Sightings 30/6/16

Avon Gorge (Bristol):
BOC watch-point: An American Goldfinch type seen around the seawall environs, seen by 2 observers separately. Presumably an escaped cage-bird and worth watching out for if you visit the Peregrine watch-point.

Ashton Court (Bristol):
1 Buzzard, 7 Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 14 Swallow, 3 Song Thrush, 5 Goldfinch.

Cold Ashton:
A46: 1 flyover Red Kite 7.30am to north-east (Gary Hughes).

Oldbury Power Station:
Yacht Club end: 11 Curlew, 1 Greenshank new, 3 Common Sandpiper, 100 BH Gull, this evening.

Northwick (nr Pilning):

30/6/16 Little Owl (Matt Scott)

New Passage-Northwick:

Mostly wetland, 2 Mute Swan + 5 cygnets, 2 Tufted Duck broods, 2 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 8 Little Grebe + 3 juvs, 9 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Lapwing, 1 Snipe new, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel (shore again), 1 Green Sandpiper, 12 Redshank, 1 Sand Martin.

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane: 2 Buzzard (1 carrying a prey item), 1 Swift, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Swallow, 3 Goldfinch.

Clevedon:
Wain's Hill: 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 2 nesting Rock Pipit, 6 Linnet.

Barrow Tanks:
2 flyover Curlew to south-west, 2 Common Sandpiper, 35 Sand Martin.

Blagdon Lake:
2 Common Sandpiper (dam), 2 Common Tern.

Planet Chew:
114 Mute Swan + 8 cygnets, 2 Shelduck + 3 young, 14 Teal, 2 Goldeneye, 6 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 165 Great Crested Grebe, 11 Buzzard, 1 Hobby, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank, 16 BH Gull (some juvs), 11 GBB Gull, 2 Common Tern, 1 Tawny Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Raven, 2 Sand Martin, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Grey Wagtail.

Reports: Matt Ames, Clive Dodds, Pete Hazelwood, Gary Hughes, Mark Parsons, Alex Rhodes, Karin Rhodes, Trevor Riddle, Matt Scott, Chris Stone, Keith Vinicombe, BL birds, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 29/6/16

There is a proposal that a local community trust is set up to help run the reserve and protect its future.

New Passage-Northwick:
Wetland stuff, 13 Gadwall, 6 Teal, 2 Little Egret, 7 Oystercatcher, at least 14 Little Ringed Plover (Paul Bowerman), 16 Lapwing, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 110 BH Gull.

Severn Beach:
10 Curlew, 15 BH Gull.

Abbots Leigh:
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 6 Goldfinch.

Portbury Dock:
10 Shelduck ducklings, 35 Curlew, 190 BH Gull.

Portbury Wharf:
1 female Wigeon, 3 Little Grebe broods 1-1-3, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Redshank, 20 Swift, 3 Sand Martin, 100 Starling, 3 Bullfinch.

Blagdon Lake:
2 Common Sandpiper.

Planet Chew:

29/6/16 Pied Wagtail (George Stacey)

Reports: Paul Bowerman, Karin Rhodes, George Stacey, Chris Stone, BL birds.

Sightings 28/6/16

Spoon-billed Sandpiper: A hatching expected at Slimbridge tomorrow, updates: HERE.

Stockwood (Bristol):
Open Space: 1 Collared Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 6 Whitethroat, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet.

Marshfield:
Downthorns Farm: 2 Spotted Flycatcher.

New Passage-Northwick:
Wetland stuff, 6 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck + 9 ducklings, 2 Little Egret, 8 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Lapwing, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Redshank, 50 BH Gull,

North Somerset;
3 recently fledged Peregrine, at a new site.

Lulsgate Airport:
1 fly-by Hobby this evening.

Compton Dando:
Village & environs stock-check by Ian: 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 4 Kestrel, 4 Collared Dove, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpecker + young, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Magpie, 48 Jackdaw, 4 Raven, 24 Swallow, 2 House Martin nests, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Garden Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, 9 Wren, 14 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 40 House Sparrow (2 sites), 2 Grey Wagtail, 20 Chaffinch, 12 Goldfinch, 4 Yellowhammer.

28/6/16 Green Woodpecker (Ian Stapp)

28/6/16 Yellowhammer (Ian Stapp)

Barrow Tanks:

1 juv Little Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper, 8 Grey Wagtail.

Blagdon Lake:
45 Mute Swan + 10 cygnets in 3 broods, 21 Pochard, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Redshank, 2 BH Gull, 28 LBB Gull, 1 GBB Gull, 1 Cuckoo.
Bickfield Farm: 3 House Martin nests active, 3 House Sparrow.

Planet Chew:
9 Common Scoter new off the dam this morning (Chris Craig).
Other stuff, 2 Shelduck + young, 4 Goldeneye, 2 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Redshank.

Reports: John Barnett, Teresa Chard, Chris Craig, Sean Davies, Robert Hargreaves, Adrian Hockey, Trevor Riddle, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Mrs Trellis, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 27/6/16

Martin Tayler Bird Blog: https://martinsbirdblog.com.

Bath Peregrine: Latest update: HERE.

Oldbury Power Station:
33 Canada Goose, 31 Shelduck + 8 ducklings, 1 Tufted Duck + 8 ducklings, 1 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 4 Curlew, 71 BH Gull, 1 juv Stonechat (possible local breeder).

New Passage-Northwick:
Mostly wetland stuff, 5 MS cygnets, 2 Tufted Duck broods, 1 Little Egret, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 12 Lapwing, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Curlew, 1 Common Sandpiper new (shore-side), 5 Redshank.

Abbots Leigh:
Church Rd: 2 House Martin nests.
Sandy Lane: 2nd Blackbird brood out today.

Portbury Wharf:
1 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall broods 6 & 1, 24 Mallard, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper, 35 Redshank.

Clapton-in-Gordano:

27/6/16 Marsh Tit (Melvin Hedges)
worst Marsh Tit photo we've ever seen

Sand Pt:

27/6/16 Stonechat (Martin Tayler)

Newton St Loe:
3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, 5 Pied Wagtail, 2 Greenfinch, 14 Goldfinch, 4 Linnet, 2 Yellowhammer.

Planet Chew:

2 Egyptian Goose, 3 Shelduck + 5 ducklings, 40 Gadwall, 11 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 6 Pochard, 55 Tufted duck, just 2 Cormorant, 3 Little Egret, 4 Little Grebe + 4 young, 100+ Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Hobby, 5 BH Gull, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 14 GBB Gull (all in view at same time), 1 Jay, 7 Raven, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat family, 2 Song Thrush, 6 House Sparrow, 19 Pied Wagtail, 4 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting.
Chew Magna: 1 Hobby.

27/6/16 Hobby (Ian Stapp)
Heron's Green

Reports: Robert Hargreaves, Melvin Hedges, Andy Middleton, Alex & Karin Rhodes, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Martin Tayler, Keith Vinicombe, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 26/6/16

June 2016 Grey Wagtail at Barrow Tanks (Dave Hughes)
it's got a deformed and cross-over bill

Floating solar panels on Bristol Water reservoirs: details HERE.

Stockwood (Bristol):
Open Space: 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 2 Raven, 7 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackcap, 3 Song Thrush.

Hambrook (Bristol):
M32 Junction 1: 1 flyover Hobby.

New Passage-Northwick:
Wetland stuff, 8 Gadwall, 3 Little Egret, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 12 Lapwing, 1 Back-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper, 10 Redshank.

Leigh Woods:
North Rd: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 3 Goldfinch.

Portbury Dock:
7 Shelduck broods 11-5-1-7-6-15-6, 2 Ringed Plover, 14 Curlew, 100 BH Gull (2 juvs).

Portbury Wharf:
1 female Wigeon, 2 adult Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 1 Sand Martin.

Planet Chew:
CVRS: 1 juvenile Marsh Tit trapped and ringed (Patrick Hancock). An unusual bird for here.
Whalley Bank: 2 Egyptian Goose.
Herriott's: 32 Mute Swan, 1 Buzzard.

Reports: Teresa Chard, Patrick Hancock, Dave Hughes, Justin Quinnell, Karin Rhodes, Chris Stone, Mrs Trellis, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 25/6/16

Some waders at Barrow and Blagdon today, signs of things picking up at last.

Bishopsworth (Bristol):
1 Peregrine this evening, mobbed by Gulls (Chris Johnson).

New Passage-Northwick:
Shore & wetland:1 Gadwall brood new, 2 Tufted Duck broods, 1 Pochard still, 1 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe broods, 14 Oystercatcher, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 11 Lapwing, 2 Dunlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 19 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 50 BH Gull,  (John Martin et al).

Yatton:
Strawberry Line: 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel + a juv, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 13 Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 8 Reed Warbler, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Bullfinch, 3 Reed Bunting (Trevor Riddle).

Sand Bay/Pt:
50 BH Gull, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 pair Stonechat + young (Adrian Hockey).

Bath:

25/6/16 Sparrowhawk (Kevin Balch)
with prey, by the cricket ground

Barrow Tanks:

2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redshank (Chris Stone).

Blagdon Lake:
37 Mute Swan + 1 dead cygnet by the Lodge, 60 Tufted Duck, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Common Sandpiper new (Rainbow Pt), 2 Redshank new (at the dam), 5 BH Gull, 20 Swift, 6 Swallow, 40 House Martin, 2 Grey Wagtail.
Bickfield Farm: 14 House Sparrow.

25/6/16 Redshank (Mrs Trellis)
waders found by Sean Davies

Litton Res:

20 Mallard + 3 broods 5-9-10, 14 Tufted Duck + 1 brood 8 ducklings, 1 Cormorant, 4 Little Grebe, 3 Great Crested Grebe + 2 chicks, 1 Kestrel, 6 Moorhen + 3 juvs, 3 Coot + 4 chicks, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Swallow, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 4 Grey Wagtail.

25/6/16 Kingfisher (Mrs Trellis)

Planet Chew:

25/6/16 Greylag Goose (Mrs Trellis)
at Heron's Green this afternoon

Sightings 24/6/16

24/6/16 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Melvin Hedges)
North Weston garden today

New Passage-Northwick:
Wetland stuff, 2 Teal, 1 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck + 4 ducklings, 2 Little Egret, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 15 Lapwing, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Curlew, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Redshank, 40 BH Gull, 4 Sand Martin.
Waders starting to pick up here.

Portbury Dock:

Shelduck broods 8-9-11-12-5, 3 Ringed Plover, 4 Curlew, 108 BH Gull.

Portbury Wharf:

15 Redshank.

Paulton:
Village environs: 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 30 Jackdaw, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap.
Sewage Works: 4 Grey Wagtail.

Bath:
Brassmills: 2 Kingfisher, along the river Avon.

Barrow Tanks:
A38: 1 Hobby.

Blagdon Lake:
46 Mute Swan + 2 broods, 100 Canada Goose, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 2 BH Gull, 1 Reed Bunting.
Bickfield Farm:10 House Martin attending nests, 8 House Sparrow.

Planet Chew:
2 Shelduck, 2 Grey Heron, 14 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Hobby, 1 Curlew, 2 Herring Gull, 5 GBB Gull, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Song Thrush, 6 House Sparrow, 2 Goldfinch.

Reports: Pete Coslett, Lee Gardiner, Patrick Hancock, Melvin Hedges, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Mrs Trellis, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 23/6/16

June 2016 special agent Horrocks
extract from this week's North Somerset Times newspaper
very well done again special agent!

Stockwood (Bristol):
Open Space: 1 Buzzard, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 10 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap (good numbers for a while here), 2 Song Thrush, 10 Goldfinch, 4 Bullfinch.

Avon Gorge (Bristol):
BOC watchpoint: 2 flyover Yellowhammer towards Leigh Woods (Chris Jones), a really good record for here.

Aust Warth:

1 Kestrel.

New Passage-Northwick:
5 Mute Swan, 1 Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck + brood, 4 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 13 Little Grebe (inc juvs), 1 Kestrel, 21 Oystercatcher, 6 Little Ringed Plover (wetland), 20 Lapwing, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew, 7 Redshank, 41 BH Gull, 5 Swift, 3 Skylark, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Song Thrush, 19 House Sparrow.

23/6/16 Black-tailed Godwit (Mrs Trellis)
fantastic photo

Severn Beach:

Orchard Pools: 1 Little Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 4 Coot + 7 juvs, 1+ Water Rail, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 7 Reed Warbler, 2 Song Thrush.

Clevedon coast:
Wain's Hill-Yeo Est: 4 Mute Swan, 25 Shelduck + 2 broods, 60 Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, 9 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 8 Oystercatcher (pair with 3 eggs), 4 Ringed Plover, 8 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 4 Whimbrel, 52 Curlew (birds returning), 34 Redshank, 60 BH Gull, 55 LBB Gull, 70 Herring Gull, 5 Raven, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Rock Pipit, 3 Reed Bunting.

Dundry:
2 flyover Curlew 7.15am.
Some signs of returning birds today with these + the 52 at Clevedon.

Banwell:
A371: 1 Yellowhammer.

Pensford:
10 Jackdaw, 2 Grey Wagtail + 5 well grown juveniles.

23/6/16 Grey Wagtail (Ian Stapp)
rubbish photo

Planet Chew:

1 Shelduck brood, 2 Little Egret, 2 Buzzard, 1 Hobby, 1 flyover Curlew, 2 Herring Gull (nesting abandoned), 1 GBB Gull, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 50 Swallow, 30 House Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 9 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Garden Warbler, 4 House Sparrow, 2 Reed Bunting.

23/6/16 Reed Bunting (Bob Brewer)
another rubbish photo

Reports: Bob Brewer, Teresa Chard, Andy Davis, Adrian Hockey, Chris Jones,  Rich Miles, Dave Nevitt, Harvey Rose, Ian Stapp, Mrs Trellis, severnsidebirds.

some Clevedon coast birds - Paul Chapman

Paul is just back from a 10-day birding trip to the Clevedon coast and sent in these photos.

If you thought Portbury Wharf was good, then just feast your eyes on these Bobby Dazzlers and wish that Clevedon was your local patch.
Most of the birds were seen at the Yeo Est end though anywhere along the Clevedon coast will turn up something outstanding.

Baltimore Oriole & Yellow Warbler

Catbird & Eastern Kingbird
scrub near the Kenn Est

White-breasted Nuthatch & Downy Woodpecker
few trees along most of the coast, these were seen around Wain's Hill

Common Grackle

Piping Plover
Channel View seawall, near the 2005 Upland Sandpiper site

American Woodcock
Blake's Pool environs

Very many thanks Paul. 

Any resemblance to eastern seaboard American birds are purely co-incidental.

Sightings 22/6/16

Barbarossa 22/6/1941: In memory of the peoples of the old Soviet Union. 75th anniversary today of their Great Patriotic War 1941-1945, sacrifices not forgotten. для Родины!

June 2016 House Sparrow feeding young (Geoff Harris)
Portishead

Whitehall (Bristol):

7 Goldfinch.

Aust Services:

7 Swift, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 Bullfinch.

Aust Warth:

1 Kestrel, 12 Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Skylark, 10 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 Meadow Pipit, 11 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting.

New Passage-Northwick:
Wetland stuff, 5 Gadwall, 1 Pochard new, 2 Little Egret, 6 Little Grebe, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, 50 BH Gull.

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 2 Goldfinch.

Walton Down (Portishead):
3 Crossbill, adult + 2 begging young (Andrew Waygood).

Backwell Lake:

3 Mute Swan + 8 cygnets, 85 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 85 Jackdaw (island roost), 3 Chiffchaff.

Worle:

Plumley Park: 1 flyover Little Egret, 30+ Swift.

Bath:
River Avon: 4 Sedge Warbler (2 young), near the boathouse.

22/6/16 Sedge Warbler (Robert Hargreaves)

Barrow Tanks:

1 Common Scoter still, 1 Sparrowhawk (chasing the SM's), 2 Kestrel, 20+ Sand Martin + 6 active nests.

22/6/16 Common Scoter (Mrs Trellis)

Blagdon Lake:

1 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 1 BH Gull.

Bickfield Farm: 10 House Martin, 6 House Sparrow.

22/6/16 Kangaroo (Mrs Trellis)
Bells Bush

Planet Chew:

260 Canada Goose, 3 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 5 Buzzard, 2 Hobby, 1 Lapwing, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 singing Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

Reports: Shaun Doughton, Robert Hargreaves, Geoff Harris, Adrian Hockey, Lois Pryce, Karin Rhodes, Mrs Trellis, Keith Vinicombe, Andrew Waygood, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 21/6/16

June 2016 Beautiful Demoiselle
Litton Res

Stoke Bishop (Bristol):

21/6/16 Great Spotted Woodpecker (Roger White)
adult + youngster in the garden

We get a lot of duff pics sent in to us, Roger's are usually some of the worst ones. Thanks anyway Roger, we hope our words of encouragement inspire you to send in some more.

Aust Warth:
51 Shelduck, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 5 Curlew, 9 BH Gull, 1 Raven, 4 Skylark, 6 Whitethroat, 2 Meadow Pipit.

New Passage-Northwick:
Shore & wetland: 4 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 50 Shelduck, 20 Mallard, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 15 Coot + young, 35 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Lapwing, 40 BH Gull, 30 Swift, 2 Skylark, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 60+ Starling, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Linnet.

Severn Beach:
High Street: 4 House Martin nests, 11 House Sparrow
Orchard Pools: 1 Grey Heron, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Song Thrush.
Tesco Pool: 1 Little Grebe + chick, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Reed Bunting.

Portbury Wharf:
4 Mute Swan, 1 female Wigeon, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Little Grebe, 3 Oystercatcher, 14 Redshank, 1 nesting LBB Gull, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 8 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 6 Song Thrush, 90 Starling.

Weston STW:
A Grasshopper Warbler reeling here this morning (Adrian Hockey).
2 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Stonechat family. Lots of juvenile birds out and about here.

Compton Dando:
2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Raven, 1 Dipper, 4 Grey Wagtail.

Barrow Tanks:
1 drake Common Scoter, 1 Redshank, plus the Sand Martin colony.

21/6/16 Common Scoter (Chris Stone)
new in at No.3 tank today

Planet Chew:

9 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 15 Pochard, 1 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 70 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk (carrying prey), 1 Raven, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 10 Reed Warbler, 14 Pied Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting.

Reports: Robert Hargreaves, Adrian Hockey, Lois Pryce, Alex Rhodes, Chris Stone, Mrs Trellis, Roger White, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 20/6/16

20/6/16 Bee Orchid (Craig Lewis)
at Severn Beach, as well as the Marsh Orchids...

Stockwood (Bristol):

Open Space: 5 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Song Thrush, 8 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet.

Shirehampton (Bristol):
Lamplighter's: 3 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 2 Linnet.

Oldbury Power Station:
Mute Swan pair +cygnets, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Cetti's Warbler (L2).

New Passage-Northwick:
Wetland, 15 Gadwall, 1 Little Egret, 5 Little Grebe, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 40 BH Gull.

North Somerset:
3 Barn Owl broods ringed today, 3-4-4 owlets.

(18/6/16) Kestrel chicks (Barry Gray)
also ringed in North Somerset

Abbots Leigh:

Sandy Lane: 1 Buzzard, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay.

Newton St Loe:
Mute Swan pair + 7 cygnets, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 3 Collared Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Grey Wagtail, 4 Bullfinch, 5 Yellowhammer.

Litton Res:
1 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 16 Mallard, 9 Tufted Duck, 3 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Great Crested Grebe + 2 young, 1 Kingfisher, 6 House Martin, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 4 Grey Wagtail, 1 Goldfinch.

20/6/16 Tufted Duck (Mrs Trellis)
9 ducklings in all

Planet Chew:

Heron's Green: 3 Hobby, 5.15pm.

Reports: Teresa Chard, Craig Lewis, Alex Rhodes, Trevor Riddle, Mrs Trellis, Lauren & Wayne Tucker, Roger White, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 19/6/16

Marshfield:
West Littleton: 2 Little Grebe, dam.

Oldbury Power Station:
5 Grey Heron, 1 Peregrine, 4 Curlew, 9 Chiffchaff. Whitethroat juveniles out and about here.

New Passage-Northwick:
1 Tufted Duck brood, 9 ducklings, 3 Little Egret, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Lapwing.

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 Bullfinch.

Portbury Dock:
4 Shelduck broods 5-11-9-8, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 8 Oystercatcher, 1 Ringed Plover, 6 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 75 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull (1st summer), 6 Rock Pipit, 10 Linnet.
Marsh Lane: 1 Sedge Warbler carrying food to nest.

Portbury Wharf:
Chicks: 5 Mute Swan cygnets, 4 Little Grebe (3 broods), 7 Moorhen (2 broods), 2 Oystercatcher (2 broods).
Other stuff, 42 Canada Goose, 1 female Wigeon, 40 Mallard, 2 Little Egret, 12 Redshank, 3 Cetti's Warbler.

Clevedon coast:
Wain's Hill-Yeo Est: 3 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Goose + 6 juvs, 40 Shelduck + 2 broods 9 & 18 (rather high number), 2 Teal, 90 Mallard, 5 Tufted Duck, 6 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 8 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwing, 6 Whimbrel (assumed to be over-summering), 12 Curlew, 26 Redshank, 12 BH Gull, 65 LBB Gull, 65 Herring Gull, 5 Swift, 2 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 150 Starling, 20 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer (unusual here).

Yatton 18/6/16:
Strawberry Line: 1 Barn Owl out hunting, evening.

Keynsham Park:
4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Chaffinch.

Langford:
1 Bullfinch pair regular in the garden.

19/6/16 Bullfinch (Dave Goodliffe)

Blagdon Lake:

35 Mute Swan, 106 Canada Goose, 8 Grey Heron (new), 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 40 Swift.
Bickfield Farm: 12 House Sparrow.

19/6/16 Grey Heron (Mrs Trellis)

Planet Chew:

Herriott's end: 2 Cuckoo.

Reports: John Barnett, Teresa Chard, Mark Dadds, Dave Goodliffe, Andy & Iris Langson, Andy Middleton, Karin Rhodes, Harvey Rose, Chris Stone, Mrs Trellis, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 18/6/16

Ashton Court (Bristol):
Mansion House environs: 1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 3 Song Thrush.

Oldbury Power Station:
3 Cetti's Warbler (lagoon 2).

Northwick Warth-Aust:
63 Shelduck, 11 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwing, 4 Curlew, 25 BH Gull, 6 Swift, 3 Whitethroat, 35 Starling, 4 Song Thrush, 20 Meadow Pipit.

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 new juvenile Robin.

Ham Green:
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Raven (3 juvs).

Nailsea:
Wookey Close: 1 Bullfinch pair, on the feeders.

Willsbridge Mill:
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcap, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Bullfinch.

Barrow Tanks 17/6/16:
14 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Heron, 16 Great Crested Grebe, 39 Coot, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Sand Martin, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Song Thrush, 5 Grey Wagtail, 1 Reed Bunting.


Reports: Teresa Chard, Roger Hawley, Nick Hawkridge, Alex Rhodes, Mrs Trellis, Carolyn Westlake, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 17/6/16

Stockwood (Bristol):
Open Space: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Bullfinch.

Oldbury Power Station:
38 Canada Goose, 2 Shelduck broods 8 & 9, 1 juv Sparrowhawk, 2 Blackcap.

New Passage-Northwick:
Wetland: 18 Gadwall, 10 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Egret, 1 Hobby, 2 Lapwing, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 35 BH Gull.

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane: 14 flyover Swift this evening.

Portbury Dock:
3 Shelduck broods 9 + 8 + 5, 16 Curlew, 35 BH Gull, 3 Stock Dove, 4 Rock Pipit.

Bath:
Bloomfield: 1 flyover Red Kite 2.25pm to west (Jonathan Margetts).
Oldfield Park: 2 Red Kite circling over 5pm (Jonathan Margetts).

Blagdon Lake:
43 Mute Swan + 4 cygnets, 31 Canada Goose, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 2 Curlew, 2 GBB Gull, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 House Martin, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Grey Wagtail.

Bickfield Farm:
6 active House Martin nests, 20 House Sparrow.
Nest 1: most active with adults bringing in food every 2 mins to 3 youngsters.
Nest 2: being visited every 5 mins to 2 youngsters.
Nest 3: being visited every 10 mins to 1 youngster.
We had to have a lie down after all that scientific study.

17/6/16 Curlew (Mrs Trellis)
Holt Farm fields this afternoon

Litton Res:

2 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 18 Tufted Duck, 4 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Great Crested Grebe + 2 chicks, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Buzzard, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 2 Grey Wagtail.

Planet Chew:
Herriott's end: 2 Cuckoo.

Reports: Teresa Chard, Mark Dadds, Jonathan Margetts, Karin Rhodes, Chris Stone, Mrs Trellis, opsbirding, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 16/6/16

The Great Knot in Norfolk

(16/6/16) Great Knot left & Red Knot for comparison (Lee Gardiner)

Great Knot is a monster rarity for the UK, the one that that has turned up at RSPB Titchwell is only the 2nd Norfolk record.

Confusion between the 2 Knots is impossible, size alone is diagnostic.

Many thanks Lee.

Slimbridge WWT:

16/6/16 White Stork (Bob Brewer)

Turned up today and gave some memorable flyover passes. Presumably the same bird that was seen in Somerset recently. 

Only about 11 Avon records, the last one in 2012 so a courtesy visit would not go amiss...

Stockwood (Bristol):
Bifield Rd: 1 singing Skylark still.

Avon Gorge (Bristol):
2 juvenile Peregrine out flying today.

Marshfield:
West Littleton Rd: 1 Little Owl.

Winterbourne:
Hicks Common Rd: 1 flyover Red Kite 11.12am (Bob Manning per Dan White).

New Passage-Northwick:
16 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Hobby again, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Lapwing, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Green Sandpiper (new), 40 BH Gull, 1 Grey Wagtail.

16/6/16 Black-tailed Godwit & Green Sandpiper (Paul Bowerman)
on the Pilning wetland

North Somerset:

1 adult Peregrine + 3 fledged juveniles out flying today.

Pill:
Crockerne Drive: Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Starling and Chaffinch fledglings in the garden.

16/6/16 Long-tailed Tit youngster (Paul Milsom)

Locking (W-s-M):
1 Stoat, in field by The Landing pub.

Keynsham:
Manor Woods: 18 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Bullfinch.

Bath:

16/6/16 Peregrine (Kevin & Liz Balch)
the St John's Church birds

Planet Chew:

3 Shelduck + 7 ducklings, 10 Pochard, 1 Hobby, 2 GBB Gull, 2 Cuckoo, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 50 mixed Hirundines, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Garden Warbler, 2 Song Thrush, 10 Wren, 2 Bullfinch, 3 Reed Bunting.

16/6/16 Great Crested Grebe (Ian Stapp)
Herriott's

Reports: Kev & Lix Balch, John Barnett, Richard Bedwell, Paul Bowerman, Bob Brewer, Teresa Chard, Bob Manning, John Martin, Paul Milsom, George Rabin, Trevor Riddle, Ian Stapp, Dan White, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 15/6/16

Peregrine pair:
Bred successfully, 1 bird fledged and 1 about to fledge, site undisclosed.

Stockwood (Bristol):
Open Space: 1 Buzzard, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Bullfinch.
Bifield Rd: 1 singing Skylark.

Ashton Court (Bristol):
1 Buzzard, 20 Swift, 1 Green Woodpecker, 8 Skylark, 4 Song Thrush, top golf course.

City centre (Bristol):
2 Grey Wagtail, by the harbourside.

New Passage-Northwick:
9 Gadwall, 9 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 9 Little Grebe (3 juvs), 1 Hobby, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 juv Lapwing, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, 60 BH Gull.

Portbury Dock:
2 Sheduck broods 5+9, 10 Curlew, 30 BH Gull, 8 Stock Dove, 4 Rock Pipit.

Portbury Wharf:
1 Gadwall brood 9, 1 Hobby, 3 Oystercatcher chicks 2+1, 1 immature Mediterranean Gull.

Paulton:
1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Stock Dove, 4 Skylark, 1 Willow Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 6 Yellowhammer.

Chew Stoke:
Breach Hill: 1 Cuckoo calling 5.45pm.

Blagdon Lake:
3 Mute Swan broods, 12 cygnets.

Compton Dando-Burnett:
1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 4 Stock Dove, 4 Barn Owl, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Raven, 6 Swallow, 2 Garden Warbler, 6 Yellowhammer.

15/6/16 Kestrel (Ian Stapp)
ringed today

Reports: Teresa Chard, Patrick Hancock, Richard Keel,  Karin Rhodes, Trevor Riddle, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, BL birds, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 14/6/16

14/6/16 Herring Gull (John Clark)
Portishead marina, other pairs nesting too

Skomer Bird Report 2015: Click HERE to read it. Any reason why the Avon Bird Report can't be posted in a similar way?

A breezy day and our first wave of summer seabirds into our bit of the estuary. Mid-afternoon tide tomorrow and Severn Beach should be worth a look.

Shirehampton (Bristol):
Lamplighters: 2 Cormorant, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 3 Greenfinch, 20 Goldfinch, 1 Bullfinch.

New Passage-Northwick:
18 Gadwall, 7 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 9 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 50 BH Gull, 2 GBB Gull.

Abbots Leigh:
Pool: 3 Mallard, 1 Moorhen + 5 juvs, 1 flyover Raven, 3 Song Thrush.

Churchill:
1 flyover Raven.

Sand Pt:
Morning watch: Up to 80 Manx Shearwater.

14/6/16 Manx Shearwater (Robert Hargreaves)
some of the birds off W-s-M/Sand Pt today

Windy weather in mid-summer often pushes up a few seabirds into Avon waters, presumably wandering birds from the south Wales coast.

W-s-M (Anchor Head):
Seawatch 6.30-10am: 14 Fulmar, 326 Manx Shearwater, 5 immature Gannet (Paul Bowyer).
Seawatch 2-3.45pm: 1 Storm Petrel to south 2.05pm, 3 adult Gannet (Dave Gibbs).

Blagdon Lake:
1 Cuckoo, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail family.

Planet Chew:
Herriott's end: 1 male cuckoo.

(13/6/16) Small Eggar Moth caterpillar (Mrs Trellis)
Severnside

According to our expert geek in the Moth Dept of the Avonbirding offices, this is a notable species for Avon with the stronghold along the Severn estuary.

Reports: Paul Bowyer, John Clark, Mark Dadds, Dave Gibbs, Robert Hargreaves, Lois Pryce, George Rabin, Karin Rhodes, BL birds, severnsidebirds.

Sightings 13/6/16

13/6/16 Black-tailed Godwit (Bob Brewer)
RSPB Ham Wall, Somerset

Marshfield:

1 flyover Red Kite 10.50am (Dave Hughes). Considered to be the Batheaston bird seen earlier.

New Passage-Northwick:
3 more Mediterranean Gull in today (Paul Bowerman).
Other stuff, 4 Mute Swan + 5 cygnets, 1 Canada Goose, 3 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Egret, 5 Little Grebe + 3 juvs, 1 Buzzard, 20 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Lapwing, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Curlew, 2 Redshank, 65 BH Gull, 1 Song Thrush, 13 House Sparrow. Mostly wetland.

13/6/16 Mediterranean Gull (Paul Bowerman)

Severn Beach:

Shore: 12 Oystercatcher.
Orchard Pools: 1 Grey Heron, 4 Coot + 4 chicks, 1 Water Rail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Song Thrush.
Tesco Pool: 2 Little Grebe, 4 Coot, 2 House Martin.
Shops: 7 House Martin attending nests, 8 House Sparrow.

Abbots Leigh:
Sandy Lane: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, garden.

Portbury Dock:
65 Shelduck + broods 8 & 6, , 1 Wigeon, 1 Ringed Plover, 6 Curlew, 3 Stock Dove.

Portbury Wharf:
1 Little Egret, 1 Hobby, 1 Redshank, 2 LBB Gull with 2 chicks, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat.

Batheaston:
1 flyover Red Kite 9.18am, heading towards Cold Ashton/Marshfield (Brian Thompson).

Stanton Drew:
2 Little Owl.

Planet Chew:
52 Canada Goose, 8 Shelduck + 17 ducklings, 8 Teal, 25 Pochard (influx + 19 drakes), 1 Tufted Duck hybrid (Herriott's), 1 Goldeneye, 12 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret, 2 Buzzard, 1 Hobby, 2 GBB Gull, 1 Cuckoo, 150 Swift, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 5 Raven, 200 mixed Swallow/House Martin, 2 juv  Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Garden Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, 16 House Sparrow, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Reed Bunting.

13/6/16 Cormorant (Ian Stapp)

Reports: Paul Bowerman, Bob Brewer, Dave Hughes, Richard Keel. John Martin, Alex Rhodes, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Mrs Trellis, Keith Vinicombe, severnsidebirds.