31 March '17 Friday - Ring Ouzel

March - in like a lion out like a lamb

Ring Ouzel at Crook Peak on the Mendip Hills
Redstart at Oldbury Power Station

31/3/17 Kestrel at Aust Warth (Adam Rawson)

BRISTOL

Abbots Pool, Failand:
4 Buzzard, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap, 7+ Nuthatch. Singing Chiffchaff widespread.

Pill Creek:
Kingfisher

St Werburghs:
1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 singing Blackcap, 2 Common Buzzard and 2 Raven at

Narroways LNR

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
1 Redstart (gorgeous male in Orchard, earliest OPS record by one day), 5 singing Blackcap, 27 singing Chiffchaff,

1 singing Cetti's Warbler (by lake), 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 2 Peregrine (one female on nest shelf, male above), 4 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 8 Curlew (flushed by Peregrine), approx 50 Turnstone

Chipping Sodbury Common:
Several Chiffchaffs and Skylarks, 1 Wheatear and 1 Snipe

Aust Warth:
1 Kestrel, 1 Raven, 1 Merlin

31/3/17 Kestrel at Aust Warth (Allan Chard)

31/3/17 Merlin at Aust Warth (Adam Rawson)

New Passage/Northwick Warth:
2 Water Pipit, 2 White Wagtail (first sentry) with Meadow Pipits and Wheatear,  

16 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap

Severn Beach:
Orchard Pools:
2 Little Grebe, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 

1 Blackcap

Wick Golden Valley:
3 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Goose, 3 Little Grebe, 12 Mallard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Swallow, 

2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Coal Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 8 Great Tit, 2 Blackcap, 4 Nuthatch,  1 Treecreeper.

2 Mistle Thrush,  2 Grey Wagtail

NORTH SOMERSET:

Crook Peak:
Ring Ouzel

Portbury Wharf:
Pair of Little Ringed Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Oystercatchers, c70 Redshank, 14 Dunlin,

8 Sand Martin, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap

Portishead:
1 Rock Pipit, 6 House Sparrow

Clevedon-Yeo:
1 Curlew and 2 Shelduck, then 12 Shelduck, 2 Wheatear further south

31/3/17 Wheatear south of Clevedon (Vera Carpenter)

Yatton:
Stawberry Line:
2 Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Bullfinch.

17 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Reed Bunting.

Weston-Super-Mare:
Weston Airfield:

1 Little Egret, 2 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Stonechat & 20+ Skylark

BELOW M4 & BANES

Bath
Garden - 2 Greenfinches where none have been seen for over a year
Peregine

31/3/17 Peregrine in Bath (Hamish Smith)
High over Bath in misty sunlight we get a clear view of the wing damage KP sustained a couple of weeks ago

High Littleton/Greyfield Woods:
1 Kingfisher

31/3/17 Male Kingfisher at High Littleton (Alex Carlisle)

RESERVOIRS:

Chew Valley Lake:
A cream crowned Marsh Harrier was noted along the west side of the lake at 11.15.

Dam:
1 Egyptian Goose, 5 Barnacle Goose, 2 Chiffchaff, 40+ Sand Martin, 1 Swallow

Woodford:
4 Goldeneye, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler (car park), 1 Blackcap (car park)

31/3/17 Willow Warbler at Woodford (Ian Stapp)

Heron's Green:

1 Buzzard, 1 Willow Warbler (pond side), 1 Little Grebe (pond), 11 House Sparrows, 6 Chaffinch (lake wall)

Moreton:
10 Scaup 5m 5f (flew in from Stratford way & had a wash), 5 Goldeneye, 2 Shelduck, 5 Chiffchaff, 

1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay,  

3 Buzzard, 50+ Sand Martin

31/3/17 Scaup from Moreton hide (Ian Stapp)

Stratford:
20 Scaup, 3 Willow Warbler

Herriotts End:
1 Bittern, 12 Shelduck, 50+ Sand Martin, 2 Swallow and a few House Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler

31/3/17 Bittern at Herriotts End (Lee Gardiner)

Reports: Vera Carpenter, Alex Carlisle, Allan Chard, Dan @twit1144, Andy Davis, Lee Gardiner, Peter Hazelwood, Matt Hobbs, Adrian Hockey, Wilfred King, Rich Mielcarek, Andrew Middleton, Liz Milner, Dave Nevitt, Chris Perry, Adam Rawson, Trevor Riddle, Hamish Smith, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Mrs Trellis, Sean Whyte.  blagdonlakebirds,  CVRS, nslbirding,  opsbirding,  severnsidebirds,  TBOSG

30 March '17 Thursday - 6 records

Bit of a dull start warm with passing showers but brighter later.

This is a day of many early records
Hobby at New Passage, previous earliest March 31st 2016
Black-tailed Godwit, 85 highest number at Clevedon
Sandwich Tern at OPS and Newton St Loe, first known at NSL
Common Tern at OPS, equal earliest
Common Whitethroat at Northwick Warth, previous earliest at OPS April 4th 2002
Common Redstart at Chipping Sodbury, earliest since 1955, also on 30th March

Also Red Kite, 4 Common Scoter and Yellow-legged Gull at Chew Valley Lake

30-3-17 Willow Warbler ringed at Fishpool Hill (Mark Dadds)

BRISTOL

Fishpool Hill, Brentry:
1 Willow Warbler

Ham Green:
2 Raven, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, last 3 singing

Warmley Forest Park et environs:
2 Moorhen, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 20+ Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Nuthatch, 5 Greenfinch 6 Goldfinch

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
6 Sandwich Tern, 7 Common Tern, 1 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap

Littleton Brick Pits:
1 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap

Northwick Warth:
4 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 (f) Wheatear, 7 Sand Martin, 1 Whitethroat

New Passage: 11.30 - 12.30:
1 Pintail, 1 ad Hobby 12.16, 1 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 5 (4m) Wheatear, 200+ Meadow Pipits

30-3-17 Blackcap in garden (Vera Carpenter)

Almondsbury garden:
Blackcap on feeders

Chipping Sodbury Common:
1 Little Owl, 1 m Common Redstart

NORTH SOMERSET

Portbury Wharf:
2 Canada geese, 20 Shelduck, 1 Wigeon, 13 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Oystercatcher, 15+ Dunlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Redshank, 1 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaffs

Clevedon-Yeo:
80 Shelduck, 130 Wigeon ,7 Tufted Duck,1 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 22 Oystercatcher, 18 Grey Plover, 11 Lapwing, 90 Curlew, 85 (a record for this site) Black-tailed Godwit, 24 Turnstone, 10 Dunlin, 200 Redshank, 1 Jack Snipe, 55 LBB Gull, 10 Herring Gull, 2 Raven, 5 Skylark , 25 Sand Martin,  6 Swallow , 1 Cetti's Warbler , 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear, 2 Rock Pipit

Hewish, Nr Weston:
2 (pair) Reed Bunting on bird tables

BELOW M4 & BANES

Marshfield, Rushmead Lane:
1 Barn Swallow

30-3-17 Sandwich Tern at Newton St Loe (Wayne Tucker)

Newton St Loe,:
15 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 6 Goldcrest, 5 Skylark, 10+ Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 5 Nuthatch, 2 Treecreeper, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Grey Wagtail, 3 Greenfinch, 3 Yellowhammer

30-3-17 Dipper at Pensford (Ian Stapp)

River Chew :
Pensford Bridge:
1 Buzzard, 1 Dipper, 2 Grey Wagtail

Publow Bridge:
1 Kingfisher, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Dipper, 2 Grey Wagtail, 10 Goldfinch

Compton Bridge:
1 Buzzard, 4 Stock Dove, 50 + Jackdaw, 1 Raven, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Chiffchaff , 1 Grey Wagtail

RESERVOIRS:

Barrrow Tanks:
1 Long-tailed Duck, 100+ Sand Martin

Blagdon Lake:
1 Egyptian Goose, 1 Common Sandpiper, 28 Common Chiffchaffs, 10 Blackcaps 

Chew Valley Lake:

18 Scaup, 4 f Common Scoters, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 1st-year Yellow-legged Gull, pair of Nuthatches with a nest, 2 Willow Warblers, 180 Sand Martins, 1 Swallow

Dam:
1 Egyptian Goose,  2 Hybrid Ducks, 1 Sparrowhawk , 4 Sand Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler (singing), 2 Chiffchaff (singing)                        

Woodford:
8 Goldeneye, 1 Buzzard, 20+ Sand Martin, 1 Swallow

Herons Green:
1 Little Grebe (pond), 2 Chiffchaff, 7 House Sparrow

30-3-17  Great Crested Grebe at  Moreton (Ian Stapp)

Moreton:
5 Goldeneye, 1 Red Kite (11.40), 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Cetti's  Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff , 1 Blackcap, 12 Goldfinch (cottage)

Stratford Hide:
10 Scaup, 4 f Common Scoter

Herriotts End:
4 Barnacle Goose, 14 Shelduck, 20 + Sand Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler (calling)      

Club trip to Herzegovina, 7-14 May 2017
A place has just become available on this upcoming BOC trip.  Please contact bocbirds@gmail.com  urgently if interested in joining us.  Top target bird is Rock Partridge.  7 nights inc 2 in Croatia, price approx £850 plus flights from/to Bristol for which a booked seat may be transferable.

Reports: Kevin Bainbridge, Terri Borash, Vera Carpenter, Allan Chard, Peter Coslett, Chris Craig, Mark Dadds, Michael Davis, Geoff Dring, for the birds, Robert Hargreaves, Peter Hazelwood, Nigel Milbbourne, Bob Pepper, Chris Perry, H E Rose, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Mrs Trellis, Wayne Tucker, Keith Vinicombe, Trevor Wilkinson, blagdonlakebirds, CVRS, nslbirding, opsbirding, severnsidebirds, TBOSG

29 March '17 Wednesday - Osprey

A dull day with a little rain, but not that bad. Only 4 reports so far today

Osprey at Hengrove
Club trip to Herzegovina - one place left - trip details after Chew reports

BRISTOL

Hengrove Way:
1 Osprey low over the road.

29/03/2017 Long-tailed Tit High Kingsdown (Keith Williams)

High Kingsdown: in this most urban of settings!

2 Long-tailed Tit collecting feathers - been at it for a week. 2 Greenfinch were unusual visitors to the garden.  Plus the usual avian fare.

Snuff Mills:
2 Stock Dove, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest,  5 or 6 Nuthatch, 2 Chaffinch

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

29-3-17 Meadow Pipit at Aust Wharf (Rod Holbrook)

Aust Warth:
Meadow Pipits on the move

NORTH SOMERSET

BELOW M4 & BANES

29-13-17 Peregrine in Bath (BUPP)click
Juvenile KP is taking control

Bath, St John's Church:

3 Peregrines, 4 eggs

Lansdown Racecourse:
1 Kestrel.

RESERVOIRS:

Blagdon Lake:
1 Egyptian Goose, 2 Buzzard, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 GBB Gull,  2 Raven, 200+ Sand Martin, 3 Reed Bunting, 30+ House Sparrow (Bickfield Fm)

Chew Valley Lake:

29-3-17 Swallow at CVL (Brian Thompson)

Stratford:
Large flock of mixed Sand and House Martin and a Swallow

Club trip to Herzegovina, 7-14 May 2017
A place has just become available on this upcoming BOC trip.  Please contact bocbirds@gmail.com  urgently if interested in joining us.  Top target bird is Rock Partridge.  7 nights inc 2 in Croatia, price approx £850 plus flights from/to Bristol for which a booked seat may be transferable.

Reports: Teresa Chard, Anne Crowe, Brian Gibbs, Rod Holbrook, Matt Scott, Bian Thompson, Mrs Trellis, Keith Williams,  blagdonlakebirds, BUPP, CVRS, nslbirding, opsbirding, severnsidebirds, TBOSG

28th March '17 Tuesday SUNSHINE (after the fog lifted)

First Willow Warbles heard.
Red Kite over Backwell

28/03/2017 Raven in the Shire Valley - Marshfield (Pete Coslett)

BRISTOL:

28/03/2017 Kingfisher Eastville Park (Steve Poulsom)

Eastville Park:
1 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff.

Stoke Park:
16 Magpie - all in one place.
16 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap.

Longwell Green:
1 Grey Heron.

Stockwood Open Space:
1 Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Raven, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 4 Song Thrush, 4 Bullfinch.

Warmley:
1 Little Egret - flying along the ring road.




SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
2 Mute Swan, 1 Canada Goose, 6 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Buzzard, 1 Water Rail, 2 Oystercatcher, 5 Curlew, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 45 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 39 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap.

Village: 
1 Willow Warbler.

Chipping Sodbury Common:
1 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear.

Aust:
Short-eared Owl, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Willow Warbler singing.

New Passage / Northwick Warth
1 Greylag Goose, 9 Canada Goose, 40 Wigeon, 20 Gadwall,50 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant (Continental), 3 Little Egret, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Lapwing, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Little Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine,
30 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler singing, 1 Blackcap.

28/03/2017 Continental Cormorant Northwich Warth (Martyn Hayes)

NORTH SOMERSET:

Backwell:
1 Red Kite, 2 Yellowhammer.

28/03/2017 Yellowhammer ♀ + ♂ Backwell (Chris James)

Portbury Wharf:
32 Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, 2 Little Egret, Little Grebe, Coot, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Snipe, 2 Skylark, 50 Sand Martin, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler.

Clevedon - Yeo:
27 Canada Goose, 2 Brent Goose Dark-bellied, 140 Shelduck, 345 Wigeon, 145 Teal, 4 Pintail, 34 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Water Rail, 2 Coot, 45 Oystercatcher, 60 Grey Plover, 17 Lapwing, 5 Ringed Plover, 190 Curlew, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 35 Turnstone, 20 Knot, 225 Dunlin, 10 Common Sandpiper, 390 Redshank, 28 Skylark, 15 Sand Martin, 20 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 23 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 2 Redwing, 2 White Wagtail, 100 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 6 Bullfinch, 15 Linnet, 4 Reed Bunting.

Gordano Valley - BOC Tue walk:
Several Mallard, more than enough Pheasant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Buzzard, 2 Lapwing, 16 Herring Gull, plenty of Woodpigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 6 Magpie, 11 Jackdaw, 6 Rook, 12 Carrion Crow, 3 Goldcrest, lots of Blue Tit and Great Tit, 3 Coal Tit, 3 Skylark, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 12 Wren, 2 Starling, 6 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 15 Robin, 6 Dunnock, 4 House Sparrow, 2 Grey Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtail, 4 Chaffinch, 5 Bullfinch, 6 Greenfinch, 3 Linnet, 12 Goldfinch, 5 Reed Bunting.

Sand Point:
Late report from Facebook (26th/27th) - 1st Whitethroat of the year.


BELOW M4 & BANES

Bath - Haycombe Farm walk to Newton Park
14 Teal, 7 Stock Dove, 11 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Dipper, pair Grey Wagtail, 4 Linnet, 28 Yellowhammer.

Keynsham - Lock Keeper2 Mute Swan, 11 Canada Goose, 5 Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff. 1 Blackcap, 4 Greenfinch, 10 Goldfinch.

Marshfield:

Shire Valley:
3 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 7 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, 6 Raven, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Nuthatch, 5 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail.

Compton Martin:
2 Marsh Tit still coming to the garden feeders and a welcome addition of a Treecreeper.

RESERVOIRS:

Barrow Gurney Res's
1 Long-taled Duck, 20 Sand Martin

Blagdon Lake:1 Egyptian Goose, Buzzard by the score, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Peregrine, 100 to 150 Sand Martin, 23 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap.

Chew Valley Lake (combined report):

28/03/2017 Ringed Plover Chew Valley Lake (Ian Stapp)

5 Barnacle Goose, 6 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler, 21 Scaup, 4 Goldeneye, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Red Kite, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Peregrine, 150 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 2 Cetti’s Warbler,4 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 10 Goldfinch.

Folly Farm Reserve

1 Tawny Owl, 1 Green Woodpecker, 10 Skylark, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear.

Reports: Derek Angell, Karle Burford, Teresa Chard, John Clark, Chris Craig, Andrew Dawes, Paul Francis, Robert Hargreaves, John & Penny Huntley, Richard Keel, Brian Lancastle, Glen Maddison, Andy Middleton, Vic Polley, Rich Scantlebury, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Martin Tayler, Mrs Trellis, blagdonlakebirds,  CVRS, nslbirding,  opsbirding,  severnsidebirds,  TBOSG

27th March '17 Monday - Osprey Day

Chilly and murky with the estuary invisible most of the day.

Ospreys over Bristol and Blagdon (and in adjoining counties, e.g. Slimbridge)
Little Ringed Plovers at CVL, Northwick Flash and Portbury Wharf
Red Kite over Doynton
Good selection of migrants with Sand Martins arriving in some numbers, and a few Swallows
Iberian Chiffchaff appears to have gone - no sign of it at Yate

Sparrowhawk - a nice garden bird for Howard Taffs

And a Jay in the garden for Vera Carpenter

BRISTOL

Lydiard Croft, Hanham:
Osprey flew over at 08:40 heading east.

Fishponds:
Osprey flew over Vassals Park at noon.

Avon Gorge:
Osprey attacked by a Crow and flew off towards Avonmouth at 18:35

Henbury Golf Club:
1 Treecreeper, and lots of drumming coming from the woods - Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Stockwood Open Space:
4 Chiffchaff.

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

5 Little Gulls reported flying north off Slimbridge can reasonably be supposed to have passed our coastline too.

Oldbury Power Station:
Sand Martin heading NE reportedly at a rate of 100 per hour, and lots of Meadow Pipit passing.

Aust Warth:
1 Merlin and 4 Siskin.

"Impressive visible migration of Meadow Pipits heading NE over Aust Warth involving many hundreds".

Buzzard at Aust (Steve Poulsom)

New Passage/Northwick Warth:
9 Little Ringed Plover (all flew off high to the NE),  1 Little Owl, 120 Sand Martin, 5 Swallow, 300+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Water Pipit.


NORTH SOMERSET:

Iceland Gull at Portbury Pools on 20th March  (Bob Pepper)

Iceland Gull on 20th March - look out for it at Portbury Pools (Bob Pepper)

Portbury Wharf:
60 Wigeon, 15 Shoveler, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 20+ adult LBB Gulls (displaying to each other on the main island), 50+ Sand Martin, 4 Cetti's Warbler, c.8 Chiffchaff.

Kenn:
Swallow.

Sand Point:
Whitethroat.


BELOW M4 & BANES

Doynton:
1 Red Kite, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2 Tawny Owl, 1 Little Owl.

Bath - Primrose Hill:
3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 6 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush.

RESERVOIRS:

Barrow Tanks:
1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 f. Goldeneye, 1 Buzzard, 2 Common Sandpiper, 15 Sand Martin, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap. 

Blagdon Lake:
1 Egyptian Goose, 25 Canada Goose, 8 Wigeon, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 1 Osprey at 1:40 p.m. and possibly a different bird at 14:35, 1 Common Sandpiper (dam), flock Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 19 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap.

Chew Valley Lake:

Heron's Green:
1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Snipe, 2 Chiffchaff.

Moreton:
5 Scaup, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Bullfinch.

Stratford:
11 Scaup.

Herriotts End:
5 Barnacle Goose (presumed feral), 10 Shelduck, 2 Cattle Egret, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 GBB Gull, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff.

Reports: John Croxton, Sean Davies, Paul Francis, Robert Hargreaves, Dave Horlick, Chris Jones, Brian Lancastle, Robin Nash, Chris Perry, Steve Poulsom, Dean Reeves, Richard Skipp, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone,  blagdonlakebirds,  CVRS, nslbirding,  opsbirding,  severnsidebirds,  TBOSG

26th March '17 Sunday - Iberian Chiffchaff

What a beautiful day - feels like spring.  A bit of migration into the NE wind.  Late update.

Short-eared Owl at Aust
Little Ringed Plover at Northwick Flash and Barrow Tanks
Iberian Chiffchaff  still at Yate
Red Kites over Chew Magna, Compton Dando and Wraxall
Late news and photo: Iceland Gull at Portbury Wharf on the 20th.

Club trip to Herzegovina - one place left - trip details after Chew reports

The Iberian Chiffchaff, one of many photos (Alex Carlisle)

And another... the Iberian Chiffchaff at Yate (Alex Carlisle)

BRISTOL
Eastville Park:
19 Canada Goose, 38 Mallard, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Kingfisher, 2+ Blackcap, 2+ Chiffchaff, 1 Nuthatch.

Leigh Woods:
Displaying Buzzard, Sparrowhawk,  Kestrel and Peregrine.

Stock Dove, singing Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, 2 Nuthatch.

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Bradley Stoke:  Three Brooks nature reserve:

1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel.

Oldbury Power Station:
Pair of Peregrine displaying, Blackcap singing.

Aust Warth:

c. 40 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 1 Sparrowhawk, c. 60 Oystercatcher, 20 Curlew, 1 Short-eared Owl, 6 Skylark.

New Passage/Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland:
15 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 22 Teal, 12 Shoveler, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, c.60 Oystercatcher, 3 Lapwing, 1 Little Ringed Plover (Northwick Flash), 34 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Knot, c.50 Dunlin, Common Gull, 6 Skylark, 3 Sand Martin, 12 Pied Wagtail, c.30 Meadow Pipit, 16 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 5 Chiffchaff, flock 55 Jackdaw, 1 Siskin, 16 Linnet.

Yate, Kingsgate Park:
1 Iberian Chiffchaff still singing today, but difficult to find if it's not singing.


NORTH SOMERSET:

Iceland Gull at Portbury Wharf on 20th March (Bob Pepper)

Gordano valley:
4 Buzzard and lots of singing Chiffchaff.

Clevedon, Wains Hill:
Peregrine, 4 Sand Martin.  Noticeable finch and wagtail movement, mostly Goldfinch and Linnet.

Clevedon-Yeo:
2 Mute Swan, 22 Canada Goose, 70 Shelduck, 140 Wigeon, 35 Teal, 10 Mallard, 6 Shoveler. 6 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 18 Oystercatcher, 19 Grey Plover (reasonable count for late March). 1 Ringed Plover, 60 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit (with Curlew), 28 Turnstone, 15 Knot, 4 Dunlin, 240 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 60 Black-headed Gull (mostly imms moving NE), 25 Herring Gull, 1 Swallow, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear, 1 Reed Bunting (male singing).

Weston-Super-Mare:
Worlebury Hill Road:
c. 5 calling Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 10+ singing Chaffinch

Wraxall:
4 Red Kite at 3 p.m. (Will Stops)


BELOW M4 & BANES

Marshfield:
2 Red-legged Partridge. 2 Stock Dove. 20 Skylark. 40 Fieldfare. 20 Linnet. 24 Corn Bunting. 8 Yellowhammer.

Newton St Loe:
16 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Grey Heron, 6 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 4 Green Woodpecker, 12 Skylark, 12 Meadow Pipit, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Mistle Thrush, 6 Chiffchaff, 5+ Goldcrest, 3 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Jay, 14 Linnet, 8 Yellowhammer.

Red Kite over Compton Dando (Brian Thompson)

Compton Dando:
Red Kite.

Dipper on the River Chew (Ian Stapp)

R. Chew, Compton Dando to Pensford:
12+ Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 10 Lapwing, 2 Little Owl, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 1 Kingfisher, 4 Dipper, 4 Grey Wagtail, 2 Blackcap (singing), 12 + Chiffchaff (singing), 12 Linnet, 4 Bullfinch, 5 Yellowhammer.

RESERVOIRS:

Barrow Tanks:
1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 f. Goldeneye, 2 Little Egret, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 GBB Gull, 13 Sand Martin, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap.

Blagdon Lake:
1 Egyptian Goose, 1 (1w) Goldeneye, Chiffchaff - lots singing.

Great Crested Grebe with ambition, at Chew (Christopher Teague)

Chew Valley Lake (more or less...):

2 Red Kite moving east over Chew Magna at 4 pm.
No news from the lake today - everyone too busy twitching the Ib Chiff?

Club trip to Herzegovina, 7-14 May 2017
There is one place now available on this upcoming BOC trip.  Please contact bocbirds@gmail.com  urgently if interested in joining us.  Top target bird is Rock Partridge.  7 nights inc 2 in Croatia, price £800 plus flights from/to Bristol for which a booked seat may be transferable.

Reports: Vera Carpenter, Andy Davis, Sean Davis, Robert Hargreaves, Adrian Hockey, Glen Maddison, John Martin, Bob Pepper, Matt Plenty, Lois Pryce, George Rabin. Adam Rawson, Harvey Rose, Rich Scantlebury, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Tim Taylor,  blagdonlakebirds,  CVRS, nslbirding,  opsbirding,  severnsidebirds,  TBOSG

25 March '17 Saturday - Iberian Chiffchaff

Weather was sunny, but bitter at times- warm out the wind

25-3-17 Iberian Chiffchaff at Yate (Mark Coller)

Short-eared Owl at Aust
Cattle Egret, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff along Severnside
Iberian Chiffchaff  at Yate
Red Kite around Bristol and Uphill
Brent Goose at Backwell Lake
Long-tailed Duck at Barrow Tanks
Scaup, Common Scoter, Firecrest at Chew Valley Lake
Club trip to Herzegovina - one place left - trip details after Chew reports

25-3-17 Sparrowhawk in Eastville Park (Steve Poulsom)

BRISTOL

Ashton:
1 Peregrine to gorge carrying food (and at Greville Smythe Park), 4 Raven, Chiffchaff,

Eastville Park:
2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff

Mangotsfield Station:
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker

Stoke Park:
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Treecreeper, Comma, Peacock, Brimstone

1 Red Kite, Iron Acton 15.00, Inglestone Common 15.30, Bristol Zoo 16.25
2 Red Kite, flying Riverside Garden Centre, over Greville Smythe Park to Ashton Gate Stadium

25-3-17 Little Owl at New Passage (Lisegirl)

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
23 Shelduck, 42 Wigeon, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 113 Curlew, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Coal Tit, 28 Chiffchaff, 2 Brimstone, 1 Comma and 1 Tortoiseshell

Aust Warth:
2 Kestrel mating, 1 Short-eared Owl 6.30, 1 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow

25-3-17 Little Ringed Plover at New Passage(Keith Williams)

New Passage/Northwick Warth:
5 Mute Swan, 30 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 70 Teal, 6+ Mallard, 4 Pintail, 6 Shoveler, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Cattle Egret, 3 Little Egret, 2 Cranes, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 1 m Ruff, 24 Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, 60 Turnstone, 2 Little Owl, 42 Wood Pigeon, 1 Swallow, 5 Sand Martin, 11 Chiffchaff, 1 Redwing, 80 Meadow Pipit, 5 Siskin

Severn Beach:
36 Shelduck, 1 Green Woodpecker

1 Red Kite, Iron Acton 15.00, Inglestone Common 15.30, Bristol Zoo 16.25

Hawkesbury Church:
1 Yellowhammer

25-3-17 Iberian Chiffchaff at Yate (TBOSG)

Yate, Kingsgate Park:
2 Peregrine, 1 Iberian Chiffchaff (Mark Coller)

Chipping Sodbury Common:
20+ Skylark

NORTH SOMERSET

Clevedon, Wains Hill, over by 10.00:
20 Alba Wagtail, 200 Meadow Pipit, 2 Siskin

Backwell Lake:
8 Mute Swan, 6 Canada Geese, 2 displaying Bar-headed Geese, 1 dark-bellied Brent Goose, 9 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Egret, 2 mating Buzzard, 3 singing Chiffchaff

Sand Point and Bay:
Curlew, Raven, wagtails, pipits and finches on passage, 4 Stonechat

Weston-super Mare:
1 Peregrine over beach, 1 Little Egret, 1 Rock Pipit (Marine Lake)

Uphill:

1 Red Kite,

BELOW M4 & BANES

25-3-17 Dipper at Midsomer Norton (Kerry Beale)

Midsomer Norton:

1 Dipper

Paulton:

2 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Greenfinch, 3 Bullfinch

Compton Dando:

1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20 Jackdaw, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Coal Tit, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Dipper, 15 House Sparrow, 4 Grey Wagtail, 8 Meadow Pipit, 3 Chaffinch,

RESERVOIRS:

Barrow Tanks:
7 Shoveler, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Little Egret, 5 Chiffchaff

Blagdon Lake, 24th:
1 Egyptian Goose, Sand Martins, 2 Swallows, 1 singing Blackcap

Bickfield Farm:
35 House Sparrow

Litton Reservoir:
17 Tufted Duck, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Little Grebe, 2 Buzzard, 1 Grey Wagtail, Brimstone, Comma, Peacock

25-3-17 Barnacle Goose at Chew (Mrs Trellis)

Chew Valley Lake:
1 Barnacle Goose, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone

Dam:
1 Egyptian Goose, 2 Goldeneye

Bittern Trail:
2 Scaup, 20 Sand Martin, 1 Blackcap

Woodford:
1 Firecrest

Herons Green:
4 Goldeneye, 3 Buzzard, 2 Water Rail, 2 Reed Bunting         

25-03-17 Green Woodpecker at Moreton (Ian Stapp)

Moreton:
7 Scaup, 1 Common Scoter, 11 Goldeneye, 8 Buzzard over hills, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Raven, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 m Blackcap, 20+ Chaffinch, 2 Bullfinch

Herriotts End:
6 Shelduck, 9 Shoveler, 7 Scaup, 10 Goldeneye, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Reed Bunting

Club trip to Herzegovina, 7-14 May 2017
A place has just become available on this upcoming BOC trip.  Please contact bocbirds@gmail.com  urgently if interested in joining us.  Top target bird is Rock Partridge.  7 nights inc 2 in Croatia, price approx £850 plus flights from/to Bristol for which a booked seat may be transferable.

Reports: Avonbirder, Kerry Beale, James Butcher, Teresa Chard, Mark Coller, Peter Coslett, Jane Cumming, Lee Gardiner, Anthony Goodwin, Patrick Hancock, Robert Hargreaves, Martyn Hayes,Bob Hayward, Higgy, Adrian Hockey, Robin Lambert, Bob Lawrence, Lisegirl, Paul Marshall, John Martin, Andrew Middleton, Matt Plenty, Steve Poulsom, Sue & John Prince, Rob Purveur, Gill Sapsed, Ian Stapp, Howard Taffs, Christopher Teague, Jon Tottle, Mrs Trellis ,Bob Webber, Keith Williams, blagdonlakebirds, CVRS, nslbirding, opsbirding, severnsidebirds, TBOSG

24 March '17 Friday - Merlin

It was as cold, gloomy and blowy as the Curlew suggested and not a birdwatcher in sight, sunny later

24-3-17 Curlew on Severnside (Martin Tayler)

Short-eared Owl, Swallow and 1065 Meadow Pipit at Aust
Red Kite, Merlin, Little Ringed Plover, White Wagtail, along Severnside
Short-eared Owl, Black Redstart, Wheatear at Uphill
Red Kite at Marshfield
Scaup, Common Scoter at Chew Valley Lake
Club trip to Herzegovina - one place left - trip details after Chew reports


BRISTOL

24-3-17 Starling and Blue Tit in Bristol (Brian Thompson)
Plus Chiffchaff, Dunnock and Goldfinch in the garden

Hotwells to Pill:
2 Coot, 5 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine,  1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Redshank, 28 BH Gull, 2 Raven, Skylarks singing, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Greenfinch

Snuff Mills:
1 Dipper

Stockwood Open Space:
Skylark singing, 50 Starling

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Alveston:
1 Holly Blue butterfly

Oldbury Coast:
16 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Comma and 2 Tortoiseshell butterflies

Littleton Brick Pits, early am:
3 Canada Geese, 2 Little Egret, 1 Water Rail, 1 Coot, 8 Chiffchaff, 58 Meadow Pipit, 17 Linnet north
Littleton Warth:
1 Red Kite 11.00

Aust Warth, visual migration 0600-0830, all birds flying NE:
10 Common Gull, 74 LBB Gull, 2 Stock Dove, 30 Wood Pigeon, 65 Carrion Crow, 2 Raven, 77 Alba Wagtail, 1 m White Wagtail, 1065 Meadow Pipit, 11 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 2 Greenfinch, 31 Linnet, 6 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin

Aust Warth:
1 Short-eared Owl 16.10, 1 Swallow on sheep fields

24-3-17 Little Ringed Plover at Northwick (Brian Lancastle)

New Passage/Northwick Warth:
2 Little Grebe, 1 Red Kite 15.10, 1 m Merlin,  6 Little Ringed Plover, 12 Redshank, 30 Turnstone, 1 White Wagtail

24-3-17 Merlin at Northwick (Matin Tayler)

Over M4, between Almondsbury and Severn Beach:
1 Red Kite 06.15

24-3-17 Yellowhammer at Westerleigh (Keith Williams)

Westerleigh:
3 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Stock Dove, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Skylark, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Stonechat, 2 Yellowhammer

NORTH SOMERSET

Portbury Warth:
28 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 28 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Redshank (Portbury Ditch), 1 Sand Martin, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey and 10 Pied Wagtail, 
Portishead garden:
1 m Sparrowhawk

24-3-17 Short-eared Owl at Uphill (Steve Poulsom)

Uphill:

1 Little Grebe, 9 Redshank, 7 BH Gull, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 f Black Redstart, 1 m Wheatear, Greenfinch, 30 Linnet

24-3-17 Little Grebe at Uphill (Vera Carpenter)

Chew Magna, Pelican Pub:
1 persistent Tawny Owl

Stockhill plantation / Priddy Mineries:
1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Raven, 50+ Goldcrest, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Song Thrush, 12 Siskin, 20+ Crossbill

24-3-17 Crossbill at Stockhill (Higgy)

Cheddar Gorge, Black Rock:
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 2 Raven, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20+ Goldcrest, 5 Marsh Tit, 8 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper

24-3-17 Marsh Tit at Black Rock (Higgy)

BELOW M4 & BANES

24-3-17 Red Kite over Down Road (Peter Coslett)

Marshfield, Down Road:
1 Red Kite pm

Warmley Forest Park:

4 Mallard, 3 Moorhen, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 30+ Wood Pigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Magpie, 50+ Jackdaw, 2 Coal Tit, 7 Chiffchaffs, 1 Blackcap, 7 Wren, 10 Blackbird, 12 Robin, 6 Dunnock, 6 Greenfinch, 9 Goldfinch, 4 Bullfinch

Willsbridge:
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Dipper, 1 singing Mistle Thrush, 6 Goldfinch

24-3-17 Peregrine in Bath (BUPP)
Juvenile KP sneaks in while falcon is out on food pass

Bath, St Johns Church:
3 eggs and 3 Peregrines

RESERVOIRS:

Blagdon Lake:
30 Mute Swan, 1 Egyptian Goose, Sand Martins, 2 Swallows, 1 singing Blackcap

Chew Valley Lake:
Woodford:
12+ Goldeneye (off Nunnery), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Redwing,  2 Bullfinch

Villice:

2 Bullfinch

24-03-17 Meadow Pipit at Herons  Green (Ian Stapp)

Herons Green:
2 Goldeneye, 1 Meadow Pipit            

Moreton:
9 Scaup, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Buzzard, 1 Tawny Owl, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Redwing, 30+ Chaffinch,

Herriotts End:
6 Shelduck, 4 GBB Gull

Club trip to Herzegovina, 7-14 May 2017
A place has just become available on this upcoming BOC trip.  Please contact bocbirds@gmail.com  urgently if interested in joining us.  Top target bird is Rock Partridge.  7 nights inc 2 in Croatia, price approx £850 plus flights from/to Bristol for which a booked seat may be transferable.

Reports: Paul Bowerman, Dru Brooke-Taylor, Vera Carpenter, Teresa Chard, John Clark, Peter Coslett, Paul Cousins, Jane Cumming, Michael Davis, Rob Emery, Peter Hazelwood, Higgy, Matt Hobbs, Andrew Jordan, Brian Lancastle, John Martin, Nigel Milbourne, Jonathan Mortin, Chris Perry, Steve Poulsom, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Brian Thompson, Martin Tayler, Mrs Trellis, Thomas Weston, Keith Williams, blagdonlakebirds, BUPP, CVRS, nslbirding, opsbirding, severnsidebirds, TBOSG