Friday 21 October 2011

Sightings 21/10/11

OLDBURY POWER STATION:
3 Mute Swan, 38 Wigeon, 80 Mallard, 3 Cormorant, 2 Kestrel, 130 Lapwing, 17 Dunlin, 11 Curlew and 53 Turnstone (W King).

SPANIORUM HILL:
A very late Hobby seen (M Dadds).

NEW PASSAGE:
Little change, 300 Wigeon, 50 Teal, a Little Egret, 250 Dunlin, single Bar-tailed Godwit, 91 Redshank, 15 Turnstone and a Common Gull (RF Reader).

PORTBURY WHARF:
Absent in the morning, the Spoonbill was back on the island in the afternoon (A Gibb).

AVON GORGE:
A Common Sandpiper and a Raven near the suspension bridge stretch (AD Scott).

Thursday 20 October 2011

Sightings 20/10/11

CHITTENING WARTH:
At Stup Pill, a Goldcrest, single Fieldfare, a Sklark, 92 Starling, 26 Meadow Pipit, a Rock Pipit, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 Pied Wagtail, 20 Chaffinch, 4 Redpoll, 3 Linnet and 2 Reed Bunting (M Dadds).

No sign of the recent Short-eared Owl today.

BATH:
2 Peregrine at the university grounds and a Tawny Owl at Quarry Rock Gdns (D French).

FROME:
20.10.11 Tree Sparrow © Allan Chard, many thanks

Tuesday 18 October 2011

Sightings 18/10/11

CHITTENING WARTH:
Stup Pill: a single flock of 150 Starling plus 350 more birds in small groups (M Dadds).

No sign of yesterday's SE Owl or Wheatear.

Monday 17 October 2011

Sightings 17/10/11

CLEVEDON COAST:
160 Shelduck, 30 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 140 Mallard, single Cormorant and Grey Heron, 8 Little Egret, single Peregrine, 26 Oystercatcher, 10 Grey Plover, 55 Lapwing, just 24 Dunlin, 100+ Curlew, 175 Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, 14 Turnstone and 2 Wheatear (HE Rose).


Steep Holm 15/10/11:
Crane seen high over the channel near Steep Holm and Flat Holm, then flew towards Burnham-on-Sea and inland towards the levels.

Staff at the Somerset Great Crane project have also reported 3 wild Cranes joining their released birds on this date also.

Many thanks to Julie and Peter Ottley for this information.

Sunday 16 October 2011

Sightings 16/10/11

LITTLETON WARTH:
WeBS count: 210 Wigeon, 110 Teal, 71 Mallard, single Grey Heron and Little Egret, 2 Buzzard, 1 Ringed Plover, 90 Dunlin, 145 Curlew, 65 Redshank, 8 Turnstone, 185 BH Gull, single Common Gull, 2 LBB Gull, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Redwing, 7 flyover Siskin, 7 Redpoll, single flyover Crossbill and Reed Bunting (J Martin).


PILNING:
2 Redpoll over the garden this morning (J Martin).

NEW PASSAGE:
Highlights were: a dark-bellied Brent Goose, the Spoonbill again, 1 Sparrowhawk, a Kingfisher, a late Reed Warbler and a flyover Crossbill.  Starling numbers increasing too (J Martin, per severnsidebirds).

SEVERN BEACH:
Noteworthy were: a Little Grebe (on the sea), a male Merlin and 5 Blackcaps (per severnsidebirds).

PORTBURY WHARF:
Plenty of common stuff on show, pick of the bunch as follows: 11 Little Grebe, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, 47 Coot, a Green Woodpecker, 2 late Willow Warbler and 6 Reed Bunting (A Rhodes).

SEA MILLS:
WeBS count: 69 Mallard,8 Grey Heron, 30 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 1 Curlew,  the usual Greenshank, 70 Redshank, 85 BH Gull, 6 LBB Gull, 8 Herring Gull, a Kingfisher and a flyover Yellowhammer (AD Scott).

CLEVEDON:
Wain's Hill mig watch: 180 Woodpigeon, 10 Skylark, 237 Starling, 3 Song Thrush, single Redwing, 11 Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 844 Chaffinch, 26 Greenfinch, 25 Goldfinch, 12 Linnet and 8 Siskin (per clevedonbirds).







Saturday 15 October 2011

Sightings 15/10/11

CHITTENING WARTH:
Sea bank leg: single Goldcrest and Redpoll.

Stup Pill: best bird was a Short-eared Owl.

Migrants noted here: 70 Jackdaw, 20 Skylark, 12 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 9 Song Thrush, 5 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 5 Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, a Stonechat, 13 Pied Wagtail, 31 Meadow Pipit, 12 Chaffinch, 8 Redpoll, 2 Bullfinch and 3 Reed Bunting (all M Dadds).


ABBOTS LEIGH:
Overhead migration 7.30-8.15am: 29 Woodpigeon, 3 Skylark, 140 Redwing, 6 alba Wagtail, 43 Meadow Pipit and 6 Chaffinch (A Rhodes).

Friday 14 October 2011

Sightings 14/10/11

OLDBURY POWER STATION:
35 Canada Goose, 31 Wigeon, 1 Peregrine (caught a starling), 5 Ringed plover, 64 Lapwing, 55 Dunlin, 17 Curlew,  14 Redshank, 5 Fieldfare,, 2 Raven and a Rock Pipit.

RUDGEWAY (south Glos):
5 flyover Swallow and 20 Fieldfare/Redwing this morning.

NEW PASSAGE:
c.60 Oystercatcher, 4 Ringed Plover, 14 Lapwing, single Curlew Sandpiper, c.200 Dunlin, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Raven plus the usual Wigeon/Teal and Redshank.

PILNING:
Single garden flyover Fieldfare and Redwing this morning.

GORDANO VALLEY:
14.10.11 Mealy Redpoll © Dave Nevitt
A Mealy Redpoll ringed at the ringing station this morning. A very welcome record as many potential Mealy's fall by the wayside due to identification problems with the other Redpoll races. Many birds are only separable in the hand.

Very busy at the station today, birds ringed were: 2 Blackcap, the Mealy Redpoll, 33 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Reed Bunting.

Around the hut also: 3 Chiffchaff, 30 Siskin, 70 Redpoll and 10 Reed Bunting.

Overhead mig recorded: 300 Woodpigeon,  30 Skylark, 3 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, 3 alba wagtail, 40 Chaffinch, 4 Crossbill and 10 Reed Bunting.

Many thanks to the GVRS team for this detailed information.

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Sightings 12/10/11

NEW PASSAGE: this mornings highlights
12.10.11 (sick Fulmar) © Tony Scott
12.10.11 Little Stint © Tony Scott
CLEVEDON COAST:
Highlights: a Hen Harrier at Yeo Bank Farm, 4 Curlew Sandpiper at Yeo Est and 9 Wheatear.

Others: 340 Shelduck, 60 Wigeon, 85 Teal, 290 Mallard, single Pintail, 8 Cormorant, 18 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 42 Oystercatcher, 8 Ringed Plover, 210 Golden Plover, 25 Lapwing, 125 Dunlin, 300 Curlew, 1 Green Sandpiper, 160 Redshank, 72 Turnstone, 500 BH Gull, 20 Skylark, 55 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, single Grey Wagtail and 8 Pied Wagtail.

 


Monday 10 October 2011

Sightings 10/10/11

A windy day with a few seabirds seen off Severnside.

NEW PASSAGE:80 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 40 Oystercatcher, singles of juvenile Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper, 200 Dunlin, 80 Redshank, an immature YL Gull, 2 Raven, a Kingfisher and a flyover Redpoll.

SEVERN BEACH:A windy day, seabirds this morning were: 1 Fulmar, 2 Shag, a Great Skua and a Black Tern. Other birds of note, a Pintail, single Bar-tailed Godwit and 110 Curlew.


BLAGDON LAKE:
2 Long-billed Dowitcher reported at the Ubley-Bells Bush end of the lake today.


Permits req'd for some parts of the lake, check out:
http://www.bristolwater.co.uk/leisure/birdwatching-information.asp

Saturday 8 October 2011

Friday 7 October 2011

7/10/11

NEW PASSAGE: L Wheatland
1 Merlin, 2 Golden Plover, a Little Stint, 3 Snipe and 2 Redpoll.

CHITTENING WARTH: M Dadds
The Stup Pill leg still producing birds, 1 Peregrine, a Jay, 2 Whinchat, 4 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 21 Meadow Pipit and 2 Grey Wagtail.

PORTBURY WHARF: L Wheatland
A Little Egret and a late Swallow of note

Thursday 6 October 2011

Sightings 6/10/11

PORTBURY WHARF:  A Gibb
A Merlin reported in the fields along Sheepway Lane track towards the sewage farm.

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Sightings 5/10/11

NEW PASSAGE: RF Reader
Not much change: 135 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 2 Peregrine, 1 Ringed Plover, single Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 250 Dunlin, 60 Redshank and 35 Turnstone.

Tuesday 4 October 2011

Sightings 4/10/11

NEW PASSAGE: J Martin
4.10.11 Curlew Sandpiper © John Martin
note bill
104 Wigeon, an immature male Shoveler, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Curlew Sandpiper (1 with a straight bill), 260 Dunlin and 2 Wheatear.

PORTBURY WHARF: S HaleCJ Stone
A Spoonbill on the north pool island mid-morning to approx 1pm but not seen after that. A Mediterranean Gull on the tide-line late afternoon.

CLEVEDON COAST: S Sanins
Highlights were: 400 Shelduck, 42 Wigeon, 135 Teal, 65 Mallard, 5 Grey Heron, 14 Little Egret, 42 Oystercatcher, 7 Ringed Plover, 275 Dunlin, single Whimbrel, 270 Curlew, single Common Sandpiper, 200 Redshank, 30 Turnstone, 500 BH Gull, 14 Skylark, 6 Wheatear and 2 White Wagtail.

Scilly Isles Sept 2011

Some photos sent in by club member John Thorogood after a week on the islands:-

Solitary Sandpiper © John Thorogood, many thanks

Pectoral Sandpiper © John Thorogood, many thanks

Lesser Yellowlegs © John Thorogood, many thanks

Peregrine Falcon

Ian Carnew sent us this link regarding a Peregrine attending a football match last Saturday. Presumably it was playing on the wing.....

Check out http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-15149039

Many thanks Ian.

Monday 3 October 2011

Sightings 3/10/11

NEW PASSAGE: RF Reader
18 Wigeon, lots of Teal, 1 Spoonbill, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, 300 Dunlin, a Ruff, 60 Curlew and 50 Turnstone,


CHITTENING WARTH: M Dadds
Sea Bank: 1 Redpoll and 5 Siskin.

Stup Pill: 1 Buzzard, 14 Oystercatcher, single Kingfisher, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 30 Pied Wagtail, 72 Meadow Pipit, 90 Goldfinch and a Redpoll.

STEART (Wall Common):

3.10.11 Snow Bunting © Allan Chard, many thanks
present here since late September and showing well

Brandon Hill Birds (Cabot Tower Watch Group) Ed Drewitt

Another plug following our 22 September posting.


Ed sent us these pics and asked us to put a Sci-Fi flavour onto the posting but we have found this extremely difficult for 2 reasons:-

1. There is only 1 sun (star) in the sky so it's impossible to re-create that romantic planet Tatooine moment in Star Wars when Luke realises where his destiny lies.

2. Ed looks nothing like Luke Skywalker, though we can see some uncanny resemblance to those creatures in the jazz bar...

Samaritan workers talking Ed out of doing
a bungee jump with no bungee.....
Anyway, enough of the Farce, the Birds over Bristol project has been officially launched now and it's well worth checking out their website http://birdsoverbristol.wordpress.com/ to see some of their preliminary findings as well as finding out what's planned for the future and how you can take part in it. 

And in case you're still wondering, the Dark Side isn't stronger.......it's just more seductive.........

Sunday 2 October 2011

Sightings 2/10/11

NEW PASSAGE: B Lancastle, RF Reader
Best birds were 2 juvenile Spoonbill this morning, seen well on the tide-line, they flew off at around 9.30am.
(5 Spoonbill were seen here on 14 September, they later turned up at Chew Valley Lake).

Other sightings: 10 Wigeon, the usual Teal swarm, a 1st cy Peregrine, 12 Ringed Plover, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, 300 Dunlin, single Ruff, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Redshank, 30 Turnstone, 2 Raven, 2 Wheatear, a flyover Tree Pipit plus some more flyover Siskin and Redpoll.

PORTBURY DOCK: CJ Stone
54 Shelduck, 35 Ringed Plover, 100 Dunlin, 66 Curlew, 243 Redshank*, 20 Turnstone, a 1st winter GBB Gull, 3 Chiffchaff and a calling Siskin.

*Redshank groups were 143 birds along river Avon shore and another 100 birds on estuary towards Portbury.


CLEVEDON COAST: HE Rose
Not much change from yesterday, pick of the birds were: 14 Little Egret, a Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 100+ Curlew, 100 Redshank, singles of Green and Common Sandpiper and 4 Wheatear.

Visit this link for some moving pics of Wheatear and Rock Pipit at the Clevedon coast this morning. Many thanks Alex.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNA3mnMLXGE

SAND PT: per westonbirds
A Wryneck at the point this morning.

MENDIPS:
2.10.11 Crossbill © Jason Wiliams, many thanks
seen whilst looking for the Pallid Harrier today

Saturday 1 October 2011

Sightings 1/10/11

CHITTENING WARTH: M Dadds
Sea Bank: Single Blackcap and Goldcrest.

Stup Pill: another good showing of migrants here this morning: 2 Buzzard, 2 Stock Dove, 4 Swallow, a Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, a Reed Warbler, 11 Pied Wagtail, 2 Whinchat, 39 Meadow Pipit, 7 Redpoll and 3 Reed Bunting.

CLEVEDON COAST: S Sanins
Shed-loads of birds here this morning:
3 Mute Swan, 5 Brent Goose (Yeo), 325 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 75 Teal, 165 Mallard, single Pintail, 1 Tufted Duck (Yeo), 4 Cormorant, 16 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, singles of Buzzard and Peregrine, 47 Oystercatcher, 40 Ringed Plover, 90 Knot, 7 Curlew Sandpiper (Yeo), 300 Dunlin, single Snipe, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 345 Curlew, 150 Redshank, 47 Turnstone, 750 BH Gull, 10 Skylark, 14 Wheatear, 175 Meadow Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 12 Pied Wagtail, 50 Goldfinch and 125 Linnet.


MENDIPS:

1.10.11 juvenile Pallid Harrier © Gordon Youdale, many thanks


1.10.11 juvenile Pallid Harrier © Allan Chard, many thanks
Some shots taken today of the Pallid Harrier at the Black Down part of the Mendips. The area straddles the Avon-Somerset border, hopefully someone will record as it flying in Avon airspace as it would be a 1st county record for us.

Spotted Sandpiper & Pallid Harrier
Both these birds have been star attractions recently, especially with the photographers.

However, for some truly embarrassingly bad and awful pics of Chew's Spotted Sandpiper and the Mendip Pallid Harrier, check out http://pixelbirds.co.uk/October2011.html

Many thanks for your patience Gareth.

Bristol (Redland) 28/9/11: M Hill
A garden flyover Redwing heard.

Our earliest date ever is 7 August 1979.