bunting (T Worsfold).

CLEVEDON COAST:

74 Shelduck, 24 Wigeon, 31 Teal, 1 Little Egret, 2 Buzzard, 4 Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwing, single Knot, 200 Dunlin, 15 Curlew, 135 Redshank, 2 Skylark, 4 Rock Pipit, 1 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat (pair), 15 Fieldfare and 4 Linnet (A Middleton).

MIDDLE HOPE:

90 Woodpigeon, single Stock Dove, 1 Grey Wagtail, 15 alba Wagtail and a Siskin (per westonbirds).

Abbots Leigh 6/3/11:

Late report of a flyover Red Kite (per A Rhodes).