Sightings 10/3/14

Bristol Nats Mtg: Fair Isle Bird Obs: Speaker Alex Rhodes. Weds 12 March 7.30pm, Guide Hall, Westmoreland Rd, Redland.
Guests may wish to consider wearing sunglasses at the talk as Alex's halo can be rather dazzling.

(9.3.14) Corn Bunting (Paul Woolams)
Marshfield, Rushmead Lane

Our first Wheatears today....

Bristol Peregrines:
A Peregrine pair seen mating in the city centre this afternoon and plenty of other sightings at the BOC watch-point at the gorge seawalls.

10.3.14 Peregrine (Chris D Jones)

Marshfield:

No reports of the Red-flanked Bluetail to mid-day at least.

Emerson's Green:

Beefeater: 1 Kestrel 10.30am this morning.

Aust Cliff:
Vis Mig to 8.30am: 7 White-fronted Goose, 1 Snipe, 38 LBB Gull, 292 Woodpigeon, 24 Pied Wagtail, 344 Meadow Pipit, 37 Greenfinch, 79 Goldfinch, 15 Siskin.

New Passage-Northwick:
26 Canada Goose, 3 Little Egret, 31 Oystercatcher of note.

Severn Beach:
Orchard Pools: 1 Snipe.

Portbury Wharf:
Pools: 11 Little Grebe, 7 Snipe of note.

Clevedon:
Woodland Glade: 2 Blackcap (pair), present all winter.

Wrington Hill:
1 Buzzard.

Goblin Combe:
1 Buzzard.

Cleeve:
Kings Wood: 4 Buzzard, 2 Raven.

Middle Hope:
9 Common Scoter on sea, 3 GBB Gull, 11 Raven, 40 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, 1 Wheatear, 32 alba Wagtail, 192 Meadow Pipit, 1 Brambling, 9 Siskin.

10.3.14 Wheatear (Paul Bowyer)
in the stubble field

Sand Pt:

1 singing Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear (Trig point).

Bath:
Newbridge: 1 Kingfisher, river Avon stretch.

Blagdon Lake:
1 Buzzard, 4 singing Chiffchaff, 4 Roe Deer.

10.3.14 Chiffchaff (Ian Stapp)

Planet Chew:

1 Pink-footed Goose (HG), 14 Shelduck, 2 Goosander, 3 Little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Raven, 6 flyover Skylark, at least 4 singing Chiffchaff.

Brean Down (Somerset):
Car-park: the Black Redstart again.

Reports: Paul Bowyer, Clive Dodds, Adrian Hockey, Chris D Jones, Wayne Middlemist, Helen Pedder, Lois Pryce, Ian Stapp, Tony Scott, Mrs Trellis, Grahame Woodberry, Paul Woollams.

Sightings 9/3/14

Ham Wall Starlings (Somerset): YouTube clip of the swarm: Here

Bristol Nats Mtg: Fair Isle Bird Obs: Speaker Alex Rhodes. Weds 12 March 7.30pm, Guide Hall, Westmoreland Rd, Redland.
Guests may wish to consider wearing sunglasses at the talk as Alex's halo can be rather dazzling.

Eastville (Bristol):
Lake: 3 Kingfisher.

Southmead (Bristol):
Southmead Rd: 1 flyover Raven.

Leigh Woods (Bristol):
2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, 1 male Crossbill on this morning's BOC trip.

9.3.14 male Crossbill (David Gale)
on this morning's BOC field trip

Marshfield:
Shire Valley: Posh Robin still present.
Other notable reports, 200+ Fieldfare (Down Rd) and 100+ Corn Bunting (Rough Ground).

Westerleigh:

Kings Hill: 1 Peregrine, 2 Raven, flyovers.

Aust Warth:
1 Water Rail, reed-bed, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

9.3.14 Reed Bunting (Gill Sapsed)
always plenty of activity around the reed-bed

New Passage-Northwick:

7 Little Egret, 4 Lapwing (in display), 5 Snipe, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Fieldfare.

Portbury Dock:
4 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover.

Yatton:
Strawberry Line: 28 Teal, 1 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 1 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Bunting.
The Wood Kilns: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 singing Chiffchaff.

Sand Pt:
Vis Mig highlights to mid-morning: 55 Woodpigeon, 2 Redwing, 7 Grey Wagtail, 148 Meadow Pipit, 74 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 15 Greenfinch, 57 Goldfinch, 8 Siskin, 68 Linnet, 4 Redpoll, 6 Reed Bunting.

W-s-M:
Swiss Rd: the male Black Redstart still present in gardens hereabouts.

Bath:
1 flyover Red Kite (Charlcombe valley), 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 2 Kingfisher (river Avon), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, lots of common butterflies now out on the wing.

Planet Chew:
15 Barnacle Goose, 10 Shelduck, 1 female Scaup still, 4 Goosander, 1 Bittern (Herriott's end), 1 Little Egret, 4 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 3 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Tawny Owl, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Raven, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff still, 10 Fieldfare.

9.3.14 Siberan Chiffchaff (David Hughes)
BK hide-Bittern Trail end, one or two present here since 27 Feb

Brean Down Somerset):

1 Peregrine, 1 male Black Redstart (car-park), 2 Stonechat (pair).

Reports: John Barnett, Richard Bowerman, Paul Bowyer, Gill Brown, Pete Coslett, Mark Dadds, Brian Edge, David Gale, Matt Hobbs, David Hughes, Dean Reeves, Alex Rhodes, Trevor Riddle, Gill Sapsed, Rich Scantlebury, Roger & Jean Staples, Ian Stapp.

Sightings 8/3/14

Henbury (Bristol):
Ison Hill Rd: 1 singing Blackcap.

Eastville (Bristol):
Park: 3 Mute Swan, 9 Canada Goose, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Grey Wagtail.

Marshfield:
Shirehill Lane: 1 Merlin, 12.30pm

8.3.14 Red-flanked Bluetail (Katie Horrocks, aged 14)

8.3.14 Red-flanked Bluetail (Gill Sapsed)

Oldbury Power Station:

4 Mute Swan, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff.

Aust Warth:
Rod's Log: 1 Twite again, late afternoon.
Shore: 200 Wigeon.

8.3.14 Twite (Vic Savery)

New Passage-Northwick:

Shore & wetland: 26 Canada Goose, 1 Barnacle Goose, 90+ Shelduck, 40 Wigeon, 15 Gadwall, 50 Teal, 17 Shoveler, 9 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe, 4 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 50 Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwing, 120 Dunlin, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 80 Curlew, 60 Redshank, 1 Fieldfare.

Severn Beach:
175 Turnstone, 30+ Pied Wagtail.

8.3.14 Starling (Katie Horrocks, aged 14)
Aurora vulgaris has been showing well over the village in recent weeks

Chittening Warth:

1 Peregrine, 1 Snipe, 3 Raven, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Song Thrush.

Portbury:
1 flyover Red Kite (afternoon), 1 Buzzard, 1 Raven.

Portbury Wharf:
Pools: 4 Oystercatcher in display on the island.

Clevedon:

8.3.14 Little Egret (Mike Hitchings)
Clevedon Pill

Alas, no Wheatears reported on this stretch today.

Yatton:
The Wood Kilns: 3 garden Blackcap.

Sand Pt:
Vis Mig: 36 alba Wagtail, 4 Grey Wagtail, 145 Meadow Pipit, 39 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 3 Reed Bunting.

W-s-M:
Swiss Rd: the male Black Redstart still present in gardens here.

Blagdon Lake:
1 Common Sandpiper (dam).

Bath:
1 singing Blackcap, 1 Hummingbird Hawk Moth.

Reports: Paul Bowyer, Ed Drewitt, Brian Edge, Peter Hawkins, Mike Hitchings, Katie Horrocks, Trevor Riddle, Gill Sapsed, Vic Savery, Rich Scantlebury, Tony Scott, Kevin Smith, Chris Teague, Mrs Trellis, BL birds, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 7/3/14

7.3.14 Red-flanked Bluetail, Marshfield, Shire Valley (Brian Thompson)
Hopefully its migratory instincts will kick in very soon and it can get back home to find a mate

Our first definite spring migrant today.

Clifton (Bristol):
The Triangle/Sainsbury's: 1 Grey Wagtail.

Patchway (south Glos):
Pegwell Wood: 1 singing Chiffchaff.

Stoke Gifford:
Fox Den Rd: 1 female Blackcap, present all winter apparently.

Oldbury Power Station:
2 Mute Swan, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff.

Aust Warth:
1 Twite, late morning, usual place near the reed-bed.

New Passage:
4 Canada Goose, 1 Barnacle Goose, 90+ Shelduck, 45 Teal, 3 Little Egret, 75 Redshank.

Severn Beach:
Seawall: 1 Sand Martin to north mid-morning, our 1st of the season.


Pill:
Cross Lanes: 1 male Blackcap all week. Also today, 2 Brimstone, 1 Peacock and 1 Small Tortoiseshell butterfly.

Portishead:
Quantock Rd: 2 male Blackcap. Aso 2 Peacock and 1 Comma butterfly.

Portbury Wharf:
Video clip by John Rickard: PW Nature Reserve. The 3m 30 sec bit is best....

7.3.14 Snipe (Mrs Trellis)
4 in front of the D'Arcy hide this afternoon

7.3.14 Stonechat (Mrs Trellis)
enjoying the late afternoon sun

Sand Pt:
4 Purple Sandpiper, 10 Raven, 1 Grey Wagtail, 17 alba Wagtail, 80 Meadow Pipit, 1 Yellowhammer.

W-s-M:
Swiss Rd: 1 male Black Redstart seen in garden this afternoon.

Barrow Tanks:

7.3.14 the lingering Long-tailed Duck (Mrs Trellis)
No.3 tank this morning

Keynsham STW:

1 Siberian Chiffchaff still.

Blagdon Lake:
2 Shelduck, 3 Buzzard, 15 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Wagtail.

7.3.14 the lingering Black-necked Grebe (Mrs Trellis)
off Green Lawn this morning, now well into summer dress

Planet Chew:

Generally quiet, 10 Shelduck, 1 Scaup, 3 Goosander, 1 Little Egret, 5 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff (Bittern Trail).

7.3.14 Scaup foreground with Tufted (Mrs Trellis)
off Moreton late morning

7.3.14 Tufted Duck (Ian Stapp)

This Tufted Duck was seen off Moreton this morning. It appears to have some kind of band lodged around its gape and neck.

Reports: Kev Bainbridge, Paul Bowyer, Jane Cumming, Steve Emery, Peter Hawkins, Ian Hayes, Rich Mielcarek, Giles Morris, John Rickard, Ian Stapp, Brian Thompson, Mrs Trellis, Nigel Tucker, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 6/3/14

central Bristol:
Park St: a flyover Raven, early afternoon.

Snuff Mills (Bristol):
2 Goldcrest, 2 Treecreeper.

Marshfield:

(5.3.14) Posh Robin (Mark Coller)
digi-scoped Kowa 883+Panasonic LF1, a combination Mark likes

6.3.14 Posh Robin (Allan Chard)

New Passage:
1 Barnacle Goose, 92 Shelduck.

Severn Beach:
6 Canada Goose.

Portbury Wharf:

Pools: 26 Shelduck, 8 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 6 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, 12 Tufted Duck, 17 Little Grebe, 1 flyover Peregrine, 2 Oystercatcher, 9 Lapwing, c.160 Dunlin. Awesome.

Portishead:
Boating Lake: 11 Tufted Duck.
Springfield Rd: 2 Coal Tit, 2 Blackcap, feeders.

south Clevedon coast:
Wain's Hill-Yeo Est: 80+ Shelduck, 70 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 12 Mallard, 4 Little Egret, 4 Oystercatcher, 12 Grey Plover, 900 Dunlin, 100+ Curlew, 240 Redshank, 4 Turnstone, 2 Raven.

Sand Pt:
Vis Mig: 311 LBB Gull, 2 Stock Dove, 9 Raven, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Stonechat, 12 alba Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 79 Meadow Pipit, 5 Siskin.

Sand Bay:
Beach: 10 Oystercatcher, 25 Dunlin, 12 alba Wagtail, 30 Meadow Pipit.

Blagdon Lake:
1 Black-necked Grebe and Common Sandpiper still.

Planet Chew:
2 Pintail (pair), 10 Shoveler, 1 female Scaup (anchored off Moreton), 6 Goosander, 3 Little Egret, 3 Buzzard, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Reed Bunting.

6.3.14 Goosander (Mike Hitchings)
on the Bittern Trail today

6.3.14 Mediterranean Gull (Ian Stapp)
Herriott's Pool this morning

Reports: Paul Bowyer, Karle Burford, Allan Chard, Mark Coller, Mike Hitchings, Dean Reeves, John Rickard, Harvey Rose, Gill Sapsed, Ian Stapp, Mrs Trellis, BL birds, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 5/3/14

BOC meeting: Sunday 9 March, Leigh Woods: Leader Alex Rhodes

Meet 10am in the main car park at the end of the beech avenue. Grid reference: ST 552740. A stroll around the woodland and clearings looking for signs of early migrants and perhaps a few scarcities such as Hawfinch and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.  

Alex Rhodes was born in Outer Space.

A Ring Ouzel seen in Devon today.....

Avon Gorge (Bristol):
BOC watch-point: 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 3 Peregrine, 2 Nuthatch in nearby trees.
Go to the BOC website for more details on the Peregrines, http://www.boc-bristol.org.uk/.

5.3.14 Peregrine (Chris D Jones)
a lot of activity here recently, plenty to see

Marshfield:

The Red-flanked Bluetail still present.
Many thanks to Matt Scott @Tockingtonbirds for plugging us on this morning's BBC local radio show regarding Posh Robin, but we're really at a loss to understand why John Barnett the finder got a mention too.
Listen here, go direct to 1:19:30 secs: Posh Robin on the BBC.

Winterbourne:
Woodlands Lane: 1 flyover Red Kite.

Almondsbury:
Lower Knole Farm: 1 Woodcock.

Bradley Stoke:
Three Brooks NR: 1 Little Grebe, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher.

Aust Warth:

5.3.14 Twite (Lee Gardiner)
reed-bed and trees by the house

5.3.14 Dunnock (Mrs Trellis)
one day it'll be an Alpine Accentor....

Portbury Wharf:
Pools: 19 LBB Gull, a definite influx.

Portishead:
Redcliff Bay: 1 male Firecrest still present, woods off Newhaven Rd by the hall. In beech trees and showing well.
Springfield Rd: 1 Jay, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Blackcap.

south Clevedon coast:

Yeo Est end: 100 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 4 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 6 Oystercatcher, 18 Grey Plover, 2,000 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, 100 Curlew, 25 Redshank, 10 Turnstone, 4 Raven, 3 Skylark, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 300 Redwing (4 flocks to south-west!), 1 Bullfinch.

Sand Pt:
Vis Mig this morning: 35 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Skylark, 26 Meadow Pipit, 8 alba Wagtail, 37 Chaffinch, 10 Greenfinch, 32 Goldfinch, 18 Siskin, 18 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer, 7 Reed Bunting.

Keynsham:
Manor Rd: 2 Raven, nest prospecting.

Bath:
Oldfield Park: the female Blackcap again, present all winter.

Chew Stoke STW:
3 collybita Chiffchaff, 2 Siberian Chiffchaff still.

Planet Chew:
15 Barnacle Goose, 18 Shelduck, 1 female Scaup, 1 female Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Goosander, at least 7 Little Egret, 3 Buzzard, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Jay, 2 collybita Chiffchaff, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff (BK hide/Bittern Trail), 1 Water Pipit (Villice, on way to hides).

Reports: Paul Bowyer, Anthony Cook, Mark Dadds, Lee Gardiner, Roger Joliffe, Chris D Jones, Craig Lewis, Rich Mielcarek, Vic Polley, John Rickard, Trevor Riddle, Vic Savery, Rich Scantlebury, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Mrs Trellis.

Sightings 4/3/14

BOC meeting: Sunday 9 March, Leigh Woods: Leader Alex Rhodes

Meet 10am in the main car park at the end of the beech avenue. Grid reference: ST 552740. A stroll around the woodland and clearings looking for signs of early migrants and perhaps a few scarcities such as Hawfinch and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.  

Alex Rhodes was born in Outer Space.

4.3.14 Dipper (Ian Stapp)
in Avon today

Please send us records of unusual breeding birds, we may not post them but they will be logged on the database for the county Recorder later. Thanks.

Easton (Bristol):
1 Buzzard, 2 Grey Wagtail of note.

Avonmouth (Bristol):
Kingsweston Lane: 1 Jack Snipe, 78 Snipe, birds flushed from a wet field.

Marshfield:
5 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Raven, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 300 Starling, 1 Red-flanked Bluetail, 200 Linnet, 200 Corn Bunting of note.

Oldbury Power Station:
4 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 Little Grebe, 16 Dunlin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 51 Rook (moving through), 3 Goldcrest, 4 Bullfinch.

Aust Warth:
2 Stonechat, 1 Twite again briefly.

4.3.14 Twite (Phil Stidwell)
near the garden feeder trees and reed-bed as usual

New Passage:

1 Barnacle Goose, 1 Little Egret.

Severn Beach:
3,000+ Starling, evening display over the village.

Chittening Warth:
Stup Pill: 1 Cetti's Warbler (reeds by the pond), 1 Stonechat of note.

4.3.14 Meadow Pipit (Mrs Trellis)

Lulsgate:
Bristol airport: 6+ Buzzard, 3 Raven, showing well today.

Portbury Dock:

52 Shelduck, mouth of the Avon this afternoon. There seem to be a lot of Shelduck in the upper estuary recently.

4.3.14 Buzzard (Mrs Trellis)
one of the resident birds here

Portishead:
Newhaven Rd: the Firecrest still present, small patch of woodland off the road. Also here, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff.

4.3.14 Mediterranean Gull (Melvin Hedges)
sea-front today

4.3.14 Turnstone (Mrs Trellis)
Battery Pt this morning

The Purple Sandpiper were last reported here 1 February. The recent severe storms may have forced them to relocate to a more sheltered spot.

Gordano Valley:

Walton Moor: some trapping of Woodcock carried out last night for satellite tracking. In all, 27 birds were seen in the area, 6 birds ringed including one ('Smithy') fitted with a tagging device.

Nailsea:
Ploughed Paddock: 2 male Reed Bunting, only 2nd garden record here so a very chuffed observer.

Congresbury:
1 Tawny Owl, calling evening by the church.

south Clevedon coast:
Wain's Hill-Yeo Est: 200 Shelduck, 115 Wigeon, 255 Teal, 4 Pintail, 2 Goosander, 11 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Plover, 50 Lapwing, 1,500 Dunlin, 16 Snipe, 155 Curlew, 550 Redshank (125 Kenn, 425 Yeo), 45 Turnstone, 47 Skylark (most Yeo end), 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1,000 Starling, 50 Fieldfare, 100 Redwing, 25 Meadow Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit, 75 Goldfinch.

Planet Chew:
Bittern Trail: the 2 Siberian Chiffchaff still here, near the BK hide.

4.3.14 Tawny Owl (Lauren Tucker)
trees by the Bernard King hide

4.3.14 Siberian Chiffchaff (Lauren Tucker)

Other stuff, 1 (one) Pink-footed Goose, 7 Barnacle Goose, 8 Shelduck, 5 Wigeon, 1 female Red-breasted Merganser (Stratford), 8 Goosander, 1 Little Egret, 2 Buzzard, 3 Snipe, 1 Tawny Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Long-tailed Tit nests under construction.

Reports: Mark Dadds, Rob Emery, Trevor Ford, Melvin Hedges, Adrian Hockey, Rod Holbrook, Roger Joliffe, Steve Sanins, Gill Sapsed, Matt Scott, Ian Stapp, Frank Steuck, Phil Stidwell, Lauren Tucker, Mrs Trellis, Andrew Waygood, severnsidebirds, TBOSG.

Sightings 3/3/14

3.3.14 Long-tailed Duck (Paul Bowyer)
the Cheddar Res bird

Marshfield:
Shire Valley: the Red-flanked Bluetail still with us, 1 month now.

3.3.14 Red-flanked Bluetail (Howard Taffs)

Chipping Sodbury:

Golf Course: 1 Tawny Owl (at nestbox), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap, 2 Mistle Thrush.

Coalpit Heath:
1 garden Blackcap.

Aust Warth:
10 Canada Goose, 1 Peregrine, 100+ Dunlin, 3 Short-eared Owl (brief show at high tide but not lingering), 100+ Meadow Pipit (moving through), 1 Twite briefly.

3.3.14 Pied Wagtail (Mrs Trellis)

New Passage-Northwick:
1 Barnacle Goose again, 152 Shelduck, 150 Wigeon.

Severn Beach:

Orchard Pool: 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Water Rail, 5 flyover Mistle Thrush, 3 Reed Bunting.

Portbury Wharf:
Pools: 22 Canada Goose, 11 Gadwall, 10 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, 12 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebe, 18 Lapwing plus a few BH Gull and Herring Gull.

BOC party: we've introduced a small low level nitrous oxide inhalation bleed into the hides. Your visit tomorrow should be hilarious and not at all painful. Please turn off the cylinders when leaving the reserve. Thanks.

Portbury Dock:

3.3.14 Oystercatcher (Mrs Trellis)

3.3.14 Herring Gull (Mrs Trellis)

Portishead:
Springfield Rd: 1 Coal Tit, 2 Blackcap.

south Clevedon coast:
Yeo Pill: 4 Stonechat (2 pairs), by the golf course.

Keynsham STW:

The Siberian Chiffchaff still present, plus 1 normal Chiffchaff.

Planet Chew:
Bittern Trail: the 2 Siberian Chiffchaff still here, near the BK hide.

Other stuff around, 6 Shelduck, 5 Wigeon (most gone now), 6 Goosander, 1 Buzzard, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Chiffchaff (Stratford), 2 Mistle Thrush.

(1.3.14) Bearded Tit (Mike Bailey)
caught at the ringing station

Bearded Tit is inexplicably scarce in Avon despite plenty of reed-bed habitat. We don't seem to get many strays from the Newport Wetlands in Gwent either where they are more numerous.

Reports: Mike Bailey, Paul Bowyer, Pete Dommett, Matt Hobbs, Wilf King, Craig Lewis, Rich Mielcarek, John Rickard, Matt Scott, Howard Taffs, Mrs Trellis, severnsidebirds.