28-02-18 - continuing bitterly cold

Mostly bright sunshine; snow flurries; very cold. But we have got off lightly compared to other parts of the country.

Only the hardiest observers out; several sightings of birds in unusual places. Almost as many photos as reports today....

Long-tailed Duck
Great White Egret
Ruff
Mediterranean Gull
Short-eared Owl
Firecrest
Stonechat (27th)

28-2-18 Mallards, Herriotts Pool, CVL (Bob Brewer)

BRISTOL

Montpelier Station:

Male Blackcap and 1/2 doz Chaffinch the best this morning

Coombe Dingle:
Garden visitors today - 4 Blue Tit, 1 Blackcap, 4 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare (first for 2 years), 1 Robin, 4 Chaffinch, 3 Bullfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch

Badock's Wood:
1 Firecrest

Eastville Park:
2 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush (Colston Field)

St Werburgh's:
27th: 1 f/juv Stonechat at allotments, near the city farm, on top of Buddleia bush by side of footpath (First time observer has seen one there)

Stockwood Open Space:
2 drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20+ Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Bullfinch, 4 Goldfinch plus
usual tits, Blackbirds etc


SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Avening Green - Little River Avon:

2 Mandarin Duck (♀ + ♂), Kingfisher, Goldcrest, mixed flock of 'hundreds' of Fieldfare and Redwing and a calling Dipper.

Oldbury Power Station:
1 adult-winter Mediterranean Gull in the roost with c1000 Common Gull

Aust Warth:

28 - 2 - 18 Short-eared Owl (Malcolm Black)

1 Short-eared Owl (first report for several days)

28-2-18 Blackcap, Severn Beach (Rod Holbrook)

Almondsbury:
Golden Plover flock over motorway junction (not normally seen here)

Willsbridge:

Cold weather Chaffinch in the garden.

NORTH SOMERSET

Bristol Airport:
100+ Lapwing heading SSW plus 40 at Hewish

Backwell Lake:

Going to roost (watch kept up to to 18.05): 1 Great White Egret  at 17.05; 2 Little Egrets at 17. 43 and 2  more before watch ended (more likely to have have come in later ).

28-2-18 Ruff in ploughed field, Winford (Melanie Patch)
Photo taken through tractor window!
Could it be the bird seen in flight over CVL on 24th Feb?

Winford:
200 Lapwing, 1 Ruff, 300 mixed gull flock, 10 Redwing, 80 + Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit 

28-2-18 Greenfinch, Yatton (Higgy)

28-2-18 Song Thrush, Yatton (Higgy)

28-2-18 Green Woodpecker, Yatton (Higgy)

Yatton: 
Stowey Road garden: 2 Buzzard (flyover), 1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Blackbird (6 m), 2 Song Thrush (rare here), 8 Greenfinch, 9 Goldfinch (feeding on Teasel seed-heads), 7 Reed Bunting

28-2-18 Ringed Plover, Uphill (Simon Williams)

28-2-18 Dunlin, Uphill (Simon Williams)

Uphill (and STW) :
1 Peregrine, 35 Lapwing over, Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, 4 Reed Bunting


BELOW M4 & BANES

Bath:Walcot Gate Garden: 7 Redwing (observer has only ever had fly-overs before)

Wellow:
4 Buzzard, 20+ Lapwing, 15+ Fieldfare

Midford:
250+ mixed gull species


RESERVOIRS:

Barrow Gurney tanks:
The drake adult Long-tailed Duck  still present today (per Birdguides)

Chew Valley Lake

Herriotts:
Shelduck, Kestrel

28-2-18 Shelduck on ice, Herriotts Pool, CVL (Bob Brewer)

Reports: Birdguides, Malcolm Black, Des Bowring, Bob Brewer,  Teresa Chard, Ed Drewitt, Alastair Fraser, Peter Hazelwood, Higgy, Rod Holbrook, Adrian Hockey, Glen Maddison, Melanie Patch, Adam Rawson, John Rossetti, Kevin Smith, Larry Sweetland, Mike Thomas, Verity White, blagdonlakebirds, CVRS,   nslbirding, opsbirding, severnsidebirds, TBOSG

27-02-18 Tuesday - Swan's Egg

Temp -3 to 2℃. Cold in the wind, snow flurries on and off, bright sunny intervals

Great White Egret
Golden Plover
Marsh Tit
Hawfinch, Crossbill, Siskin

27-2-18 Mute Swan, Newton Park (NSL Birding)

BRISTOL

BOC City Centre Walk inc. Harbour and Brandon Hill:

4 Mute Swan, 7 Cormorant, 1 Buzzard, 2 Moorhen, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Redshank, 65 BH Gull, 1 Common Gull, 17 Herring Gull, 21 LBB Gull, 18 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 5 Magpie, 16 Jackdaw, 9 Carrion Crow, 1 Coal Tit, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Wren, 2 Starling, 6 Blackbird, 29 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 12 House Sparrow, 3 Dunnock, 5 Pied Wagtail, 4 Greenfinch, 12 Goldfinch

Bishop Rd to Horfield Common, :
14 BH Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 24 Woodpigeon, 4 Collared Dove, 9 Magpie, 29 Starling, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 29 House Sparrow, 4 Dunnock, 4 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch

St Andrew's Park:
32 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush

Stockwood Open Space:
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 drumming), 8 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Robin, 4 Bullfinch, 6 Linnet, 6 Goldfinch

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

27-2-18 Fieldfare, New Passage (Aravind Ramesh)

New Passage:
1 Water Rail, 36 Turnstone, 150 Dunlin, Snipe, 2 LBB Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, plenty Fieldfare, 1 m Siskin

27-2-18 Siskin, New Passage (Rod Holbrook)

NORTH SOMERSET

Backwell garden:

1 m Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Jay, 5 Tits inc 1 Marsh Tit, 1 m Blackcap, Chaffinch, 1 f Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch

Kenn Moor:
Manmoor Bridge: 29 Canada Geese, 1 Little Grebe
Pumping Station: 21 Mute Swan, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Buzzard
Kenn Moor Road: 2 Buzzard
Claverham Grove: 31 Mute Swan, 3 Heron, 2 Little Egret, 2 Buzzard, 70 Starling, 80 Redwing, 1 Stonechat
Brockley Way: 15 Buzzard, 25 Lapwing, 1 Kestrel, 8 Long-tailed Tit
North Somerset Levels winter survey: 22 Teal, 1 Great White Egret, 3 Little Egret, 16 Lapwing, 12 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper

Weston-super-Mare:
3 Fieldfare to East through the snow
Canada Coombe: 1 Coal Tit, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Fieldfare, 40 Redwing, 4 Bullfinch, 3 flyover Crossbill

27-2-18 Siskin, Bleadon (Bill Hewitt)

Bleadon Garden:
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Blackcap, 3 Greenfinch, 1 m Siskin

Banwell Garden:
1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Bullfinch, 1 m Siskin

BELOW M4 & BANES

Warmley Forest Park:
2 Buzzards, 40 Woodpigeon, 1 Jay, 8 Magpie, 10 Jackdaw, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 15 Blackbirds, 1 Fieldfare, 20+ Redwing, 9 Chaffinch, 12 Goldfinch

27-2-18 Raven, St Anne's Ch (David Hughes)

St Annes Ch, Oldland:

1 Raven, 4 Hawfinch

Lansdown Racecourse, Bath
36 Golden Plover

Batheaston & Bathampton Meadows:
92 Canada Geese, 8 Cormorant, 5 Moorhen, 1 Jay

Bathwick, ST7664 - Avon Winter Bird Survey:
2 Buzzard, 3 LBB Gull, 4 Herring Gull, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch

Northend, Bath, winter survey:
4 Mallard, 2 Pheasant, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzard, 4 Moorhen, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Raven, 1 Coal tit, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 20 Fieldfare, 45 Redwing

27-2-18 Lapwing, Newton St Loe (NSL Birding)

Newton St Loe:
4 Mute Swan + 1 egg, 10 Buzzard, 35 Lapwing (rare here), 250 BH Gull, 5 Common Gull, 35 LBB Gull, 25 Stock Dove, 1 Fieldfare, 45 Redwing, 2 Hawfinch, 50 Linnet, 30 Yellowhammer

RESERVOIRS

Chew Valley Lake:

Dam:

4 Goldeneye, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hooligans Gull

Woodford:
4 Goldeneye, 1 GBB Gull, 12 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 1 Bullfinch

Herons Green:
1 Buzzard

27-2-18 Coal Tit, Moreton (Ian Stapp)

Moreton:

3 Goldeneye, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Jay, 2 Raven, 2 Coal Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 15 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Goldcrest, 40 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Bullfinch, 9 Siskin, 7 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Bunting

Stratford Hide:
12 Lapwing, 25 Meadow Pipit

27-2-18 Herriotts Pond (Ian Stapp)

Herriotts, mostly iced over:
4 Shelduck, 14 Shoveler, 9 Pintail, 24 Teal, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Cetti's Warbler

Reports: John Budd, Ken Carruthers, Teresa Chard, Jane Cumming, Robert Hargreaves, Peter Hawkins, Nick Hawkridge, William Hewitt, Higgy, Adrain Hockey, Rod Holbrook, David Hughes, Robin Lambert, Brian Lancastle, Steve Mac, John Martin, Rob P, Chris Perry, Aravind Ramesh, Trevor Riddle, Gareth Roberts, Ian Stapp, John Thorogood, BUPP, blagdonlakebirds, CVRS, nslbirding, opsbirding, severnsidebirds, TBOSG

26-02-18 Monday - Siskins

Clear, sunny, dry and very cold.  Fresh East wind.

Great White Egret
Black-necked Grebes
Siskin, Brambling, Hawfinch

Song Thrush (Rod Holbrook)

BRISTOL

Westbury Park/Durdham Down:
30+ Redwing.

Redland:
garden Goldcrest.

Brandon Hill:
Green Woodpecker.

Stockwood Open Spaces:
9 Robin, 8 LT Tit. 1 Coal Tit, 4 Great Tit, 8 Blue Tit, 6 Linnet, 20+ Goldfinch.

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

no reports.

As this space is empty - here is a nice comparison pic - now that summer plumage is back

Mediterranean Gull and Black-headed Gull comparison pic (Chris Bell)

NORTH SOMERSET

Portbury - Sheepway and docks:
Winter survey of ST4976:  3 Mallard, 3 Moorhen, 1 GS Woodpecker, 20 Meadow Pipit, 11 Redwing, 1 Bullfinch were the highlights.  A passer-by reported 3 Siskin around Sheepway Station.


BELOW M4 & BANES

Bath:
Prior Park:
6 Hawfinch.

St Johns Church:
Peregrine pair - in for the breeding season.

Burnett:
1000+ mixed gulls in a ploughed field (mostly BH Gull & Common Gull, a few LBB Gull).

Paulton:
110 BH Gull, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 12 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 15 Chaffinch.

(At the STW) 6 Meadow Pipit, 4 Grey Wagtail, 25 Pied Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff.


RESERVOIRS:

Blagdon Lake:
1 Egyptian Goose, 32 Mute Swan, 3 Black-necked Grebe.

Brambling at Chew (Ian Stapp)

Chew Valley Lake

Dam:
4 Goldeneye.

Woodford:
2 Goldeneye, 1 Buzzard, 2 G BB Gull, 1 Raven, 20+ Chaffinch, 1 Bullfinch.

Heron's Green:
20 Canada Goose, 2 feral Barnacle Goose, 1 Buzzard.

Siskins  at Chew (Ian Stapp)

Moreton:
3 Goldeneye, 1 flyover Great White Egret, 1 Stonechat, 40+ Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Cetti's Warbler. 3 Goldcrest, 12+ LT Tit, 3 Coal Tit, 1 Raven. 12+ Chaffinch, 1 Brambling (not a lot around this year), 6+ Siskin, 1 Bullfinch.

Herriotts Bridge:
4 Shelduck, 35 Teal, 16 Shoveler,  9 Pintail, 2 Goldeneye, 2 G BB Gull, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grey Wagtail,  8+ LT Tit, 1 Reed Bunting.

Reports: Nancy Barrett, Chris Bell,Teresa Chard, Adam Cross, Jane Cumming, Alastair Fraser, Patrick Hancock, Glen Maddison, Ian Stapp,  blagdonlakebirds, CVRS, nslbirding, opsbirding, severnsidebirds, TBOSG

25-02-18 Sunday - Golden Plover

Temp -1 to 6℃. Too cold for the birds in the wind, bright Sunshine, nice out of the wind

Scaup
Black-necked Grebe
Golden Plover, Ruff 24th, Snipe
Mediterranean Gull
Chiffchaff
Firecrest
Hawfinch, Redpoll, Siskin
Corn Bunting

25-2-18 Buzzard, Marshfield (David Hughes)

BRISTOL

Eastville Park to Snuff Mills:
Lake 80% frozen: 11 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Muscovy Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Moorhen, 100 BH Gull, 2 LBB Gull, 1 Jay
Fishponds Brook: 1 Nuthatch calling, 1 Grey Wagtail
Snuff Mills: 1 Nuthatch, 1 Dipper singing

Netham Park:

20 Woodpigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, 10 Goldfinch

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Huntingford Mill, ST717932:
1 Treecreeper, 1 Redpoll, 2 Siskin

Yate Common, 0930:
1 Little Egret

NORTH SOMERSET

Portbury Warth:

4 Shelduck, 70c Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, c150 Wigeon, 1 Pochard (m), 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 13 Lapwing, 1 Curlew and 2 Snipe.

Backwell Lake:

15 Canada Geese, 24 Mute Swan, 1 Muscovy Duck, 1 Shoveller, 2 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 18 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret

Worlebury Hill Road and Golf Course:

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker (first for the site), 17 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 21 Magpie, 12 Jackdaw, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Starling, 1 House Sparrow, 2 Dunnock, 5 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 14 Goldfinch, 

Weston-super-Mare:
3000 Gulls to roost beach with 1 ad Mediterranean Gull, 1 Firecrest (Balmoral Way)

25-2-18 Sparrowhawk, Bleadon (Bill Hewitt)

Bleadon Garden:
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Raven on the hill, 1 f Blackcap, 1 f Siskin, 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Small Tortoiseshell

Shiplate fields and River Axe:
2 Mallard, 1 m Goosander, 1 Raven, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing, 1 Dunnock

BELOW M4 & BANES

25-2-18 Golden Plover, Shire Hill (Peter Coslett)

Marshfield:
1 Little Egret, 4 Buzzard, 200 Golden Plover (131 reported at Shire Hill), 500 Common Gull (Rushmead Lane), 2 Kestrel, 2 Raven, 400 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Stonechat, 5 Corn Bunting

25-2-18 Hawfinch, St Annes (Steve Mac)

Willsbridge Mill and St Annes Ch, Oldland:

1 Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Hawfinch

25-2-18 Peregrine, Bath (BUPP)
Nest visits up to eight per day

Paulton:
4 Buzzard, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Raven, 5 Fieldfare, 70 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 30 Chaffinch, 15 Yellowhammer

RESERVOIRS

Blagdon Lake:
3 Black-necked Grebes, 3 Snipe, 12 Linnets

Chew Valley Lake:
51 species seen on BOC Walk

25-2-18 Goosander, Dam CVL (Bob Brewer)

Dam:

2 Goldeneye, 1 m Goosander

25-2-18 Buzzard, Woodford (Ian Stapp)

Woodford:
3 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander, 1 Buzzard, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Fieldfare, 50+ Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Greenfinch

25-2-18 Scaup, Villice (Robin Martin)

Villice:
1m 3f Scaup, 1 Treecreeper, 4 Long-tailed Tit

Herons Green:
5 Teal, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Buzzard, 2 Snipe (Pool)

25-2-18 Chiffchaff, Moreton (Ian Stapp)

Moreton:

2 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 2 Raven, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Stonechat, 6 Siskin, 4 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting

Stratford Hide:
18 Shoveler, 1 f Scaup, 7 Goldeneye, 2 Buzzard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Goldcrest

25-2-18 Great Crested Grebe, Herriotts (Robin Martin)

Herriotts:
5 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, 7 Pintail, 31 Teal, 3 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander, 4 Buzzard, 1 Ruff (flyover 24th), 2 Snipe (Reedbed in front of CVRS), 2 GBB Gull, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Reed Bunting

VERY LAST CALL FOR RARITY NOTES
The Recorders Committee will be meeting shortly to finalise the records to be used in the compilation of the 2017 Avon Bird report. We are still lacking notes to support any of the records listed below so none of these records will be considered for inclusion. If you saw any of these birds please take the short amount of time needed to send some notes to:-
avonbirds@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks
Rich

Species	Count	Date	Site	Comment
Balearic Shearwater	1	11/09/17	Weston-super-Mare, Anchor Head
Caspian Gull	Present	02/03/17	Chew Valley Lake (CVL), Villice
Cattle Egret	2	11/02/17	Winterbourne, Moorend, R Frome
Cattle Egret	1	17/02/17	Congresbury
Great Northern Diver	1	11/11/17	Chew Valley Lake (CVL)	seen from Morton
Great White Egret	1	17/02/17	Kenn Moor, Claverham Drove	flying towards Clevedon
Great White Egret	1	21/04/17	New Passage / Northwick Warth, PW	flyover 12:50
Grey Phalarope	1	11/09/17	Weston-super-Mare, Anchor Head	sea watch 06:00 - 12:00
Hawfinch	1	15/10/17	Aust Cliff	vismig 2.5hrs
Hawfinch	1	18/10/17	Aust Cliff	vismig 2.25 hrs
Hawfinch	1	31/10/2017	Dundry, Garden
Hawfinch	2	02/11/17	Cribbs Causeway	flyover 7 am
Hawfinch	1	10/11/17	Dundry	perched
Hawfinch	1	30/11/17	Tortworth, Court	calling
Lapland Bunting	1	15/10/2017	Clevedon-Yeo (Cl-Y) Wain's Hill	vismig 3 hrs
Leach's Petrel	1	11/09/17	Weston-super-Mare, Anchor Head
Leach's Petrel	4	13/09/17	Weston-super-Mare, Anchor Head	06:30 4hr seawatch.
Lesser Scaup	1	12/11/17	Chew Valley Lake (CVL)
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker	1	03/04/17	Tortworth, Michael Wood, Little River Avon
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker	3	13/04/17	R. Chew N of Compton Dando
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker	1	08/05/17	Wickwar, Lower Woods	calling
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker	5	25/06/17	R. Chew N of Compton Dando
Nightjar	1	15/10/17	Avonmouth, Trading Estate, Severn Rd to Hallen
Richard's Pipit	1	24/09/17	Clevedon-Yeo (Cl-Y), Channel View farm sea wall
Ring-billed Gull	Present	08/01/17	Chew Valley Lake (CVL)
Tree Sparrow	1	31/10/17	Dundry, Garden
Turtle Dove	1	25/04/17	Clevedon-Yeo (Cl-Y)	Blake’s Pools
Turtle Dove	2	01/06/17	Bristol, Sea Mills, Sylvan Way
Waxwing	1	14/01/17	Yate
Waxwing	20	14/01/2017	Bristol, Fishponds, Staple Hill, CO-OP
Waxwing	1	17/01/17	Aust
Waxwing	6	04/02/17	Bristol, Staple Hill, Signal Rd
Waxwing	4	01/03/17	Thornbury
Whooper Swan	1	26/10/17	Clevedon-Yeo (Cl-Y), Clevedon Pill
Willow Tit	1	21/12/17	Radstock, Cycle Track
Yellow-browed Warbler	1	15/10/17	Winterbourne

Reports: Jon Angell, Erin Blessitt, Bob Brewer, Karle Burford, Vera Carpenter, Peter Coslett, Richard Giles, Anthony Goodwin, Paul Gregory, Patrick Hancock, Robert Hargreaves, William Hewitt, David Hughes, Mark Hynam, Steve Mac, John Martin, Robin Martin, F Neate, Vic Polley, George Rabin, Gareth Roberts, Ian Stapp, Brian Thompson, Jason Williams, Gordon Youdale, BUPP, blagdonlakebirds, CVRS, nslbirding, opsbirding, severnsidebirds, TBOSG

24-02-18 Saturday - Bittern

Freezing early on; lovely bright day later, but very cold NE wind

Scaup
Bittern, Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Ruff
Firecrest
Black Redstart 
Brambling, Hawfinch, Siskin 

24-02-18 Brambling, Chew Valley Lake (CVRS)

Chew Valley Ringing Station:
This 1st winter male Brambling ringed a couple of weeks ago was retrapped in the whoosh net this
morning. It had increased its fat reserves, perhaps getting ready to head north.


BRISTOL

St Andrews Park:
6 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Blackbird, 15 Redwing, 2 Robin, 1 Dunnock and some Goldfinch.

City Centre - Finzels Reach:
2 Peregrine - as shown to some Cuban visitors.


SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

24-02-18 Wigeon, New Passage (Lisegirl)

24-02-18 Grey Wagtail, New Passage (Lisegirl)

New Passage:
Wigeon, 3 Little Egret, Water Rail, 6 Snipe, Kestrel, Merlin, 2 Raven, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit

Severn Beach:
50 Shelduck, 20 Wigeon, 40 Oystercatcher, 10 Curlew, 30 Dunlin, 10 Redshank, 2 Song Thrush,  2
Stonechat, 4 Reed Bunting


NORTH SOMERSET

Ham Green: (from the flat window)
Buzzard, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, the common tits, Nuthatch, Mistle Thrush, and Chaffinch.

Clevedon-Yeo:
Winter survey of 1 km sq ST3968 this morning, south of Dowlais farm track through country roads towards Kingston Seymour.

9 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, only 4 Mallard and no Moorhen at all because all the ditches and streams were frozen and even the R Kenn had ice all along the surface.
Best birds: 1 Buzzard, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, c. 80 mixed flock of Fieldfare/ Redwing, 37 Starling, 47 Goldfinch

Kenn Moor:

Claverham Grove: 27 Mute Swan, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Stonechat

24-02-18 Buzzard, Kenn Moor, Higgy)

24- 02-18 Lapwing, Kenn Moor (Higgy)

Brockley Way (51.402687, -2.775555): 100 Lapwing, 19 Buzzard (worming among the Lapwing), 30 Redwing, 1 Pied Wagtail

Nailsea West End (Blue Flame - Old Pumping Station): 48 Mute Swan, 40 Teal, 2 Little Egret, 4 Buzzard, 30 Fieldfare, 70 Starling, 35+ mixed finch

Manmoor Bridge River Kenn:  32 Canada Goose

24-02-18 Great White Egret, Tickenham (Gwen Thomas)

Tickenham:
Tickenham Boundary Rhyne: 1 Great White Egret (also present here about 3 weeks ago)

Yatton:
Wemberham Lane: 1 Peregrine,1 Kingfisher, 1 Stonechat.

Congresbury:
Moor Lane Bridge: 3 Goosander (1m,2f -unusual here)

24-02-18 Firecrest, Worle, WsM (Paul Gregory)

Worle:

Firecrest in Balmoral Way garden again this morning

24-02-18 Black Redstart, Uphill (Paul Gregory)

Uphill:
Black Redstart showing well in quarry


BELOW M4 & BANES

Marshfield:
Merlin (on fence post early morning - not quick enough to get a photo)

Willsbridge:
St. Anne’s churchyard, Oldland Common: 6 Hawfinch, 1 Siskin

24-02-18 Peregrine, Bath (BUPP)

Bath:
St Mark's Church:  Tiercel AA , first Peregrine ringed (2007) under the @eddrewitt Blue Ring Project, is still going strong.

Marksbury
4 Buzzard, 350+ mixed Gulls most BH Gulls and  Common Gulls (following tractor)

Chelwood:

Field by roundabout: 6 Buzzard


RESERVOIRS

Blagdon Lake:
1 Egyptian Goose, 3 Goosander, 3 Black-necked Grebe (1 sum plum, 2 still in winter garb), 4 Snipe and 1 Stonechat.

Chew Valley Lake

Dam:

2 Gadwall, 2 Goosander, 5 Goldeneye, 2 Lapwing, 1 Common Sandpiper

Woodford:
6 Goldeneye, 1 GBB Gull, 1 Raven, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Bullfinch

Villice:
5  Scaup, 15+ Snipe, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Fieldfare, 20+ Redwing,  1 Mistle Thrush

Heron's Green:
1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel

24-02-18 Siskin, Moreton, CVL (Ian Stapp)

Moreton:
2 Goosander, 2 Buzzard, 150+ Wood Pigeon, 2 Tawny Owl (calling by hide), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 2 Raven, 4 Coal Tit, 15+ Long-tailed Tit, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff , 4 Goldcrest, 1Treecreeper, 70 + Redwing/ Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 4 Stonechat, 14 Chaffinch, 2 Bullfinch, 8 Goldfinch, 12+ Siskin

Stratford:
1 Cetti's Warbler

1 Cattle Egret 1 Little Egret (in fields off Stratford Lane)

24-02-18 Bittern Herriotts (Mike Prior)

Herriotts:

4 Shelduck, 6 Pintail, 19 Shoveler, 28 Teal, 3 Goldeneye (lake),1 Bittern, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Reed Bunting  - - - Late posting - a Ruff (m) flew over the pool.

Chew Valley Ringing Station: 

Reed Bunting: 3 ringed and 9 recaptured this morning. Various things going on - new birds entering the local winter population and others 'resident' eg 2 males were apparently holding summer territories here (2015, and 2016 & '17), another ringed here as juvenile last summer.


Wednesday 7 March, 7.30pm

Two former BBC Springwatch executive producers host a screening in Bristol of award-winning documentary film on the plight of migratory songbirds.

Feature length documentary The Messenger explores our deep-seated connection to birds and warns that the uncertain fate of songbirds might just mirror our own.

At the Cube Cinema in Bristol on Wednesday 7 March Stephen Moss and Tim Scoones will introduce the film and host a Q&A session after the screening.

Tickets cost £5 or £4 concessions and can be purchased online until 5pm on the date of the screening. The Box Office will open at 7.30pm for on the door sales.

Weblink for tickets: https://cubecinema.com/programme/event/the-messenger,9897/

Reports:Bath Urban Peregrine Project, Des Bowring, Karle Burford, Jane Cumming, Paul Gregory, Higgy, Lisegirl, Steve Mackie, John Martin, Paul Milsom, Jon Mortin, Mike Prior, Trevor Riddle, Rich Scantlebury, Ian Stapp, Gwen Thomas, Denise Whittle, blagdonlakebirds, CVRS,   nslbirding, opsbirding,   severnsidebirds, TBOSG

23-02-18 Friday - Glaucous Gull

Temp -2 to 6℃. Very cold in the wind, bright Sunshine, nice out of the wind

Scaup
Cattle Egret, Great White Egret
Red Kite
Mediterranean Gull, Glaucous Gull
Hawfinch, Redpoll, Siskin,

BRISTOL

Bishop Rd to Horfield Common:
30 BH Gull, 3 Herring Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 24 Woodpigeon, 4 Collared Dove, 21 Magpie, 4 Crow, 1 Wren, 8 Starling, 3 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 6 Robin, 18 House Sparrow, 4 Dunnock, 1 Greenfinch, 7 Goldfinch

Sea Mills:

2 Oystercatcher, 25 Redshank, 200 BH Gull, 2 Greenfinch

Stockwood Open Space:

1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Magpie, 3 Coal Tit, 10 Blue & 10 Great Tit, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Wren, 2 Song Thrush, 5 Robin, 4 Dunnock,  6 Goldfinch

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Littleton and whale Warth:
9 Buzzard (STW), 90 Dunlin, 11 Redshank, 1 Raven, 100 winter Thrush, 2 Stonechat

23-2-18 Stonechat, Severn Beach (Rob Emery)

Severn Beach:
44 Oystercatcher, 39 Curlew, 90 Dunlin, 1 Stonechat, 3 Bullfinch

NORTH SOMERSET

Nailsea, West End (Blue Flame area):
1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 50 Redwing (on Dung heap)

23-2-18 Buzzard (Higgy)

Kenn Moor: 1 Sparrowhawk
Pumping station: 51 Mute Swan, 40 Teal, 1 Great White Egret, 1 Little Egret, 3 Buzzard
Claverham Grove: 27 Mute Swan, 2 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egret
Manmoor Bridge: 2 Canada Geese, 5 Little Grebe

Weston-super-Mare:
1st winter Glaucous Gull

Sandford: (late report)
Lesser Redpoll - a pair on the garden feeder


BELOW M4 & BANES

Willsbridge to Oldland, St Anne's Church:

1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Jay, 4 Coal Tit, 1 Dipper, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Hawfinch, 1 Greenfinch

23-2-18 Hawfinch, Prior Park (Glen Maddison)

Bath, Prior Park:
17-22 Hawfinch

Bath, Kelston Roundhill:
6 Raven

Bishop Sutton, Church Lane:
Nice garden list - 2 Magpie, 2 Coal Tit, 5 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Blackcap (1m&2f), 1 Wren, 2 Blackbird, 2 Robin, 10 House Sparrow, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Bullfinch (m&f), 6 Greenfinch, 12 goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting (m&f).

RESERVOIRS

Chew Valley Lake:

Dam:

5 Goldeneye, 2 Goosander

23-2-18 Treecreeper (George Stacey)

Bittern Trail:
1 Treecreeper, 20+ Redwing, 4 Bullfinch

Woodford:
7 Goldeneye, 3 Goosander, 1 Buzzard, 2 Raven, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 50 Starling, 1 Fieldfare, 20+ Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Greenfinch

23-2-18 Scaup, Villice (Bob Brewer)

Villice:
Teal, 3m 2f Scaup, 20 Redwing

Herons Green:
1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel

23-2-18 Red Kite, Moreton (Ian Stapp)

Moreton:

6 Goldeneye, 1 Cattle Egret, 2 Little Egret, 1 Red Kite, 2 Buzzard, 2 GBB Gull, 1 Jay, 2 Raven, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 15 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Goldcrest, 20 Filedfare, 2 Mistle Thrush, 12 Chaffinch, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Redpoll, 6 Siskin, 5 Goldfinch

23-2-18 Pintail, Herriotts (Bob Brewer)

Herriotts:
1 Barnacle Goose, 8 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, 2 Pintail, 36 Teal, 2 Buzzard, 2 Mediterranean  Gull, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Grey Wagtail

23-2-18 Shoveler, Herriotts Pond (Ian Stapp)

LAST CALL FOR RARITY NOTES
The Recorders Committee will be meeting shortly to finalise the records to be used in the compilation of the 2017 Avon Bird report. We are still lacking notes to support any of the records listed below so none of these records will be considered for inclusion. If you saw any of these birds please take the short amount of time needed to send some notes to:-
avonbirds@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks
Rich

Species	Count	Date	Site	Comment
Balearic Shearwater	1	11/09/17	Weston-super-Mare, Anchor Head
Caspian Gull	Present	02/03/17	Chew Valley Lake (CVL), Villice
Cattle Egret	2	11/02/17	Winterbourne, Moorend, R Frome
Cattle Egret	1	17/02/17	Congresbury
Great Northern Diver	1	11/11/17	Chew Valley Lake (CVL)	seen from Morton
Great White Egret	1	17/02/17	Kenn Moor, Claverham Drove	flying towards Clevedon
Great White Egret	1	21/04/17	New Passage / Northwick Warth, PW	flyover 12:50
Grey Phalarope	1	11/09/17	Weston-super-Mare, Anchor Head	sea watch 06:00 - 12:00
Hawfinch	1	15/10/17	Aust Cliff	vismig 2.5hrs
Hawfinch	1	18/10/17	Aust Cliff	vismig 2.25 hrs
Hawfinch	1	31/10/2017	Dundry, Garden
Hawfinch	2	02/11/17	Cribbs Causeway	flyover 7 am
Hawfinch	1	10/11/17	Dundry	perched
Hawfinch	1	30/11/17	Tortworth, Court	calling
Lapland Bunting	1	15/10/2017	Clevedon-Yeo (Cl-Y) Wain's Hill	vismig 3 hrs
Leach's Petrel	1	11/09/17	Weston-super-Mare, Anchor Head
Leach's Petrel	4	13/09/17	Weston-super-Mare, Anchor Head	06:30 4hr seawatch.
Lesser Scaup	1	12/11/17	Chew Valley Lake (CVL)
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker	1	03/04/17	Tortworth, Michael Wood, Little River Avon
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker	3	13/04/17	R. Chew N of Compton Dando
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker	1	08/05/17	Wickwar, Lower Woods	calling
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker	5	25/06/17	R. Chew N of Compton Dando
Nightjar	1	15/10/17	Avonmouth, Trading Estate, Severn Rd to Hallen
Richard's Pipit	1	24/09/17	Clevedon-Yeo (Cl-Y), Channel View farm sea wall
Ring-billed Gull	Present	08/01/17	Chew Valley Lake (CVL)
Tree Sparrow	1	31/10/17	Dundry, Garden
Turtle Dove	1	25/04/17	Clevedon-Yeo (Cl-Y)	Blake’s Pools
Turtle Dove	2	01/06/17	Bristol, Sea Mills, Sylvan Way
Waxwing	1	14/01/17	Yate
Waxwing	20	14/01/2017	Bristol, Fishponds, Staple Hill, CO-OP
Waxwing	1	17/01/17	Aust
Waxwing	6	04/02/17	Bristol, Staple Hill, Signal Rd
Waxwing	4	01/03/17	Thornbury
Whooper Swan	1	26/10/17	Clevedon-Yeo (Cl-Y), Clevedon Pill
Willow Tit	1	21/12/17	Radstock, Cycle Track
Yellow-browed Warbler	1	15/10/17	Winterbourne

Reports: Derek Angell, Bob Brewer, John Budd, Teresa Chard, Chris Craig, Chris‏ @avglochris, Rob Emery, Dominic Godfrey, Higgy, Clare Hill,  Rich Keel, Susan Kempson,  Glen Maddison, Lois Pryce, Robert Purveur, George Stacey, Ian Stapp, blagdonlakebirds, CVRS, nslbirding, opsbirding, severnsidebirds, TBOSG