Sightings 17/4/14

Garden Warbler and Pied Flycatcher new in today.

Chipping Sodbury:
Common: 1 flyover Red Kite this morning.

Emerson's Green:
Science Park: 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting, early.

Oldbury Power Station:
1 Garden Warbler, 1 male Pied Flycatcher.
Other stuff, 2 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 14 Redshank, 7 GBB Gull, 5 Swallow, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 7 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Wheatear, 1 Redpoll.

Aust Warth:

17.4.14 Skylark (Mrs Trellis)
c.10 birds singing this morning

New Passage-Northwick:

Shore & wetland: 8 Canada Goose, 2 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 10 Mallard, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 4 Little Egret, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Ringed Plover (one with a metal ring), 2 Lapwing, 13 Dunlin, 65 Sand Martin, 15 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 2 Bullfinch.

Pill:
river Avon scrub M5: 3 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Redstart.

Portbury Wharf NR:
2 Little Ringed Plover at the main pool, new in this evening. More peculiar noises....
Other stuff, 4 Canada Goose, 26 Tufted Duck, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

Yatton:
Strawberry Line: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler.

south Clevedon coast:
Dowlais: 1 Pintail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Wheatear.

Sand Pt/Middle Hope:
4 Oystercatcher, 10 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 80+ Swallow, 3 House Martin, 8 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Linnet, 2 Greenfinch.

Weston STW:
The Glossy Ibis still in residence.

Dundry:
10 Wheatear (same place as yesterday), 1 White Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit.

Blagdon Lake:
2 Long-tailed Duck.

Planet Chew:
3 Barnacle Goose, 8 Shelduck, 1 female Scaup (Stratford), 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 1 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Common Gull (sick bird, dam), 2 Yellow-legged Gull (1st yr, 2nd yr on Herriott's Pool), 2 Common Tern, 7 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 White Wagtail.

17.4.14 the long-staying female Scaup (Keith Vinicombe)
off Stratford today

17.4.14 Marsh Harrier (Keith Vinicombe)
East Shore

Reports: Paul Bowyer, Sean Davies, Gary Hughes, Andy Middleton, Dave Nevitt, Darren Pearce, John Rickard, Trevor Riddle, Vic Savery, Matt Scott, Graham Sims, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Mrs Trellis, Wayne Tucker, Keith Vinicombe, Martin Wightman, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 16/4/14

Katie in Dorset

16.4.14 Little Owl, Portland (Katie Horrocks, aged 14)
probably the most photographed Little Owl in the UK

16.4.14 Corn Bunting, Maiden Castle (Katie Horrocks, aged 14)
makes you sick doesn't it....?

Chipping Sodbury:

Common: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Wheatear.

Westerleigh Common:
1 Little Egret, 7pm.

Oldbury Power Station:
1 Arctic Tern (evening, 1st of the season), 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler.

Aust Warth:
Cake Pill: 1 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear.

16.4.14 Whinchat (Vic Savery)
caught in the evening light, our first of the season

New Passage-Northwick:
2 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 3 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Egret, 2 Lapwing, 4 Dunlin, 4 BH Gull, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 15 Pied Wagtail.

Severn Beach:
Shaft Beach area: 1 Ring-necked Parakeet (4th patch record).
Orchard Pools: 1 Redstart.

Pill:

M5 cycle track: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff,  2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting.

Portishead:
Phoenix Way: 1 Kingfisher, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, near the marina.

Portbury Dock:
4 Redstart, 7 Wheatear, birds showing well morning/evening.

16.4.14 Redstart (Mrs Trellis)

16.4.14 Wheatear (Mrs Trellis)

Portbury Wharf:
1 Grasshopper Warbler this evening, ditch near the houses.

Sand Pt/Middle Hope:

1 Gannet, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 10 Whimbrel, 10 Swallow, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, at least 3/4 Ring Ouzel, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Redstart, 20+ Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 11 Tree Pipit, 8 Redpoll.

Weston STW:
The Glossy Ibis still present.
Other sightings in a rubbish morning here, 2 Dunlin, 1 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit (in summer dress), 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Otter.

16.4.14 Glossy Ibis

16.4.14 Spotted Redshank

16.4.14 Otter (all Mark Coller)

Dundry:

16 Wheatear, ploughed field by the double roundabout on the Planet Chew road.

Barrow Tanks:
2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Wheatear.

Blagdon Lake:
4 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 1 Common Sandpiper.

Planet Chew:
The Iceland Gull seen again today, flying with LBB Gulls.
2 Barnacle Goose, 6 adult Egyptian Goose + 4 goslings (HG, a Planet Chew record?)), 16 Shelduck, 2 Long-tailed Duck (HG, the Blagdon birds), 2 Buzzard, 2 Little Ringed Plover (HG & dam), 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Raven.

Reports: Paul Bowyer, Mark Coller, Sean Davies, Phil Down, Katie Horrocks, Roger Joliffe, Dave Nevitt, Vic Polley, Dean Reeves, Vic Savery, Ian Stapp, Mrs Trellis, Gordon Youdale, BL birds, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

The Iceland Gull at Planet Chew

We asked for some comments regarding the ageing of the Iceland Gull at Planet Chew. 

Keith Vinicombe sent in these observations:-

David Hughes

Ian Stapp

'Firstly, the basics. Unlike Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Glaucous and Iceland Gulls do not moult into 1st-winter plumage during the course of the winter. This is because, breeding at high latitudes, they do not have time to complete such a moult prior to their autumn migration. 

Therefore, they move south whilst still in juvenile plumage. This is a strategy adopted by most Arctic breeders, such as geese, waders, skuas and Arctic Terns. Because there is no post juvenile moult, it is impossible for this bird to be a ‘1st-winter’ as Iceland and Glaucous Gulls simply do not have this plumage – to all intents and purpose they remain as ‘juveniles’ throughout their first winter. 

As with other juvenile birds, such as waders, all their juvenile plumage is grown at the same time, so each feather is exactly the same age. Consequently, as with juvenile waders, their plumage is always uniformly patterned, neat and immaculate. 

The moult into 2nd-winter plumage commences, on average, in April and finishes in October. As it takes about six months to complete, 2nd-winter plumage is less uniform and less immaculate than juvenile plumage. 

The Chew bird, for example, has markedly different patterning on its scapulars (which are darker) than on its wing coverts (which are whiter and less patterned). This difference can even be detected at a mile range in the gull roost. 

Another difference from juvenile plumage is that, if you look very carefully, 2nd-winter Iceland Gulls, like this bird, have rounded tips to the primary feathers, not sharply pointed like juveniles; this is the case with all large gulls.

Many 2nd-winter Iceland Gulls show a pale eye and also grey feathering on the mantle and scapulars. However, the acquisition of these features varies individually, presumably dependent on hormone levels. Consequently, whereas some 2nd-winters are rather advanced in their plumage and bare part colours, others (like the current Chew bird) are less advanced. The principle is the same as with adolescent humans.

I should add that this bird has been at Chew on and off since 25^th January. We have even seen it with juvenile Iceland Gulls. It has always been in this same patchy 2nd-winter plumage'. 

David Hughes

Gordon Youdale

Very many thanks Keith.

Sightings 15/4/14

Highlights: 1 Glossy Ibis (Weston STW still), 1 Crane (Gordano Valley), 2 Red Kite (Nailsea & Midsomer Norton), 1 Osprey (Planet Chew), 5 Little Ringed Plover (Pill, Clevedon coast, Planet Chew), 6 Purple Sandpiper (Portishead), 1 Cuckoo (Portbury), 1 Short-eared Owl (Clevedon coast). Some coastal waders coming onto the radar.

Quite a few birds reported at Portbury Wharf today. We were so excited, we made peculiar noises.

Avon Gorge (Bristol):
Watch-point: 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine.

Eastville Park (Bristol):
1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff.

Stoke Park (Bristol):
1 Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpecker, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Nuthatch.

Tockington:
1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 3 Swallow, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Bullfinch.

Oldbury Power Station:
1 Marsh Harrier (lagoon 2 evening, then to inland), 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 BH Gull, 1 Reed Warbler.

New Passage-Northwick:
4 Gadwall, 1 Little Egret, 2 Little Ringed Plover (evening), 1 Dunlin, 13 Whimbrel (evening), 6 Turnstone, 1 Raven, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Redpoll.

Severn Beach:
9 Ringed Plover, 1 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 28 BH Gull (influx), 8 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat.

Chittening Warth:
New Pill: 14 Oystercatcher.

Pill:
river Avon: 1 Little Ringed Plover, mid-day. 4 Raven nearby also.

Portbury village:
Prior's Wood: 1 Tawny Owl out, early morning.

Portbury Wharf:
Pools & hedges: 10 Canada Goose, 1 Greylag Goose, 24 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 28 Tufted Duck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Barn Owl (10.45am), 1 Cuckoo (our first of the season), 1 House Martin, 8+ Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 5+ Redstart (4m, 1f), 2 Bullfinch.

15.4.14 Blackcap (Mrs Trellis)
trees by the Wharf Lane car-park

Portishead:

15.4.14 Purple Sandpiper (Mrs Trellis)
6 birds back at Battery Pt this morning

It's possible that these are passage birds heading back to breed rather than returning resident wintering birds which abandoned this site during the severe winter storms.

Gordano Valley:
Moor Lane: 1 flyover Crane 1.45pm, heading towards Portishead/Portbury.
Clapton Court Farm: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Redstart (3m, 2f), 2 Wheatear.

15.4.14 Redstart (Melvin Hedges)

Yatton:

Strawberry Line: 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Raven, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Reed Bunting.

Nailsea:
Trendlewood Way: 1 flyover Red Kite 4.30pm to east.

south Clevedon coast:
Dowlais: 1 Pintail, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Lesser Whitethroat. A few flyover Whimbrel coming through too.
Channel View-Yeo Est: 11 Ringed Plover, 1 Knot, 10 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 1 Short-eared Owl again 7.25pm, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Wheatear.

15.4.14 Hover-fly (Howard Taffs)

Sand Pt:

7 Whimbrel, 1 Sand Martin, 2 House Martin, 15 Chiffchaff, 20 Willow Warbler, 15 Blackcap, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Redstart, 1 Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Tree Pipit, 1 Siskin, 6 Redpoll.

Sand Bay:
10 Dunlin, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Redshank.

Weston STW:

15.4.13 Glossy Ibis (Simon Williams)
still present into late afternoon

Planet Chew:

1 flyover Osprey, dam end early.
Other stuff, 1 Greylag Goose, 30 Shelduck, 1 drake Goldeneye, 1 Little Egret, 2 Buzzard, 1 Little Ringed Plover (HG, morning only), 1 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, a 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull (Herriott's, coming to bread), 6 Swallow, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Yellow Wagtail.
The Iceland Gull not reported today.

15.4.14 Greylag Goose (Ian Stapp)
Herriott's end

Misdomer Norton:

Charlton Rd: 1 flyover Red Kite.

Reports: Paul Bowyer, Karle Burford, Sean Davies, David Esam, Nick Hawkridge, Melvin Hedges, Michael Hutchinson, Chris Johnson, Brian Lancastle, Dave Littleton, John Martin, Lois Pryce, Phil Quinn, Dean Reeves, Trevor Riddle, John Rossetti, Rich Scantlebury, Matt Scott, Ian Stapp, Howard Taffs, Paul Tainton, John Thorogood, Keith Vinicombe, Simon Williams, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 14/4/14

Fishponds (Bristol):

14.4.14 Holly Blue (Allan Chard)
Thingwall Park garden today

Easton (Bristol):

1 Chiffchaff.

Tockington:

1 Kingfisher, 6 Swallow, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Bullfinch.

Aust Cliff/STW:
Early morn stuff, 1 Swallow, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Wheatear.

Aust Warth:
Cake Pill leg: 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtail.

New Passage-Northwick:
3 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler,, 9 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 4 Snipe, 19 Redshank, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Raven, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail.

Severn Beach:
1 Cetti's Warbler,  2 Redstart (Shaft Rocks bushes), 1 Tree Pipit.

14.4.14 Tree Pipit (Mrs Trellis)
Orchard pools this morning

Pill:

M5 bridge: at the river Avon foreshore scrub, 2 Canada Goose, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Linnet.

Portbury Wharf:

Pools: 33 Tufted Duck, 65 Herring Gull, 20 LBB Gll, 1 GBB Gull of note.

Fields: 1 Barn Owl out again.

Wharf Lane: 1 Redstart, 1 Wheatear, horse paddock with the white Arabs.

Portbury village:
Prior's Wood: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper.

Gordano Valley:
Portishead Down: 1 Wheatear.
Weston Big Wood: 3 Nuthatch.
Clapton Court Farm: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Redstart (males).

14.4.14 Nuthatch (Melvin Hedges)

south Clevedon coast:

Dowlais: afternoon, 12 Lapwing, 4 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 6 Skylark, 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

Channel View-Yeo Est: morning stuff, 40 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 15 Curlew, 12 Redshank, 6 Skylark, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Meadow Pipit, 3 Wheatear, 20 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting.

Sand Pt:

Vis Mig: 7 Collared Dove, 50 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 1 White Wagtail, 3 Tree Pipit, 5 Meadow Pipit, 50 Goldfinch, 20 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer.

Sand Bay:

1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Whimbrel.

Uphill-Weston STW:

30 Swallow to north, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler.

14.4.14 the Glossy Ibis (Rob Laughton)
turned up about 1 week ago apparently

Newton St Loe:

river Avon environs: 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 1 Little Owl, 1 Blackcap.

14.4.14 Sparrowhawk (Lauren Tucker)

Dundry:

5 Wheatear.

Planet Chew:

1 Red Kite over Burledge Hill this evening.

Other stuff around the lake, 2 Barnacle Goose, 14 Shelduck, 4 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Lapwing, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Iceland Gull (Herriott's again), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Raven, 1 Reed Warbler.

14.4.14 Green-winged Orchid (Ian Stapp)
Parkland this morning

Reports: Paul Bowyer, Sean Davies, Rob Emery, David Gale, Melvin Hedges, Matt Hobbs, Adrian Hockey, Michael Hutchinson, Rob Laughton, John Martin. Dean Reeves, Trevor Riddle, Gill Sapsed, Vic Savery, Matt Scott, Brian Thompson, Mrs Trellis, Lauren Tucker, cvlbirding, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 13/4/14

Katie in Dorset

13.4.14 Black-winged Stilt (Katie Horrocks, aged 14)

Avon Gorge (Bristol):
Fantastic aerial displays and interactions by the raptors and corvids today and over recent weeks. A couple of pics to whet the appetite...

13.4.14 (Mike Trew)
nice weather for a few days, pop up and experience it for yourself...

Avonmouth (Bristol):

13.4.14 Peregrine (Mrs Trellis)

Whitchurch (Bristol):
1 Kestrel.

Stoke Park (Bristol):
1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch plus the usual chorus of Chiffchaff and Blackcap.

Eastville Park (Bristol):
3 Mute Swan, 6 Canada Goose, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Coal Tit, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush.

Clifton (Bristol):
1 Sparrowhawk, Bristol Zoo.

Marshfield:

Rushmead Lane: 1 flyover Red Kite 4.15pm.

Chipping Sodbury:
Common: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Wheatear of note.

Oldbury Power Station:
6 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 6 Swallow, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 20 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap.

Cranes: the 2 birds seen here on 10 April are thought to be 'Squidgy' and 'Beatrice'. No royal connections suspected.

Almondsbury:
Lower Knole Farm: 2 singing Whitethroat, 2 Redpoll.

Aust Warth:
2 Peregrine.

13.4.14 Linnet (Gill Sapsed)
it's all Rod's fault....

Pilning:

1 Kingfisher.

New Passage:
1 summer plumage Dunlin, 13 Sand Martin, 56 Swallow through, 5 House Martin, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat.

Severn Beach:
50+ Shelduck, 1 female Eider, 29 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Wheatear.

13.4.13 Eider (Paul Bowerman)
a very scarce duck for Avon, not recorded every year

Chittening Warth:

2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat.

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane: 2 Blackcap, Glen Cottages.
Knightcott Rd: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch of special note.
Pool & environs: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Raven, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Nuthatch.

Portbury Wharf:
Scrub/bushes: 5 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (seawall), 14+ Blackcap, 1 male Redstart (fence-posts at the horse paddock) best.
Pools: 1 Dunlin, far side of the island. No matter that it looked as small as a midge in our telescope, we had to take a sedative and lie down afterwards.
Ringing Station: 82 birds processed over the weekend, 50 new, 32 re-traps with Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap the main captures.

13.4.14 Grass Snake (Paul House)

13.4.14 Bee-Fly (Paul House)

Portbury:

Prior's Wood: 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, seen by the AWT Dawn Chorus group led by Ed Drewitt.
Other sightings, 8 Buzzard, 6 Swallow, 1 male Wheatear (Downs school) and plenty of Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap.

Yatton:
Wemberham Lane: 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Jay, 2 Skylark, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Bullfinch.

south Clevedon coast:
Channel View-Yeo Est: 30 Shelduck, 10 Teal, 10 Mallard, 6 Little Egret, 8 Oystercatcher, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Snipe, 30 Curlew, 20 Redshank, 1 Short-eared Owl (present hereabouts since 16 March), 3 Skylark, 20 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Wheatear, 2 Bullfinch (pair), 1 Reed Bunting.

13/4/14 Wheatear (Roger Staples)

Sand Pt:

1 Whimbrel (in the bay), 6 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow, 7 House Martin, 10 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 1 Redpoll.

Pensford:
river Avon: 1 Dipper, 1 Grey Wagtail.

13/4/14 the Grey Wagtail (Ian Stapp)

Barrow Tanks:
1 Common Sandpiper, 1 White Wagtail.

Blagdon Lake:

1 Mallard brood, 2 Garganey, 2 Long-tailed Duck (Wood bay), 1 Snipe, 4 Common Sandpiper (dam).

Planet Chew:

2 Barnacle Goose, 22 Shelduck, 1 female Scaup (anchored at Moreton), 1 Little Egret, 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Common Gull, the Iceland Gull again (Herriott's), 2 GBB Gull, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Wheatear (HG), 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail (dam).
Hirundines present in very small numbers.

13.4.14 Barnacle Goose (Mike Trew)
this is how the Canadas started off....

Reports: Paul Bowdler, Paul Bowyer, Mark Dadds, Ed Drewitt, Lee Gardiner, John Hansford, Katie Horrocks, Paul House, Dave Littleton, John Martin, Andy Middleton, Darren Pearce, Karin Rhodes, Trevor Riddle, Gill Sapsed, Rich Scantlebury, Roger & Jean Staples, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Gary Thoburn, Mike Trew, BL birds, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 12/4/14

Katie in Dorset

12.4.14 Long-billed Dowitcher, Pennington Marshes (Katie Horrocks, aged 14)
she won't be satisfied with that one....

A small influx of Lesser Whitethroat into the area today.

Fishponds (Bristol):
1 flyover Red Kite 10.35am, a garden tick for the observer.

Avonmouth (Bristol):
Railway Station: 1 Peregrine, presumably one of the resident dock birds.

Oldbury Power Station:
1 Whimbrel, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat.

Aust Warth:
1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Wheatear, 1 flyover Tree Pipit.

New Passage-Northwick:
shore & wetland: 8 Canada Goose, 50+ Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 2 Tufted duck, 45 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Lapwing, 2 Stock Dove, 4 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 flyover Tree Pipit, 4 flyover Siskin. Fewer Chiffchaff and Blackcap around today.

Severn Beach:
12 Ringed Plover, 12 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 90 Curlew.

Chittening Warth:
Sea Bank: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler.
Stup Pill: 2 Gadwall, 2 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow, 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Portishead:
Boating Lake: 18 Tufted Duck.

south Clevedon coast:
Channel View seawall: 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Sand Pt:
1 Whimbrel, 15 Sand Martin, 45 Swallow, 30 Linnet, 110 Goldfinch of note.

Weston STW:
UV pools: 1 Glossy Ibis. Has been present for about 1 week apparently. Only about 8 Avon records (2 pending for 2013), first recorded in in Avon in 2007.

Banwell:

12.4.14 male Sparrowhawk (John Thorogood)
Winthill garden

Lox-Yeo Valley:

Max Mill lane: 2 House Martin of note.

Blagdon Lake:
2 Long-tailed Duck still, 1 Common Sandpiper.

Planet Chew:
1 Reed Warbler (Bittern Trail), our first of the season.
Other stuff, 2 Barnacle Goose, 16 Shelduck, 1 Goosander, 3 Little Egret, 4 Buzzard, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwing, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Iceland Gull, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, c.200 mixed Sand Martin/Swallow, 12 Linnet.

12.4.14 Iceland Gull (Ian Stapp)
Herriott's Pool

The Iceland has been mostly reported as a 2nd winter bird but a 'bleached' 1st winter has now come into the mix....any thoughts/comments anyone?

YouTube clip of a Yellow-legged Gull at Herriott's yesterday (Nigel Tucker):  Here.

Reports: Paul Bowyer, Mark Dadds, Sean Davies, Rob Emery, Lee Gardiner, Andy Gibb, Gary Hughes, Chris Johnson, John Martin, John Rickard, Tony Scott, Ian Stapp, Howard Taffs, John Thorogood, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 11/4/14

Katie in Dorset

11.4.14 Dartford Warbler (Katie Horrocks, aged 14)

Easton (Bristol):
1 Kingfisher, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Grey Wagtail.

Shirehampton (Bristol):
Lamplighters: 7 Swallow, 2 Bullfinch.

Chipping Sodbury:

Common: 3 Wheatear.

Aust Warth:
2 Wheatear.

Portbury Dock:

11.4.14.Ringed Plover (Mrs Trellis)

Portbury Wharf NR:

1 Barn Owl out and showing well, fields near the houses. Good views from the grassy bund wall bank, duck when it passes over.
Pools: 28 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Gull of note.

11.4.14 Common Gull, rear (Mrs Trellis)

Portishead:

11.4.14 Redpoll (Pedro Evans)
Down Rd, new for the garden

Sand Pt:

1 Lesser Whitethroat, our first of the season.
Other sightings, 1 Common Scoter, 100 Sand Martin, 30 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 15 Chiffchaff, 20 Willow Warbler, 20 Blackcap, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Redstart, 7 Wheatear, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Brambling, 3 Siskin, 8 Redpoll.

11.4.14 Redstart (Paul Bowyer)
Plenty of migrants early on but action tailed off mid-morning

Dundry:
6 Wheatear, field near Elwell Farm again.

Blagdon Lake:

2 Long-tailed Duck (Peg's Point), 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Grey Wagtail of note.

Planet Chew:
2 Barnacle Goose, 28 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret, 2 Buzzard, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper (dam), 1 Iceland Gull (Herriott's, in yer face views), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 White Wagtail (dam again).

11.4.14 Brimstone (Ian Stapp)
excellent camouflage, imitating a leaf

Reports: Paul Bowyer, Sean Davies, Pedro Evans, Steve Judd, Wilf King, John Rickard, Gill Sapsed, Vic Savery, Ian Stapp, John Thorogood, BL birds.