Sightings 29/2/16

Please help out if you can, thanks (Gordon Youdale)

BirdgirlUK crashed through the 1 million barrier today http://birdgirluk.blogspot.co.uk/.

Bishopsworth (Bristol):
Crox Bottom: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 20 Magpie, 1 Goldcrest, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 18 Robin, 2 Redwing, 6 House Sparrow, 1 Grey Wagtail, 11 Goldfinch.
Manor Woods: 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Redwing, 2 Goldfinch.

Hotwells (Bristol):

29/2/16 Grey Wagtail (Margaret Gorely)
2 birds, Capricorn Place

Lawrence Weston (Bristol):
AWT Reserve: 4 Jack Snipe, 50 Snipe this morning.

Oldbury Power Station:

2 Pintail, 5 Little Egret, 3 Stonechat.

Aust Warth:
5 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 26 Snipe, 23 Curlew, 8 Redshank, 38 BH Gull.

29/2/16 Kestrel (Mrs Trellis)

New Passage-Northwick:
9 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag Goose, 23 Canada Goose, 23 Shelduck, 300 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 120 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 16 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Buzzard, 1 Water Rail, 250 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 30 Redshank, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Stonechat.

Pill:

Crockerne Drive: 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 1 Coal Tit, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Redwing, 15 Goldfinch, 1 Bullfinch.

29/2/16 Blackbird (Paul Milsom)
hopefully, some more 'Blackbirds' with white on them soon....

Sand Bay:

1 Little Egret, 1 Water Rail, 67 Oystercatcher, 9 Grey Plover, 13 Knot, 1,800 Dunlin, 3 Jack Snipe, 18 Snipe, 94 Curlew, 80+ Redshank, 5 Raven, 4 Stonechat, 16 Linnet.
Dartford Warbler absent again.

Pensford:
Lord's Wood: 2 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Jay, 12 Goldcrest, 2 Marsh Tit, 20 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Treecreeper, 8 Fieldfare, 3 Goldfinch.

Blagdon Lake:
1 Egyptian Goose, 4 Goosander, 3 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper.

Planet Chew:
Starling: 10,000 over the lake this evening.
1 Greylag Goose, 21 Canada Goose, 22 Shelduck, 1 Wigeon, 12 Shoveler, 1 Scaup, 8 Goldeneye, 3 Little Egret, 2 Buzzard, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Tawny Owl (Moreton), 1 Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 Raven, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 17 Long-tailed Tit, 9 Robin, 1 Treecreeper, 100 Redwing, 5 House Sparrow, 1 Stonechat, 18 Pied Wagtail, 35 Chaffinch, 4 Siskin.

29/2/16 Stonechat (Chris Stone)
Moreton

29/2/16 Black-headed Gull ring 21S3 (Ian Stapp)

Ringed as a chick in 2015 at Hosehill LNR near Reading. Fist appeared at Chew July 2015 and appears to be hanging around here ever since.

Reports: Bill Blake, Teresa Chard, Nick Cryer, Margaret Gorely, Patrick Hancock, Brian Lancastle, Paul Milsom, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Mrs Trellis, BL birds, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

Western Sahara - Paul Chapman & Howard Taffs

Paul and Howard just back from a birding trip to the Western Sahara and sent in some photos to brighten up the end of a long British winter.

Desert Warbler

Cricket Warbler

Fulvous Babbler

Black-crowned Sparrow-lark

Desert Sparrow

Dunn's Lark

Greater Hoopoe Lark

White-crowned Black Wheatear

Western Sahara is a very desolate region with little civilisation and only basic facilities, but as Paul and Howard are both Clevedon-based birders, they felt very at home there.

Sightings 28/2/16

28/2/16 Short-eared Owl at Uphill this evening (Brian Thompson)
up to 3 birds have been showing well here on many dates during the month

A few more Fieldfare and Redwing reports than of recent weeks, presumably birds flocking up prior to migration. Another Red Kite report today too.

Eastville Park (Bristol):
1 Kingfisher (river Frome), 2 Firecrest again (in ivy/holly at bottom of Colston Hill).
Dipper video by Nigel Tucker: https://youtu.be/Zezntq__SDs.

Clifton Downs (Bristol):
1 Buzzard, 2 Peregrine, 2 Raven, 1 Nuthatch.

28/2/16 Raven (Gill Sapsed)

Brentry (Bristol):

Fishpool Hill: 3 Stock Dove.

Ingst (south Glos):
2 Grey Heron, 250 Starling, 170 Fieldfare, 80 Redwing.

Over (south Glos):
Pegwell Wood: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 4 Bullfinch.

Easter Compton:
1 flyover Red Kite to north-east 1.13pm, over the main road (Vic Savery).

New Passage-Northwick:
9 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag Goose, 20 Gadwall, 90 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 2 Green Woodpecker, 60 Fieldfare, 65 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 flyover Siskin.

Severn Beach:
23 Shelduck, 18 Wigeon, 60 Oystercatcher, 250 Dunlin, 50 Curlew, 16 Redshank, 2 Rock Pipit, 5 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer.

Abbots Leigh:
Pool: 1 Tawny Owl out calling this evening.

Portbury Wharf:
4 Snipe, 2 GBB Gull, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Stonechat of note.

Clevedon coast:
6 Canada Goose, 50 Shelduck, 15 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 1 Pintail, 3 Shoveler, 3 Goosander (Blind Yeo), 1 Little Egret, 3 Little grebe, 1 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 5 Ringed Plover, 23 Grey Plover, 25 Lapwing, 40 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe, 100 Curlew, 10 Skylark, 2 Stonechat, 3 Rock Pipit, 1 Bullfinch.

28/2/16 Grey Plover (Jason Williams)

Worle:

Lower Kewstoke Rd: 2 Goldcrest, 3 Blackcap daily, 1 Brambling.

Uphill:
2 Short-eared Owl this evening.

Pensford:
Lord's Wood: 1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 15 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Chaffinch, 7 Goldfinch.

Burnett:
Elm Farm: 1 Buzzard, 1 Woodcock, 50 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 50 Linnet, 20 Yellowhammer.

Queen Charlton:
1 Merlin.

Keynsham:
Manor Rd: 2 flyover Mute Swan, 1 flyover Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 100 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 17 Magpie, 48 Jackdaw, 150 Rook, 9 Crow, 2 Raven, 27 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Treecreeper, 55 Starling, 27 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, 57 Redwing, 29 House Sparrow, 44 Chaffinch, 9 Greenfinch, 7 Goldfinch, 17 Siskin, 4 Bullfinch, 1 Yellowhammer.
All in a 90 minute walk around the woodland and environs.

28/2/16 Blue Tit (Ian Stapp)

Newton St Loe:
23 Redwing.

Bath:

Holts Down: 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Stock Dove, 1 Mistle Thrush, 150 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 10 Yellowhammer.

Barrow Tanks:
2 Goldeneye, 145 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 2 Common Sandpiper.

Blagdon Lake:
20 Mute Swan, 1 Egyptian Goose, 3 Black-necked Grebe, 4 Greenfinch.

Planet Chew:
Herriott's end: 1 Barn Owl.
Other stuff, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Barnacle Goose, 23 Shelduck, 30 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 5 Goldeneye, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail.

Reports: Teresa Chard, Jane Cumming, Mark Dadds, Michael Davis, Brian Edge, Steve Emery, Robert Hargreaves, John Martin, Chris Perry, Lois Pryce, Dean Reeves, Alex Rhodes, Vic Savery, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Howard Taffs, Brian Thompson, Jason Williams, BL birds, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 27/2/16

St George (Bristol):
Crew's Hole: 1 flyover Buzzard.

Fishponds (Bristol):
Cycle Track: 1 Sparrowhawk, 15+ House Sparrow.

Brentry (Bristol):
Fishpool Hill: 1 Siskin, in the garden.

Marshfield:
3 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Merlin. Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting conspicuous by their absence this afternoon (John Martin).

Hawkesbury Upton:
 2 flyover Red Kite to north-west this morning. Early spring often sees some passage of these birds through Avon, hopefully a few more to come.

27/2/16 Red Kite (Dan White)

Hambrook:

M4/M32 junction: 1 flyover Red Kite 3.20pm to north (Matt Scott).

New Passage-Northwick:

10 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag Goose, 19 Canada Goose, 45 Shelduck, 220 Wigeon, 25 Gadwall, 130 Teal, 17 Shoveler, 1 Pochard (1st of the year here) , 16 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 30 Coot, 2 Water Rail, 2 Lapwing, 500 Dunlin, 6 Snipe, 130 Curlew, 57 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Raven, 60 Fieldfare, 65 Redwing, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Water Pipit (1st sentry box).

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane: 1 Tawny Owl (night-time calling), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Treecreeper.

Portbury Wharf:
Pools: 11 Mute Swan, 13 Canada Goose, 38 Wigeon, 11 Gadwall, 6 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 7 Goldfinch,  2 Reed Bunting.

Portishead:
Battery Pt: 6 Purple Sandpiper.
Church Rd South: 2 Tawny Owl, present in garden trees for some weeks apparently.

27/2/16 Purple Sandpiper (Dave Hughes)

Clevedon coast:

Channel View: 4 Ringed Plover, 90 Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush, 4 Redwing.

Sand Bay:
11 fly-by Canada Goose, 9 Grey Plover, 1 Knot, 2,000 Dunlin, 50 Curlew, 80 Redshank, 6 Stonechat, 6 Reed Bunting.
No sign of the Dartford Warblers today.

W-s-M beach:
Gull roost: 700 BH Hull, 50 Common Gull, 150 LBB Gull, 150 Herring Gull, 1 GBB Gull.
Alas no Meds.

Willsbridge Mill:
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Treecreeper.

Burnett:
Elm Farm: 4+ Brambling. Locally, very scarce this winter.

Paulton:
4 Buzzard, 16 Stock Dove, 60 Woodpigeon, 1 Jay, 6 Skylark, 4 Blackbird, 30 Redwing, 75 Chaffinch, 75 Yellowhammer (good nos for here).

Backwell Lake:
17 Mute Swan, 13 Canada Goose, 1 Pochard, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Goosander new in, 14 Little Egret into roost, 140 BH Gull, 1 Kingfisher.

Barrow Tanks:
2 Gadwall, 19 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 62 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 GBB Gull,

Blagdon Lake:
17 Mute Swan, 1 Egyptian Goose, 28 Wigeon, 2 Black-necked Grebe.

Chew Stoke:
Garden ringing: 18 birds trapped, 14 were Reed Bunting.

27/2/16 Reed Bunting (Pete Burston)

Reports: Pete Burston, Teresa Chard, Chris Craig, Mark Dadds, Rhys Green, Paul Gregory, Patrick Hancock, Julian Head, Dave Hughes, John Martin, Paul Milsom, Karin Rhodes, Gill Sapsed, Matt Scott, Chris Stone, Howard Taffs, Mrs Trellis, Dan White, BL birds, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 26/2/16

Bishopsworth (Bristol):
Crox Bottom: 1 Little Grebe, 2 Buzzard, 1 Jay, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail, 14 Goldfinch, 8 Siskin.
Manor Woods: 2 Jay.

Ashton Court (Bristol):
Mansion House environs: 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Raven, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Song Thrush, 110 Redwing, 11 Goldfinch.

Snuff Mills (Bristol):

26/2/16 Dipper (Nigel Tucker)

Eastville Park (Bristol):

1 Kingfisher, 2 Treecreeper.

Stoke Lodge (Bristol):
5 Redwing, in the playing field.

Sea Mills (Bristol):
4 Dunlin, 2 Redshank, 80 BH Gull.

Avon Gorge (Bristol):
Bridge Valley Rd: 1 Barn Owl out hunting 6.30pm, presumably the Ham Green bird on a wander.

Odbury Power Station:
1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Raven, 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Littleton Warth:
WeBS: 220 Wigeon, 130 Teal, 6 Little Egret, 1,200 Dunlin, 1 Turnstone, 60 Common Gull.
Other stuff, 1 Peregrine, 9 Rock Pipit, 1 Water Pipit.

New Passage:
6 Canada Goose, 56 Shelduck, 45 Oystercatcher, 120 Curlew, 35 Redshank, 1 flyover Siskin.

Severn Beach:
1 Peregrine.

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane: In the garden, 1 Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay (it gorged down 11 peanuts before flying off), 1 Coal Tit.

Yatton:
Wemberham Lane: 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Raven, 50 Linnet, field by the proposed wind turbine site.

Keynsham Park:
2 Song Thrush, 11 Redwing, 1 Siskin.

Bleadon:
Hellenge Hill: 5 Woodcock, 2 Tawny Owl this evening (Paul Gregory).

Backwell Lake:
15 Little Egret into roost this evening.
Other stuff, 16 Mute Swan, 6 Canada Goose, 7 Pochard, 11 Tufted Duck, 1 flyover Buzzard, 55 BH Gull, 2 Common Gull, 45 Woodpigeon into roost.

Chew Magna:
1 Tree Sparrow, in garden this morning (Andy Davis). Almost a rarity in Avon these days.

Bishop Sutton:
20 House Sparrow.

26/2/16 Jay (Bob Brewer)

Planet Chew:

1 Greylag Goose, 1 Barnacle Goose, 20 Shelduck, 2 Scaup, 2 Goldeneye, 3 Little Egret, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 GBB Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Raven, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush, 8 House Sparrow, 18 Pied Wagtail, 1 Reed Bunting.

Reports: Bob Brewer, Nick Cryer, Andy Davis, Lee Gardiner, Paul Gregory, John Martin, Lois Pryce, Karin Rhodes, Trevor Riddle, Ian Stapp, Mrs Trellis, Nigel Tucker, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 25/2/16

BTO Bird Photo of the Year Award 2015:
Congratulations to our young paduan ALEX RHODES who has had his humble garden Dunnock photograph shortlisted in the competition. Mrs Trellis taught him well she has.

http://birdpoty15.picturk.com/pages/shortlist - the full list in alphabetical order.

Stockwood (Bristol):
Open Space: 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Jay, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Song Thrush, 20 Goldfinch.

Bishopsworth (Bristol):
Durville Rd: Up to 10 House Sparrow regular here.
Crox Bottom: 1 Little Grebe, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Jay, 13 Magpie, 1 Coal Tit, 13 Long-tailed Tit, 16 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Goldfinch.
Church 24/2/16: 1 Tawny Owl calling 10.40pm.

Easton (Bristol):
Stapleton Rd: 1 Chiffchaff.

Eastville Park (Bristol):
Common Gull: 1 on the lake today, apparently it's a local mega-rarity, better than Kittiwake or Mediterranean (Larry Sweetland, now in orbit around the ISS).
Other stuff, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Firecrest again, 2 Treecreeper, 3 Siskin.

25/2/16 Treecreeper (Dave Hughes)

St Phillip's (Bristol):

Finzel's Reach: 1 Peregrine.

Temple Quay (Bristol):
1 Chiffchaff.

New Passage-Northwick:
Little overall change, 10 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag Goose, 20 Canada Goose, 57 Shelduck, 300 Wigeon, 20 Gadwall, 140 Teal, 40 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 100 Oystercatcher, 400 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, 120 Curlew, 40 Redshank, 20 Pied Wagtail, 3 Water Pipit, 2 Siskin.

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 Coal Tit, 4 Long-tailed Tit plus the usual spread of the garden feeders birds.

Portishead:
Battery Pt: 4 Purple Sandpiper.

25/2/16 Purple Sandpiper (Vic Savery)

Clevedon coast:

Wain's Hill-Yeo Est: 5 Mute Swan, 4 Canada Goose, 70 Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 4 Little Egret, 1 Buzzard, 35 Oystercatcher, 4 Ringed Plover, 24 Grey Plover, 40 Lapwing, 1 Knot, 850 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe, 4 Snipe, 90 Curlew, 250 Redshank, 35 Turnstone, 1 Kingfisher, 15 Skylark, 1 Stonechat, 4 Reed Bunting.

Blagdon Lake:
2 Egyptian Goose, 32 Goldeneye, 3 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 525 BH Gull, 152 LBB Gull, 32 Herring Gull, 2 GBB Gull.

Litton Res:
5 Mute Swan, 3 Canada Goose, 7 Teal, 20 Tufted Duck, 1 flyover Grey Heron, 8 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 1 calling Tawny Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Goldcrest, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Grey Wagtail.

Planet Chew:
6 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag Goose, 16 Canada Goose, 1 Barnacle Goose, 18 Shelduck, 7 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 62 Teal, 44 Shoveler, 21 Pochard, 210 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 32 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Water Rail, 1 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 GBB Gull, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Raven, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Coal Tit, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 10 Robin, 1 Treecreeper, 21 Redwing, 6 House Sparrow, 17 Pied Wagtail, 3 Siskin.

25/2/16 Great Crested Grebe (Mrs Trellis)
Many pairs in display around the lake today

Reports: Phil Appleton, Des Bowring, Allan Chard, Teresa Chard, Nick Cryer, Dave Hughes, Chris Johnson, Harvey Rose, Vic Savery, Ian Stapp, Larry Sweetland, Mrs Trellis, BL birds, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 24/2/16

24/2/16 Hooded Merganser (Robert Hargreaves)
Corsham Lake, Wilts

Quite a few birders have made the 'insurance policy' trek to see this bird just in case it gets accepted as a genuine migrant. Don't hold your breath though...

Fairly quiet everywhere, typical of late February. The Spring rush isn't too far away though....

Stockwood (Bristol):
Open Space: 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 18 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 20 Blackbird, 5 Song Thrush, 2 Stonechat, 6 Greenfinch, 15 Goldfinch, 5 Bullfinch.

Eastville Park (Bristol):

24/2/16 Firecrest (Allan Chard)
up to 2 birds regular here during Jan/Feb so far

Marshfield:

Rushmead Lane: 1 male Merlin.

Thornbury:
Butt Lane: 30 Stock Dove, 15 Linnet, 2 Yellowhammer, 1 Reed Bunting.

Shepperdine:
7 Shoveler.

Oldbury Power Station:
1 Short-eared Owl, lagoon 3 this afternoon.
Other stuff, 2 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck, 3 Water Rail (lagoon 2), 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Plover, 200 Curlew (26 colour-ringed), 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat, 30 Meadow Pipit, 2 Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting.

Aust Warth:
Cake Pill: 50 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 160 Dunlin, 22 Snipe, 14 Curlew, 9 Redshank.

New Passage-Northwick:
10 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag Goose, 20 Canada Goose, 50 Shelduck, just 1 Wigeon, 20 Gadwall, 120 Teal, 45 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebe, 32 Coot, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Stonechat.

Severn Beach:
Orchard Pools: 2 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, 1 Coot, 2 Water Rail, 1 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Hallen:
2 Buzzard.

Easter Compton:
Dyer's Common: 3 Mute Swan, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 5 Skylark, 90 Starling, 2 Redwing, 25 Goldfinch, 4 Reed Bunting of note.

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane: 1 Jay, 7 Rook, 1 Coal Tit, garden.
Pool: 1 Tawny Owl calling this evening.

Ham Green:
A369: 1 Barn Owl out hunting 5.30am this morning.

Clevedon coast:
Wain's Hill-Yeo Est: 28 Canada Goose, 220 Shelduck, 355 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 3 Goosander (Blind Yeo), 10 Little Grebe (Blind Yeo), 2 Peregrine, 39 Oystercatcher, 6 Ringed Plover, 5 Grey Plover, 25 Lapwing, 2,750 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe, 14 Snipe, 175 Curlew, 345 Redshank, 26 Turnstone, 1 Kingfisher (Blind Yeo), 36 Skylark, 150 Fieldfare, 110 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 Rock Pipit.

Uphill:

24/2/16 Short-eared Owl (Dan White)
3 birds showing really well today & abs minty pics by Dan

Paulton:

Village surrounds: 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Treecreeper, 9 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 30 Redwing, 10 Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 5 Bullfinch.
Sewage Works: 9 Grey Wagtail, 40 Pied Wagtail.

Marksbury:
100 Lapwing.

Keynsham:
4 Raven (much display overhead), 14 Goldfinch.

Blagdon Lake:
11 fly-by Little Egret, unusual here since the high water levels at the lake.
Other stuff, 14 Mute Swan, 1 Egyptian Goose, 3 Black-necked Grebe, 5 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper.

Planet Chew:
22 Canada Goose, 20 Shelduck, 14 Goldeneye, 15 Little Egret, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Buzzard, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Raven, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Mistle Thrush, 6 House Sparrow, 2 Grey Wagtail, 14 Pied Wagtail.

24/2/16 Buzzard (Ian Stapp)
the pale bird which has been hanging around Heron's Green end recently

Reports: Teresa Chard, Patrick Hancock, Robert Hargreaves, Ian Hayes, Paul Milsom, Lois Pryce, Steve Sanins, Vic Savery, Ian Stapp, Mrs Trellis, Dan White, BL birds, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

some Scottish birds - Brian Thompson

Brian and friends just back from a birding trip to Scotland 18-22 February and he sent us these dire photos and begged us to post them:-

Eider at Burghead harbour

Long-tailed Duck at Lossiemouth

Red Grouse
photo 'lifted' from a whisky bottle on their last night

Crested Tit at Loch Garten

Pine Marten

Mountain Hare at Lindhorn Valley

Brian's new camera lens does not appear to have helped his photography at all. Or, as the school report might say....'Brian is still working towards Stage 1...'.

Thanks anyway Brian.

Sightings 23/2/16

23/2/16 Peregrine (Pete Blanchard)
Avon Gorge, seawalls
For some inexplicable reason, Pete is really pleased with this pic though we can't for the life of us think why..

Avon Bird Report 2015: The Editor is asking for photos to include in the Report. Photos bring the Report to life so please help out if you can. 

Please send them to Harvey Rose: 'h.e.rose@bristol.ac.uk'. Thanks.

BirdgirlUK: only about 9,000 page-views to go....http://birdgirluk.blogspot.co.uk/. Please help push her over the line this week. Thanks.

Ashton Court:(Bristol):
Mansion House environs: 3 Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Nuthatch, 1 Mistle Thrush.

Lawrence Weston (Bristol):
AWT Reserve: 1 Buzzard, 2 Jack Snipe, 20 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker.

Marshfield:
1 Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 1 Barn Owl (conifer plantation near West Kington) again, 1 Little Owl (West Littleton), 2 Raven, 10 Yellowhammer plus good numbers of Corn bunting too.

Oldbury Power Station:
3 flyover Crane 12.50pm (cf. Severn Beach).

New Passage-Northwick:
20 Canada Goose, 56 Shelduck, 150 Wigeon, 20 Gadwall, 100 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 300 Dunlin, 1 Water Pipit.

Severn Beach:
3 flyover Crane to north 4.30pm (Chris Perry). Presumably GCP birds en route to Slimbridge.

Pilning:
3 Little Owl around the lanes.

23/2/16 Little Owl (Vic Savery)

Clevedon:
Tescos: 1 flyover Crossbill this morning (Howard Taffs).

Uphill:

23/2/16 Short-eared Owl (Simon Williams)
2 birds today

Willsbridge Mill:

1 Goldcrest, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Song Thrush.

Newton St Loe:
1 Teal, 1 Goosander, 8 Grey Heron, 5 Buzzard, 200+ Woodpigeon, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Raven, 6+ Goldcrest, 8 Skylark, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Stonechat, 6 Siskin, 3 Bullfinch, 14 Yellowhammer.

Backwell Lake:
Little Egret: 18 into roost. Fly-ins 5.30pm onwards. Later due to lighter evenings.
Other stuff, 16 Mute Swan, 14 Canada Goose, 7 Pochard, 9 Tufted Duck, 1 'continental' Cormorant (Nick Hawkridge, morning), 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Grey Wagtail, 1 Siskin.

Blagdon Lake:
11 Mute Swan, 1 Egyptian Goose still, 3 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Reed Bunting.

Planet Chew:
1 Greylag Goose, 1 Barnacle Goose, 25 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 13 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 13 Goldeneye, 14 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 2,000 Starling, 2 Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtail.

23/2/16 Starling (Robert Hargreaves)

Reports: Pete Blanchard, Teresa Chard, Mike George, Patrick Hancock, Robert Hargreaves, Chris Perry. Lois Pryce, Vic Savery, Howard Taffs, Mrs Trellis, Lauren & Wayne Tucker, Simon Williams, BL birds, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 22/2/16

(20/2/16) white plastic bags (Paul House)
Littleton Warth

This is the 1st ever Avon record we've had of white plastic bags roosting in trees before. We hope the photo is conclusive enough and the Recorder doesn't ask for a description.

Stockwood (Bristol):
Open Space: 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Chaffinch, 12 Goldfinch, 2 Bullfinch.

Bishopsworth:
Crox Bottom: 1 Little Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 13 Magpie, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 16 Robin, 16 Blackbird, 7 Song Thrush, 2 Bullfinch.
Manor Woods:  1 Teal, 1 Jay, 14 Magpie, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 13 Robin, 18 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 2 Bullfinch,

Hengrove (Bristol):
Allotments: 1 Firecrest.

Eastville Park (Bristol):
4 flyover Raven.

Redland (Bristol):
1 flyover Raven 1.25pm.

Oldbury Power Station:
1 Black Redstart again, at the waterworks.

New Passage-Northwick:
9 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag Goose, 3 Canada Goose, 66 Shelduck,, 270 Wigeon, 24 Gadwall, 120 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Buzzard, 1 Water Rail, 60 Oystercatcher, 1 Ringed Plover, 12 Lapwing, 600 Dunlin, 140 Curlew, 40 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 60 Fieldfare, 6 Song Thrush, 5 Redwing.

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane: 1 Tawny Owl (calling early morning), 1 Jay, 1 Coal Tit, 4 Long-tailed Tit.

Portbury Wharf:
Pools WeBS: 7 Mute Swan, 7 Canada Goose, 1 Shelduck, 60 Wigeon, 5 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 11 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 8 Little Grebe, 17 Coot, 10 Moorhen, 1 Oystercatcher, 11 Lapwing, 42 Snipe, 8 BH Gull, 8 LBB Gull, 54 Herring Gull, 2 GBB Gull.
Other stuff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Robin, 3 Bullfinch.

Nailsea:
1 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit, garden.

Congresbury Moor:
6 Goosander (river Yeo, 3 pairs and unusual here), 1 Kingfisher, 35 Redwing.

Uphill:
2 Short-eared Owl, showing well today.

Axe Est/Weston STW:
WeBS: 26 Mute Swan, 14 Shelduck, 68 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 45 Teal, 41 Mallard, 1 Cormorant, 3 Little Egret, 1 Moorhen, 60 Oystercatcher, 5 Ringed Plover, 200 Lapwing, 600 Dunlin, 24 Curlew, 265 Redshank.

Bath:
Primrose Hill: 2 Buzzard, 2 Jay, 10 Magpie, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 14 Robin, 20 Redwing, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin.

Backwell Lake:
5 Pochard, 10 Tufted Duck, 18 Little Egret (roost), 1 Kingfisher, 18 Magpie, 4 Grey Wagtail.

Barrow Tanks:
18 Teal, 9 Shoveler, 35 Cormorant, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 GBB Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Treecreeper.

Planet Chew:

22/2/16 Great Crested Grebe (Bob Brewer)
displaying at Stratford this morning

Reports: Paul Bowyer, Bob Brewer, Teresa Chard, Paul Collins, Nick Cryer, Robert Hargreaves, Lisa Presland, Steve Sanins, Graham Sims, Roger Staples, Chris Stone, Larry Sweetland, Mrs Trellis, Tim Warren, Carolyn Westlake, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 21/2/16

21/2/16 Wood Duck (Gill Sapsed)
Winterbourne pond, seen here intermittently since January 2015.

Bishopsworth (Bristol):

Crox Bottom: 1 Little Grebe, 1 Goldcrest, 14 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Goldfinch.

St Andrews Park (Bristol):
40 Starling, 15 Redwing.

Wickwar:
Lower Woods: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Jay, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Marsh Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 75 mixed Fieldfare/Redwing, 4 Bullfinch.

Winterbourne:
Pond: the Wood Duck still present.

Warmley:
Goldney Ave garden: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, 16 Greenfinch, 8 Goldfinch, 4 Bullfinch of note.

Littleton Warth: 20/2/16:
20 Little Egret into roost at the AWT reserve.

Easter Compton:
30 LBB Gull, 90 Herring Gull, 1 GBB Gull, 60 Jackdaw, 20 Rook, 60 Starling, 15 Redwing.

Aust Warth:
1 Stonechat, 1 Reed Bunting.

Severn Beach:
7 Common Scoter, 50+ Kittiwake.

21/2/16 Kittiwake (Dan White)
50+ here this afternoon during strong winds

Portishead:

Battery Pt: 4 Purple Sandpiper (Bethany Gale, aged 10).

Yatton:
Cadbury Hill: 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 7 Redwing, 1 Bullfinch.

Newton St Loe:
18 Teal, 4 Goosander, 9 Grey Heron (nesting), 1 Little Grebe, 200 Woodpigeon, 2 Jay, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit, 5 Skylark, 2 Nuthatch, 150 Starling, 1 Fieldfare, 60 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Stonechat, 5 Siskin, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Yellowhammer.

Bath:
Lidl store: 1 flyover Peregrine this evening.

Backwell Lake:
16 Mute Swan, 7 Canada Goose, 2 Pochard, 10 Tufted Duck, 18 Little Egret (into roost), 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 175 BH Gull, 100+ Woodpigeon (into roost).

Blagdon Lake:
1 Egyptian Goose, 3 Black-necked Grebe still, 1 Siskin.

Planet Chew:
Herriott's end: 1 Bittern this morning (Mya-Rose Craig).
Other stuff, 1 Greylag Goose, 3 Barnacle Goose, 17 Shelduck, 2 GBB Gull, 40 Starling, 40 Fieldfare, 45 Redwing.

21/2/16 Buzzard (Mrs Trellis)
the pale bird frequenting Heron's Green end in recent months

Reports: Mya-Rose Craig, Nick Cryer, Steve Emery, Bethany Gale, Lee Gardiner, Robert Hargreaves, Paul House, Nigel Milbourne, Chris Perry, Dave Poulton, Lois Pryce, Trevor Riddle, Gill Sapsed, Mrs Trellis, Lauren & Wayne Tucker, Dan White, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 20/2/16

20/2/16 Cormorant (Lee Gardiner)

St Phillips (Bristol):

Avonmeads: 3 Canada Goose, 2 Cormorant.

Redland (Bristol):
1 flyover Peregrine.

Overscourt Woods:
2 Kestrel, 4 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Shepperdine:
6 Shoveler.

Oldbury Power Station:
1 Peregrine, 4 Shoveler.

New Passage-Northwick:
280 Wigeon. 29 Gadwall, 145 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Egret, 2 Buzzard, 1 Water Rail, 60 Oystercatcher, 25 Lapwing, 400 Dunlin, 5 Snipe, 140 Curlew, 50 Redshank, 70 Fieldfare, 20 Pied Wagtail, 3 Water Pipit.

20/2/16 Water Pipit (Mark Dowie)
2nd sentry box area, regular here recently

Willsbridge Mill:

3 Goldcrest, 20 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Dipper, 1 Nuthatch, 10 Goldfinch.

Blagdon Lake:
1 Egyptian Goose, 2 Goosander, 3 Black-necked Grebe.

Planet Chew:
Siberian Chiffchaff: 1 at the BK hide screen again (Chris Stone).
Other stuff, 2 Pintail, 3 Scaup (2 Villice/main lake, 1 Moreton), 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Snipe.


Reports: Teresa Chard, Paul Collins, Mark Dowie, Lee Gardiner, Anthony Goodwin, John Martin, Chris Stone, BL birds, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 19/2/16

19/2/16 Greylag Goose & Barnacle Goose (Bob Brewer)
Planet  Chew, Herriott's this morning

BirdgirlUK: 15,000 views to go: http://birdgirluk.blogspot.co.uk/.

Bishopsworth (Bristol):

St Peter's Church: 1 Tawny Owl calling 3.15am.

Filton (Bristol):
Abbey Wood MOD: 20 Siskin with Goldfinches. Present all week apparently.

Marshfield:
1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Stonechat.

Shepperdine:
5 Shoveler.

Oldbury Power Station:
3 Shoveler, on the lake.

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Coal Tit, 10+ Chaffinch.

Backwell village:
Uncombe Close: 3 Jay, 1 Marsh Tit, 2 Blackcap, 2 Nuthatch, 6 Siskin, daily visitors into the garden. Feeding is costing the observer a small fortune.

Backwell Lake:
16 Mute Swan, 18 Canada Goose, 2 Bar-headed Goose types, 4 Pochard, 10 Tufted Duck, 10 Little Egret (into roost), 110+ Woodpigeon (into roost).

Congresbury Moor:
25 Snipe, 20 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 10 Meadow Pipit, 1 Siskin.

Sand Bay:
1 female Merlin, 2 Dartford Warbler still, 1 Water Pipit.

Uphill:
1 Little Grebe, 1 Short-eared Owl. 1 Kingfisher, 2 flyover Siskin.

Weston STW:
3 Canada Goose, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 1 Coot.

Newton St Loe:
24 Teal, 6 Goosander, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Coal Tit, 1 Song Thrush, 8 Redwing, 2 Treecreeper, 1 Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtail, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellowhammer.

19/2/16 Treecreeper (Robert Hargreaves)

Paulton:

Village lanes: 1 Buzzard, 1 Common Gull, 50 Woodpigeon, 1 Jay, 70 Jackdaw, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 11 Blackbird, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Meadow Pipit, 12 Chaffinch, 24 Goldfinch, 2 Bullfinch.
Sewage Works: 7 Grey Wagtail, 45 Pied Wagtail, 1 Meadow Pipit.

Litton Res:
1 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 23 Tufted Duck, 4 Cormorant, 3 Little Egret, 12 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Coot, 8 Moorhen, 1 Raven, 4 Goldcrest, 30 Starling.

Blagdon Lake:
2 Egyptian Goose, 2 Goosander, 3 Black-necked grebe again, 1 Common Sandpiper.

Planet Chew:
Bittern: 1 in the reed-bed near the Herriott's channel this 11am morning (Bob Brewer).
Mediterrranean Gull: 8 birds in the roost this evening (6 ads, 2 immatures, John Martin).

Other stuff, 14 Shelduck, 5 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 15 Pochard, 1 Scaup (Villice), 200 Tufted Duck (Villice), 12 Goldeneye, 5 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 10 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Lapwing, 8 Snipe (Moreton), 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 GBB Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 House Sparrow.


Reports: Bill Blake, Bob Brewer, Paul Gregory, Patrick Hancock, Robert Hargreaves, Chris Johnson, Robin Lambert, John Martin, Dave Poulton, Karin Rhodes, Trevor Riddle, Ian Stapp, Nick Tippett, Mrs Trellis, BL birds, opsbirding.