Sightings 31/3/16

31/3/16 redhead Smew (Allan Chard)
the Chipping Sodbury bird today

Summary:

Fine sunny weather but few migrants. A very early Hobby seen at Severnside.

Stockwood (Bristol):
Open Space: 1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 15 Goldfinch.

Bishopston (Bristol) 21/3/16:
Claremont Rd: 1 flyover Red Kite 2.30pm with 2 Buzzard (Peter Cain).

Longwell Green:
Hicks Gate end: 1 Sparrowhawk, over the ring road.

Oldbury Power Station:
20 Chiffchaff.

Littleton Warth:
21 Shelduck, 1 Oystercatcher, 5 LBB Gull, 1 Wheatear.

31/3/16 Wheatear (Mrs Trellis)
rocks by the railway wagon this afternoon

Aust STW:

1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Raven, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Comma butterfly.

Aust Warth:
40 Curlew, 4 Skylark, 1 Wheatear, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Red Admiral butterfly.

New Passage-Northwick:
1 flyover Hobby this morning (Martyn Hayes, Nigel Tucker), exceptionally early for Avon.
Other stuff, 8 Mute Swan, 12 Canada Goose, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe, 5 Buzzard, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 10 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 105 Redshank, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 20 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Brambling, 5 Siskin, 1 Redpoll.

Severn Beach:

Orchard Pools: 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Coot, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Brimstone butterfly.

Pill:
Crosslanes: 1 singing Willow Warbler, 2 Siskin.

Nailsea:

31/3/16 Little Owl (Richard Bedwell)
Youngwood Lane
It's been reported to the Little Owl project

Felton:

Common: Chiffchaff 'plentiful', 2 Song Thrush, 4 Bullfinch.

East Dundry:
4 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Owl, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Bullfinch.

Worle 28/3/16:
Headland: 1 fly-through Hobby reported (twitter@headlandbirder). Potential earliest ever Avon record (currently 30/3/90) but it is unlikely we'll tease a description out of the observer so it won't make it into the Report. Pity.

Sand Pt:
1 Peregrine, 2 Raven, 7 Sand Martin, 20 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 3 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear.

Keynsham:
Old Fry's building: 2 Peregrine.

Saltford:
6 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Kingfisher (over arable fields, away from the river), 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 14 Magpie, 1 Raven, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 17 Wren, 4 Greenfinch.

Compton Martin:
1 Jay, 2 Marsh Tit, 3 Greenfinch, garden.

Blagdon Lake:
2 Egyptian Goose, 1 Black-necked Grebe (Top End, last seen here 21 March).

Planet Chew:
1 Greylag Goose, 36 Canada Goose, 2 Barnacle Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 12 Shelduck, 5 Scaup still, 20 Goldeneye, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Buzzard, 2 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 GBB Gull, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 4 Raven, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Bullfinch.
No reports of the Slavonian Grebe today. Very few hirundines over the lake, the weather was probably too nice.

Reports: Richard Bedwell, Paul Bowerman, Peter Cain, Teresa Chard, Chris Craig, Paul Gregory, Robert Hargreaves, Martyn Hayes, Adrian Hockey, Chris Johnson, Giles Morris, Nick Page, Stuart Sammonds, Ian Stapp, Mrs Trellis, Nigel Tucker, BL birds, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 30/3/16

Summary:
Our first Willow Warbler today plus an upsurge in Chiffchaff and Wheatear sightings.
The Smew still at Chipping Sodbury and the Slavonian Grebe still at Planet Chew.
Little Ringed Plover at Severnside and Portbury but generally still a shortage of small waders at the coastal sites.
23 Common Scoter off Clevedon noteworthy.

Otter Sightings: Otter Gill says thank you for all the sightings us birders have sent in recently. So much so in fact, that she is thinking of taking up birding in order to see more Otters herself....


Stockwood (Bristol):
Open Space: 1 Buzzard, 1 Skylark.

Bishopsworth (Bristol):
Crox Bottom: 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Swallow, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush, 19 Robin, 2 Grey Wagtail, 7 Goldfinch.

Huntingford Mill:
Little River Avon: 4 Siskin.

Chipping Sodbury:
The Smew still present.

map, courtesy of Martyn Hayes
ST 740842

New Passage-Northwick:

Shore & wetland: 8 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 68 Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, 10 Gadwall, 55 Teal, 4 Shoveler, 14 Tufted Duck, 70 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebe, 20 Coot, 1 Little Ringed Plover (evening), 9 Ringed Plover, 9 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Curlew, 90 Redshank, 1 Turnstone, 1 Kittiwake, 2 Raven, 50 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 4 Chiffchaff 2 Water Pipit.

Abbots Leigh:
Pool environs: 4 Buzzard (2prs displaying), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch.
Sandy Lane end: 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 confiding Jay, 1 Coal Tit.

Portbury Wharf:
Pools & environs: 11 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Goose, 3 Shelduck, 11 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 7 Mallard, 4 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 13 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebe, 3 Moorhen, 8 Coot, 2 Little Ringed Plover (island, blimey), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grey Wagtail, 8 Pied Wagtail.
Saltmarsh: 4 Stonechat, 3 Wheatear, 6 Meadow Pipit.
Estuary shore: 2 Canada Goose, 15 Shelduck, 95 Teal, 4 Mallard, 5 Oystercatcher, 2 Jack Snipe, 8 Curlew, 55 Redshank, 1 LBB Gull, 8 Herring Gull.

30/3/16 Little Ringed Plover (Mrs Trellis)
only 150yds away....we feel blessed

30/3/16 Wheatear (Mrs Trellis)
3 birds on the saltmarsh...a major 'fall' for here

Portishead:

30/3/16 Siskin (special agent Horrocks)
in the garden, Hillside Rd

Kingston Seymour:

Middle Lane: 27 Little Egret 9.30am, presumably the same birds as counted at the seawall stretch.

Clevedon coast:
Wains Hill-Yeo Est: 115 Shelduck, 65 Wigeon, 75 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 23 Common Scoter (upriver off Yeo Est), 30 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 2 Water Rail, 22 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 7 Lapwing, 1 Jack Snipe, 110 Curlew, 190 Redshank, 29 Turnstone, 2 Raven, 25 Skylark, 35 Sand Martin (mig to north), 30 Swallow (mig to north), 3 House Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Stonechat, 15 Wheatear, 4 White Wagtail, 75 Meadow Pipit, 3 Bullfinch, 2 Reed Bunting.

Worle:
Plumley Park: 10+ Chiffchaff.

Brockley Combe:
1 Marsh Tit.

Dundry:
10 Buzzard, 11 Wheatear (field by Carpenter Arms pub), 1 flyover Siskin, 18 Yellowhammer.

Paulton:
Village environs: 1 Buzzard, 70 Woodpigeon, 1 Jay, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper, 15 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Redwing, 2 Pied Wagtail, 5 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Siskin, 1 Redpoll.
Sewage Works: 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtail.

Bath 14/3/16:
Pulteney Bridge: 2 Otter (Jeff Hosier). Otter Gill says thank you.

Blagdon Lake:
1 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff.

Planet Chew:
Willow Warbler: 1 in trees at Moreton car-park, our first of the season.
Other day stuff, 3 Greylag Goose, 3 Barnacle Goose, 14 Shelduck, 5 Scaup (Moreton), 24 Goldeneye, 14 Buzzard, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 GBB Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Jay, 2 Raven, 300 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 11 Chiffchaff, 1 singing Blackcap, 7 House Sparrow, 25 Pied Wagtail, 25 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling (Nunnery again), 3 Bullfinch.

30/3/16 Slavonian Grebe (Chris Stone)
mobile between Stratford & picnic site 1/dam

Reports: Teresa Chard, Nick Cryer, Patrick Hancock, Robert Hargreaves, Adrian Hockey, special agent Horrocks, Dave Nevitt, Shane Pannell, Vic Polley, Karin Rhodes, Marcus Rhodes, Trevor Riddle, Steve Sanins, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Mrs Trellis, BL birds, severnsidebirds.

some Thailand Birds - Roger Staples

Roger and Jean Staples just back from a birding trip to Thailand and sent in these photos:-

Banded Broadbill

Malayan Banded Pitta

Siberian Rubythroat

Dark-sided Flycatcher

Orange-breasted Trogon

Very many thanks to Roger and Jean.

Sightings 29/3/16

LOST: We found some wildlife club membership cards at Stratford hide this afternoon. Please e-mail us if you think they might be yours.
We will hand them in at Woodford Lodge on our next visit.

Summary:
A day of very heavy showers. A Slavonian Grebe new in at Planet Chew where also 500+ rain induced Sand Martin.
The Smew remained at Chipping Sodbury and there were 4 Little Ringed Plover at New Passage.
A Short-eared Owl at Clevedon and 6 Crossbill at Walton Common also of note.


Bishopsworth (Bristol):
Crox Bottom: 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 2 Jay, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 14 Robin, 9 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 9 Goldfinch.

The Downs (Bristol):
3 flyover Swallow.

Chipping Sodbury:
Common: The redhead Smew still present on the lake.

Thornbury:
Butt Lane: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, garden, 140 Linnet in adjoining fields.

New Passage-Northwick:
Shore & wetland: 5 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 63 Shelduck, 4 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 66 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 10 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 90 Redshank, 5 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow.

Leigh Woods:
Church Rd: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch.

Abbots Leigh:
Weir Lane: 3 Fieldfare, orchard.

Walton Common:
1 Tawny Owl (mid-day), 1 Marsh Tit, 6 Crossbill (2m, 4f).

Clevedon coast:
Dowlais: 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Swallow, 1 Stonechat, 6 Wheatear.

Sand Pt:
3 Goosander down, 2 singing Chiffchaff.

W-s-M:
Old Airfield: 2 Canada Goose, 12 Teal, 2 Little Egret, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Chiffchaff.
Weston Woods: Lots of sparrowhawk activity reported, 1 singing Chiffchaff.

Uphill:
100 Shelduck, 16 Teal, 4 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 6 Oystercatcher, 6 Curlew, 100 Redshank, 1 Swallow, 1 Stonechat, 12 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting.

Blagdon Lake:
23 Mute Swan, 11 Canada Goose, 4 Shoveler, 3 Goldeneye, 7 Little Grebe, 9 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Buzzard, 3 Snipe, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 30+ Sand Martin, 5 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 5 Chiffchaff, 8 House Sparrow (Bickfield Farm), 3 Goldfinch.

29/3/16 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Mrs Trellis)
Home Bay trees

Planet Chew:

1 Greylag Goose, 1 Barnacle Goose, 8 Shelduck, 5 Scaup (Moreton-Stratford side as usual), 7 Goldeneye, 1 Little Egret, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzard, 1 Water Rail, 2 GBB Gull (copulating), 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 Raven, 600+ Sand Martin, 60 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Mistle Thrush, 6 House Sparrow (Blue Bowl pub), 2 Grey Wagtail, 12 Meadow Pipit, 1 Brambling (Nunnery) 2 Otter (past Stratford 11am).

29/3/16 Slavonian Grebe (Mrs Trellis)
found by Rich Mielcarek/Roger Palmer as far as we know
closer in at Stratford this afternoon and present into evening

Reports: Mel Anitta, Paul Bowerman, Nick Cryer, Andy Davis, David Gibbs, Jane Gilliard, Paul Gregory, Robert Hargreaves, Matt Hobbs, Dave Horlick, Rich Mielcarek, Karin Rhodes,  Ian Stapp, Howard Taffs, Mrs Trellis, Andrew Waygood, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 28/3/16

28/3/16 Tufted Duck with a female Scaup (Bob Brewer)
Planet Chew, Moreton today
This is how Aythya hybrids occur...

Summary:
A few seabirds seen today on the coat-tails of storm Katie. 2 Eider off Anchor Head of particular note, this species is pretty scarce in Avon.
The Smew was still at Chipping Sodbury (2 day long-stayer), plus a flyover Red Kite too.

Bishopsworth (Bristol):
Crox Bottom: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 2 Raven, 2 Goldcrest, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Goldfinch.

City Docks (Bristol):
1 Great Crested Grebe, by the SS Great Britain.

Charfield:
Huntingford Mill: 6 Redpoll, by the engineering works on the Little River Avon.

Chipping Sodbury:
1 flyover Red Kite 2.30pm to south.

28/3/16 Smew (Phil Hemming)
still present on the pond today

Warmley Forest Park:

1 Tawny Owl, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 5 Chaffinch, 12 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch, 4 Bullfinch.

Bradley Stoke:
Three Brooks NR: 1 Mute Swan pair nesting, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Water Rail, 1 Chiffchaff.

28/3/16 Water Rail (Gill Sapsed)

Oldbury Power Station:

1 Sandwich Tern off the yacht club this morning, 6 Chiffchaff.

New Passage-Northwick:
Shore & wetland: 4 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 30 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Egret, 12 Coot, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Redshank, 70 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 100 mixed Pied Wagtail/Meadow Pipit, 4 Water Pipit.

Severn Beach:
8 Common Scoter, 2 Gannet, 15 Kittiwake this morning.

Portbury Wharf:
Pools: 1 Shelduck, 35 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 10 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 12 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff.

28/3/16 Oystercatcher (Jason Williams)
on north pool

Portishead:

Marina: 6 Redshank, estuary side of the lock gates this morning, 1 Raven also.
Boating Lake: 3 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag Goose, 4 Canada Goose, 7 Tufted Duck (6m, 1f).

Clevedon coast:
Dowlais: 3 Sand Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler.

W-s-M:
Anchor Head: 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Eider (Paul Bowyer), 21 Common Scoter, 4 Gannet,  1 Sandwich Tern down 11.12am.
Birnbeck Pier: 1 Gannet up this morning.
Old Town Quarry: 2 Raven, 1 Blackcap.
Worle Headland: 1 very early Hobby reported (previous earliest 30/3/90). Hopefully, someone else will see it too.

Keynsham:
Waitrose: 1 singing Chiffchaff.

Newton St Loe:
1 Barn Owl, 3 Tawny Owl this evening.

Barrow Tanks:
1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Stonechat.

Blagdon Lake:
1 fly-through Osprey (per Bristol Water).

Planet Chew:
Little Gull: 1 out on the lake this morning (Sean Davies, Ian Stapp).
Sandwich Tern: 1 fly-through this morning (Chris Craig).
1 Greylag Goose, 5 Barnacle Goose, 12 Shelduck, 2 Pintail, 4 Scaup (Moreton again), 6 Goldeneye, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 GBB Gull, 200 Sand Martin, 15 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 5 Redwing, 7 Meadow Pipit, 2 Water Pipit, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Reed Bunting.
26/3/16: 3 Wigeon.

28/3/16 Water Pipit (Ian Stapp)
Moreton track to Stratford

Reports: Paul Bowyer, Bob Brewer, Mike Brighton, Pete Burston, John Clark, Chris Craig, Nick Cryer, David Gibbs, Margaret Gorely, Phil Hemming, Nick Page, Chris Perry, Vic Polley, Lois Pryce, John Rickard, Gill Sapsed, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Howard Taffs, Lauren & Wayne Tucker, Dan White, Jason Williams.

Sightings 27/3/16

27/3/16 Brown Hare (Mrs Trellis)
at Blagdon Lake, fairly reliable here and viewable from the car

Summary:

A windy day with some very heavy showers which grounded large numbers of Sand Martin at Planet Chew and Blagdon.

The Chipping Sodbury Smew re-appeared today out of the blue.

Scaup and Water Pipit still showing well at Planet Chew (Moreton).

Sneyd Park (Bristol) 25/3/16:

1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Bullfinch, gardens.

Chipping Sodbury:
2 Red-legged Partridge, 6 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 2 Stonechat.

27/3/16 Smew (Mark Coller)
1 here on 12 March, so it's back....or it's a new bird

Easter Compton:

Dyer's Common: 2 Canada Goose, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 25 BH Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Swallow, 40 Goldfinch.

New Passage-Northwick:
Shore & wetland: 105 Shelduck, 31 Wigeon, 9 Shoveler, 4 Little Egret, 3 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 110 Redshank, 1 Turnstone, 11 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 4 Wheatear, 3 Water Pipit (1st sentry box).

27/3/16 Sand Martin (Lee Gardiner)

27/3/16 Wheatear (Brian Lancastle)

Portishead:

Nore Rd: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Siskin, 2 Bullfinch, garden feeders.

27/3/16 Siskin (Mike Brighton)
Mike managed to get the whole bird in the frame this time....

Clevedon coast:

Dowlais: 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Middle Hope:
3 Wheatear.

Sand Bay:
1 Reed Bunting.

Bleadon Levels:
75 Mute Swan, 9 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 2 Siskin.

Willsbridge Mill:
1 Buzzard, 1 Jay, 4 Coal Tit, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Siskin, 1 Bullfinch.

Newton St Loe:
2 Goosander, 4 Buzzard, 2 Chiffchaff, 20 Yellowhammer.

Backwell Lake:
7 Mute Swan, 3 Canada Goose, 2 Bar-headed Goose types, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Kingfisher.

Blagdon Lake:
Sand Martin: At least 300 this morning, mainly at the Lodge area.
Other stuff, 21 Mute Swan, 21 Canada Goose, 219 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 11 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 10 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 2 Coal Tit, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Reed Bunting.

Litton Res:
2 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 12 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Bullfinch.

Planet Chew:
Sand Martin: 300+ over the lake today, most during the rain, birds melting away during the sunny spells.
Other stuff, 1 Greylag Goose, 3 Barnacle Goose, 12 Shelduck, 2 Pintail, 5 Scaup (Moreton), 8 Goldeneye, 2 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 4 GBB Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Goldcrest, 6 Swallow, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 sum plum Water Pipit (Moreton side), 2 Bullfinch.

27/3/16 Shelduck (Bob Brewer)
scrapping off Moreton today

27/3/16 Scaup (Ian Stapp)
4m, 1f off Moreton hide in recent days

Reports: Bob Brewer, Mike Brighton, Mark Coller. Sean Davies, Lee Gardiner, David Gibbs, Richard Giles, Brian Lancastle, John Martin, Hugh Maynard, Chris Perry, Lois Pryce, Ian Stapp, Howard Taffs, Mrs Trellis, Lauren & Wayne Tucker, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 26/3/16

Frenchay (Bristol):
River Frome: 1 Dipper.

New Passage-Northwick:
114 Shelduck, 5 Little Egret, 50 Oystercatcher, 82 Redshank, 25 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear, 2 Water Pipit.

26/3/16 Wheatear (Brian Lancastle)

Portishead:

Boating Lake: 9 Tufted Duck, 2 Sand Martin.
Springfield Rd: 3 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap.

Barrow Tanks:
50 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 3 GBB Gull, 20 Sand Martin, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Bunting.

Blagdon Lake:
1 Common Sandpiper, 50 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 1 House Martin.

Planet Chew:
5 Scaup (4m, 1f Moreton), 1 Black-necked Grebe, 50 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit, 3 summer plumage Water Pipit (Moreton Bank).

Reports: Sean Davies, Brian Lancastle, John Martin, John Rickard, Chris Stone, Mrs Trellis, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 25/3/16

25/3/16 Molly Pannell, aged 7 (Lyndon Roberts)
At the Gordano Valley Ringing Group site this morning
A young birder is rarer than a diving Gannet at Planet Chew....

Summary:

A lovely sunny spring day but not much new in the way of migrants except for a House Martin at Sand Pt.

 A Red Kite and 4 Bearded Tit also of particular note. Quite a few butterflies of various species out today, especially Brimstone.

Wet and windy over the next few days which may produce some seabirds off Severn Beach.

Snuff Mills (Bristol):
1 Dipper,1 Treecreeper.

St Andrews (Bristol):
Park: 1 flyover Red Kite, roof-top height 11.55am (John Rossetti).

Wick:
Golden Valley: 2 Little Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Blackbird of note.

Emerson's Green:
Ring Road: 3 Buzzard, 1 flyover Jay.

Oldbury Power Station:
25 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 3 Redshank, 1 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff.

Aust Services:
1 Merlin, adjacent fields, possibly the New Passage bird.

New Passgage-Northwick:
1 Merlin, 3 Little Ringed Plover (by the warden's building), 1 Snipe, 7 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 1 Wheatear, 2 Water Pipit.

Severn Beach:
18 Wigeon.

Abbots Leigh:
Pool: 3 Tawny Owl calling, late evening.

Portbury Dock:
1 Short-eared Owl this morning, unusual here (Chris Stone).
Other stuff, 70 Shelduck, 10 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 40 Curlew, 50 Redshank, 1 Jay, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Rock Pipit.

Portishead:

25/3/16 Purple Sandpiper (Mrs Trellis)
it took 2 attempts, but we finally got all 10 birds...

Purple Sandpiper is an uncommon winter visitor into Avon, Nov-April. In recent years there have been only 2 fairly reliable roosts in the county, at Portishead and Sand Pt. The Portishead birds are particularly observer-friendly....and only 60yds from the car.

Gordano Valley:

Weston Big Wood: 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Raven, 1 Bullfinch.
Walton Common: 4 Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Tit trapped/ringed, 2 Nuthatch.
Walton Moor: 2 Buzzard, copulating.

25/3/16 Kestrel (Paul Milsom)
Weston Big Wood this morning

25/3/16 Marsh Tit (Lyndon Roberts, GV Ringing Group)
first one here in 6 years

Clevedon coast:

1 Merlin (Dowlais, evening), 1 Wheatear.

Sand Pt:
A House Martin here this morning (Paul Gregory). Our first one of the spring.
3 Canada Goose, 30 Shelduck, 10 Oystercatcher, 70 Curlew, 5 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 2 singing Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear, 2 Siskin.

Banwell:
Winthill: 2 Siskin, garden.

W-s-M:
Balmoral Way: 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzard.

Pensford:
Lord's Wood: 1 Buzzard, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Treecreeper, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush.

Bath:
Charmy Down: 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 12 Skylark, 36 Fieldfare, 2 Wheatear, 2 Meadow Pipit.
Walcot: 4 flyover Siskin.
Hensley Rd: 1 garden Redpoll.

Blagdon Lake:
1 Black-necked Grebe still (Top End), 1 Common Sandpiper.

Planet Chew:
4 Bearded Tit this morning (Pete Burston).
Other stuff, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Barnacle Goose, 22 Shelduck, 48 Shoveler, 4 Scaup (3m, 1f, Moreton/Stratford), 20 Goldeneye, 2 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Buzzard, 2 Water Rail, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Raven, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Redwing, 7 House Sparrow, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Bullfinch, 6 Reed Bunting.

25/3/16 Scaup with a Tufted Duck & Scaup wing-bar (Ian Stapp)

Reports: Phil Baber, Paul Bowdler, Karle Burford, Pete Burston, Teresa Chard, Sean Davies, Brian Edge, Paul Gregory, Robert Hargreaves, Jonathan Margetts, Andrew Mason, Andy Middleton, Paul Milsom, Nick Page, Chris Perry, Phil Quinn, Lyndon Roberts, John Rossetti, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Howard Taffs, John Thorogood, Mrs Trellis, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 24/3/16

Summary:
Many more Hirundines today, the rainy weather will have helped.
Our first Osprey at Planet Chew this morning.

Things picking up: BTO outlook.

Bishopsworth (Bristol):
Vicarage Rd: 1 Blackcap, garden.
Crox Bottom: 1 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 2 Jay, 2 Goldcrest, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 16 Robin, 4 House Sparrow, 2 Grey Wagtail, 5 Goldfinch.

Littleton Warth:
AWT Reserve: 3 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow.

New Passage-Northwick:
Shore & wetland: 8 Mute Swan, 11 Canada Goose, 65 Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 90 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 12 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 60 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Curlew, 75 Redshank, 90 Turnstone, 5 Stock Dove, 1 Raven, 10 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 25 Fieldfare, 9 Redwing, 2 Wheatear, 1 Water Pipit, 4 Siskin.

Severn Beach:
Tesco pool: 1 Swallow, 2 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear.

Portbury Wharf:
Pools: 52 Shelduck on the island. The first Sand Martin here today also.

Clevedon coast:
Wain's Hill-Yeo Est: 2 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Goose, 60 Shelduck, 70 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 4 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 42 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Plover, 4 Lapwing, 2 Knot, 15 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Curlew, 270 Redshank, 40 Turnstone, 25 BH Gull, 10 LBB Gull, 25 Herring Gull, 3 singing Skylark, 1 Swallow, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Wheatear, 3 Rock Pipit.

Worle:
Lower Kewstoke Rd: 1 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, 1 Brambling, 2 Siskin.

W-s-M:
Old Airfield: 5 Canada Goose, 5 Little Egret, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Stonechat.
Hutton Woods: 3 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Jay, 3 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, 2 Mistle Thrush.

Uphill:
2 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Swallow.

Bath:
The Peregrine pair now has 3 eggs:  Hawk & Owl Trust video.

Backwell Lake:
22 Common Gull, 20 Jackdaw, 1 Swallow this evening.

Barrow Tanks:
50 Cormorant, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest, 30 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Grey Wagtail.

Blagdon Lake:
18 Mute Swan, 3 Canada Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose (fields, Top End gate), 5 Shoveler, 3 Goldeneye, 4 Grey Heron, 4 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Swallow, 12 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 30+ Chaffinch, 2 Reed Bunting.

Planet Chew:
1 Osprey at Herriott's Pool early morning, with a fish (Sean Davies).
Other stuff, 28 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, 2 Pintail, 5 Scaup (Moreton/Stratford), 1 Common Scoter (East Shore), 1 Little Egret, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 Raven, 100+ Sand Martin, 20+ Swallow. 


Reports: Nick Cryer, Mark Dadds, Sean Davies, Paul Gregory, Robert Hargreaves, Adrian Hockey, John Martin, Dean Reeves, Harvey Rose, Vic Savery, Nigel Sluman, Chris Stone, Mike Thomas, Mrs Trellis, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 23/3/16

Summary:
3 more Red Kite today, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Avocet, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Firecrest and 5 flyover Crossbill of particular note.
A few more Sand Martin, Swallow, Chiffchaff and Wheatear but no great surge of numbers yet.


Stockwood (Bristol):
Open Space: 1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 16 Goldfinch.

Bishopsworth (Bristol):
Crox Bottom: 2 Jay, 32 Magpie (fest!), 8 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Goldfinch.

Hotwells (Bristol):
Oldfield Rd: 1 Chiffchaff.

Stoke Bishop (Bristol):
Church Ave: 2+ Siskin still regular in the garden.

Littleton Warth:
41 Shelduck, 22 Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, 2 Curlew.

Aust STW:
1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Raven, 7 Goldcrest, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper.

New Passage-Northwick:
110 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 130 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 9 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Merlin, 1 Water Rail, 40 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Ringed Plover (wetland still), 20 Dunlin, 47 Curlew, 60 Redshank, 13 Sand Martin, 1 Wheatear, 1 Water Pipit, 3 Siskin, 5 flyover Crossbill (Paul Bowerman).

Severn Beach:
Shore: 200 Wigeon.
Orchard Pools: 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Water Rail, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Magpie, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Chiffchaff.
Western Approaches Park: 300+ Pied Wagtail into roost this evening, Royal Mail depot.

Portbury Dock:

23/3/16 Wheatear (Mrs Trellis)
mouth of the Avon this morning

Portishead:

1 flyover Red Kite 11.30am, unusually, to south (John Croxton).
Other stuff, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel.

23/3/16 Purple Sandpiper (Mrs Trellis)
1 of 6 birds at Battery Pt this morning

Clevedon coast:

Wain's Hill-Yeo Est: 26 Canada Goose, 145 Shelduck, 85 Wigeon, 105 Teal, 1 Pintail, 6 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck (Blake's Pool), 1 Goosander (Blind Yeo), 8 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 35 Oystercatcher, 20 Lapwing, 100 Dunlin, 6 Snipe, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 160 Curlew, 320 Redshank, 28 Turnstone, 1 Short-eared Owl (Dowlais, mobbed by Corvids), 20 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Fieldfare, 55 Redwing, 4 Stonechat, 130 Meadow Pipit (steady migration to north-east), 2 Rock Pipit, 8 Bullfinch.

Dundry:
50 Redwing, 2 Wheatear (sheepfield by village hall).

Banwell:
Winthill: 1 Siskin, 1 Brambling, in the garden.

Middle Hope:
4 Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear, 120 Meadow Pipit, 8 Siskin, 1 Redpoll.

Sand Pt/Bay:
56 Shelduck, 1 Avocet still, 2 Raven, 2 Firecrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear, 2 Siskin, 1 Redpoll.

23/3/16 Firecrest (Paul Gregory)
1 of 2 birds at the car-park this morning

W-s-M:

Balmoral Way: 1 flyover Red Kite + a Marsh Harrier + 3 displaying Buzzard mid-day (Paul Gregory).
Old Airfield: 8 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Sand Martin.
Hutton Moor: 3 Sand Martin.
Birnbeck Pier: 1 Chiffchaff, 2 flyover Siskin.

23/3/16 Red Kite & Marsh Harrier (Paul Gregory)
over the house....what a bummer!

Bath area:

Combe Down: 1 Sparrowhawk.
Midford: 6 Buzzard, 1 Raven.
Shockerwick: 1 soaring Red Kite over woods 11am (Julian Head).

Planet Chew:
1 Greylag Goose, 5 Barnacle Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 20 Shelduck, 40 Teal, 60 Shoveler, 2 Scaup, 17 Goldeneye, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Buzzard, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 GBB Gull, 3 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 2 Raven, 3 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 6 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Stonechat, 4 House Sparrow, 4 Bullfinch, 1 Reed Bunting.

23/3/16 drake Scaup (Bob Brewer)
off Stratford hide today, present here for a while now

Reports: Paul Bowerman, Paul Bowyer, Bob Brewer, James Butcher, Teresa Chard, John Croxton, Nick Cryer, Pete Dommett, David Gibbs, Paul Gregory, Julian Head, Chris Perry, Steve Sanins, Kevin Smith, Ian Stapp, John Thorogood, Mrs Trellis, Roger White, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 22/3/16

22/3/16 Wheatear (Ian Stapp)
finder Roger Palmer, fields at Stratford end this morning

Summary:
It's getting very birdy now. Get out there and enjoy.

Clifton (Bristol):

Osbourne Rd: 160+ flyover Jackdaw 6pm to north-east.

Oldbury Power Station:
5 Water Rail (around the lagoons), 15 Meadow Pipit. 1 Scandinavian type Rock Pipit (littoralis, lagoon 3/yacht club end).

Thornbury:
Itchington: 1 flyover Merlin mid-day (Dan White).

New Passage-Northwick:
3 Brent Goose up (morning), 60 Shelduck, 120 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 150 Teal, 4 Little Egret, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Buzzard, 2 Water Rail, 1 Little Ringed Plover new, 1 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 5 Water Pipit, 2 Siskin.

Severn Beach:
55+ Brent Goose this afternoon (Paul Bowerman), 25 Shelduck, 80 Turnstone, 1 Wheatear (pipes section).

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane end: 1 flyover Red Kite 12.45pm (Alex Rhodes). Other stuff, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 Coal Tit.

Portishead:
Kilkenny Place: 1 Goldcrest, garden.
East Wood: 1 Tawny Owl this evening.

Walton Common (Gordano Valley):
1 flyover Crossbill.
Smithy the Woodcock: Is back in the Gordano valley after a long period of no transmissions. Sunlight is needed to activate his satellite tag and by his nocturnal and dense cover habits, this causes recharging problems.
Smithy was ringed and tagged in the Gordano Valley March 2014, travel details: HERE.

Middle Hope:
1 Chiffchaff, 1 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 60+ Meadow Pipit.

Sand Pt/Bay: 
Avocet: 1 in the bay (Adrian Hockey).
Firecrest: 1 on the main path to the Trig point (Adrian Hockey).
Other stuff, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Bullfinch.

W-s-M:
1 flyover Red Kite 2.30pm to west (Rob Purveur).
Old Town Quarry: 1 flyover Peregrine, 2 Blackcap.

Paulton:
2 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Skylark, 10 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 21 Redwing, 3 Chaffinch, 1 singing Yellowhammer.

Bath:
Racecourse: 4 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Raven, 5 Skylark, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Nuthatch, 21 Fieldfare, 5 Mistle Thrush, 60 Chaffinch.

Barrow Tanks:
27 Shoveler, 3 Goldeneye, 40 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 2 Common Sandpiper.

Blagdon Lake:
17 Mute Swan, 45 Canada Goose, 1 Egyptian Goose, 5 Shoveler, 7 Grey Heron, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Buzzard, 20 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 110+ Redwing, 20+ Chaffinch (dam spillway).
Bickfield Farm: 1 Buzzard, 8 House Sparrow.

22/3/16 Common Sandpiper (Mrs Trellis)
the long-staying bird, mostly at the dam

Planet Chew:

Black-necked Grebe: 1 in summer plumage off Moreton, but distant (Ian Stapp).
Long-tailed Tit: plenty of activity around the lake, including nest-building.
Other stuff, 4 Barnacle Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose (dam), 16 Shelduck, 2 Pintail, 48 Shoveler, 4 Scaup (Stratford), 13 Goldeneye, 2 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 1 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Redshank, 4 GBB Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Jay, 3 Raven, 2 Coal Tit, 4 Sand Martin, 7 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 15 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Reed Bunting.

22/3/16 Tufted Duck & Scaup (Mrs Trellis)
Stratford hide this afternoon

Reports: Kev Bainbridge, Paul Bowerman, Sean Davies, David Gale, David Gibbs, Patrick Hancock, Robert Hargreaves, Roger Palmer, Dee Pope, Rob Purveur, Phil Quinn, Alex Rhodes, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Andrew Waygood, Dan White, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 21/3/16

21/3/16 Fieldfare (Rob Beale)
Haydon nr Radstock

The latest departure date for Fieldfare in Avon is 8 May (1982) so we're likely to see them around for quite a few more weeks though most will have already bunked off by now.


Summary: A lovely spring day, calm with plenty of sunshine. Migrants still rather scarce, more singing Chiffchaff and our first Swallow today.
2 more Red Kite (makes about 14 so far this month) and 6 flyover Crane at Congresbury of note.

We are getting an increasing number of Crane records in recent years, no doubt arising from the Great Crane Project though it's possible that some sightings may involve genuinely wild bird as well.

Lovely thermals, an incredible 70 Buzzard over Burledge Hill near Planet Chew.

Several species of Butterfly also out on the wing.

Bishopsworth (Bristol):
Crox Bottom: 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Jay, 11 Magpie, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 13 Blackbird, 13 Wren, 13 Robin, 3 House Sparrow, 2 Grey Wagtail, 15 Goldfinch.

Fishponds (Bristol):
Thingwall Park: 2 Siskin, garden.

Avon Gorge (Bristol):
BOC Watchpoint: 1 flyover Red Kite 2.35pm to north-west (Phil Baber).
Other stuff, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 1 Raven and a small overhead passage of Meadow Pipit and Siskin also noted here.

Sneyd Park (Bristol):
3 flyover/circling Peregrine 1pm.

Lawrence Weston (Bristol):
LW Road: 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 showy Water Vole, 2 Slow Worm.

Marshfield:
4 Buzzard, 250 Golden Plover (Rushmead), 100+ Fieldfare, 4 Grey Wagtail, 25 Linnet, 75 Corn Bunting of note.

Chipping Sodbury:
Common: 1 flyover Red Kite 2.30pm to north-east (Dave Poulton).
Other stuff, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Stonechat.

Frampton Cotterell:
1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Raven, 60 Fieldfare, 35 Redwing, 8 Yellowhammer.

Tockington:
1 Little Owl.

Oldbury Power Station:
2 Mute Swan (lake), 2 Bar-tailed Godwit new, 360 Curlew (Oldbury Sands), 2 singing Chiffchaff.

Pilning:
Cranmoor Green: 8 soaring Buzzard.

New Passage-Northwick:
Shore & wetland: 8 Mute Swan, 8 Canada Goose, 6 Gadwall, 130 Teal, 28 Shoveler, 11 Tufted Duck, 6 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Merlin, 60 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 60 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 15 Black-tailed Godwit (wetland briefly before flying on), 30 Curlew, 80 Redshank, 5 Coal Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 14 Fieldfare, 2 Siskin.

21/3/16 Merlin (John Martin)

Portbury Wharf:
Pools: 7 Mute Swan, 4 Canada Goose, 75 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 9 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebe, 3 Cetti's Warbler.

Portishead:

Battery Pt: 5 Purple Sandpiper this evening.

Congresbury:

Strawberry Line: 6 flyover Crane, heading towards Yatton/Wrington /Blagdon direction mid-afternoon (Adrian Hockey).

Axe Est:
4 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag Goose, 10 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 3 Little Egret, 2 Curlew, 120 Redshank, 1 White Wagtail.

Saltford:
2 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Treecreeper, 24 Blackbird, 48 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail.

Paulton:
Sewage Works: 2 Grey Wagtail, 12 Pied Wagtail.
Village surrounds: 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Treecreeper, 1 Dipper, 18 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 75 Redwing, 5 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin.

Blagdon Lake:
20 Mute Swan, 38 Canada Goose, 1 Egyptian Goose (Top End near the gate), 11 Goldeneye, 9 Cormorant, 6 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 13 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Water Rail, 1 Jack Snipe, 15 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper (dam), 27 Common Gull, 83 LBB Gull, 15 Herring Gull, 1 GBB Gull, 3 Green Woodpecker, 4 Jay, 1 Swallow (Top End 2pm), 5 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Song Thrush.

Litton Res:
2 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 3 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 3 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Grey Wagtail.

Planet Chew:
Buzzard: 70 soaring on thermals at Burledge Hill (Mike Jenkins), must be an Avon record.

Other stuff, 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Barnacle Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 23 Shelduck, 66 Shoveler, 3 Scaup (Moreton, 2m, 1f), 26 Goldeneye, 4 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 2 flyover Curlew, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 5 GBB Gull, 5+ Raven, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper50 Redwing, 1 Stonechat, 4 House Sparrow, 1 Water Pipit (Moreton), 3 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting.

21/3/16 Scaup (Ian Stapp)

21/3/16 Raven (Dave Hughes)

Reports: Phil Baber, Allan Chard, Nick Cryer, Mike George, Paul Gregory, Patrick Hancock, David Hanks, Robert Hargreaves, Adrian Hockey, Dave Hughes, Mike Jenkins, John Martin, Hugh Maynard, Dave Poulton, Phil Quinn, George Stacey, Ian Stapp, Mrs Trellis, Dan White, opsbirding, severnsidebirds. TBOSG.

sightings 20/3/16

Bath Urban Peregrine Project: 2nd egg just laid, video: HERE.

Rare Breeding Birds in Avon: Please send us any records you have as the season unfolds. We won't publish them on the blog for obvious reasons but we will record them on the spreadsheet and pass them on to The Recorder for the county Report. Thanks everyone.


Still very quiet for migrants though we did get our first Wheatears today...at Oldbury.

Stockwood (Bristol):
Open Space: 2 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 15 Goldfinch, 2 Bullfinch.

St Andrews (Bristol):
Park: 20 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush.

Snuff Mills (Bristol):
1 Dipper.

Eastville Park (Bristol):
1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtail.

20/3/16 Grey Wagtail (Gill Sapsed)

Marshfield:

Around the lanes, 12 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Buzzard, 1 Merlin (Rushmead end), 400 Fieldfare, 2 Stonechat, 20 Meadow Pipit, 20 Yellowhammer, 200 Corn Bunting.

20/3/16 Fieldfare & Yellowhammer (Dave Hughes)

20/3/16 Red-legged Partridge (Dave Hughes)
Dave had a good couple of hours on the Marshfield patch today

Warmley Forest Park:

1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Blackcap, 18 Starling, 15 Blackbird, 12 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 4 Chaffinch, 16 Greenfinch, 8 Goldfinch, 4 Bullfinch.

Oldbury Power Station:

Yacht Club: 2 Wheatear (Pete Hazelwood). Our first of the season.

Other stuff, 1 Water Rail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Raven, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Stonechat, 2 Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting.

20/3/16 Wheatear (Pete Hazelwood)

Littleton Warth:

AWT Reserve: 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 10 Goldfinch.
Warth: 5 Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, 1 Buzzard, 1 Oystercatcher, 17 Curlew, 2 Skylark, 150 Starling.

New Passage-Northwick:
1 Avocet in with the Redshank this morning (Paul Bowerman).
Other stuff shore & wetland, 130 Wigeon, 5 Gadwall, 120 Teal, 4 Pintail, 6 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 1 Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 80 Redshank, 1 Water Pipit.

20/3/16 Avocet (Paul Bowerman)
possibly the bird seen at Aust on 11 March

Portishead:

20/3/16 Purple Sandpiper (Mrs Trellis)
Battery Pt this evening
first records from here since 27 Feb

Tickenham:

Jacklands Lakes: 2 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Reed Bunting.

Clevedon coast:
 15 Shelduck, 6 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 8 Lapwing, 80 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 1 Jack Snipe, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 44 Redshank, 25 BH Gull, 4 Skylark, 3 Chiffchaff, 12 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit.

20/3/16 Black-tailed Godwit (Jason Williams)
Dowlais

Willsbridge Mill:

1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Goldcrest, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Dipper, 15 Starling, 25 Redwing.

Newton St Loe:
4 Mute Swan, 30 Teal, 4 Goosander, 4 Grey Heron, 5 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Little Owl, 3 Green Woodpecker, 100 Jackdaw, 2 Raven, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Skylark, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Nuthatch, 125 Starling, 20 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush, 60 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Siskin, 2 Bullfinch, 20 Yellowhammer.

20/3/16 Goosander (Robert Hargreaves)

Bath:

Lidl store: 1 Blackcap, 2 Bullfinch.

Paulton:

Village lanes: 1 Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Dipper (Cam Brook), 11 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, 2 Treecreeper, 5 Chaffinch.
Sewage Works: 1 Grey Wagtail, 10 Pied Wagtail.

Barrow Tanks:
2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Sand Martin.

Blagdon Lake:
1 Black-necked Grebe (Top End hide), 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, both at dam.

Planet Chew:
Heron's Green: 5 Scaup (4m, 1f).
Other stuff, 2 Pintail, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Stonechat.

Reports: Paul Bowerman, Teresa Chard, Sean Davies, Patrick Hancock, David Hanks, Robert Hargreaves, Pete Hazelwood, David Hughes, Chris Johnson, John Martin, Thomas McLeung-Weston, Chris Perry, Lois Pryce, Harvey Rose, Gill Sapsed, Howard Taffs, Mrs Trellis, Jason Williams, severnsidebirds.