1-30 May 2009 sightings and personal blog

30 May 2009 You cannot beat England on a day like today. An early start out and about checking out a few local sites to home, I was rather surprised to still find Nightingale in full song at Frampton on Severn. An interesting aythya hybrid was also present with the Tufted Duck (30) on Townfield Lake. It was reminiscent of Lesser Scaup but had a look of Ring-necked Duck about it. Closer views would help.

Aythya hybrid

Later in the day I headed for the Forest of Dean with NRS, we had a great morning to 1330 with 50 Four spotted Chaser, 5 Broad-bodied Chaser, male Emperor, Downy Emerald, 500 Large Red, 150 Azure, 10 Common Blue and 5 Blue-tailed Damselfies. Garden Warbler, Tree Pipit, 5 Willow Warbler, Siskin with young and singing Pied Flycatcher were also noted.

‘It’s art innit’ Pied Flycatcher, Cobweb and Ancient Oak
Forest of Dean 30 May 2009 M.J.McGill

Downy Emerald, Forest of Dean, 30 May 2009 MJM

Painted Lady in my garden M.J.McGill

26-29 May 2009 My first Azure Damselfly for the garden plus an unidentified drag sp. The undoubted highlight has been the Painted Lady invasion. Today (28th) I noted over 2000 at WWT. In 15 minutes I watched 0ver 300 pass me in the Big Pen with over 200 seen crossing the A38 on the way home to Whitminster, only a 12 minute journey, spectacular insect migration. I even had one in Tesco this afternoon.

House Martin collecting mud, 25 May 2009 MJMcGill

26 May 2009 Very little in the way of migration but the breeding birds at WWT are as ever very entertaining. Large numbers of Painted Lady butterflies (c300) noted about the reserve today.

25 May 2009 Some migrants around WWT Slimbridge with 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, c18 Black-tailed Godwit, 27 Dunlin and 3 Sanderling. A second summer Yellow-legged Gull (not pictured)and a first-summer Herring Gull with white wingtips were interesting. I noted c70 Painted Lady butterflies with seven sightings in my garden at dusk.

22-24 May 2009 Back in Glos tonight after a weekend away on Anser tour to Norfolk, the best Norfolk trip I have ever known with amazing birding. More details and trip report with some amazing observations will follow this week. One interesting migration observation which was apparent yesterday and even more so today was the arrival of thousands of Painted Lady butterflies. I mentioned it to NRS who had also noted it. I reckon that I saw over 600 over the last 24hrs with most today, all seen on my travels around East Anglia. They were all worn and simply flypasts but impressive all the same. On checking tonight reports of 100 an hour in off the sea at Beccles gives some idea how many are involved, Severn Beach had 5 today and more reports are due to follow for sure. Sadly, at least two ended up on my windscreen. Good to see 3 bat sp hawking feet from my home this evening.

18-21 May 2009 Best at WWT fore me was the 53 Black-tailed Godwits, most are 1st summers but at least 7 adults.

17 May 2009 At WWT only the, 1 Barwit, 6 Curlew, 18 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover noted off Middle Point with 6 Sanderling and a single Dunlin just to the N of here. The two first summer Mediterranean Gulls on South Lake are displaying with one of them goung through a change in bill colour, now deeper red.

16 May 2009 Only an hour out and not a lot to report. 200 Swift over the small copse at Saul Warth the highlight. Only 15 small waders seen in flight over the estuary, DBP reports that they have all departed.

15 May 2009 A couple of hours at Middle Point saw more excellent wader watching, 280 Dunlin, 190 Ringed Plover, 6 Barwit, 5 Knot, 15 Sanderling, 2 Grey Plover and 2 Turnstone. A male Whinchat was also nice as was an adult Kittiwake looking somewhat lost.

14 May 2009 What a spectacular day!

Breeding and non-breeding plumage Grey Plover MJM

At WWT I headed for the 100 Acre first. Lots of birds were singing due to the still, calm start to the day. It was shrouded in a heavy mist but not that cold. One of the first birds of the day was a Great White Egret (undoubtedly the bird John Phillips saw the day before at Lydney) which was fishing in a pool. After a while it flew to another pool nearby which is adjacent to Splatt N reedbed and fished for 20 minutes before returning to the 100 Acre. It was seen a little later heading for Saul Warth.

Great White Egret, WWT 100 Acre /Splatt area 14 May 2009 MJM

A Cuckoo was singing and the still weather allowed me to start a count of the singing warblers on site. My second surprise of the day was a pair of Pochard, very late or lost migrants, unusual for mid-May. By 1330, I had logged 117 singing Reed Warbler, 23 Sedge Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Common Whitethroat, or first Willow Warbler for two weeks, and best of all a Garden Warbler (rare here in Spring and I cannot recall hearing a singing bird at WWT before) and a selection of commoner species. It was clear that a large gull (Herring/LBB) passage was still in force, I estimated 25 birds a minute until 2.00pm at least but was not watching continously through the day. At least 250 Swift went through early with 1500 Swallow estimated during the day. Some Sand and House Martin were also involved. A first summer Mediterranean Gull was among the Black-headed Gulls on the Top New Piece and 2 Greenshank and a Reeve added to the interest. As did a Greenshank and 12 Black-tailed Godwit on South Lake as I drove by.

At high tide I headed out to check the estuary as a large number of waders were about, it was not dissapointing. 9 Grey Plover , 9 Bar-tailed Godwit, 15 Sanderling, 4 Knot, 2 Turnstone were among the stock waders of 160 Ringed Plover and 200 Dunlin. Seeing breeding plumaged birds is always one of the highlights of each Spring. A pair of Whinchat had also arrived at Middle Point. At lunchtime (1345) I headed out to the estuary where the gull passage was still on, what had gone through whilst I was not watching? A short wait and I soon had a dark phase Arctic Skua making it’s way across the mud and sand. I followed it all the way up the estuary, it stalled over a crow with it’s food but doubled it’s speed when over the water. To my surprise it settled on a sand bar and was joined and dwarfed by a pale phase skua next to it. Could it be, ten years of intense searching for the magic Pom in the Upper Severn in Spring, too far to confirm, I had to get closer so I headed up river to gain a better view, not believing. Checking again, no sign but after 5 minutes I found the pale bird, it was sitting in the water, it showed the right head pattern and I could see what appeared to be tail spoons when zooming up with the Swarovski. It soon took flight, made a few circles before it floated back downriver past me giving glorious views of it’s, as the Severnbeachboys put it, ‘full set of cutlery’. It was a fully adult Pomarine Skua. I radiode’d and started to ring people but lost the bird whilst doing this, my phone died and along with NRS and DBP who had arrived could not relocate it, the weather had closed in again. I went back to the digger with a big smile and finished the project I was working on. At the end of the day at 1700 I went back to the office, after updating the WWT website I headed out with DBP and NRS to search for the birds again but visibility, weather and low tide had beaten us. We sifted through and counted the marvellous waders on show. I had seen a male and female Wheatear to add to the day tally. I left for home at 1840.

Adult pale phase Pomarine Skua WWT Slimbridge M.J.McGill
14 May 2009

Sedgies in the Sunny and during overcast conditions MJM
Great birds whatever the weather. See following two images

13 May 2009 I will update with images later in the week but some migration was in evidence today at WWT/The Severn. I noted a Reeve, 4 Greenshank, 4 Red Knot, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 28 Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Dunlin, 45 Ringed Plover and large numbers of hirundines.

10-12 May 2009 A busy period at work with safari’s, dawnchorus and a photo safari but some nice results.

Smirking Brown Hare MJM

Male Hairy Dragonfly MJM 10 May 2009

Little Egret MJM

Dandelion eating Pheasant MJM

Sibling or road kill eating Fox cub MJM
Still cannabilism…

9 May 2009 No birding today.

8 May 2009 Out at 0530-0800 and 1115-1210 where a pair of Whinchat, 70 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 11 Sanderling, a Whimbrel and 2 Little Terns were the best birds today on the Severn. Two Common Sandpipers at Splatt Bridge were nervous but gavegood scope views as they were flushed by walkers every few minutes but were succesfully harvesting insects on the towpath. A Common Tern on Townfield Lake was eclipsed by a group of 9 Dunlin (scarce here). My hoped for skua/tern passage did not happen in the Upper Severn but Severn beach birder Paul Bowerman yet again watched an Arctic and Pomarine Skua head over the Second crossing into Gloucestershire this morning. An evening watch for three hours produced 3 and 13 Whimbrel N.

7 May 2009 My first Azure Damselfly of the year, 50 Blue-tailed Damslefly, 20 Common Blue, 30 Large Red and 3 Red-eyed Damselflies too. The latter was seen on the 4th. 61 Dunlin and 4 Ringed Plover in the WWT Top New Piece was encouraging.

6 May 2009 A breeding plumaged Golden Plover in the WWT 100 Acre was the highlight.

5 May 2009 Another dead day on the River Severn (except for 300 lovely Shelduck) and very few migrant passerines, a new Wheatear, another pair of Yellow Wagtails and a male showing territorial behaviour at a new site. I watched two or possibly three males fighting in mid-air yesterday with at least 3 possibly 4 birds present. It would be nice to see this species doing well locally after the declines of recent times. They go so well with Cattle and marshes. Sedge and Reed Warbler and Common and Lesser Whitethroat seem to be taking territories in all sutiable habitat. A Cuckoo was singing at the South Finger. I also noted a Fox with a Shelduck in it’s mouth this afternoon.

Male Northern Wheatear at WWT MJMcGill
A poor Spring for this species for me, much less than I normally see with less than 20 individuals noted locally so far.

4 May 2009 Some new birds and passage around the Severn. I logged 3 Whimbrel, a Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Greenshank joining the Dunlin, Redshank and Lapwing on the Top New Piece, WWT. A total of 70 small waders were about the estuary but all were Dunlin or Ringed Plover.

3 May 2009 Some new insects for the year today with Common Blue Damselfly, lots of Blue-tailed and Large Red Damseflies and good views of female Hairy Dragonfly at WWT. New birds included another Curlew Sandpiper on the Top New Piece at WWT and the Garganey was still present.

Female Hairy Dragonfly seen on WWT safari M.J.McGill.

Sedge Warbler WWT. Larger numbers on territory this year in response to habitat tweaking M.J.McGill

2 May 2009 Only gardening so far today, wish I was scoping a Collared Fly! Lots of Glos birders have been to see it so far but not me.

1 May 2009 A look at Frampton Pools and a single Common Sandpiper and 2 Common Terns were notable, an obvious emergence of Large Red (30) and Blue-tailed Damselflies (10) was in evidence.

May 2, 2009 0

1-30 April 2009 blog and sightings

29-30 April 2009 The month finished on the same note with a few waders appearing on the Severn on 30th. Four Grey Plover (two stunning breeding plumage birds), 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 42 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover swelled the ranks. A drake Garganey was my first WWT bird of the year.

28 April 2009 A very cold morning, ice all over my car at 0600. It led to a nice sea-fog moving up the estuary later in the morning and a good backdrop for the Roe Deer at Middle Point. Very few migrants around but a nice surprise came in the form of a singing Wood Warbler at WWT. Only my fourth on the reserve. I feel it probably arrived a day or two ago rather than overnight. Many birds had again departed, I saw only 3 Greenshank and Little-ringed Plovers around the Bottom New Piece but another of the latter in the 100 Acre this afternoon in the company of a stunning White Wagtail were what were likely to be the only non-large gull or hirundine migrants around. The calmer weather did make it easier to hear all the Lesser and Common Whitethroats today but again no Willow Warbler noted, the wave has passed, will we see any more locally in the Vale this Spring?

Wood Warbler, WWT MJM

Severn sea-fog

Roebuck at Middle Point

27 April 2009 My sightings for the day included 5 Brown Hares seen today at WWT. Some birds from the past few days still showing up like the breeding plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit in the WWT 100 Acre which was joined by 5 Ringed Plover and 4 Dunlin. Very little seen on the estuary and apparent that a clearout had happened overnight. I saw a single Large Red Damselfly seen in the 100 Acre. as well as Hobby fattening up. A pair of Little ringed Plover and two Snipe are notable for the Bottom New Piece. Again at lunchtime the Mediterranean Gulls were on South Lake, for the second year we have displaying birds in the B.H.Gull colony and it has been a target for our breeding birds addtion list on the WWT reserve. All the hard work on the reconstruction of this island in Nov 2007 is really paying off, I wait to see what happens…

Late in the afternoon large numbers of hirundines built up over the reserve.

26 April 2009 On the rounds the resplendent Curlew Sandpiper was joined by 20 Dunlin, two of which were in non-breeding plumage and were of the larger and longer legged and billed race. They may have been responsible for numerous accounts of three Curlew Sandpipers, see images.

The two long billed/legged Dunlin and Curlew Sandpiper on the WWT TNP.

Three Greenshank were also present here, a good number for Spring these days. A pair of Little-ringed Plover seem to be on territory on the Bottom New Piece marsh. Lots of migrants around at WWT and only my second Roe Deer on the reserve, a good safari produced this and a number of migrants including 4 Whimbrel, male Whinchat and 2 active Hobbies feeding on insects. Sadly many deer drown in the canal as they cannot get out after crossing making them scarce, they have been seen crossing the estuary.

A lunchtime look at WWT South Lake and no less than three Mediterranean Gulls were noted with 2 Common Sandpiper, a third on the Rushy. All three can be seen here, two first summers and a second summer (like and adult but with black chevrons in the wingtips or black mirrows).

1st summer #1

1st summer #2 with Common Gull

Second summer washing but showing black in wing.

As I walked into the Peng Obs to collect a special visitor I noted a calling LRP over and my first Swifts. It was the conclusion of Paul Walkdens book launch, Geese of the New Grounds (details will appear on the news page soon). I was delighted to spend the afternoon with DIM Ian Wallace and look around some of his old birding grounds in the late 1960’s. It was fascinating to hear the accounts of Gloucestershire rarities and the habitats of the great Severn bowl but I was somewhat relieved that he was only in the county for a few years. At least this left some rarities for the rest of us to find for the future. An inspiring man and very sharp birder with an amazing memory for everything to do with birds. We noted some good birds with a flock of 50 Swift descending above us whilst out.

25 April 2009 A spectacular dawn chorus in the Forest of Dean (0430-0540 when the rain started) was followed at midday by a look at a Whiskered Tern at Frampton.

24 April 2009 I noted my first Blue-tailed Damselflies of the year locally (two teneral and one mature) and 15 Large Red Damselfies. Lots of Speckled Woods and two Common Sandpiper as well.

20-23 April 2009 Back in Glos and a good week of migrants, insects and weather. On Monday 20 April I was back at work for a couple of hours when I spotted a harrier heading up the reserve, JSL and I managed to get a scope on it when it perched on a post and it turned out to be a female Montagu’s Harrier, a Buzzard attacked it after which it dissapeared. I relocated it over Saul Warth ten minutes later as it thermalled and then headed off over my house in Whitminster. My first Large Red Damselflies of the year were noted (2).

Also whilst I was at work this week…on 21 April my first Whinchat, Grasshopper Warbler and Cuckoo of the year plus a brief Pectoral Sandpiper in the WWT 100 Acre. A male Ruff in breeding plumage was also good to see. The latter two singing and displaying. On 22 April it was a breeding plumaged Curlew Sandpiper that stole the show whilst I was on the rounds but also a Common Sandpiper was a first of the year locally. I also saw a first summer Mediterreanean Gull was on WWT South Lake and an adult summer was on the WWT 100 Acre later in the day.

The 23 April continued in good form with a lovely full breeding plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit flying around the 100 Acre early in the morning another Common Sandpiper, 3 Whimbrel, a Garganey, Wheatear, 2-3 Ruff in breeding plumage (a black male that was at WWT the other day), 11 Black-tailed Godwits 14 Redshank, a Greenshank and the first Lapwing chicks of the year. A first summer Mediterranean Gull was in the WWT 100 Acre. The Grashopper Warbler was still reeling in the WWT 100 Acre and I saw it displaying to a female. A male Whinchat was on the fence in the afternoon.

My first Whinchat of the year and for Glos? 22 April 2009 MJM

Painted Lady seen 22 and 24 April with my first Large Red Damelflies on 21 April and first Hairy Dragonfly on 23 April were all on the WWT Slimbridge reserve.

My first Grasshopper Warbler of the year MJM

Kingfisher MJM

6-19 April 2009 I was in Spain for two weeks in Andalucia and Extremadura, a lot of birds and wildlife seen. The Extremadura trip report is now on the trip reports section.

Greater Flamingo, Donana MJM

5 April 2009 A White Wagtail, Little ringed Plover and 2 Short-eared Owls were highlights at WWT today. A party of 40 Meadow Pipit were also noted.

Meadow Pipit MJM

Shortie and Severn Shelducks MJM

4 April 2009 No birding but last night on return from a victorious skittles match at the pub where Harriet won the game for us I got a shot of what is only my second of the year so far. Her scream resulted in me seeing a Hedgehog not a Rat in my garden, I have left access points under my new fence to allow them in and out.

3 April 2009 Out and about at Frampton on Severn where I saw my first Garganey of the year, a lone male which is no doubt waiting for the females to arrive. c20 Swallow, 10 Sand Martin and a 4 Black-tailed Godwit were also seen but the mist made it hard to see too far. In my garden was the first Orange Tip butterfly of the year!

Orange Tip male Whitminster, Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ28 M.J.McGill

2 April 2009 A decent large gull passage through N at WWT all day. 6 Swallow N and the American Wigeon were also of note.

1 April 2009 A great start to the month with some fine views of an Otter at WWT Slimbridge. A single Sand Martin and a flock of 200+ Black-headed Gull around the 100 Acre/Frampton was of interest. A Little-ringed Plover flew around the tractor where I was topping on the Bottom New Piece and a Red Kite made it’s way N in the afternoon.

April 3, 2009 0

1-31 March 2009 sightings and blog

Another great opportunity came my way on Tuesady with a corporate hospitality box at Bristol Rovers FC. The match was against our bogey team, Huddersfield, we have not beaten them for ten years and ended in a 1-2 defeat for the Pirates. A good game and as ever a wonderful experience. It has to be said that the visitors first goal was unstoppable and a fine effort to watch.

Teamwork at the (Mem)Memorial Stadium MJM

From left to right facing us, man of the match Craig Disley (Dis), Jo Kuffour (the scorer) and League One’s top scorer with 25 goals the perfect striker, Rickie Lambert.

28 -31 March 2009 A good end to the month. My first Wheatear, White Wagtail and singing Willow Warbler of the year were all at WWT Slimbridge on 29th. Four Wheatear were at the trust on 30th.

27 March 2009 In my Whitminster garden a male Blackbird is busy collecting worms to take back to young nearby. No chemicals on my lawn! A spell at Frampton Pools this afternoon gave me my first House Martin (1), Swallows (3) of the year and c6 Sand Martin. A few Redpoll and a Siskin, 30 Fieldfare plus 2 greyer female Pied Wagtail not White were among the flock of 12. c65 Tufted Duck were noted too.

26 March 2009 A quieter day around WWT, the American Wigeon, Brent and Cattle Egret showed but more birds appeared to have departed. A Great Crested Grebe was on the estuary over high tide, I always like to see them out on the Severn as it reminds me of coastal birding/seawatching.

25 March 2009 At WWT a rather rushed rounds meant I never had the time to watch at one place too long. I went through the c30 or so Wigeon around the Holden Tower and 157 on the Top New Piece without seeing the American Wigeon. It was reported from the Zeiss Hide later. The Dark-bellied Brent was on the Tack Piece/Long Ground. As we had not checked the South Lake JSL had a look from the Hogarth Hide where the Cattle Egret was sheltering from the wind. The heavy jowel and dagger bill can be seen clearly in this image, compare with the slimmer, longer billed Little Egret head shape.

Cattle Egret, WWT Slimbridge, South Lake MJM

I also had the pleasure of showing two Brazilian girls, Carlina and Alessandra around the N end of the reserve and Decoy. They are in Britain for a month on a fact finding mission and both work in Conservation in Brazil. The first bird I scoped to show them was a male American Green-winged Teal in the 100 Acre marsh but to foreign visitors the array of birds on show was very impressive, easy to forget when we see them daily.

Green-winged Teal male or pair? and Shoveler MJM

24 March 2009 On the rounds at WWT Slimbridge this morning I noted the American Wigeon, a first winter Iceland Gull was on the estuary and the Dark-bellied Brent.

22 and 23 March 2009 Back at WWT the American Wigeon continued to brighten up March, no sign of DBP’s Cattle Egret but we have no cattle, sheep or horses on the fields locally. It is worth checking any field with stock as it is likely to be in the area. Two Blackcap are singing around the reserve and at least 8 Chiffchaff. The return of cloud and showers saw us recording Sand Martins again. I had 12 and JSL had one today. At least 9 Black-tailed Godwit were on the South Lake this afternoon and a miserly 6 Dunlin in the 100 Acre.

21 March 2009 Out and about in the Forest fo Dean for family reasons but shoehorned in a visit to Boy’s Grave and New Fancy View for ten minutes birding at each site. The Northern Grey Shrike was showing but as ever my attempts to get an image of this bird were poor. The Cirencester bird is more prepared to come closer if you use a bit of fieldcraft or stay in the car.

I also noted a Crossbill here and the Siskins and 3 Brambling (one of the males is nearly in full breeding plumage) at New Fancy were nice to see. Plenty of Mandarin were at Cannop Ponds as were a pair of Grey Wagtail. In addition singing Grey Wagtail was at Blakeney.

20 March 2009 Most notable bird today was the Kingfisher that flashed past me across the dual carriageway on Eastern Avenue Gloucester. It passed PC World and McDonald’s and on inspection I found a stream hidden in the Industrial Estate. A pair of Shelduck on a puddle at Hempsted Recycling/Refuse Tip whilst I was recycling stuff was another reminder of the importance of any wetland.

19 March 2009 What a great spell of weather, despite another foggy and misty start to the day hence no birding I saw three species of butterfly today on the WWT reserve. In order from top to bottom..Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Comma MJM.

18 March 2009 Misty and foggy so no birding.

Little Grebe at the WWT Slimbridge, Robbie Garnett Hide MJM.

17 March 2009 On the way in to work this morning and on the way home via the 100 Acre I had my and Glos’s first Greenshank of the year. 2 Golden Plover, a Little Stint, five Dunlin and the same duck as yesterday were all still showing. The first-winter Glaucous Gull was out on the sands and the male American Wigeon was still on the Top New Piece. Some flocks of Buzzard were stacking up over the reserve with six together and birds on the wing all day in the sunshine. One of the Blackcap at Splatt Bridge was still singing as was a Chiffcaff. Three Chiffchaff were in song around the trust.

16 March 2009 Due to the canal bridge not being there (bridge being replaced and WWT closed for 2 days) I walked to work from Frampton on Severn early this morning. Two male Blackcap were in sub-song between Splatt Bridge and the first gate to the S. These are more likely to be wintering birds rather than the true Spring migrants that are obvious from the second week of April, they were both deep in the Ivy. A commotion in the 100 Acre led me to think that either an Otter was hunting or someone was where they shouldn’t be as the gulls were mobbing whatever it was. I was delighted when I got my bins onto a large Otter as it fished among the reeds. The 100 Acre marsh was still fairly busy with waders and wildfowl, the same when I went home. Snipe, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Lapwing, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, 5 Pintail and Gadwall. No large numbers but a good variety. The next highlight was walking into a grounded male Goshawk, just 30 feet in front of me, it took flight looking over it’s shoulder and headed across the river to Awre. Next good bird was a male Merlin, this the first I have seen since October!

Out on the estuary the 1w Glaucous Gull was roosting with the other larids. This was as usual viewable distantly from the Holden Tower and Zeiss Hide. From the Holden Tower I picked out the male American Wigeon on the Top New Piece. Better views from the Zeiss Hide were had later.

At least two Chiffchaff sang about the reserve today, I heard three Toads calling from the 100 Acre and other ditches.

15 March 2009 The larger gular patch and white head seen clearly in this image. A WeBS survey day and birdwatch morning at WWT Slimbridge. All of our sightings are on the WWT website. Some wonderful display was witnessed by JSL and I from the South Lake Obs. A sinensis Cormorant pair were engaged in ritual display, offering of weed and head throwing, bill lunging with guttural calls all noted.

14 March 2009 A call from Mike King kicked started a bit of local birding, he had discovered what is probably the second largest flock of Brent Geese recorded in Glos, the chance to see and hear them was a real draw and quite a highlight for me. I managed a few shots and there were at least 58, Mike counted 55 but they were on the water and bobbing up and down. One had a very clear neck slash and was quite black but it was very hard to watch individuals as they were out of view longer than in view. I also saw my first three Sand Martin of the year. The wintering female Blackcap was drinking in my garden.

A selection of Dark-bellied Brents shots from 14 March 2009 MJM

13 March 2009 Only a 15 min look about Townfield Lake at Frampton this afternoon where 10 G C Grebe and a Little Grebe were the most notable birds.

First winter Iceland Gull from the WWT, Holden Tower MJM

12 March 2009 Another decent day about WWT Slimbridge especially during the rounds. An adult breeding Mediterranean Gull and first winter Iceland Gull were on the edge of the Dumbles over high tide. The last 24 E White-fronted Geese appeared to depart this morning leaving a single and four wild Greylags. In the evening at least 2 Curlew flew over my house heading N calling plus other mystery calling birds that were heard by Nick Goatman at Frampton who tipped me off and I heard them over me. It was also nice to see the American Wigeon again.

Eurasian and American Wigeons WWT, Top New Piece MJM

11 March 2009 At high tide this morning I picked up the first Avocet of the year on the Dumbles, it was among the Shelduck before flying off the saltmarsh where it fed for a while. The gulls pushed it around a bit and I last saw it drop behing the shelf. On South Lake an adult breeding Mediterranean Gull was present, this one had a large notch in the right wing and more white in the face than the bird on the 9th. Later in afternoon I saw the first summer bird again here from the tractor, DBP saw it in fields W of Slimbridge village on spread fields. Whilst leaving work I went through a flock of Common Gulls on the road fields and an immaculate adult breeding Mediterranean Gull was with them, they dropped onto South Lake. This makes 4 in three days! A Black-tailed Godwit beginning it’s moult was on the Top New Piece, this is new in. At the 100 Acre 4 Spotted Redshank, 35 Redshank, 10 Snipe, 15 Golden Plover, 50 Lapwing, 5 Little Grebe and 40 Curlew were present. At least 60 E.White-fronted Geese remained on the Dumbles with the DB Brent.

Highight of the day was at 1705 at home, whilst unloading logs from my car I heard White-fronts, looking up c 50 were flying low over my house and heading for WWT. They were probably on another pre-migration flight, brilliant garden tick!

10 March 2009 Again I will upload images of my highlights recently rather than a full blog of the period. The E White-fronted Geese made a mock attempt to migrate this morning from WWT. They flew high over the reserve and out over toward Whitminster, turning to Longney and returning after 40 minutes. A clear night tonight should see the rest of the flock leave and looking out the window the moon is shining bright. I had a report of two Swallows from Whitminster today but they are probably the Sand Martins from Frampton. A look at the WWT 100 Acre this morning revealed c200 duck which were mostly Teal and Wigeon but 4 Spotted Redshank, 1 Little Stint, 1 Golden Plover and a first summer Mediterranean Gull were also present, the Med was relocated on the South Lake later. Yesterday whilst JSL and I were shovelling gravel at the back of South Lake he noticed an adult summer Med in with the B.H. Gulls.

Yawning first summer Mediterranean Gull, WWT South Lake MJM

Adult summer Mediterranean Gull WWT South Lake MJM

The end of winter! MJM.

Another nice Nick Goatman find at Frampton on Severn, one of the 22 Waxwings near the Court Lake MJM.

I often see Shoveler diving to feed on the Tack Piece scrape during the early Spring. They work a patch over systematically, I never see this behaviour regularly anywhere else. MJM.

The Iceland Gull is about the estuary most days and often at the same time as the Glaucous Gull. Never very close though!

March 10, 2009 0

1-27 February 2009 sightings and blog

27 February 2009 A female Blackbird was collecting nest material in my garden this morning.

26 February 2009 I did the rounds at WWT this morning with Mike Cox, I left him on his last day with us volunteering on Wigeon search duty and he located the male American Wigeon on the Tack Piece. He will be moving on to a new job next week. I counted the other birds and 483 E White-fronted Geese, the Dark-bellied Brent, 2 wild Greylags and the female Goldeneye. I saw four Spotted Redshank on the South Lake also. During the day 2 Ruff were noted in the road fields, three Redpoll over and as we left the track repair job at the end of the day, Mike and I spotted a Spoonbill from the tractor as it fed in front of the Hogarth Hide on the South Lake.

25 February 2009 No birding as such at WWT but a scan around the 100 Acre whilst measuring up a job gave me a Little Stint, 100 Dunlin, 90 Golden Plover and the Egyptian Goose. The female Goldeneye was still on the Rushy. A party of 3 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting and 4 Linnet were in the hedges.

24 February 2009 After being off work yesterday I eventually made my way to the Zeiss Hide on the morning rounds at WWT and got some close views of the American Wigeon. At least two of the wild Greylag were on the Dumbles plus the D.B.Brent, 3 Spotted Redshank and 430 E White-fronted Geese on the Tack Piece.

18-23 February 2009 Much the same at WWT but large departures noted within the duck flocks. Graham Clarkson was in the county with photographer Andy Bate and both stayed at my place on the Friday night. They had a good weekend birding in the county with Red Kite at Symond’s Yat plus the Peregrines and a heart stopping Gyr falcon type which they thought to be a hybrid. Hawfinches, Mandarin, displaying Goshawks and lots of other forest birds were noted by them. At WWT, the six Tundra Bean Geese and D.B. Brent were added too plus the Long-eared Owl near Splatt Bridge. I saw the Tundra Bean Geese on Sunday also and the female Goldeneye was still on the Rushy. I saw the first winter Glaucous Gull on the estuary at dusk.

Where is the Glauc?

16-17 February 2009 Bruce Pendlebury phoned me with news of a Mealy Redpoll in the Green Lane near to the WWT reserve, it was with four Lesser Redpoll. Today was much of the same, a Little Stint and good variety of other waders were about the WWT reserve. The six Tundra Bean and single Dark-bellied Brent were on the Dumbles late afternoon. Yesterday was notable for a pair of calling, talon grappling Peregrine Falcons over where we logged up fallen Oaks. The bird song continues to increase locally particularly in the mornings.

15 February 2009 13,000 wetland birds counted at WWT today with a first winter Glaucous Gull, the six Tundra Bean Geese and Dark-bellied Brent being pick of the bunch. Three Great-crested Grebe returned and were vocal and displaying, the same could be seen with the Oystercatchers.

Female Kingfisher at the South Lake Observatory MJMcGill Nikon Coolpix 995, Swarovski 20-60 x zoom x 65mm and DCA adapter

13 February 2009 A short walk along the towpath at Frampton with my children was made pleasant by so many singing birds, very spring like indeed. We had a look at the roosting Long-eared Owl and then a Short-eared Owl which was perched up nearby. A Little Owl called from near the church.

Spotted Redshank from the Holden Tower, WWT Slimbridge, MJM.

7-12 February 2009 The snow has melted off and the high water levels have attracted thousands of birds back in front of WWT hides. The six Tundra Bean Geese, Dark-bellied Brent, Little Stints and at least four Spotted Redshank have been showing well.

1-6 February 2009 Snow has dominated the month so far, here are a few images from WWT Slimbridge and from home of what I have seen this week. Hundreds of Fieldfare have invaded the gardens of Whitminster, I still have a good variety of passerines including two Blackcap but no Brambling as yet.

Fieldfare in the garden

Female Blackcap in the garden.

Lesser Redpoll at WWT Slimbridge

Siskin at WWT Slimbridge

First-winter Glaucous Gull at WWT Slimbridge

Lapwing in the snow, WWT Slimbridge

February 6, 2009 0

1-31 January 2009 sightings and blog

26-31 January 2009 Much the same quality birding at WWT and a great day in the Forest of Dean on 30th, see trip reports for what we saw.

25 January 2009 Back at WWT the Snow Bunting was of note, see WWT website for details.

24 January 2009 Day off from birding.

16-23 January 2009 On the Anser Northern Tour, see trip report page for full details/images in due course.

13-15 January 2009 Not much too report here but a male and female Blackcap continue to winter in the garden and the juvenile Glaucous Gull was on South Lake on 15th.

Glaucous Gull, South Lake WWT Slimbridge, MJM

12 January 2009 The strong winds and high tide produced a a couple of good birds when I did the rounds at WWT. A juvenile/first winter Glaucous Gull and adult Yellow-legged Gull were on the Dumbles, see the WWT website for an image and other news. I added the DB Brent Goose to our office list today, the others were also there so got it as well so no chance of creeping ahead of them. Nice to see 13 Ruff back on the reserve too.

11 January 2009 The 6 Tundra Bean Geese were back in the Tack Piece at WWT, this was the highlight of the day.

10 January 2009 A day trip to Cornwall for the Snowy Owl and other birds, a trip report will be on the trip report page.

9 January 2009 A male and female Blackcap feeding on apples in my garden plus a Goldcrest this morning. Mike Cox reports 6 Bean Geese on the Tack Piece at WWT, no more details.

8 January 2009 Nothing much note today, a white Lesser Black-backed Gull was on the estuary this afternoon.

7 January 2009 I saw the DB Brent Goose fly over where we were working near the canal with the E White-fronts, a juvenile/first winter Glaucous Gull was spotted briefly (JSL) on the ice floes on the Severn from the Holden Tower at 1630 but we watched it fly to Purton where it dissapeared in the 50,000 gulls there. Some snow flurries and rain this evening showed the temp has raised a bit.

6 January 2009 At WWT Siberian Chiffchaff flew around calling continously outside the Duck hut and went into the bushes next to the restaurant to roost at dusk. It showed to 8ft next to the Caribbean Flamingo house and did a circuit before going silent. I had a Shelduck in my hand and ringing pliers but DBP and Mike Cox got their bins on it. The centre was closed today for canal bridge work. I also saw 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Water or other type Pipit, 2 Short-eared Owls (hunting over the 100 Acre from 1400). Bob Radford reported 3 Avocet heading upriver past Berkeley in the morning and Mike Cox had a Barn Owl at WWT after droppping me off up the reserve to walk home due to bridge closure

5 January 2009 Still lots of passerines visiting my garden, the first male Blackcap of the winter, a Fieldfare, 7 Long-tailed Tits and perhaps 20 Chaffinch, 10 Greenfinch, 12 Starling, 2 Dunnock, 2 Pied Wagtail, Blue and Great Tits, 4 Goldfinch, 2 Collared Dove, 5 Woodpigeon, 4 Robin, 4 Blackbird, Song Thrush and 30 House Sparrow. 2 Raven flew low past the garden and 23 Lapwing flew out of the ploughed field next door.

4 January 2009 Twenty minutes at the Court Lake, Frampton and 2 male Goldeneye a Scaup, 2 Little Grebe and 2 Egyptian Geese were noted.

1-3 January 2009 The WWT website has all the sightings from myself except for seeing a Little Stint and male Blackcap on mistletoe. The juvenile Brent Goose and the wildfowl flying low (inc E White-fronted Geese) around the centre in the sun was highlight for this period. I had my best ever year in Gloucestershire and at WWT with over 220 birds seen in the county and 200 at the trust.

Male Gadwall is not just a grey duck with a black tail…
One for duck lover Steve Dark, Happy New Year Steve.

Dunlin and Little Stint MJM When it thaws we will see the waders at WWT again.

Some images from the end of 2008 and the start of 2009.

Waxwings at Littledean, Glos MJM A flock of 14 took advantage of this ornamental rowan.

Goldcrest at WWT Slimbridge MJM The small birds are suffering in this cold weather.

50/50 Bewick’s Swans over the Peng Obs, WWT MJM

E. White-fronted Geese and Bewick’s Swans cross flight paths

January 4, 2009

1-31 December 2008 wildlife sightings and blog

27-31 December 2008 I ventured out to do a little birding, a few hours over in the Forest on 27th with the 14 Waxwings, a Willow Tit and 2 Crossbills being the highlights and a morning out with Neil Smart and Bob Radford on 30th to the CWP to have a look at an Ian Ralphs find..a Slavonian Grebe on 114, the first for many years in Glos. We also noted 9 Smew, 125+ RCP on 44, 6 on 114 and 5 on another pit. Chiffchaff along the Thames and 13+Goosander. The year finished with a male Black Redstart at Sharpness and a Dipper at Damery.

24-26 December 2008 Still no birding due to illness for me. Waxwings are in the Forest of Dean and the cold weather with Easterly airflow should see more wintering birds arrive locally.

21-23 December 2008 I have been laid low with a bad cold, I did see a male Blackcap in Whitminster yesterday and Jeremy Squire reports 2 Glaucous Gulls at Longney Crib this afternoon.

Fuerteventura Chat MJMcGill

16-20 December 2008 On the Anser trip to Fuerteventura, the gallery has been updated and should be accesssible soon.

Monarch, La Lajita, Fuerteventura MJMcGill

15 December 2008 I flushed a Woodcock this lunchtime from the Decoy Wood near the Willow Plantation today whilst filling the feeders, the first of the year for WWT. It seems to be a good year for numbers with many being seen locally.

13-14 December 2008 No birding over my days off from WWT, the poor weather made me cancel the half day out on Saturday. Back at WWT Slimbridge and is was great to see the large numbers back on the reserve thanks to milder weather and much needed rain. Highlights during Low tide and WeBS counts included 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Ruff, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 151 E White-fronted Geese, 5 continental/Euro or Icelandic Greylag, 89 Bewick’s Swan, 3700 Lapwing and 1000 Dunlin. A good 2-0 win for BRFC over Tranmere on Saturday was enjoyed by myself, Joe and Jeremy Squire, too dark to go birding!

8-12 December 2008 The cold weather continues, ice and sub zero temperatures are playing their part in determining bird numbers locally. The most productive birding at work has been around the feeding stations with the Kingfisher hide giving views of the E White-fronted Geese too. Short-eared and Barn Owls continue to be seen around the reserve and I have seen Water Pipit a couple of times in flight. Any ice free lake or pond is holding large numbers of duck. I am still seeing Chiffchaffs around the WWT reserve, a Siberian Chiffchaff was seen in the car park on Wednesday.

Chiffchaff at WWT Slimbridge MJMcGill Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ28

All three British Swans, Mute, Bewick’s and Whooper in the mouth of the Swan Pipe, Rushy, WWT Slimbridge MJM Nikon Coolpix/Swarovski 65 30x WA

7 December 2008 A Whooper Swan flew in to the Rushy this morning (S Heaven) and stayed around for the feed. It returned at 1615. Another highlight was the hunting Barn Owl at the Holden Tower at 0845 this morning, it was out again this afternoon. I did also note Water Pipit twice in flight today.

6 December 2008 A quick look at Frampton Court Lake to meet with Graham Clarkson and his college group gave up a male Red-crested Pochard and two Egyptian Geese. A couple of Greater Scaup were also present.

5 December 2008 Only a brief look from Sharpness Pier for me today but at least a Little Egret flew South.

1-4 December 2008 Some birding back at WWT, see the website for details.

December 7, 2008 0

1-30 November 2008 sightings and blog

28-30 November 2008 No birding until 29th when a few Tree Sparrows on feeders and the Pink-footed Geese and Whooper Swans at WWT Martin Mere. I was at the reserve for the NW Bird Fair to do a talk each day. We also noted a Barn Owl on the way into Ormskirk.

27 November 2008 A Jack Snipe was still in rushes near the Hogarth Hide, we have been cutting here today.

26 November 2008 I was topping the juncus (hard rush ) in the 100 Acre, a Jack Snipe, 5 Stonechat, 2 Buzzards, 2 Brown Hare and Peregrine werenice but the female Bearded Tit that flew in from the N and landed next to the tractor briefly before flying back N was even better. Two Jack Snipe were in the rushes near the Hogarth Hide while we were cutting plus 3 Water Rails.

Bearded Tit from a seriously vibrating tractor cab! MJM

Also a bird showing all the characters of Mealy Redpoll was with four Lesser Redpoll feeding on seeds. It was bigger, had frostier plumage, white feather edges on wings, tramlines to white rump, pale nape band and colder tones overall etc..

Probable Mealy (Common) Redpoll top (and behind) Lesser Redpoll MJMcGill

24 November 2008 Whilst on the rounds I saw a Siberian Chiffchaff with a colybitta Chiffchaff move through and past the Holden Tower. It was chasing the Commoner bird all the time until they parted and it was last seen atop the thorns in front of (S) of the tower.

Bittern, Tack Piece reedbed, Zeiss Hide WWT Slimbridge MJM

23 November 2008 The return of the Tack Piece Bittern was welcome for birders and photographers alike. Nick Goatman discovered the Lydney Lesser Scaup on the Court Lake at Frampton late yesterday, three first winter Greater Scaup were also present with it today as well as over 100 Tufted Duck.

17-22 November 2008 Norfolk trip report now on relevant section. All my sightings are reported on the WWT website.

14-16 November 2008 Away on an Anser Norfolk trip, report will be on the trip reports section soon. It was a very succesful bird filled visit.

12-13 November 2008 See WWT site for my sightings.

Tundra Bean Goose WWT Slimbridge MJM

11 November 2008 Brenda Moatt rang me with news of the re-discovery of the Bean Goose, LPA found it last week but it had not been seen over the weekend. (Note on showing LPA the images it is a different bird) It shows a lot of orange in the bill, this gives a long billed look but the bird has a short and stocky neck and is stocky overall. The Lesser Scaup is still at Lydney Lakes and a pair of Whooper Swans at Ashleworth Ham GWT.

First-winter male Lesser Scaup, Lydney Lakes MJM

10 November 2008 Rising water levels at WWT saw a return to the wildfowl and wader spectacle on the Tack Piece. At least 3 Spotted Redshank were among the waders. A call and email from Gloster Birders concerning a probable Lesser Scaup or hybrid on Lydney Lakes was interesting as the finder was John Phillips and would like a second opinion. I thought that if he was interested it was wise to go and have a look, he does turn up a lot of great birds in the county and once again was onto a good bird. He was still present as I arrived, had much better views than of 11 days ago and was ready to head off home to phone out the confirmation of his excellent find. I saw all the features on the bird whilst I was there, it wing flapped to show it’s wings, It had…dark wing bar on primaries and clean whitish on secondaries (giving a fairly clean cut division), bright yellow eye, black bill nail, long black nostril (black not confined to immediate surround of nostril entrances), steep forehead from base of upper mandible giving high forehead look, neat peak behind the rear of crown that has point above or level with crown depending on posture, no downturned crest as in hybrids fine vermiculations on pale grey mantle, not uniform grey/pearl size as Tufted, flanks pale grey/brown. John had seen a purple sheen to head, I was viewing in poor light so did not see this very well.

Redwing at the WWT, Holden Tower MJMcGill

9 November 2008 Showy Redwings, 58 Black-tailed Godwit and the Water Pipit were my highlights today. See WWT website for details.

7-8 November 2008 Nothing to report.

6 November 2008 Mike Cox and I made up some weldmesh baskets for holding Apples for the feeding stations (Badgers are eating them all on the ground). A quick look from the Holden Tower this morning resulted in a Lapland Bunting being the first bird on show. It was feeding on seeds among the grass piles on the Dumbles/Holden scrape with Skylark. LPA saw it twice more until 1145 at least and had 28 E Whitefront. Lots of Redwing and Fieldare in the hedges with 400 of the latter and a brief view of a Ring Ouzel in the afternoon.

5 November 2008 Still lots of migration, thrushes, Bramblings, Redpools, Siskins and Chaffinches.

Bewick’s Swan (unamed but sporting AA1617 Moscva metal ring) It is a yearling and was ringed on the Tundra in August 2008. This bird has been in the Rushy at WWT.

4 November 2008 Another good day of visible migration at WWT. At least 5 Brambling flew NW calling during the dayplus 2 at the South Finger feeders. 100 Chaffinch were also noted over. Finches in general are around in good numbers which is very encouraging. Whilst packing up for lunch I turned around only to see a Hawfinch fly from the vicinity of the feeders to the top of a tree and pose! It flew off N toward the Decoy and was joined by a second. A very scarce bird here and only the second I have ever seen on the reserve. LPA counted 54 E White-fronted Geese.

3 November 2008 A good day for winter migrants, it was great to watch a family of three E White-fronted Geese arrive (the first juvenile) to make the flock up to 14. Seven more Bewick’s Swans arrived to make 8 and once again thousands of thrushes, a Brambling and Siskins and Redpolls were all seen during the day. I also saw a Red-breasted Merganser and two Goldeneye fly upriver together this morning. A Brambling was also around the feeders at the new Kingfisher hide which opens on the 12th.

2 November 2008 Highlights included a Water Pipit on the Dumbles scrape and the arriving White-fronts.

1 November 2008 A day at the Space Centre, Leicester.

November 3, 2008 0

1-31 October 2008 blog and sightings from Gloucestershire and beyond

31 October 2008 A morning walk around the N end of the WWT reserve for me today and the rest of the day working in the garden. Some migration was in evidence, on the estuary a 1w Great Crested Grebe flew in from the S and rested on the water. A very unseasonal Oystercatcher in ‘cut throat’ winter garb flew upriver calling. A Yellow-legged Gull was the only other notable bird. A Rock Pipit, a few Fieldfare, Chaffinch, Redpoll (3) and Redwing flew over. More Redpoll and Redwing were noted in the hedges. The first four E. White-fronted Geese arrived today, very late.

Whitminster Wildlife Watch
4 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, Meadow Pipits and 2 Buzzards all flew over.

30 October 2008 Popped down to WWT to see the 1W Eider, unfortunately it was moribund (see WWT website for details). Also spent the afternoon aboard the magnificent SS Great Britain, a brilliant way to spend some time on this very interesting ship. I last went to see it up close as a child in the early eighties after a visit in the seventies and how it has changed. It was nice to have a coffee with Bob Evans who was on the Anser trip to Scilly and is currently nominated for an award as he works on this Bristol Icon, fingers crossed for Bob. The timber yard/sawmill where my Grandad Cooper worked opposite the ship is now stylish apartments, the whole area is looking very nice, well worth a visit. Link below.

http://www.ssgreatbritain.org/Home.aspx

Gilded Mute Swan, Bob tells me that it is a Cob and Pen that adorn either side of the ship near the stern. I bet a long list of seabirds have been seen from this ship, trips to San Fransisco, Australia, through Antartcic waters and of course the Falklands where it rested for so many years would have added so many.

Merlin and Stonechat, WWT 100 Acre MJM

29 October 2008 A few walks about WWT today produced a few birds. A late Garganey, female Merlin, 5 Song Thrush, 2 Stonechat and 20 Snipe were all of noted around the 100 Acre. A Water Pipit was on the scrape in front of the Holden Tower.

28 October 2008
Whitminster Wildlife Watch
A Red Admiral in the garden.

26 – 27 October 2008 Nothing to report.

25 October 2008 I was looking forward to heading down to watch Bristol Rovers today when the bank statement arrived. I spent the day putting up fencing instead where a few Meadow Pipit and Skylark were noted overhead. It was a great game, certainly not one to miss, Rickie Lambert scored all the goals in a 4-2 win over Southend. http://www.bristolrovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10328~1432128,00.html

The Little Blue Heron has not been seen today but a Green Heron has been found in Kent. The mass arrival of so many American birds this autumn has been impressive. What is lurking in Britain, it could be in you garden?

24 October 2008 A Common Darter dragonfly and Black-necked Grebe were at Frampton Townfield Lake while we were out walking.

Whitminster Wildlife Watch
After hearing a Red-legged Partridge calling from my garden and seeing it from the upstairs window I went out with Maisie to see it. This species has been introduced to the the UK for hunting and is often called the French Partridge. I often see it on my travels around the Mediterranean, it prefers to run away rather than fly and is a bird of the dryer hillssides and scrub. I used to see them regularly as a teenager in N Bristol and were partially responsible for my interest in bird id. Lots of birds now using the feeders. A Greenfinch and two Goldfinch, Dunnock, Wren and 3 Blackbird joined the 20+ Starling, 20+ House Sparrow and Blue Tits. Image of the RLPartridge below, it is just W of the school. A great sunset too!

Common Goldeneye, WWT Slimbridge, Top New Piece MJM
This species has occured twice on this scrape recently, the higher water level managment has surely encouraged this as it is possible to see Pochard and Tufted Duck in flocks here nowadays. The bird took flight when the digger appeared around the front of the hide but as we returned to our willow cutting work I heard it flying. The wings make a whistling noise hence the old name of ‘Rattlewing’ . This was as the bird took off from the South Finger settling pool and headed back to the flash. This makes it 196 species of bird on the reserve this year and we still have two months.

23 October 2008 A few birds around WWT today with a late Garganey on the Tack Piece and although commonly seen in the CWP and small numbers at Frampton our first Goldeneye of the year on the reserve. It was found by DBP on the South flash, Zeiss Hide. Also 4+ Migrant Hawker and 2 Common Darter.

21-22 October 2008 Back at WWT to work but behind a chainsaw much of the time which is not condusive to birding. A few Redpoll and Siskin around, other typical species such as Stonechat (4-5) and Chiffchaff (3-4) were noted today, a Ruff also and 4 Raven over yesterday. 12+ Migrant Hawker and 4 Common Darter.

Red-breasted Flycatcher and Red Admiral, Pool Road, Tresco, Isles of Scilly MJM

16-20 October 2008 I was on an Anser trip to the Isles of Scilly, full trip report on the trip report section will follow soon.

14 October 2008 A change in the weather and Meadow Pipits were passing over home, I decided to go for a walk around the N end of the WWT reserve as I am on holiday. A pair of Stonechat and a few migrants were found. I stood at the gate in the 100/50 Acre chatting to JSL when I heard the sparrow like call of a large pipit overhead, we both strained to hear it and it called three times. A search ensued and we found in the saltmarsh with Meadow Pipits, it was a Richard’s Pipit, it was very flighty but gave good views as is circled and even hovered. I got the scope on it when it was on the ground and we both had a look at it’s head and shoulders before it flew and headed off to Middle Point where we saw it again briefly, this time it flew toward the Dumbles and S along the seawall. I also saw a late Wheatear. Nige Warren had the Pectoral Sandpiper again in front of the Holden Tower this morning.

12-13 October 2008 No birding but hard work in the garden, a Coal Tit was new for home.

1. Team huddle, 2. Joe watching on, 3. League one’s top scorer Rickie Lambert (9 goals so far but not today), 4, David Pipe (my favourite player, 5. Goal celebrating, 6. Phillips stranded, off the bar, 7. Manager, Paul Trollope before being sent to the stands, 8. Great save, 9. A good win.

Joe and me at BRFC V Leyton Orient

10-11 October 2008 A Chiffchaff in the garden on 11th and I saw the Black-necked Grebe both days at Townfield Lake. What a week for weather, better than August. We had an afternoon enjoying another of my hobbies/passions at BRFC in a corporate box. Fantastic views of the game and the right result. We did see 2 Pied Wagtail and a few Black-headed Gulls.

9 October 2008 Foggy till midday so no really very good for birding, some winter migrants appearing though.

8 October 2008 The Hen Harrier showed again as did the Pectoral Sandpiper giving nices views from the Zeiss Hide.

7 October 2008 Best bird was watching a female Hen Harrier fly across the Dumbles pursued by corvids. I landed on the saltmarsh spartina beds. At lunchtime I went out to Middle Point with Nige Warren and saw it again, this time hunting all over the area. My first 3 Redwing of the winter flew over the Rushy.

6 October 2008 Some decent migrants around and my latest Grass Snake ever.

5 October 2008 A Garganey at the Holden Tower was the highlight today, 4 House Martin and 5 Swallow were also of note.

3-4 October 2008 No birding for me.

Grey Heron, Goose House Ground WWT MJM

2 October 2008 At work at WWT from 0715-1700, apart from a 40 minute break looking at the waders on the Dumbles most of the bird’s I saw were from a tractor cab. At least one Pectoral Sandpiper remained with 10 Grey Plover, 32 Golden Plover, 6 Little Sint, 65 Dunlin, 26 Ringed Plover, 4 Ruff, 2 Turnstone and a Snipe. Around the scrapes early in the morning were 5 Ruff, c17 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank and 200 Teal. Migrants included 200 Meadow Pipit, 8 and 1 Redpoll, 3 House Martin, 1 Siskin all S. DBP had at least 5 Stonechat today and a Barn Owl plus 1000 Teal in one of our ditches. I noted a late Common Blue Damselfly and 50+ Common Darter and 20+ Migrant Hawker. Also a late Grass Snake.

Pectoral Sandpiper juvenile WWT MJM
(JSL saw two together on the Dumbles on the 1st)

1 October 2008 See WWT site for details. 4 Goosander S downriver was a good record.

October 2, 2008 0

1-30 September 2008 sightings and blog

Garganey, WWT South Lake and Black-necked Grebe, Townfield Lake
Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ28

Pectoral Sandpiper, juvenile WWT Bottom New Piece MJMcGill
Both images Nikon Coolpix 995/Swarovski 30x WA x 65mm plus DCA Adapter

30 September 2008 Again I saw the Pectoral Sandpiper but with the small waders which were mobile around the Dumbles. I also counted juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Little Stint, 10 Grey Plover and 39 Golden Plover were also seen with 65 Dunlin and 22 Ringed Plover. It was interesting to note that the Pec was very immobile and fed amongst vegetation until a Ruff joined the flock, it then became very active and confident. See the WWT site for more details. A scan through the Teal revealed 2 Garganey on South Lake with one being very close to the obs at lunchtime. On the way home I called in at Frampton on Severn’s Townfiled Lake to have a look at a bird for Gareth Bradbury. It was indeed a Black-necked Grebe. http://www.wwt.org.uk/news/213/sightings.html

29 September 2008 The Pectoral Sandpiper was refound by Mike Cox but was highly mobile around WWT today. It accompanied a Ruff and was flushed several times by Sparrowhawks on different scrapes.

Green Sandpiper WWT MJMcGill Nikon Coolpix 995/Swarovski 30x WA x 65mm plus DCA Adapter
One or two remain around the Rushy (back pond and front and Tack Piece).

28 September 2008 Despite near zero visibilty for much of the day at WWT still some good birds were to be seen. Best of all was the fem/imm Hen Harrier that flew close to us when I was guiding a early morning walk. An Arctic Skua also flew overhead when we made our way along the summer walkway. More sightings on the WWT website. Up to five Golden Plover were off Middle Point.

Click on the link http://www.wwt.org.uk/news/213/sightings.html

27 September 2008 I birded around WWT in the morning with NRS, we logged 200 Meadow Pipit, 3 Siskins, 2 Redpoll, 5 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, a new juv Spotted Redshank, 1 Ruff, 5 Yellow-legged Gulls inc a head streaked bird, 3 Sedge Warblers, a few Reed Bunting.

26 September 2008 A walk along the Glos to Sharpness canal at Frampton only produced a Whinchat and of note here Coal Tit.

Spotted Crake WWT Top New Piece marsh 25 September 2008

images MJMcGill. This species probably occurs every year but this species is very much a skulker. We prepare areas to make our chances of finding one from the hides easier and this has worked a few times. Nikon Coolpix 995/Swarovski 30x WA x 65mm plus DCA Adapter

25 September 2008 Decided to clean the tractor windows as I had another day mowing, this was a good move as I noticed a Spotted Crake fluttering in front of the wheels at 1230. It dissapeared immediately so I carried on mowing until I stopped at 1330 and waited to see if I could see it again. It showed briefly but was being chased by the Moorhens. At the end of the day when heading back in I saw Mike King who had seen it again and before long it showed a few times until 1645 at least. It was more settled, feeding and ranging into the open. It does not appear to have a whitish throat and has lead grey tones to the supercilium and paler parts of the head. The bill is quite bright too suggesting adult. It does have fine spotting on the breast though. At least 4 Whinchat were also in or around the field feeding onthe cuttings plus a Redpoll over and a Sedge Warbler.

22-24 September 2008 Most of my time was spent behind a tractor steering wheel/on a strimmer or heavy roller, all too noisy for birding by call. It is good that we are finally able to get a hay cut off the Top New Piece at WWT.

20-21 September 2008 I was on Cricket tour in South Wales but a Pectoral Sandpiper was on WWT South Lake on the Sunday, nice that the Sunday morning regulars all got to see it.

19 September 2008 A quick visit to Townfield Lake, Frampton on Severn and a moulting adult Black Tern was present. At home looking up I managed to log 6 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, a Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker and a day flying (1045) Bat, probably Daubenton’s ? A Migrant Hawker was also present all day. An hour at Coaley Peak did not produce the desired Honey Buzzard.

18 September 2008 At lunchtime I sat in the Martin Smith Hide where a Garganey was present among the Teal. At least three Reed Warbler were in the vicinty.

Reed Warbler, WWT Robbie Garnett Hide MJM Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ28

Barn Owl, WWT, a close up of facial disk MJM Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ28

Juvenile Tutnstone WWT Middle Point MJM Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ28
This bird has been here for a while.

17 September 2008 A few new waders today at WWT but very low numbers. DBP had a Marsh Harrier in the 100 Acre this am. The Barn Owl was nice to see up close. It was caught in one of the wildfowl breeding aviaries and released by Duane Green.

16 September 2008 See the WWT site for today’s list.

Avocet over the Severn MJM Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ28

Hobby (first summer) WWT MJM
Nikon Coolpix 995/Swarovski 30x WA x 65mm plus DCA Adapter

15 September 2008 Highlights today, apart from the arriving wildfowl.. 1300 Teal on site were 4 Avocet that flew around the estuary a few times before heading off S over high tide. A Buzzard on the saltmarsh that was being a nuisance may have put them off. A list of birds noted are on the WWT site.

Garganey (head to head) WWT South Lake MJM
Nikon Coolpix 995/Swarovski x30 WA x65MM with DCA adapter.

14 September 2008 A very foggy start to the day made viewing birds very difficult at WWT. A couple of walks from 0700-0900 and 1200-1400 gave up a variety of species, highlights were 2 Garganey, Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Little Stint and the Black-necked Grebe again.

13 September 2008 Mating Migrant Hawkers in the garden, butterflies and a Yellow Wagtail over East, the Swallows and House Martins are still here…Glorious weather. On the East Coast the fall has begun, 50+ Honey Buzzards arrived this morning, at least 18 were over Minsmere!!! Graham Clarkson is on the East Coast at Flamborough where he has seen 2 Honey Buzzard and Great Snipe by midday.

12 September 2008 A pre lunch visit to Townfield Lake, Frampton on Severn and 3 juvenile Black, adult and 1st winter Common and 1st winter Arctic Terns were all seen.

Turtle Dove juvenile WWT Canoe safari MJM

11 September 2008 I went birding before work and headed for the Holden Tower, settling in here was a good move, the Garganey was still present and I was soon scoping three Black Tern over the estuary. The were using a floating log and picking food off the estuary surface. Nearby I picked up the/a Black-necked Grebe floating out and making short flights, it was very agitated and continued South. The waders were good on South Lake, as water levels were high and few birds are using it we cut vegetation in front of the Tack Piece hides and cleared the drainpipes to get the water down for a last throw of the dice for waders here. We have flood conditions on the reserve and it is very hard to get rid of it. In a month or so we will be wanting to flood it up again. The final highlight of the day was going to have a look at an interesting dove at the canoe safari trail that Paul Daunter had found, he was right to raise awareness as it was a juvenile Turtle Dove, now a scarce bird in Glos. I saw a Common Whitethroat this evening whilst locking up the Holden Tower, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed and Cetti’s Warbler were also here along with 8 Blackcap and 30 Chiffchaff this morning. See the WWT site for a full list.

10 September 2008 The Black-necked Grebe was still present and a sharp increase in Black-tailed Godwit numbers to 117 at least, there was only a juvenile limosa type on it’s own when I did the rounds.

Black-necked Grebe MJM Despite being annual in Gloucestershire this was only the second for the reserve, the first was found by Mike King on the tidal pool on the North edge of the reserve, I cannot remember the year. It is not viewable from any hides.

9 September 2008 More rain and flooding, very hard to see much or have anything showing in the rain but 4 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper (first of the year) were new in among the small waders off Middle Point, otherwise 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, 15 Sanderling and less than 80 Dunlin/Ringed Plover were around. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was just N of Middle Point, 5 Wheatear were around the reserve. A late check after work to see if I could relocate the Grey Phalarope drew a blank but 3 Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank and my second reserve record of Black-necked Grebe on a ditch made it worthwhile. It was being hounded by Little Grebes though.

8 September 2008 After spending Friday afternoon searching for one, a Grey Phalarope has finally turned up in Glos, after just about every other county scoring, many with multiple sightings after a wreck f these ocean going waders, one was on the shore at Awre this evening (JP). Two more Long-tailed Skua headed W past Goldcliff today suggesting that they repeated the pattern and behaviour of Saturday’s bird, these birds must be flying in from the Wash, Trent, Avon, Severn corridor. Not much else was new today. I did see this nasal tagged Teal again on South Lake and have heard back that it was marked on the N French coast on 11 August 2008. It reads C on the front and J+ on the side. I did an extensive search of the Dumbles for the Dotterel as it was reported at 0930 (per Birdguides) but only found 2 Wheatears in the area it favoured prior to flooding.

Northern Wheatear variation, both birds were at WWT, Middle Point at least 8 were on the reserve today along with 5 Whinchat (see bottom right image). Today’s Manx Shearwater off Middle Point (bottom left) all images MJM

7 September 2008 A call from Jake King to say a Manx Shearwater flew down past Middle Point was enough to look over the tide. NRS picked it up floating back in where it made a couple of flights. See the WWT site for a list of today’s sightings. Other highlights were 41 Knot, 2 Little Stint and an increase in Shoveler and Wigeon.

6 September 2008 A day off from birding but a shame as a Long-tailed Skua made a dash through the county.

5 September 2008 An afternoon walk along the Glos-Sharpness Canal and Saul Warth got me wet for the c10th time this week, my living room is a laundry. 2 Whinchat, 40 Sand Martin, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper and 3 Greenshank were the best.

Black Tern, Townfield Lake Frampton on Severn MJM

4 September 2008 At WWT the rising water levels have brought in some new birds and pushed a few off. The Dotterel remains but is now surrounded by wildfowl. The gales of yesterday had worked, on arriving at Middle Point during our break I spotted a Manx Shearwater living up to it’s name at 1034, JSL got onto a juvenile Little Tern that fed over the spartina and flocks of Knot flew in to join a single Golden Plover, Turnstone, 25+ Sanderling, 2 juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit and 300 small waders. I had a lunchtime look at South Lake, the highest count of Redshank of the year, 126. Two Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruff and 40 Black-tailed Godwit were also present. At the Top New Piece 14 Wigeon, 350 Teal, 1 Garganey, a Greenshank and 5 Snipe were also here. I had news of an adult Gannet on the sands off the Holden Tower late this afternoon. On the way home I called in at Frampton where 2 Black Tern fed.

Green Sandpiper and Purple Loosetrife MJM

3 September 2008 Highlights for me at WWT today were Spotted Flycatcher, seeing a juvenile Ringed Plover on the Tack Piece scrape (unusual here) plus Hobby over the 100 Acre and flashing past the Holden Tower at 1650 only feet away. Sand Martin were about the reserve and I saw a party of 6 heading S. An evening stop at Townfield Lake, Frampton produced 3 moulting adult Black Terns and a walk on the reserve at dusk the best birds were 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, 1 Knot and flushing a Grasshopper Warbler from the grass. The Dotterel was still on the reserve and 2 Manx Shearwater were seen on the estuary at high tide this morning. 2 Spoonbill were seen at Coombe Hill GWT. 20 Ruddy Darter and Southern Hawker were on the wing in the brief sunny spells.

2 September 2008 The Dotterel remains at WWT, whilst counting the wader roost I had an Osprey fly low overhead flushing everything in the area and then head over the grounds. Little Stints, Sanderling and Ringed Plover were all using the scrape in front of the Holden Tower.

Garganey enjoying the autunm sunshine, WWT Slimbridge South Lake MJM

Little (Stint) and large (Teal) WWT Slimbridge Tack Piece scrape MJM

Juvenile Dotterel on the WWT Dumbles, the last and only record for the reserve was in April 1975 MJM

1 September 2008 Not a bad day at work..I went in to WWT early to prepare things for the day as I had a corporate group on a task in the Decoy, this bought me some birding time on the estuary where the rather excellent highlights included good wader viewing until the tide flooded the saltmarsh, this was followed by waders using the prepared roost sites. I scanned across the Dumbles and picked up a juvenile Hen Harrier quartering the Dumbles and Bottom New Piece area, it stayed for over an hour so accompanied by JSL we tried to get images of it. Whilst scanning I saw a juvenile Dotterel fly in and land on the Dumbles, a nice double to add to the great birds around the reserve. See the WWT site for details/counts. Around the scrapes I notched up a good variety of waders including Little Stint and to my delight two Garganey.

On a members walk for the Dotterel this evening (still present to dark) I saw three Little Stint and Dunlin/Ringed Plover in the Holden scrape. Also of note were 100 Swallows on the cross fence at 0130 after the showers.

September 11, 2008 0

1-31 August 2008 blog and sightings

Some of today’s sightings and images I took on Landrover safari’s

Dunlin on Severn Mud MJM

Hobby in the WWT Slimbridge 100 Acre MJM

Juvenile Sanderling (right) and Dunlin MJM

31 August 2008 After my three year old responded to yeasterday by waking me at 0500 I went in early and searched for the plover again today but no sign, a full list of sightings will appear on the WWT site tommorow. Highlights here today included juvenile Little-ringed Plover, juvenile Little Stint, Hobbies calling and flying in tandem, 2 Common Whitethroat and the small waders when we could eventually see them (very foggy until 1100). I was pleased to hear from Holden Tower watchers that the preparation work for attracting waders into the scrape that I did last week has worked…nine species of wader present over the tide!!!!

Lots of dragonfly activity too.

After leaving work I stopped off at Townfield Lake, Frampton at 1710 and saw 2 adult and 2 juvenile Black Terns. I also called in at Saul Warth to have a look for a stint sp seen in flight only by RGB (county recorder) and eventually found it, albeit in flight with Snipe, it called and flew around a few times before heading off East. It looked and sounded like Little Stint to me but well worth a look after the recent weather. c30 Black-tailed Godwit, 11+ Ruff (all juveniles), 3 Greenshank, 3+ Green Sandpiper, 50 Snipe and stacks of duck were all present.

It is worth a look at Mike King’s Gloster Birder site, the Osprey at Fairford is a Loch Garten bird, I am tempted to go and have look at htis bird myself as it is such a great connection with this landmark ornithological site. See link below.

http://www.birder.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

Juvenile Kentish Plover (2nd from Left) with juvenile and adult Ringed Plover and Dunlin. The open faced and breasted appearance, thin bill and slightly paler tones all show why it stands out in a crowd. MJMcGill. Also an image of it on it’s own and among the other waders present. This is only the second time I have seen this species in Gloucestershire in the autumn after I had a party of four in 1999, I picked up one on the morning of 23rd September which rose to four by the end of the day, one stayed to the 25th. I think this is the first in the county since then.

30 August 2008 I went in early to WWT (rare on my day off) as things looked good weather wise for a decent bird. I began by getting my own back on my three year old Maisie by waking her early for a change. We both went out looking for birds at WWT and met up with JSL. I decided to go to the North end and scan from there and leave JSL to search the wader roost on the incoming tide. After and hour or so I headed back toward JSL and as I approached him got a call that a juvenile Kentish Plover was in the roost. I will leave him to update the WWT site with all the totals. The waders were great with parties of Sanderling, Greenshank, Knot, Grey Plover, Ruff and 2 Little Stint.

29 August 2008 A couple of hours of quality birding around Saul Warth produced a good number of birds, 2 Kestrel, 1 Little Egret, 7 Buzzard, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 10 Green Sandpiper, 3-4 juvenile Greenshank, 1 juvenile Spotted Redshank, 10 Redshank, 35 Black-tailed Godwit, 100 Lapwing, 3-4 juvenile Ruff, 50 Snipe (1 drumming), 45 Gadwall, 25 Shoveler, 40 Teal, 8 Wigeon, 3 Whinchat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroat and Ruddy and Common Darters and 2 Migrant Hawkers all before 1000. JSL had a Common Scoter which was out on the tide (I had to use my imagination due to distance and mist) and DBP had WWT ‘s first Spotted Flycatcher of the year. See WWT website for details.

I also had a marvellous Southern Hawker patrolling my garden all evening.

28 August 2008 With a warmer day it was good to see a few dragonflies on the wing, a pair of Black-tailed Skimmer were in a wheel, 1 Brown Hawker and 5 Migrant Hawker and Common Darters c10 were all seen around the South Finger. Blue tailed and Common Blue Damselflies were also seen in small number <ten each. I did not get to do any birding or really see anything much different to the usual.

In the last few days flocks of Brent Geese, 4 in Lothian, 22 on Skye and 12 in Cornwall (latter two were Light-bellied) have been seen and 12 Pink-footed Geese were seen in flight in Lancashire. Many American birds are turning up with Co Cork, Ireland being the hotspot with 2 Yellow Warbler, Northern Waterthrush and Solitary Sandpiper arriving, all three species can be seen on Cape Clear Island. The Buff-breasted and Baird’s Sandpipers are also on show. See the link for images of these great birds. I have seen Solitary Sandpiper on St Mary’s Isles of Scilly and Northern Waterthrush at Portland Bird Obs.

http://www.surfbirds.com/cgi-bin/gallery/display.cgi?gallery=gallery9

27 August 2008 Southern Hawker and 4 Migrant Hawker seen at the back of South Lake/South Finger today. I did see a couple of Lesser Whitethroat at the Knott Hide but things were quiet around the scrapes/hides, this will change next week with tides etc.

24-26 August 2008 A few waders of note around WWT, see the website for details.

23 August 2008 No birding today unless I get a call about a rarity.

My daughter Maisie deerstalking (Sika fawn) at Arne RSPB

21-22 August 2008 I spent a couple of days staying in Bournemouth with the family, glorious sunshine, sandcastles and sea were all enjoyed. Despite spending much of our time around Poole and Christchurch Harbours and the New Forest I did not do any birding, I did see two male and a female Keeled Skimmer at Hatchet Pond in the New Forest and 3 male Emerald Damselflies at the Arne RSPB during a walk.

20 August 2008 All sightings from WWT are on the website, I went in early to leave early for the South Coast.

19 August 2008 A day with some great Gloucestershire birding. I went in earlier to take advantage of the rapidly incoming tide and picked up a Storm Petrel fluttering over the sands as soon as I lifted my bins at Middle Point. I did see this one or another at c0910 and soon after that JSL spotted a juvenile Shag, I picked up a party of three and then we had a fifth which were all juveniles. Three Arctic Terns flew down, 5 Knot and about 150 small waders were also present. P Bowerman had three Stormies at Severn Beach before us.

After getting home I was getting calls concerning an American wader at Coombe Hill GWT, I headed off after being picked up by NRS and en-route got a call that it was a Stilt Sandpiper, first for Gloucestershire (Les Brown saw it last Friday but it was flushed by walkers, he initially thought it may have been a Long-billed Dowitcher, better views were had today by L Skipp and others and it was positivley id’d and news spread, thanks guys). This is a great bird to drop into this newly created reserve and a bit of icing to go with the good breeding and wintering success, we all had good views before the light began to fade. A Wood Sandpiper, 5+ Green Sandpiper, Curlews and Black-tailed Godwits plus 2 Wheatears were on show. The rare visitor was flushed by a Sparrowhawk just after 2000 and may have flown to the Long Pool on the same reserve. Parking/turning will be very difficult as there is only room for 15 cars, finding a safe place on the A38 and a walk down the lane may be a better alternative

Stilt Sandpiper in silouhette with Black-tailed Godwit

Blackcap at the Holden Tower WWT Slimbridge, MJM

Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin and Ringed Plover WWT MJM

18 August 2008 At WWT a Clouded Yellow near Middle Point was a first of the year for me. Notable birds that I saw were male Redstart, 2 Whitethroat, Little Stint and 3 Curlew Sandpiper.

See http://www.wwt.org.uk/news/213/sightings.html for full list of sightings.

An evening walk and the Red-necked Phalarope at Saul Warth was still busy.

17 August 2008 Problems with updating the WWT website will hopefully be sorted tommorow. At WWT my personal highlight was a moulting adult Black Tern on South Lake, I may have seen two over the estuary earlier in the day and at least 7 Commic Tern were around over high tide. For waders 4 Knot, 2 adult Grey Plover, 4 Sanderling, 150 Dunlin and 50 Ringed Plover were about, 16 Wheatear and 4 Whinchat were also notable. Ana dult and juvenile Spotted Redshank, Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit remain among the Redshank flock. Lesser Whitethroat was at the Knott Hide. Nice to see that vagrants are arriving on the east coast and northern islands.

16 August 2008 A couple of Swift were over the Whitminster cricket pitch.

15 August 2008 A Stock Dove over the garden was an addition to the list.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus intermedius ? (left bird) with Great Black-backed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus graellsii on the Dumbles edge 14 August 2008 MJM.

14 August 2008 Lots of waders on the estuary following the weather last night. See the WWT link for details. JSL and I had the Gannet again on the estuary and it floated out on the tide, P Taylor had it further downstream later. On the way home I called in at Saul Warth to see an adult Red-necked Phalarope (found by Alan Baxter), hard viewing as it was into the light but still nice to see. A Garganey was also present. I also saw an adult eclipse Garganey in the 100 Acre whilst I was tractor mowing early afternoon.

13 August 2008 The Goshawk was again over the grounds today. Lower numbers of waders were about the scrapes despite the torrential rain. In the evening I got a call from JSL who had been tipped off to the presence of Storm Petrels by Paul Bowerman at Severn Beach. He saw one past Middle Point along with a Gannet. I saw the Gannet floating on the tide and we had a pale phase Arctic Skua harass a gull before heading downstream. The heavy rain made it impossible to look through optics for 20 mins and only the Gannet could be found after but an exhausted Fulmar was floating offshore. Small flocks of Ringed Plover and Dunlin were migrating through and 7 and 2 Red Knot and 3 Turnstone also headed S. Three Wheatear and a Whimbrel were also seen. After I left for home Neil Smart saw a Storm Petrel which was killed by the immature gulls.

12 August 2008 A few birds around the scrapes at WWT but the insects steal the show. I did see a Goshawk over the Tack Piece and JSL noted it too.

8-11 August 2008 A very early start and late return to get to the Isles of Scilly for a weekend of pelagics, camping in gales and a few beers. See the trip reports section for detail.

Great Shearwater off Scilly MJM.

7 August 2008 Much the same at WWT with plenty of waders about and an increase in Teal. At lunchtime a look on the estuary produced 121 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling, 15 Ringed Plover and 3 Red Knot. I have spent much of this week mowing/strimming to improve viewing and open up areas to see various wildlife. On the Martin Smith Hide marsh scrape I noted a male Broad-bodied Chaser, Black -tailed Skimmer and Common Darter. There are open areas for you to find the Spotted Crake now. Also two Migrant Hawker were hunting by the feeding station.

http://www.wwt.org.uk/news/213/sightings.html for WWT sightings.

6 August 2008 The Oystercatchers on the Rushy are very mobile now (two adults and two fledged juveniles)

5 August 2008 At Saul Warth this morning I saw 4 Greenshank, 10+ Green Sandpiper, 37+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Ruff, 4 Redshank and a singing Willow Warbler.

See http://www.wwt.org.uk/news/213/sightings.html for my sightings during the morning rounds at WWT (highlight being 2 juvenile Wood Sandpipers) plus 23 Sanderling, 1 Whimbrel, a Golden Plover, a Yellow Wagtail on the Tack Piece among cattle and a Hobby took a Swallow only 10 ft from me, I could hear the whack clearly. I forgot to mention that 2 Spotted Redshank were on the South Lake yesterday and again today.

4 August 2008 Another wader day at WWT, I saw a good variety of birds on rounds/safari. South Lake is very good with a Wood Sandpiper there as well. A juvenile Arctic Tern flew downriver this afternoon, 2 Sanderling and 28 Black-tailed Godwit were on the mud and the 5 Whinchat were still in the 100 Acre.

Black-tailed Godwit, WWT South Lake MJM

3 August 2008 Lots of waders at WWT, a total of 17 species logged plus 5 Whinchats, 2 Wheatear, 2 Hobby, 3 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 1 Red Knot, 3 Yellow-legged Gull and a Wood Sandpiper flew over S. At home I finally added Hobby to my garden list and saw it again whilst playing cricket over the road. A Swift also flew over heading S.

2 August 2008 Whilst playing cricket at Bisley, Stroud I noted a Hobby, a Swift, 11 Pied Wagtail and 50 Starling, all this and still concentrating on fielding.

1 August 2008 An hour or so around Saul Warth was very pleasant indeed. I logged a decent haul of birds despite the constant attention of a female Sparrowhawk that is feeding young in the copse east side of the canal. The adult breeding plumage Curlew Sandpiper was very nice, one Wood Sandpiper, 6 Green Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, 70 Dunlin, 70 Redshank (including 2 short billed and spangled juveniles that have been reared here), 8 Black-tailed Godwit (inc first juv of the year), 3 Snipe, (one started drumming after the hawk flushed it!) 2 Ruff, 5 Little-ringed Plover (1 adult, 4 juveniles), 3 Garganey (juveniles), 10 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 40 Gadwall.I did hear from other birders that 3 Wood Sanpiper were seen.

August 1, 2008 0