28 December 2013 Mistle Thrush singing it’s heart out on this fine day. Went for a morning stroll on an E Dorset heath in the sunshine. The southerly facing slope had seen the sun for a couple of hours and I had great views of a Dartford Warbler that stalked me whilst calling. It soon headed off after sussing me out but perched atop the gorse a number of times. Came back home via Salisbury and Bath, the rivers and streams were in full flood and had spilled onto the flood meadows, extensive flooding everywhere.

A short afternoon walk at home produced four Yellowhammer, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Buzzard and a female Kestel with a mouse meal.

27 December 2013 A late start due to partying, extreme storm and the dog keeping me up the night before at my Sister in laws house in Dorset. A late morning decision was made to go to Portland Harbour for the Brunnich’s Guillemot and to see what the stormy wave action was like in Chesil Cove. The harbour and Fleet was very busy with thousands of birds, many seeking shelter out of the wind others feeding on what the waves were stirring up. Soon after arrival we were watching the Brunnich’s Guillemot alongside a Common Guillemot for comparison. Having seen the former species in it’s more homely Arctic waters in Iceland, Norway and Russia it was an irrestible to ignore this one so far south. A few Shag were feeding in the same area. Looking out from another sheltered spot a Razorbill, a non-breeding plumaged Black Guillemot, Slavonian Grebe, 2 Black-throated Diver, 40 Red-breasted Merganser and Little Grebe were all on view.

We went for a walk along Chesil Beach and earned a meal and pint in the Cove Inn, the waves were just brilliant to watch from the seawall, shingle ridge or indoors in the pub next to the fire. On the way home we stopped for a walk on a heath and saw male and female Hen Harrier, a Merlin, 30 Linnet going to roost and a close Woodcock, a great end to the day.

Common (left) and Brunnich’s Guillemot

Brunnich’s Guillemot

 

Chesil Beach taking a battering
Thousands of gulls were gathered.

25 December 2013 A rapid walk out to the Severn at Hock Ditch helping to feed the sheep along the way was really an excuse for exrecise and sun worship. I did log 21 Little Egret in the fields at Fretherne and a Siskin.

24 December 2013 Headed to Frampton Townfield Lake and along the canal from Splatt to Fretherne bridge to look for divers, best was adult Kittiwake upriver toward Hock at 1107, Peregrine, 13 Shelduck and a Buzzard low over the waves. Seven swans (one cygnet and certainly not a-swimming) rose up from the far side of the estuary and dropped again, probably Bewick’s Swan. I heard later that a diver sp flew up five minutes before I got there! A long walk from Saul bridge to Castle bridge only gave me Yellowhammer and Kingfisher of note.

14 December 2013 A half day out to Forest of Dean, see trip reports.

12 December 2013 Another visit to the Forest of Dean via Walmore Common. The three Whooper Swans (pair with cygnet) were grazing adjacent to the flood along with a pair of Mute Swans with cygnet. I took my bike and cycled the tracks around Serridge Ridge but did not connect with any Crossbill flocks, plenty of Brambling. My plan was to drop in to my parents in Bristol to deliver a birthday card so I visited the Desert Wheatear at Severn Beach on the way.

Desert Wheatear, male on the seawall at Severn Beach.

11 December 2013 My original plan of heading for the Forest of Dean changed when I opted to join Rich Baatesen for a trip to Northamptonshire to see a Hume’s Leaf Warbler. I had seen and heard them before but not for a while so was keen to re-familiarise myself with the species. We had plenty of great views and this little bird was in a good voice. We also saw a Marsh Tit among the commoner birds.

Hume’s Leaf Warbler

7 December 2013 A day in the Forest of Dean with an Anser group, see trip reports.

4 December 2013 I headed out for the Forest of Dean for the day but spoke to Graham Clarkson on the way. The result was to cave in and continue North to have a look at the Baikal Teal, spend the afternoon birding and stay over for a sociable night out. All very much went to plan. I arrived and was soon getting great views of the teal among Eurasian Teal and Wigeon. I enjoyed other birds around the marshes which included waders, Pink-footed Geese flocks, a Ross’s Goose, 2 Great White Egrets, Marsh Harrier and a Long-tailed Duck. I enjoyed catching up with Gra and his family too.

Long-tailed Duck, Junction Pool, Marshide RSPB

Baikal Teal, Crossen’s Outer Marsh, Lancashire

 

29 November 2013 Spent from 1100-2.00pm cycling or walking around the Forest of Dean exploring areas I have not covered of late. I settled down at a clearing to listen for crossbills and a Great Grey Shrike popped up. It circled the area trying it’s luck from various vantage points, at one point mobbing a Raven and pausing to hover over me. I just love watching these beautifully marked birds. It coughed up a pellet to rid itself of the useless parts of what it had eaten during the day. I eventually found some Crossbills with parties of 5, 19, 2, and 9 mostly around New Fancy View. Some may well have been the same birds as they were very mobile. In addition, also saw c30 Siskin, I believe I am seeing a pattern where by they arrive among feeding Crossbills perhaps to glean seeds from cones there larger relatives have conveniently opened. Likely to be a safety in mumbers issue also as it is easy to for Sparrowhawks to sneak up on them. A few Brambling were also vocal as they flew by but I saw none settled in this area.

Great Grey Shrike– Forest of Dean

28 November 2013 A day out exploring the Forest of Dean with great results, I hardly noticed the overcast conditions as it was so still. At Edgehills I enjoyed the search and had success logging 4 Hawfinch, 50+ Brambling, 450 Chafffinch, 30 Siskin, 8 Crossbill (2,1 and 5). West of New Fancy View were 40+ Brambling, 200 Chaffinch and 3 Hawfinch. At Crabtree Hill the ever smart Great Grey Shrike was putting on a show. It was skipping from perch to perch and hovering over prey until it was disturbed by people walking across the middle of the heath. Quite a bird when you see it tail spread flapping in a hover.  To add to the experience a male Hawfinch showed very well as I chatted to Keith Vinicombe. I saw a single Crossbill but Keith had seen 7 plus at least 3 Two-barred Crossbill, they are getting much harder to locate. News came through of a possible Parrot Crossbill seen here yesterday which was what I was out looking for. More Forest forays are needed to relocate these birds or cross fingers that the forest birders manage to find them again.

Brambling and Chaffinch, Edgehills, FoD.

Hawfinch, Crabtree Hill, FoD

 

27 November 2013 I attend the appointment at Southmead Hospital, Bristol for an operation on my toe and met with the consultant for a third time. Things had improved with regard to infection thus swinging the balance against proceeding with it right now. Opening up a new area is does add a risk of infection so the decision was made by me to leave it for now. I hope there is no return of any problem with my toe as I am keen to keep operations to a minimum. Overall this is good news, I still have at least one more operation in the  future but this allows a few months respite and to continue with a fitness programme which includes getting out and about walking as much as possible.

25 November 2013 Having got increasing counts of Wigeon on a date or two during the month it was a treat to log 2620 on 25th November. The cold weather and ice appeared to have moved all the Coombe Hill GWT birds down to WWT Slimbridge. Over 2000 were feeding on the Dumbles scrape Wigeon lawns. Although these are way off a record count (7000+) it is impressive to see them in large flocks. A male Teal looked a little bemused to be surrounded by the wrong species. It was a dark, overcast morning but here is an image of this little duck.

Teal among the Wigeon
“What am I doing among this lot”

23 November 2013 A day out to the Hampshire/Dorset coast and heaths. See trip report page for details.

Spoonbills, Holes Bay
27 of them on a dusk high tide!

Surf Scoter, Brand’s Bay, Poole Harbour

16 November 2013 What can I say, after a few visits to look for them this autumn, I failed. I was however delighted when eventually two were located by one FoD resident birder (G. Black) and headed over to the forest on to try my luck. I had some intimate views of Common Crossbills but not the target bird. What were we all looking for? It is an invasion year and the species is the Two-barred (White-winged) Crossbill. Saturday morning I had a message that Lewis Thomson had located five of these smashing birds so off I went with Neil to join many county birders who were delighted to connect with what turned out to be 17+ Two-barred Crossbills! Thanks to the forest birders for sharing these top birds, apparently the third largest flock ever noted in the UK. We continued birding and saw 2 Hawfinches, 2 Brambling, Willow Tit, 200 Siskin, 20 Lesser Redpoll and a lovely Great Grey Shrike, the latter at the same time as 12 Two-bars were perched on spruce on the heath, 14 flew off and returning to the original spot we saw 11 feeding together in the Western Hemlocks. A damn good morning out.

Two-barred Crossbill, Kensley Lodge, Forest of Dean

 

Great Grey Shrike, Crabtree Hill, Forest of Dean

Recent highlights for the month below.

12 November 2013 Migrant Hawker and Common Darter still on the wing today.

11 November 2013 Adult Little Gull flew downriver

10 November 2013 Connected with the two Glossy Ibis on the South Lake, WWT Slimbridge.

Purple Sandpiper on the Rushy
8, 10, 11 November 2013

Green-winged Teal Top New Piece
I eventually caught up with this little duck that Gord Youdale discovered. I saw it among the thousands of Teal on a couple of dates.

5 November 2013 A Barn Owl near to home in Whitminster, always nice.

 

 

I was pleased to be able to start the day in calm and sunny conditions, a Reed Bunting flew over heading SE when I got out of the car. After feeding the Rushy wildfowl I set off to unlock the rest of the reserve’s hides. I  passed Blackbird, Song Thrush and Redwing that were all out in the open enjoying the settled weather in the Rushy lane. At the Martin Smith Hide I looked out across the Tack Piece noting an increase in the Wigeon and Teal numbers at this site today.

I heard a warbler singing outside and was puzzled, so went out to look for it. No further sound. Steve Owen arrived and joined me. I have not seen Steve for a while so while we were catching up only a Goldcrest called.  I unlocked the gate to access the Holden Tower and walk down to the Holden Tower with Steve. Not far past the tunnel I heard the warbler again in the Elders and Field Maple so we retraced our steps, it sounded like a speeded up Chiffchaff with a different sound, hard to describe but more tutswee or tutsouee notes.

It took a few minutes to show and sang regularly for Steve and I. When it showed it was in the company of another Chiffchaff, this bird was clearly different. We had excellent views from below and I got a few shots, Steve was certain he had heard a Siberian Chiffchaff on Scilly singing the same song in recent years, I have to admit it was new to me. I have heard them call many times before but not heard the song. It was a distinctive as Iberian Chiffchaff, I recorded the call on my phone and then moved to get a clear shot from the bridge and succeded in taking some of use. It eventually moved off to the Decoy. About 50 minutes later I located again by song at the Rushy/In Focus end of the Decoy. I left Steve Owen and Geoff Moyser with it and carried on with my chores for the day.

It was seen near Robbie Garnett Hide at around 1040am by James Lees and in the afternoon near the Rain Garden, Big Pen by Bruce and Jean Pendlebury. I searched and listened at lunchtime 1340-1400 along the Holden Tower path but did not locate it there.

Without checking I reckon I have found/seen over ten Siberian Chiffchaff at WWT Slimbridge, almost annually in recent years.  I had one overwinter in my Bristol garden when I was c 15 years old and have seen/heard likely birds in many SW counties and a few others in Glos such as Frampton Pools and CWP.

All images M.J.McGill

Red-veined Darter, Forest of Dean 3 August 2013

I took this image whilst out looking for a Keeled Skimmer, I was pleased to have reach the same spot as I did in June but this time without crutches. This is a rather one dimensional blog involving much talk of my injuries but it has totally dominated my life since April and wildlife experiences were often snatched but very much cherished. Some of the images during the period follow.

I became more mobile during the summer as wounds repaired and built my working days to five days a week on light duties. I was still suffering pain and restriction from part of the metalwork in my foot, after a consultation with the surgeons who re-built my foot I was booked in for another operation on 20 August. I was not looking forward to this as I knew it would be a step back and this time it was not emergency surgery. The summer weather was incredible and juvenile birds were still fledging well into the season. I had the operation on 20th August and it went to plan, excellent day case operation procedure and brilliant staff at Frenchay. I was really sore and bleeding but rested for a up week. The anaesthetic and subsequent medication really took it out of me again. I had to look after the stitches and the wound but also start using my foot to ensure it did not seize up. It took a long time to heal as it was the second time it was opened up and did not close over until late October. I had a few other problems with an infection in the toe and was back on antibiotics again in October. I did return fully to work but on lighter duties and will be using annual leave to have regular longer rest periods. I had a family holiday 24-30 October to Portugal and Spain which has done us all a lot of good. Blog of that trip is already posted. I still have a lot of recuperating to do and possibly more surgery to remove the support metalwork in my foot in future, weekly physiotherapy has been going well. Thanks to all of you who ask how I am doing.

Back to the birds….

Juvenile Robin at Hidcote NT and juvenile Green Woodpecker, Eastington.

 

WWT Slimbridge was full of passage waders and that makes me smile.
Snipe at the South Lake

 

Little ringed Plover juvenile

Unseasonal Dark bellied Brent Goose remained at WWT Slimbridge

Painswick Beacon Blue

Yellow Wagtails on the Dumbles, Severn Estuary.

Curlew Sandpiper on the Severn. Although not a record I did see 19 one day on the mudflats.

23 September 2013
Whilst I was looking for the Buff breasted Sandpiper (did see it briefly the day before) with visiting birders a new, previously unrecorded Spoonbill arrived on the Dumbles edge, it was intially roosting among the Shelduck and gulls before heading north.

6 October 2013
Wryneck at Severn House Farm
I just had to go and have a look at Paul Taylor’s nice find especially as it was so obliging. I could have got some great images if it was not so busy along the footpath.

7 October 2013
Although I was off I thought about going down to work to check the tide but decided on investigating the northern fields. I got a call from James to say he had seen a Baird’s Sandpiper on the estuary and joined him in a search for it. The tide was very high and it was with the small waders in the Top New Piece, views were distant and into the light, a couple of poor images follow.

Baird’s Sandpiper, Top New Piece, WWT

 

In the afternoon I sadly attended the funeral service of the father of one of my closest friends in the Forest of Dean. I took a short walk at Woorgreens prior and I saw 14 Crossbill, 3 Wigeon on the lake, 40 Siskin, 2 Raven and 18 Meadow Pipit. Whilst the service was in progress a few Crossbills were calling in the trees above, a bird guard of honour, very apt as Bob was very much into his birds and we always talked about Forest of Dean avifauna or football when he and his wife Sue ‘put me up’ for the night after a few pints with Tom. A thoroughly nice bloke who was into wildlife and will be missed.

11 October 2013
Thousands of Redwing over today, very impressive.

14 October 2013
A Brambling flying around calling over my garden was a nice start to the day, 2 Swallows were over at the same time. I picked up a Great Skua in my scope out on the estuary off Saul Warth during this gale/storm, it was creating mass panic among the gulls and waders. No pics sadly.

Common Gull ahead of the Severn squall.

15 October 2013

A sunny morning produced this Marsh Harrier on the Dumbles.It flew in persued by corvids and hid in the hedge before flying off toward the 100 Acre and then returning to rest on the pasture.

17 October 2013
A confiding Stonechat in the 5 Acre, good to see them as this species has taken a hammering in recent cold winters and is not a regular wintering bird currently.

19 October 2013
A walk with family and friends to Haresfield trig point produced 14 Crossbill over with a Merlin stooping at them and 2 Raven.

20 October 2013
A rather orangey and well marked Hen Harrier was over the spartina island on the Severn.

 

Autumnal Robin

 

 

 

26-28 July 2013 Back in Dorset for the weekend on another hot but also showery few days. A boat trip to Harry’s Rocks off Ballard Down was quiet for birds other than flyover Mediterranean Gulls and terns.  Passing the Brownsea lagoon it was clear that a large flock of Dunlin had arrived, I saw non the week before. A stroll on the local heath turned out to be productive. A singing Dartford Warbler, a pair of Hobbies mobbing a Buzzard, Green Woodpecker and Yellowhammer were all seen well. Hundreds of Grayling butterflies were along the paths. My sister in laws garden had vocal, Nuthatch, Siskin and Green and Great spotted Woodpeckers with juveniles as well as calling nocturnal Tawny Owl feet from the bedroom windows.

DARTFORD WARBLER

GRAYLING

25 July 2013 Highlights of the day at WWT Slimbridge were the two juvenile Wood Sandpipers and locating a reserve first Essex Skipper.

ESSEX SKIPPER

WOOD SANDPIPER one of two juveniles present, Tack Piece.

20-21 July 2013 A trip to East Dorset with a trip around Poole Harbour and to Brownsea Island NT. I was so pleased to get to the hides and among the terns depsite it being very painful walking. The Dorset Wildlife Trust lagoon was as ever an interesting place to be, full of action with the tern colonies but also variety. I did not locate any Roseate Terns but have seen them here before. A breeding plumaged Sanderling, a few Greenshank and 7 Spotted Redshank including breeding plumaged birds were present among the egrets, Cormorants and other commoner waders.

COMMON TERN, Brownsea Island and Poole Harbour

SANDWICH TERNS

I had two evening strolls on a local heath and was rewarded with some close up and personal Nightjar experiences. The hot, still night was ideal for searching for this species.

NIGHTJAR

MEDITERRANEAN GULL second summer with Black-headed Gull on Studland South Beach, Dorset. Dozens of them could be found in this area. This bird is ringed.

12-19 July 2013

SKYLARK

SPOONBILL on South Lake, taking a rest in the heatwave.

 

An afternoon in the Cannop Valley, Forest of Dean produced over five Silver washed Fritillary. Plenty of Siskin were about and other woodland birds.

SILVER WASHED FRITILLARY

RUFF on the Rushy, one of two present around the scrapes.

LARGE WHITES on Severn estuary mud.

11 July 2013 A session out on the reserve at WWT Slimbridge doing a few dragonfly transects in the Bull Ground and some spotting in the 100 Acre. We noted a high number of species of odonata including 3 Ruddy and 3 Common Darter, 7 Emperor, 16 Black-tailed Skimmer, 3 Scarce Chaser, 4 Four spotted Chaser, 5 Hairy Dragonfly, 1 Brown Hawker, 40 Azure, 340 Common Blue and 1400 Blue-tailed Damselfly and 3 Banded Demoiselle. Best of all was my first and the reserve’s second Golden-ringed Dragonfly (found by Dave Paynter).

10 July 2013

PERCH and ROACH in the grounds at WWT Slimbridge. I was rather pleased with how showy this shoal of fish were, not something I see too often.

EURASIAN SPOONBILL at WWT Slimbridge. This individual has been present for a couple of weeks, perhaps the bird that has summered before. Below a series of images I collected whilst it was active. I was particularly impressed with it’s threat display, a new piece of behaviour in the field for me.

A couple of visits later in the month to Daneway Banks NR was very rewarding for insects. Highlight has to be views of the Large Blue but we also saw a late Green Hairstreak, 10 Marbled Whites, Large Skipper, Small Blues and much more.

A nice evening out on the Cotswolds thanks to Rich Taylor. We logged Yellowhammer, four singing Corn Bunting, 5 Yellow Wagtail and more around Tresham and Leighterton. The strips of wildflowers are looking great and will hopefully feed insects and birds over the summer and winter.

Floral Cotswolds

12 June 2013 After daily song for last four days I believe I have a pair of Greenfinch looking to breed in or near the garden.

11 June 2013 Green Woodpecker in next doors garden per JJS.

9 June 2013 First Speckled Wood in the garden.

7 June 2013 I have a very productive garden for breeding birds thanks to a good planting plan, food and lots of nesting places. The garden has so far this year reared Collared Dove, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, House Sparrow and has Dunnock on eggs. Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Raven are regular over flyers and I have seen Kestrel a few times lately. Starlings, Great Tits and Blue Tits have also brought young to the garden. I have seen at least four Large Red Damselfly so far, these remain the only odonata I have noted in my ‘yard’.

BLACKBIRD hunting worms and missing this time.

 

GREAT TIT fledgling- at least three young being fed by a scruffy female and bright neat male, one having a tougher time of it of late.

STARLING adult and juvenile

6 June 2013

WREN singing in the garden.

4 June 2013 An hour out with Graham along the canal was very pleasant. We  were delighted to see young Redshank and Lapwing plus a hunting Marsh Harrier.

MARSH HARRIER Splatt Bridge

 

Thanks to Catherine I had an hour spent sitting on the lower slopes of Selsley Common. It was enjoyable for the views, weather and butterflies.  A few Dingy Skippers and Small Blues were on the wing as well as a teneral Common Blue Damselfly.

SMALL OR LITTLE BLUE Selsley Common

 

The month of May has been one of trying to recover from injuries and full of hospital visits. I have learned a lot from my garden wildlife and taken comfort from how it seems to be thriving. My blog focusses on the days when I could forget about problems to a certain extent and connect with wildlife. Without great friends and family this period would have been much more difficult.

SELSLEY ORCHIDS

27 May 2013 Another car birding trip out with my mega helpful mate Graham Clarkson. This time on the Cotswolds where we enjoyed a drink and Morris Dancing at Sherborne Tea rooms, a flock of 35+ and 9 Corn Buntings (min counts), Yellowhammers, Red Kites, Hobby and more.

BROWN HARE

CORN BUNTINGS

RED KITE

26 May 2013 Another butterfly hunt within easy reach of the car with my family, this time Rudge Hill, Edge. At least five Duke of Burgundy, 10+ Small Heath, Green veined White, 10 Dingy Skipper and more all noted.

THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY

SMALL HEATH

In the evening Graham Clarkson turned up and offered a trip out. We plumped for a look for Turtle Dove and headed for Ruardean Hill in the Forest fo Dean. We have both seen a steep decline in this species in his home county of Lancashire and in Gloucestershire. At one time I could see them very near where I live and also at work easily as an annual breeder. It is sobering that we have to almost twitch a bird locally to hear it’s soporific sound of summer. How long will we be able to do this? The link below is well worth a look and sharing.

http://operationturtledove.org/

TURTLE DOVE singing out…any repsonse or is it the last.

BROAD BODIED CHASER my first of 2013

We also noted three calling Wood Warbler in the Cannop Valley and of note..the scent from the amazing display of Bluebells at dusk was incredible.

25 May 2013 A visit to Breakheart Quarry, Dursley to look for butterflies.

DINGY SKIPPER and a GRIZZLED SKIPPER

 

A Cotswold view

WILLOW WARBLER foraging in Ash.

23 May 2013 A windy day with emerging insects was a huge draw for feeding birds over Frampton Townfield Lake.

SWIFT

BLACK-HEADED GULLS, COMMON TERNS, SWIFT AND MARTINS

22 May 2013 Another kind offer if a lift to somewhere where I could sit and enjoy the wildlife. This time it was Uncle John and an afternoon in the Forest of Dean, we headed for the Cannop Valley and tried our luck with the Turtle Dove at Ruardean Hill. It was far too windy at this site.

GREY WAGTAIL female and a fledged juvenile.
At least two juveniles were being fed by the parents and were joined by a Pied Wagtail. Nearby Siskins were much in evidence.

WOOD WARBLER
A snatched shot as it is rather hard to get pictures in my state. Digi scoping is out the question as I cannot carry the scope and tripod easily. There were two of these smashing birds singing at each other.

18 May 1013 The Garden of England- Kent, Margate Cemetery to be precise, produced this Dusky Thrush.

17 May 2013 Went out car birding with JJS and GB. At Leighterton we watched a pair of Yellow Wagtail feeding among the cattle. The female was very grey headed and grey backed. We also noted a Wheatear, Red Kite and a few Yellowhammers.

YELLOW WAGTAIL a grey headed and grey backed bird, Leighterton, Glos, 17 May 2013.

Red Kite over…

12 May 2013 A female Great spotted Woodpecker on the peanuts was the first for a while. This species usually appears when all is quiet.

10 May 2013 The strengthening gales, a chance of being dropped off to watch the tide from the canal and the need to focus on other things rather than injuries made me pleased to get going. I later heard from other birders that a Pomarine and Arctic Skua passed through as I was bumbling along to get in position. I did catch a Bonxie passing through at 0910, it circled inland over Saul and dissapeared.

BONXIE(GREAT SKUA)

 

I also noted a really good candidate for a male Red-breasted Merganser but it turned out be a small Mallard x domestic duck type.The green head and wide white neck collar made me zoom up to study it. Other birds noted included two lingering and feeding Arctic Terns, a single and a pair of Common Terns which by behaviour seemed to be local breeders. A couple of military helicopters went over very low and flushed 5 Greenshank among the other birds present. The only migrant waders were 5 and 2 Dunlin flying over. Local resident and territorial birds included Lapwing, Redshank and Yellow Wagtail (pair).

I met my lift (mother in law) and was dropped at Quedgeley to do a talk for the children if Beech Green School. The topic was the Spoon-billed Sandpiper expedition of 2011. All went well and the children were great, really interested with lots of questions, the best of which was..’If you could choose a bird which best descibes you, what would it be’. What a great question. On the way home at midday I heard the blast of a Nightingale song from the open window of the car. It was singing in a very built up part of the town next to busy dual carriageway and a busy road. I glimpsed it from the bus stop as it broadcast the fine song.

8 May 2013 A morning on the canal towpath with a Lesser Redpoll over N and a good selection of birds including Greenshank. In the evening I was picked up by Nick Goatman and dropped on the canal with Shane Long who carried my scope. Well done chaps. Shane and I shared duties with him picking up a Gannet flying over the river and Yellow Wagtail, I helped out chipping in with Garganey, 4 Greenshank and 20 Whimbrel.

Jackdaws collecting winter coat for nest material

The Blackbird sneaks in to feed her young. I have had the chance to study these birds of late. The front garden pair have reared a youngster to fledging and I have seen the female collecting grasses for a second nesting attempt. This (back garden) female seems to be doing the feeding, shading young to keep cool and brooding (keeping them warm) all by herself. The male alarm calls at cats etc but I have not seen him near the nest. Maybe the late burst of beech leaf and the possibility of him giving the nest away as he is not camougflaged, maybe this is normal for the female to do everyhting earlier, maybe he has a couple of females to attend to. I have noted three males squaring up on the lawn so maybe I have three pairs. A lot of maybes…

7 May 2013 Out on the canal this morning I noted two Ravens, Cuckoo, two male Garganey, 3 Greenshank, 10 Dunlin and a few Yellow Wagtails. Also a Common Tern was over the WWT Slimbridge reserve. I noted a further 7 feeding at Frampton Townfield Lake.

RAVEN

I was delighted to have an evening out to watch a breezy Severn sunset, have a look at the breeding waders and do a bit of birding with Neil Smart. We expected terns as 400+ were off Severnside but none appeared for us, too clear. We logged a Little Stint, 190 Dunlin, 140 Ringed Plover, 12 Sanderling, 5 Whimbrel, 9 Curlew and 6 Oystercather on the estuary. The stint and a small band of waders visited the Top New Piece but were flushed. A Cuckoo flew over.

Severn shelduck

Stormy Severn Shelduck.

6 May 2013 An afternoon sat on Frampton Village green and a flock of 21 Whimbrel flew low over toward the court lake. In the morning some of the local Cranes flew to the West of my house and were calling.

5 May 2013 I was taken to Ozleworth to a National Trust property and pushed around the grounds in the wheelchair by Harriet, we had a picnic looking over the valley.The only birds of note were Peacocks which my children just could not help feeding.

4 May 2013 Graham Clarkson drove down fron Lancashire via a night stop in Hereford to meet up with Neil Smart and Rich Hearn at my house. My friends had rallied to take me out to the Forest of Dean for a day out. They carried my gear, pushed me up hills in the wheelchair and remained very patient all day. We had a smashing morning out with Firecrest, five Tree Pipits, Lesser Redpolls Siskins, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler and more. I missed out on the Dippers through being too tired so waited in the car.

GARDEN WARBLER

PIED FLYCATCHER

Punture…glad these blokes were able to sort it while I watched on.

Down at the 100 Acre GC and I had 10 Yellow Wagtails and 7 Cranes and a pair of Shelduck were a Whitminster tick.

2 May 2013 Orange Tip, Holly Blue, Small and Large White Butterflies in the garden.

Robin sunning itself