Sunday 30 September 2018

30-09-18 Sunday - Spotted Redshank

Patchy sunshine, nice and cool breeze.

Marsh Harrier
Cattle Egret, Spotted Redshank, Scaup.


Wheatear 30th Sept 2018 Cl-Y (Jason Williams)

BRISTOL

Bishopston:
Mixed tit flock through the garden - 23 moved past, with many Long-tailed Tit calling.

St Annes.
1 Kingfisher
Kingfisher 30th Sept 2018 R Avon St Annes (Lee Gardiner)
Withywood:
1 Grey Heron (low flying), 1 Green Woodpecker, Raven - a pair, 20+ Starling, 30+ House Sparrow

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
104, Canada Goose - on the lake, 10 Wigeon, 2 Pintail 2 - a pair, male in eclipse plumage, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Ringed Plover, 50 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 1 Cettis Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap.
Meadow Pipit 30th Sept 2018 NP=NW (John Martin)
New Passage/Northwick:
25+ Ringed Plover, 250+ Black-tailed Godwit with 100+ Knot milling, 70 Turnstone, 145 Dunlin, Jackdaws (SW), 21 Rook (possibly patch yearly), Chiffchaff, Starling (SW), Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, 2+ Siskin - the autumn summons has been issued.
Little Egret 30th Sept 2018 Chittening Warth (Tony Scott)
Chittening Warth:
5 Little Egret, 30 Oystercatcher, 35 Curlew, 2 Chiffchaff , 2 Blackcap.

NORTH SOMERSET

Gordano - ringings session:
5 Blue Tit - (4 retraps), 2 Great Tit - (both retraps), 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler - (late!), 18 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper - (retrap), 1 Wren, 2 Robin - (both retraps), 3 Bullfinch - (2 retraps), 1 Reed Bunting.

Clevedon-Yeo:- combined report
c250 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier – fem/imm bird at Yeo, headed down river, 18 Moorhen, c.30 Oystercatcher, 22 Ringed Plover, 23 Curlew, c30 Dunlin, c.80 Redshank, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel, 3 Jay, 2 Raven, 1 Swallow, 3 Wheatear, 2 Rock Pipit.
Wheatear 30th Sept 2018 Cl-Y (Jason Williams)
Tickenham Ridge:
1 Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Nuthatch.

Bleadon:
2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 50 Linnet.

BELOW M4 & BANES

Marshfield:
400 Common Gull 25 Stock Dove - Down Rd.

Paulton:
1 Buzzard, 2 Stock Dove, 50 Woodpigeon, 1 Kestrel, 150 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellowhammer

Willsbridge:
Pair of Tawny Owl calling through the night.

Newton St Loe:
1 Peregrine Falcon - harassed by Jackdaw.

RESERVOIRS

Chew Valley Lake:

Heron's Green:
1 Curlew - on its way

Stratford:
1 Scaup (f), 1 Goldeneye (1st win m), 1 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 2 Spotted Redshank (j)

Ringing Station:
16 Blackcap - quite a few carrying a fair amount of fat - migration beckons

Herriott's Bridge:
5 Cattle Egret, 10 Great White Egret, 1 Curlew, 1 Tawny Owl,

North Widcombe:
Cattle Egret - pm,  probably the same birds.

Reports: Rich Andrews, Pete Coslett, Chris Craig, Neil Delaney, Lee Gardiner, Chris Hall, Patrick Hancock, Bill Hewitt, Nick Hawkridge, Simon Isgar, John Martin, Lois Pryce, Lyndon Roberts, Tony Scott, Wayne Tucker, Jason Williams,  BUPP, blagdonlakebirdsCVRSnslbirdingopsbirdingsevernsidebirdsTBOSG

Saturday 29 September 2018

29-09-18 Saturday - Spoonbill

Temp 4 to 18℃. Just beautiful again, misty icy start yet hardly any wind, great day

Spoonbill
Cattle Egret
Spotted Redshank
Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull
Ring-necked Parakeet
Whinchat

29-9-18 Spotted Redshank at Villice (Raoul Chandrasakera)
BRISTOL

Bishopston:
1 Grey Heron - over Egerton Rd
1 Raven - switched to the spire of the old church on Kersteman Rd - Carrion Crow were unimpressed.

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
Mediterranean Gull in the yacht club BH Gull roost at HT,  1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4+ Stonechat on Lagoon 3, 2 Wheatear

29-9-18 Blackcap at New Passage (John Martin)
New Passage/Northwick Warth:
flock 16 Cormorant to NE, 37 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 20+ Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 11 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 2 Wheatear, 1 Stonechat, 2 Grey Wagtail

Thornbury, Streamside Walk:
Ring-necked Parakeet

NORTH SOMERSET

Portbury Wharf:
1 Grey Phalarope (CS)

29-9-18 Stonechat at Kenn Pill (Rob Hargreaves)
Clevedon, Wain's Hill to Kenn Pill, BOC walk:
250 Shelduck, 1 Wigeon, 6 Little Egret, 1 Buzzard, 40 Oystercatcher, 41 Lapwing, 17 Ringed Plover, 40 Curlew, 2 Turnstone, 70 Dunlin, 230 Redshank, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 Raven, 6 Skylark, 5 Stonechat 4 Wheatear, 3 Rock Pipit

29-9-18 Spoonbill on Middle Hope (Paul Bowyer)
Sand Bay/Point:
Spoonbill feeding in Sand Bay and then flew around Sand Point (1st site record PB), 1 Grey Heron, 2 Great White Egret (1st site record PB), 15 Little Egret, 8 Swallow, 25 Chiffchaff, 15 Blackcap, 1 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 200 Meadow Pipit

BELOW M4 & BANES

Paulton:
4 Buzzard, 300 Woodpigeon, 1 Skylark, 1 Chiffchaff, 30 Meadow Pipit, 1 Yellowhammer

RESERVOIRS

Barrow Tanks:
3 Great White Egret (2nd site record)

Blagdon Lake:
Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank

29-9-18 Cattle Egret, North Widcombe, CVL (Ian Stapp)
Chew Valley Reservoir:
3 Egyptian Geese, 1 Shelduck, 26 Wigeon, 9 Pintail, lots Pochard, 1000+ Tufted Duck, 1 presumed f Lesser Scaup (28th at Stratford, RM)16 Little Grebe (HG), 7 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Cattle Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 15 Great White Egret to roost, 7 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 white Coot, 1 Water Rail, 16 Lapwing, 11 Snipe, 5 Common and 5 Green Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank (V), 2 Greenshank (Moreton), 5 GBB Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull (HG), 5 Stock Dove, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted and 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Hobby (HG), 1 Raven, 6 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 20 House Sparrow, 3 Grey and 5 Pied Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit, 6 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting

29-9-18 Cattle Egret, Herriott's Pool tonight
CVRS:
2 Reed and 1 Sedge Warbler this morning

Reports: Rich Andrews, Paul Bowyer, Raoul Chandrasakera, Chris Craig, Patrick Hancock, Robert Hargreaves, Peter Hazelwood, Nick Hawkridge, Simon Isgar, John Martin, Rich Mielcarek, Nigel Milbourne, Dave Nevitt, Jean Oliver, James Packer, Matt Plenty, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Jason Williams

Friday 28 September 2018

28-09-18 Friday - Spoonbill

Temp 12 to 18℃. Another beautiful day with cloudy start and early cold wind, calmer now

Garganey
Spoonbill
Cattle Egret
Hen Harrier
Red Kite
Spotted Redshank
Yellow-legged Gull
Ring-necked Parakeet
Whinchat

28-9-18 Spoonbill at Villice, CVL (Dave Hughes)
BRISTOL

Avonmouth, Catherine Street:
1 Ring-necked Parakeet

Stapleton, Holy Trinity:
Peregrine

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
Whinchat, 5 Stonechat, 1 Clouded Yellow

Yate Shopping Centre:
1 Raven over at 09:20 heading SW

NORTH SOMERSET

Portishead - Battery Point:
1 Meadow Pipit - (johnny no mates!)

Walton Bay:
2 Hen Harriers flew low over Walton Bay at 11.30  heading North

Clevedon-Yeo:
12 Mute Swan, 200 Shelduck, 9 Wigeon, 90 Mallard, 8 Teal, 1 Little Grebe, 14 Little Egret, 10 Oystercatcher, 39 Lapwing, 14 Ringed Plover, 120 Curlew, 2 Turnstone, 70 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 2 Greenshank, 280 Redshank, 100 BH Gull, 1 Raven, 5 Rock Pipit, 1 Siskin (over town)

Backwell Lake:
1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher

Kewstoke garden:
1st Blackcap

Bleadon Village:
1 Grey Heron, 1 Red Kite, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Raven

BELOW M4 & BANES

Keynsham:
3 Raven (Manor Rd)

Chelwood:
2 Buzzard, 100 mixed Crows & Jackdaws

RESERVOIRS

Blagdon Lake:
Spoonbill (Top End Hide), 4 Greenshank

28-9-18 Egyptian Goose, Dam (TtB)
Chew Valley Reservoir:
2 Barnacle Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Shelduck, 1 f/1cy Garganey, lots Shoveler, 18 Wigeon (Herons Green), 9 Pintail (Herriotts), lots Pochard, lots & lots Tufted Duck, 16 Little Grebe (HG), 5 Cattle Egret ( roost on Nunnery), 6 Great White Egret, 5 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 1 Spoonbill (Villice, then West), 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier (over Stratford north), 2 white Coot, 1 Water Rail

28-9-18 Black-tailed Godwit, Herriott's pool (Ian Stapp)
15 Lapwing, 42 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Snipe, 5 Common and 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank (V), 1 Greenshank (Moreton), 7 GBB Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull (HG), 4 Stock Dove, 1 Kingfisher (H), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Hobby (M), 2 Jay, 2 Raven, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grey and 5 Pied Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit, 7 Goldfinch, 2 Roe Deer

28-9-18 Yellow-legged Gull, Herons Green (Ian Stapp)
Out of Avon:
Short-toed Lark, Spoonbill, Curlew Sandpiper and Grey Phalarope from Huntspill Sea Wall
Whooper Swan on Dumbles, Slimbridge

Reports: Rich Andrews, Chris Craig, Lee Gardiner, Peter Hazelwood, Nick Hawkridge, Helly, Bill Hewitt, David Howes, David Hughes, Nigel Milbourne, James Packer, Shane Pannell, Matt Plenty, Lois Pryce, Dean Reeves, Harvey Rose, Richard Scantlebury, Andy Slade, Ian Stapp, Howard Taffs, Gwen Thomas, TtB, Martin Wightman, Jason Williams

Thursday 27 September 2018

27-09-18 Thursday - Short-eared Owl

Temp 8 to 22℃. Just beautiful today, warm dry, sunny, light breeze, perfect

Short-eared Owl
Marsh Harrier, Spotted Redshank

BRISTOL

Montpelier Park:
Singing in the park - Great Tit, Wren, Blackbird and Robin.

Sea Mills:
Paradise bottom area:
4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher

Harbour to Horseshoe Bend:
35 Redshank, 60 Black-headed Gull.

Stapleton - Holy Trinity Church:
1 Peregrine - on the spire

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
'Barnie' (the assumed Barnacle x White-fronted Goose) drifted upriver past yacht club today, with 84 Canada Goose - also - 1 Mute Swan, 5 Wigeon, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 3 Cormorant, 3 Moorhen, 5 Coot, 6 Ringed Plover, 35 Curlew, 1 Dunlin, 21 Redshank, 7 Common Gull, 7 Herring Gull, 1 Kestrel, 1 Jay, 1 Skylark, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, c.40 Starling - one flock, 3 Stonechat, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipit, 15 Linnet - one flock, 3 Reed Bunting.
Barnacle x White-front 22nd Sept 2018 NP-NW (John Martin)
Chipping Sodbury Common:
2 Jay, 11 Skylark, 2 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 20 Meadow Pipit.

NORTH SOMERSET

Clevedon-Yeo:
200 Shelduck, 12 Teal, 1 Little Grebe, 10 Little Egret, 30 Oystercatcher, 8 Lapwing, 10 Ringed Plover, 120 Curlew, 40 Dunlin, 1 Short-eared Owl - a very dark bird, so different to the one reported here on 10th, 1 Peregrine, 1 Raven, 12 Skylark, 1 Cetti's Warbler, and 1 Reed Bunting.

Bristol International Airport:
20+ Raven enjoying the sunshine this morning, just to SW - midday.

BELOW M4 & BANES

Starling and Magpie - Never seen this before, must be friends! 27th Sept 2018 Keynsham (Ian Stapp)
Keynsham:
7 Magpie, 2 Raven, 50+ Starling.

Chew Stoke:
1 Tawny Owl

RESERVOIRS

Blagdon Lake:
21 Pintail, 13 Great White Egret, 6 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier (j), 2 Buzzard, 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, 6 Greenshank and a red ringed Black-headed Gull from Blashford Lakes.
Marsh Harrier 27th Sept 2018 CVL (Ian Stapp)
Chew Valley Lake:
1 Shelduck, 7 Pintail, lots of Pochard, lots of Tufted Duck,  4 Great White Egret, 5 Little Egret, 7 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Buzzard, 2 White Coot (one all white other little bit of black),1 Water Rail, 15 Lapwing, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Stock Dove, 4 Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 9 Jackdaw, 3 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 5 Cetti's Warbler, - all calling, 2 Song Thrush, 7 Robin - lots singing around the lake, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Pied Wagtail, 6 Goldfinch.

Heron's Green:
28 Wigeon, 14 Pochard, 200 Tufted Duck, 16 Little Grebe, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Hobby,

Moreton:
1 Marsh Harrier. 2 Hobby, 2 Jay, 3 Raven,

Spotted Redshank 27th Sept 2018 CVL (Ian Stapp)
Herriott's Bridge / Pool:
Marsh Harrier, 2 Spotted Redshank,

OUT OF AREA

Steart Marshes:
1 Spoonbill, 1 Grey Phalarope in main channel near the breach on high tide, flying west into the reserve.

Reports: Des Bowring, Adrian Hockey, Lois Pryce, Trevor Riddle, Tony Scott, Nigel Sluman, Ian Stapp, Dan White, 
 BUPP, blagdonlakebirdsCVRSnslbirdingopsbirdingsevernsidebirdsTBOSG

Wednesday 26 September 2018

26-09-18 Wednesday - Quiet day

Temp 7 to 20℃. Beautiful day today, dry. Sunny and warmer still

Cattle Egret
Hobby

BRISTOL

Bishopstown and Whitchurch:
1 Raven and 2 Raven

Stoke Park:
2 Stonechat Duchess Pond

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Jay 26th Sept 2018 Pill (Paul Milsom)
Pill:
Jay with a mouth and Crop full.

Shepperdine:
1 Hobby, 100 Meadow Pipit, 50 Linnet

NP-NW this evening:
1 Barnie x WFG, S14 Shoveler, 22 Wigeon, 1 Little Egret, 5 Ringed Plover, 90 Black-tailed Godwit, 45 Turnstone, 57 Knot, 39 Dunlin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Grey Wagtail

NORTH SOMERSET

Sand Point, Vis Mig, 08:55:
Mipits, Chaffinch, Skylark, Wagtails & Jay so far. Also 14 Little Egret in the bay

BELOW M4 & BANES

Compton Martin:
113 Swallows on wires

Bath:
2 Kingfisher on Avon

RESERVOIRS

Blagdon Lake, 25th:
30 Pintail, 9 Great White Egrets, 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Ruff, 1 Greenshank

Chew Valley Reservoir:
6 Cattle Egret, 4 Great White Egret

26-9-18 Little Gull and Black Tern at Cheddar (David Hughes)
Out of Avon:
Little Gull, Black Tern and 2 Grey Phalarope at Cheddar

BTO Owl Project
Tawny Owl Point Survey: We're now halfway through the survey period and I'd like to give a quick update on the Tawny Owl Point Survey at this stage. We have 68 tetrads allocated with 33 observers. Many thanks to all of you who have volunteered. We still have 4 'Priority' tetrads outstanding around W-s-M /Worle area , these are ST36H,ST36T, ST36M,ST36W. All look accessible by road so if anyone could help out in those areas that would be a great help
Tawny Owl Calling Survey: I'm also delighted to announce that registration for the second of our owl surveys, the Tawny Owl Calling Survey is now open! This simple 20 minute, one evening a week survey runs from the 30th of September 2018 to the 30th March 2019. It is very flexible and can be done by absolutely everyone from pretty much anywhere you chose with the more weeks completed the better. It is specifically designed to be carried out from gardens and other self- selected locations with no standard time/day required from week to week so check out the survey web pages to find out more and sign up, https://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/project-owl/tawny-owl-point-survey
As with the Point Survey, zero records are just as important as recording owls, so even if you don't expect them where you are please do consider taking part. If you have any enquires about this survey please direct them to my colleagues in the BTO Garden Birdwatch team (gbw@bto.org).
Gordon Youdale [Regional Rep. for BTO Avon.]

Reports: Rich Andrews, Chris Craig, Peter Hazelwood, Nick Hawkridge, Adrian Hockey, David Hughes, Simon Isgar, Glen Maddison, John Martin, Nigel Milbourne, Paul Milsom, Ian Stapp, Larry Sweetland

Tuesday 25 September 2018

25-09-18 Tuesday - Jack Snipe, Gannet

Temp 4 to 18℃. Beautiful day today, dry Sunny and warmish

Gannet
Golden Plover
Jack Snipe
Grey Phalarope
Black Tern
Merlin
Great Grey Shrike
Wheatear
Yellow Wagtail


25-9-18 Merlin at New Passage (Roger Staples)
BRISTOL

Aztec West:
1 Great Grey Shrike (RBA report)

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
142 Canada Goose, 2 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 6 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret, 1 Ringed Plover, 66 Curlew, 45 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 1 ad Grey Phalarope (Oldbury Pill), 44 Redshank, 5 Swallow, 35 House Martin, 2 Wheatear, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Dog shit bags

25-9-18 Merlin in flight, New Passage (Paul Bowerman).jpg
New Passage/Northwick Warth:
1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 Peregrine

Chittening Wharf:
Yellow Wagtail

NORTH SOMERSET

Easton-in-Gordano, BOC Walk:
1 Pheasant, 1 Cormorant, 4 Buzzard, 1 BH Gull, 7 Herring Gull, 2 LBB Gull, 1 Collared Dove, 3 Green Woodpecker, 4 Jay, 1 Raven, 3 Coal Tit, 1 Skylark, 20+ Swallow and 10+ House Martin - all heading south, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Mistle Thrush, 21 Robin - singing everywhere, 15 House Sparrow, 5 Chaffinch, 6 Linnet, 6 Goldfinch, 33 species

Clevedon-Yeo:
42 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 90 Mallard, 13 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 50 Oystercatcher, 4 Ringed Plover, 140 Curlew, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 knot, 130 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe (Blackstone), 2 Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 250 Redshank, 350 BH Gull, 1 GBB Gull, 2 Kingfisher, 15 Skylark, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Wheatear, 15 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 80 Goldfinch

BELOW M4 & BANES

Bath, Lansdown Racecourse late pm:
1 2nd cal.yr Gannet flying S.W. at 1743hrs, 12 Golden Plover, 4 Wheatears, 330ish Meadow Pipits

RESERVOIRS

Barrow Tanks:
40 Canada Goose, 1 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 30 Teal, 31 Little Grebe, 15 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 159 Cormorant, 1 Black Tern, 1 Kestrel, 1 Wheatear, 8 Grey Wagtail, 24 Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit

Blagdon Lake, 24th:
10 Great White Egrets, 3 Little Egrets, 51 Lapwings, 30 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Ruff, 3 Greenshanks, 1 Spotted Redshank

25-9-18 Marsh Harrier, Moreton (Ian Stapp)
Chew Valley Reservoir:
1 Shelduck, lots Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 28 Wigeon, 5 Pintail, lots Pochard, 7 Little Grebe, 37 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Grey Heron, 7 Great White Egret, 6 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Buzzard, 1 Water Rail, 14 Lapwing, 0 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Snipe, 1 Common and 2 Green Sandpiper,  1 Greenshank, 7 GBB Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Hobby, 4 Jay, 5 Raven, 50 Swallow, 30 mixed Martins, 30 Tits, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail, 10 Goldfinch

25-9-18 Long-tailed Tit Woodford (Ian Stapp)
Out of Avon:
2 Grey Phalarope, Little Gull and Black Tern still on Cheddar Reservoir


BTO Owl Project

Tawny Owl Point Survey: We're now halfway through the survey period and I'd like to give a quick update on the Tawny Owl Point Survey at this stage. We have 68 tetrads allocated with 33 observers. Many thanks to all of you who have volunteered. We still have 4 'Priority' tetrads outstanding around W-s-M /Worle area , these are ST36H,ST36T, ST36M,ST36W. All look accessible by road so if anyone could help out in those areas that would be a great help

Tawny Owl Calling Survey: I'm also delighted to announce that registration for the second of our owl surveys, the Tawny Owl Calling Survey is now open! This simple 20 minute, one evening a week survey runs from the 30th of September 2018 to the 30th March 2019. It is very flexible and can be done by absolutely everyone from pretty much anywhere you chose with the more weeks completed the better. It is specifically designed to be carried out from gardens and other self- selected locations with no standard time/day required from week to week so check out the survey web pages to find out more and sign up, https://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/project-owl/tawny-owl-point-survey
As with the Point Survey, zero records are just as important as recording owls, so even if you don't expect them where you are please do consider taking part. If you have any enquires about this survey please direct them to my colleagues in the BTO Garden Birdwatch team (gbw@bto.org).
Gordon Youdale [Regional Rep. for BTO Avon.]

Reports: Derek Angell, Paul Bowerman, Anne Crowe, Rob Hargreaves, Martin Hayes, Craig Ingham, Rob Laughton, Paul Marshall, John Martin, Andy Middleton, Nigel Milbourne, Lois Pryce, Harvey Rose, Roger Staples, Ian Stapp, Paul Taylor, TBOSG

Monday 24 September 2018

24-09-18 Monday - Little Stint, Merlin

Temp 5 to 16℃. Bright, dry, warm in the Sun, cool out of the Sun, blue skies

Goldeneye
Grey Phalarope
Little Stint, Spotted Redshank
Common Tern
Great Skua
Merlin
Whinchat
Siskin
24-9-18 Common Sandpiper at the Dam (George Stacey)
BRISTOL

Eastville Park:
Pair of Tawney Owls in one of the boxes, 1 flypast Kingfisher, 1 Dipper

Emerson's Green Science Park:
1 Little Grebe (first I’ve ever seen here in 14 years), 1 Jay, 1 mixed flock of Tits

Finzels Reach:
2 Peregrine

Temple Meads area, Valentine Bridge to Meads Reach:
2 Kingfishers chasing around

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
2 Stonechat

New Passage/Northwick Warth:
1 Barnacle Goose cross, c.130 Canada Goose, 4 Mute Swan, 5 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, c.40 Teal, 4 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant, 1 Buzzard, 1 Moorhen, c.20 Coot, c.30 Oystercatcher, 18 Lapwing, 35 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 150 Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Dunlin, 1 juv Little Stint, 3 Grey Phalarope, 25 Redshank, 1 Merlin, 1 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 4 Pied Wagtail, 30 Meadow Pipit,  50 Linnet.

BELOW M4 & BANES

Hanham Bird Observatory:
1st Siskin of the autumn

Warmley Forest Park:
1 Kingfisher

Siston Common:
1 Buzzard

Marshfield:
Linnet (flock 50 plus), 1 Yellowhammer

Shire Hill:
1 Kestrel

Newton St Loe:
8 Mute Swan, 14 Mallard, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Cormorant, 1 Buzzard, 2 Moorhen, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Pied Wagtail

RESERVOIRS

24-9-18 Great White Egret at Villice (George Stacey)
Chew Valley Reservoir:
1 Shelduck, lots Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 20 Pintail, lots Pochard, 1 f Goldeneye, 7 Little Grebe, 20 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Grey Heron, 10 Great White Egret, 8 Little Egret, 1 Red Kite, 1 Sparrowhawk,

24-9-18 Buzzard, Moreton (Ian Stapp)
4 Buzzard, 1 Water Rail, 13 Lapwing, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Snipe, 2 Common and 2 Green Sandpiper,  1 Spotted Redshank (Villice), 2 Greenshank, 6 GBB Gull, 1 Common and 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel, 3 Hobby, 2 Jay, 2 Raven, 50 Swallows and Martins, 4 Cetti's and 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail

CVRS:
6 Chiffchaff, 5 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 21 Blackcap

23-9-18 Grey Phalarope by Katie Horrocks
Out of Avon:
2 Grey Phalarope, Little Gull and Black Tern on Cheddar Reservoir


BTO Owl Project

Tawny Owl Point Survey: We're now halfway through the survey period and I'd like to give a quick update on the Tawny Owl Point Survey at this stage. We have 68 tetrads allocated with 33 observers. Many thanks to all of you who have volunteered. We still have 4 'Priority' tetrads outstanding around W-s-M /Worle area , these are ST36H,ST36T, ST36M,ST36W. All look accessible by road so if anyone could help out in those areas that would be a great help

Tawny Owl Calling Survey: I'm also delighted to announce that registration for the second of our owl surveys, the Tawny Owl Calling Survey is now open! This simple 20 minute, one evening a week survey runs from the 30th of September 2018 to the 30th March 2019. It is very flexible and can be done by absolutely everyone from pretty much anywhere you chose with the more weeks completed the better. It is specifically designed to be carried out from gardens and other self- selected locations with no standard time/day required from week to week so check out the survey web pages to find out more and sign up, https://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/project-owl/tawny-owl-point-survey
As with the Point Survey, zero records are just as important as recording owls, so even if you don't expect them where you are please do consider taking part. If you have any enquires about this survey please direct them to my colleagues in the BTO Garden Birdwatch team (gbw@bto.org).
Gordon Youdale [Regional Rep. for BTO Avon.]

Reports: Laura Beardshall, Paul Bowerman, Allen Chard, Adam Cross, Anne Crowe, Sean Davies, Tim Ford, Rob Hargreaves, Peter Hazelwood, Adrian Hockey, Nick Hudson, Brian Lancastle, Rob Laughton, Paul Marshall, John Martin, Andy Mears, Nigel Milbourne, Dave Nevitt, Lois Pryce, Nigel Sluman, Ian Stapp, George Stacey, Dan White, Jason Williams, CVRS, NSL-Birding, TBOSG

Sunday 23 September 2018

23-09-18 Sunday - Hen Harrier, Bonxie

Much quieter today, though still some prolonged heavy showers

Great White Egret, Cattle Egret
Hen Harrier 
Spotted Redshank, Grey Phalarope
Yellow-legged Gull
Black Tern
Great Skua (inland, at CVL)
Whinchat


23-09-18 House Sparrow, Severn Beach (Rod Holbrook)
[Nice study of a species often taken for granted]
BRISTOL

Eastville Park:
1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat,

City Centre:
Unwelcome news re Bristol Peregrines: a dead bird tangled in netting over vents/air con units  on the rooftop of The Brewhouse office building, as seen from a meeting in One Castlepark yesterday.
Are all the Bristol Peregrines accounted for at the moment?

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE


23-09-18 Wheatear, OPS (Matt Plenty)
Oldbury Power Station:
Whinchat, 4 Wheatear on jetty. A 3rd Whinchat on Lagoon 3.

Cromhall:
1 white/ leucistic(?) Common Buzzard (last seen  there a few months ago)

Pilning Wetland:
1 hybrid Goose (Barnacle x Whitefront), still 3 Grey Phalarope, (adult & 2 juvs)  early in the day but only 1 visible late on,  1 Common Sandpiper, 37 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plover, 120 Knot, Swallows and House Martins moving through to NE, 1  Wheatear

23-09-18 Stonechat, Chipping Sodbury Common (Barry Dursley)

Chipping Sodbury Common:
2 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel,  3 Raven,   5 Whinchat, 4 Stonechat (2m,2f)  

NORTH SOMERSET

Portbury Wharf:
1 f Hen Harrier 

Clevedon-Yeo:
Channel View Bay - 1 Sanderling, 20 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover

Bristol International Airport:
10 Raven heading west

BELOW M4 & BANES

No reports

RESERVOIRS

Barrow Tanks:
3 Common Sandpiper, 1 juv Black Tern,  4 Wheatear on Tank No 2

Blagdon Lake:
7 Great White Egret, 1 Black Tern

Chew Valley Lake

Villice:
1 Spotted Redshank, 2  Green  Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, ad Arctic Tern (on the lake)

Stratford:
9 Great White Egret, 8 Little Egret, 27 Cattle Egret (roosted on nunnery at about 19.00),  1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 juv Great Skua, 1 Barn Owl, 1 f Kestrel, 2 Hobby.

Common Gulls were very evident coming into the roost, so plenty of those around now

1 f Mallard with new brood of ducklings (only 3 though, but very small, so recently hatched)

23-09-18 juv Hobby, Herriott's Bridge, CVL (Tim Marks) 
Herriott's Bridge:
17 Cattle Egret, 10 Great White Egret, 1 Buzzard, 1 juv Hobby, 2 Kingfisher (no sign of Phalarope)

21 Cattle Egret in field along from Herriott's Bridge towards Bishop Sutton.
  
Out of Avon;
Cheddar Reservoir - 2 Grey Phalarope, juv Little Gull  Arctic Tern, Black Tern all still present
Parrett Estuary - 1 Grey Phalarope still
Slimbridge - family party of Spoonbill

BTO Owl Project
Tawny Owl Point Survey: We're now halfway through the survey period and I'd like to give a quick update on the Tawny Owl Point Survey at this stage. We have 68 tetrads allocated with 33 observers. Many thanks to all of you who have volunteered. We still have 4 'Priority' tetrads outstanding around W-s-M /Worle area , these are ST36H,ST36T, ST36M,ST36W. All look accessible by road so if anyone could help out in those areas that would be a great help
Tawny Owl Calling Survey: I'm also delighted to announce that registration for the second of our owl surveys, the Tawny Owl Calling Survey is now open! This simple 20 minute, one evening a week survey runs from the 30th of September 2018 to the 30th March 2019. It is very flexible and can be done by absolutely everyone from pretty much anywhere you chose with the more weeks completed the better. It is specifically designed to be carried out from gardens and other self- selected locations with no standard time/day required from week to week so check out the survey web pages to find out more and sign up, https://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/project-owl/tawny-owl-point-survey
As with the Point Survey, zero records are just as important as recording owls, so even if you don't expect them where you are please do consider taking part. If you have any enquires about this survey please direct them to my colleagues in the BTO Garden Birdwatch team (gbw@bto.org).
Gordon Youdale [Regional Rep. for BTO Avon.]

Reports: Sean Davies, Barry Dursley, Peter Hazelwood, Rod Holbrook, Simon Isgar, Brian Lancastle, Lisegirl, Adrian Hockey, John Martin, Andy Mears, Matt Plenty, Jenny Toller, Larry Sweetland. Howard Taffs, Gordon Youdale, Birdguides, NSL-Birding

Saturday 22 September 2018

22-09-18 Saturday - Six Grey Phalarope

Temp 11 to 12℃. Miserable today, very wet, very dull, cool, but not very windy.

22-9-18 Grey Phalarope, Herriott's Pool (Ian Stapp)
Goldeneye
Cattle Egret
Manx & Balearic Shearwater
Grey Phalarope
Spotted Redshank
Mediterranean Gull
Sandwich, Common, Arctic & Black Tern
Yellow Wagtail


BRISTOL

Park St, Wills Building:
Manx Shearwater found dead below building, eaten by a Peregrine

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

22-9-18 Two Grey Phalaropes at NP/NW, (Paul Bowerman)
New Passage/Northwick Warth:
3 (2 1stW + ad) Grey Phalarope, 1 j Common Sandpiper, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Rock Pipit

22-9-18 Grey Phalarope flying at NP/NW, (John Martin)
Dyer’s Common, Avonmouth: 
4 Moorhen in rhine; c.90 Starling on pylon lines

SOMERSET

Portishead:

2-3 Sandwich Tern

Portbury Wharf:
2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap

Sand Point:
1 Manx Shearwater, 2 Sandwich Tern

Anchor Head:
5 Manx and 1 Balearic Shearwater

BELOW M4 & BANES

Newton St Loe:
8 Mute Swan, 34 Mallard, 1 Cormorant, 2 Buzzard, 1 Moorhen, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Jay, 15 Barn Swallow, 4 Song Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail

Marksbury:
200 Starling

RESERVOIRS

Barrow Tanks, 21st:
3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Black Tern

Blagdon Lake:
1000's Teal, plenty of Wigeon, 9 Great White Egret, 3 Little Egret, 40 Lapwing, 5 Ringed Plover, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Ruff, 3 Dunlin, 1 Grey Phalarope (Rainbow Point), 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 1 Arctic and 1 Black Tern, 1 Peregrine, 3 Wheatear, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 50+ Pied Wagtail


22-9-18 Grey Phalarope, Herriott's Pool, (Duncan McLaughlin)
Chew Valley Reservoir:
2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Shelduck, lots Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 3 Pintail, lots Pochard, 1 f Goldeneye, 14 Little Grebe, 30 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Cattle Egret (Dam & Herriott's), 5 Grey Heron, 7 Great White Egret, 6 Little Egret, 1 Buzzard, 2 white Coot, 14 Lapwing, 8 Snipe, 7 Dunlin, 2 Grey Phalarope (Dam & Herriott's), 5 Common Sandpiper, 4 Green Sandpiper,  1 j Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 5 GBB Gull, 25 Common Tern, 2 Black Tern, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Hobby, 1 Peregrine, 2 Jay

22-9-18 Sand Martins, Herons Green (Ian Stapp)
50 Sand Martin, 70 Swallow, 300 House Martin, 2 Cetti's and 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Reed Bunting

Out of Avon:
Leach's Petrel, Grey Phalarope, Sabine & Little Gull, Black Tern and Pomarine Skua on Cheddar Reservoir
Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint at Steart

21-9-18 Leach's Petrel from Stratford yesterday (Brian Thompson)
Reports: Rich Andrews, Paul Bowerman, Paul Bowyer, Paul Chapman, Anne Crowe, Sean Davies, Duncan McLaughlin, William Earp, Lee Gardiner, Paul Gregory, Rob Hargreaves, David Horlick, Mark Hynam, Robert Kelsh, , Brian Lancastle, Rob Laughton, Paul Marshall, John Martin, Andy Mears, Richard Mielcarek, Nigel Milbourne, Dave Nevitt, James Packer, Adam Rawson, Dean Reeves, Andy Slade, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Gary Thorburn, Khem Tonsakulrungruang, Lauren Tucker, NSL Birding