Sightings 20/8/11

Our first Curlew Sandpipers of the autumn today.

Out of area, an Alpine Swift reported at Bruton in Somerset.

CHIPPING SODBURY: D Pearce
The Woodchat Shrike still in residence but not outstaying its welcome.

Rich haul on the common: 2 Buzzard, singles of Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Raven, a female Whinchat, 6 Redstart, 10 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Bullfinch.


LITTLETON WARTH: V Savery
The Brent Goose still present, 5 Stock Dove, 3 Wheatear and 6 Yellow Wagtail of note.

ALVESTON: V Savery
A single Swift over the village this evening, unfortunately an ordinary one.

SEVERNSIDE: per severnsidebirds
A quieter day for migrants.

New Passage: a juvenile Knot and a summer plumage Bar-tailed Godwit were pick of the waders and just 2 Yellow Wagtail.

Severn Beach: 2 Wheatear.


BRISTOL DOCKS: M Gorely
A Mediterranean Gull in the city docks around Hotwells today. 23rd species for the balcony.


PORTBURY DOCK: S Hale, CJ Stone

20.8.11 Mediterranean Gull © sightings page team, many thanks

the usual bird, sometimes seen also at Portishead marina

20.8.11 juv Curlew Sandpiper © sightings page team, many thanks
awful, even by our own dismal standards

Shoreline at high tide, 100 Ringed Plover, 1 Knot, 1 Sanderling, a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper (our first of the autumn), c.150 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 80 Curlew, 80 Redshank and 2 Wheatear.

CLEVEDON COAST: S Sanins
Wain's Hill-Yeo Est 9am-1pm: highlights were 400 Ringed Plover and a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper at Channel View farm seawall, 2 Ruff at Yeo Est, 2 Spotted Redshank at Dowlais and 18 Wheatear along the stretch.

Others: 10 Shelduck, 90 Mallard, 6 Cormorant, 10 Little Egret, the Great-crested Grebe, single Peregrine, 18 Oystercatcher, 5 Knot, 175 Dunlin, 4 Whimbrel, 225 Curlew, 82 Redshank, 500 BH Gull, 1 GBB Gull, a Raven, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Pied Wagtail and 225 Linnet.

BARROW TANKS: S Davies

20.8.11 the Black-necked Grebe © Sean Davies, many thanks
No.3 tank this morning

3 Shoveler, the Black-necked Grebe still, 2 Common Sandpiper and a Kingfisher.

For some marginally better photos of the BN Grebe and also the Tufted brood than those pics taken by the Sightings Page team recently, check out Gareth's site at: http://www.pixelbirds.co.uk/August2011.html.

The difference in picture quality is borderline but noticeable to the discerning eye.

BLAGDON LAKE: per BL birds
The eclipse male Ring-necked Duck still present, off the Burmah Rd area today.