31-03-19 Sunday - Bittern Osprey Redstart

Temp 6 to 12 ℃. Grey, cold and windy

White-cheeked Pintail, Long-tailed Duck
Bittern 
Osprey
Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover
Mediterranean Gull
Little Owl
Merlin
Swallow, House Martin
Willow Warbler
Redstart
Redpoll

31-3-19 Whiite-cheeked Pintail and friend Herriott's Pool (Ian Stapp)
Unfortunately, it is unlikely to be a wild bird

BRISTOL

Eastville Park:
1 Kingfisher, 20 Sand Martin, 1st Willow Warbler

St Andrews Park:
1 Jay, 2 Mistle Thrush

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
4 Sand Martin

NewPassage/Northwick Warth, 07.05-10.00:
1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 25 Black-tailed Godwit, 75 Redshank, 2 Peregrine, 9 Swallow, 7 Pied Wagtail, 245 Meadow Pipit, 11 Chaffinch, 68 Linnet, 3 Redpoll, 280 Goldfinch, 14 Siskin

NewPassage/Northwick Warth, 14.15-15.15:
7 Common Gull, 1 Peregrine, 2 Rook, 97 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Wheater, 7 Pied Wagtail, 245 Meadow Pipit, 11 Chaffinch, 68 Linnet, 3 Redpoll, 280 Goldfinch, 14 Siskin

Severn Beach, 08.15-09.00:
9 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 270 Meadow Pipit

Thornbury, Streamside Walk:
1 Willow Warbler

Yate, Kingsgate Park:
3 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 20+ Meadow Pipit

NORTH SOMERSET

Portbury Wharf:
1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Merlin, 150 hirundines inc 20 Swallow & 10 House Martin, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 4+ Chiffchaff

Portishead, Redcliffe Bay:
1 male Redstart 

Clevedon, Wains Hill:
43 Woodpigeon, 29 Sand Martin, 11 Swallow, 18 House Martin, 9 alba Wagtail, 418 Meadow Pipit, 45 Linnet, 2 Redpoll, 76 Goldfinch

Sand Point, 07.20 - 08.30:
300 Meadow Pipits, 60 Sand Martins, 1 Siskin, 50 Goldfinch, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Golden Plover, 20 Wood Pigeons. Also, 1 Wheatear, 10 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, Cetti's Warbler.

Worle, Plumley Park:
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12 Sand Martin, singing Chiffchaff and Blackcap

Banwell, Winthill:

In the garden: 1 Treecreeper, 2 Nuthatch, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Stock Dove, 7 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 5 House Sparrow, 1 Pheasant
2 Chiffchaffs and 1 Blackcap singing in the wood above Winthill House

BELOW M4 & BANES

31-3-19 Mistle Thrush, Marshfield (Peter Coslett)

Marshfield:
2 Buzzard, 22 Stock Dove, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush

Stanton Wick:
1 Little Owl

Bishop Sutton:
2 Collared Dove, 25 Jackdaw, 20 House Sparrow

RESERVOIRS

Barrow Tanks:
1 Long-tailed Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper, 250 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 1 House Martin

31-1-19 Osprey to roost at Blagdon (Chris Craig)

Blagdon Lake:
1 Osprey to roost

31-3-19 Great White & Little Egret, Herriott's Pool (Ian Stapp)

Chew Valley Lake:
37 Canada Goose, 1 Greylag Goose, 46 Mute Swan, 12 Shelduck, 18 Shoveler (Herriott's pool), 22 Gadwall, 8 Pintail, 1  White-cheeked Pintail (probably an escape), 12 Teal, 30 Goldeneye, 6 Little Grebe, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Bittern (Moreton), 6 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egret,  1 Great White Egret, 1 Osprey from Moreton over Burledge Hill 12.25, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Buzzard, 1 White Coot,  1 Mediterranean Gull, 8 GBB Gull, 7 Herring Gull (Herriott's), 2 Stock Dove, 1 Tawny Owl (Moreton), 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Raven, 300 Sand Martin, Swallow and House Martin, 2 Swallow, 7 House Martin (Herons Green), 10 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail, 35 Pied Wagtail, 40+ Chaffinch, 8 Goldfinch, 4 Reed Bunting

CVRS:
Cetti's Warblers. 2 males and 5 females were in the small scrubby section of the lake edge. To spice it even more, the first Blackcap of the year was ringed

31-3-19 White-cheeked Pintail, Herriott's Pool (Raoul Chandrasakera)
Not for your life checklist though

Summer Migrant Table
Osprey was four days later than last year and Redstart one day later

Reports: Rich Andrews, Tony Bristow, BUPP,  Raoul Chandrasakera, Paul Chapman, Mark Coller, Peter Coslett, Chris Craig, CVRS, Sean Davies, Annie Davis, Ian Dickie, Paul Gregory, Robert Hargreaves, Adrian Hockey, Roger Joliffe, Matt Plenty, John Martin, Jon Mortin, Rich Scantlebury, Ian Stapp, Howard Taffs, Brian Thompson, John Thorogood, Jason Williams

30-03-19 Saturday - Arrival of summer migrants

Misty start, later dry and warm with hazy sunshine and a light breeze - up to 16°C

Summer migrants reported today, with some significant fresh arrivals late afternoon 

Little Ringed Plover, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin,  Wheatear, White Wagtail + Ring Ouzel ( just out of Avon)

Mandarin
Great White Egret
Golden Plover
Merlin
Marsh Tit
Siskin

BRISTOL

30-03-19 Sparrow sp with m House Sparrow- see note below, Fishponds (Allan Chard)

Fishponds:

An odd-looking Sparrow has been visiting our garden intermittently throughout the winter and today I managed to get a few photos. It's a much richer colour than the House Sparrow male and has mainly a brown head without the usual grey. Looks like a possible Italian x House Sparrow.

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

30-03- 19 Greenfinch, Oldbury Power Station (Peter Coslett)

Oldbury Power Station:
10 Shelduck, 4 Tufted Duck,1 Buzzard, 6 Moorhen, a few Curlew, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Tawny Owl ,3 Green Woodpecker,2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Peregrine, 3 Raven, 20 + Chiffchaff, 8+Blackcap, 3 Reed Bunting

Aust Services-Littleton
2 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackcap, 50 Meadow Pipit

New Passage/Northwick:

30-03-19 Siskin, New Passage (John Martin)

30-03-19  Raven, Northwick Warth (Vera Carpenter)

6 Canada Geese, 2 Mute Swan, 50+ Shelduck, Mallard, 10 Gadwall, 30 Teal, 20 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 8 Little Ringed Plover, 30 Curlew, 1 Knot, 100+90 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper,  1 Collared Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Merlin, 1 Raven, Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing, 6 Swallow early in day, 12 late afternoon, c 500 Sand Martin (late afternoon), 1 House Martin early in day, 20 late afternoon, 6 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail,  15 Meadow Pipit, 3 Goldfinch, 5+ Siskin, 2 Reed Bunting                       

30-03-19 Swallow,
Pilning Wetland (John Martin)

Yate:
Garden - 1 Goldcrest singing

Chipping Sodbury Common:
1 m Kestrel, 6 Skylark, 2 Swallow, Linnet, Goldfinch, several f Reed Bunting

Almondsbury:
6 Buzzard over village

Little Stoke:
3 Swallow at 6.15 pm

NORTH SOMERSET

Portishead:
Robin feeding a baby Robin in garden

Clevedon:
Colehouse Lane (WBS highlights) -  1 Little Grebe, 1  Cetti's Warbler on the Blind Yeo at Kenn Road bridge. The Goosanders appear to have left.and no sign of any of the herons/egrets which wintered there.  Two singing Chiffchaff. Just a handful of Starlings but I found House Sparrows at three sites, which is always good.

Hewish:
Maysgreen Lane - 1 Swallow

BELOW M4 & BANES

Bath:
Racecourse - 4 m Wheatear on fields south of the stables.(No sign of yesterday's reported Hoopoe)

30-03-19 Mandarin pair, Cam Brook, Midford (Rob Hargreaves)

Monkton Combe to Midford:

1 pair Mandarin, 1 Buzzard, 1 Moorhen, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Tit , 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Nuthatch

South Stoke: 
1 pair Mandarin (presumed same as above) flushed from the Cam brook south of South Stoke

Paulton:
2 Buzzard, 24 Golden Plover, 4 Skylark, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Yellowhammer


RESERVOIRS


Chew Valley Lake

30-03--19 Little Grebe, Heron's Green Pool, CVL (Ian Stapp)

34+ Canada Goose, 1 Greylag Goose, 38+ Mute Swan, 12 Shelduck (most Herriotts some Lake feeding), 30+ Goldeneye , 9 Gadwall, 13+ Teal, 5 Little Grebe, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Grey Heron,  2 Sparrowhawk, 5 Buzzard,  8 GBB Gull, ) 6+ Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Cetti's Warbler (2 Moreton 1 Stratford  1 Herriotts), 7+ Chiffchaff,  3 Blackcap,  8 Goldfinch , 20+ Chaffinch, 4 Reed Bunting 

Dam:
1 Sand Martin

Woodford:
1 Song Thrush

30-03-19 White Wagtail, Heron's Green, CVL (Ian Stapp)

Heron's Green:
1 White Wagtail (wall)

Moreton:
1 Peregrine (flushed 50+ Crows off the ploughed field), 7 Stock Dove, 1 Tawny Owl (calling Moreton Cottage), 2 Raven, 4 Sand Martin, 1 Treecreeper, 4 Goldcrest

Stratford:
1 white Coot

Herriott's Pool:
23 Shoveler, 8 Pintail + 1 White-cheeked or Bahama Pintail (escape, native to S America and Bahamas), 3 Little Egret, 1 Great White Egret, 1 Grey Wagtail

Bishop Sutton

3 Collared Dove, 20+ House Sparrow ( and 9+ at Blue Bowl, 6+ at Chew Stoke)

Out of Avon( just): 

1 m  Ring Ouzel Wavering Down 100m SW of summit on S slope amongst hawthorns and scree, viewable with 'scope from Compton Bishop church

Reports: Adrian Adams,  Rich Andrews,  Derek John Angell, Terri Borash, Vera Carpenter, Allan Chard,  Peter Coslett, Jane Cumming, Stephen Curtis and Carol Rushton, Barry Dursley, Patrick Hancock, Robert Hargreaves, Simon Harris, Matt Hobbs, Brian Lancastle, John Martin, Jon Mortin, Dave Nevitt, Sue Sayers, Ian Stapp, Chris Teague

29-3-19 Friday - Hoopoe

Temp 4 to 16 ℃. Still good weather again today, dry warm with hazy Sunshine

Lesser Scaup
Grey Partridge
Goshawk, Marsh Harrier, Red Kite
Little Ringed Plover
Mediterranean Gull
Hoopoe
Merlin
Swallow, House Martin
White Wagtail, Water Pipit
Brambling

BRISTOL

29-3-19 Song Thrush, Avon Gorge (Jon Mortin)

Avon Gorge:
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Dunnock

Bishop Rd to Horfield Common:
2 LBB Gull, 17 Woodpigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Jay, 6 Magpie, 2 Jackdaw, 9 Carrion Crow, 5 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit, 4 Wren, 16 Starling, 5 Blackbird, 6 Fieldfare, 5 Robin, 36 House Sparrow, 2 Dunnock, 1 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch

Horfield Common, Maple Road, 07.45:
1 Swallow

Sea Mills:
2 Shelduck, 26 Redshank, 1 Green Woodpecker

St George:

Buzzard over

Stoke Park, Duchess Lake:
2 Canada Goose, 9m 2f Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Buzzard, 9 Mallard, 7 Coot, 8 Woodpigeon, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 5 Magpie, 8 Jackdaw, 3 Crow, 5 Blue Tit, 5 Great Tit, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Wren, 15 Starling, 4m 2f Blackbird, 2 Robin, 10 House Sparrow, 1 Dunnock, 1m Bullfinch, 5m 1f Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 2m Reed Bunting

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

29-3-19 Merlin in the fog, New Passage (Aravind Ramesh)

NewPassage/Northwick Warth, 0555-0930:
19 Gadwall, 37 Teal, 18 Tufted Duck, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 129 Black-tailed Godwit, 180 Redshank, 1 m Merlin, 60 Sand Martin, 30 Pied Wagtail, 1 Water Pipit, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Bunting

29-3-19 Buzzard in Almondsbury (Vera Carpenter)

Almondsbury garden:
3 Buzzard in the village, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 m Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Wren, 1 m Bullfinch, 2 Goldfinch

NORTH SOMERSET

Clevedon, Kennaway Road:
1 Goshawk (garden tick)

Clevedon, Dowlais:
Teal, Golden Plover, Cetti's Warbler

Weston Moor:
2 Gadwall, 35 Pheasant, 2 Little Grebe, 7 Buzzard, 3 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 19 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 6 Roe Deer

Yatton, Wemberham Lane:
4 Fieldfare

Winscombe kitchen window:
2 m Grey Partridge huddled in garden

BELOW M4 & BANES

29-3-19 Goldfinch, Overscourt Wood (Peter Coslett)

Siston, Overscourt Woods:
3 Buzzard, 2 Jay, 12 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, Treecreeper, Chaffinch, 5 Bullfinch, Goldfinch

29-3-19 Dipper at Willsbridge (Donna Harvey)

Willsbridge:
Kingfsher and Dipper

23-3-19 Red Kite, Bath (Tony Cook)

Bath, Lansdown:

1 Hoopoe over road to racecourse

Bath:
1 Red Kite over Moorfields 12.00, 3 Buzzard over Twerton
2 Brambling at Claverton Down

29-3-19 Brambling still at Claverton (Tony Cook)

Bath, Bear Flat & Midford to Monkton, 28th:
1 f Goosander, 6-8 pairs Marsh Tit, 10 Chiffchaff, 3 singing Blackcap, 5 m Greenfinch

Bishop Sutton:
5 Collared Dove, 20 Jackdaw, 20 House Sparrow

RESERVOIRS

Blagdon Lake, WeBS:

2 Egyptian Geese, 1 Lesser Scaup, 1 Common Sandpiper

29-3-19 Great-White Egret, Herriott's Pool (Ian Stapp)

Chew Valley Lake:
48 Canada Goose, 1 Greylag Goose, 40 Mute Swan, 2 Egyptian Geese, 15 Shelduck, 29 Shoveler (Herriott's pool), lots Gadwall, 11 Pintail, 20 Teal, 30 Goldeneye, 4 Little Grebe, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret,  1 Great White Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier (Stratford), 5 Buzzard, 1 Common Sandpiper (Dam), 1 Mediterranean Gull, 8 GBB Gull, 1 colour-ringed RED4  JM Herring Gull (Herriott's), 4 Stock Dove, 1 . Barn Owl (Herons Green), 6 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Jay, 2 Raven, 7 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 7 House Martin (Herons Green), 10 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Cetti's Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest

29-3-19 Treecreeper, Bittern Trail (George Stacey)

4 Treecreeper, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail (Dam), 10 Pied Wagtail, 20+ Chaffinch, 12 Goldfinch, 5 Reed Bunting

29-3-19 Reed Bunting, Moreton (Ian Stapp)

Reports: Blagdonlakebirds, BUPP, John Budd, Vera Carpenter, Anthony Cook, Peter Coslett, Tim Cox, Andy Davis, Greg Dawes, Lee Gardiner, Robert Hargreaves, Donna Harvey, Lisegirl, Glen Maddison, Paul Marshall, John Martin, Andy Middleton, Rich Mielcarek, Nigel Milbourne, Jon Mortin, Lois Pryce, Aravind Ramesh, Patrick Richards, Trevor Riddle, Peter Rock, George Stacey, Ian Stapp, Howard Taffs, Kurt Vickery, Chris Vines, Paul Williams

28-03-19 Thursday - Brambling

Beautiful weather again today:dry, sunny and warm. Temperature in the upper teens ℃

Marsh Harrier
Little Ringed Plover
Water Pipit
Brambling
Siskin
Corn Bunting

28-03-19 Chaffinch in its spring finery, Moreton, CVL (Ian Stapp)

BRISTOL

Ashton:

Heron circling over Raleigh Road, BS3 at 10:25a.m, then headed towards Dundry

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
Canada Goose on nest, 3 singing Blackcap

Northwick Warth:
1 f Marsh Harrier flying from the wetlands towards Aust

28-03-19 Little Ringed Plover, Pilning Wetland (Darren Robson)

Pilning wetland:

2 Little Ringed Plover at 1st pill box this eve, plus 5 Sand Martin

Yate:
Peregrine Falcon circling over garden this afternoon

NORTH SOMERSET

Tyntesfield:
1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Raven, 1 Great Tit, 3 Nuthatch, 1 Tree Creeper, 2 Wren, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Pied Wagtail

28-03-19 Greylag Goose, Wain's Hill, Clevedon (Howard Taffs)

Clevedon: 
Wain's Hill, 7.45 to 9.00 am - 3 Greylag Goose, 9 Woodpigeon, 1 Willow Warbler, 16 Sand Martin, 19 Meadow Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Siskin

All going north 

Weston-Super-Mare:
Weston Airfield - 1 pr Shoveler, 1 Snipe, plenty of Skylark, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Water Pipit, Reed Bunting

Yatton:
Strawberry Line - 1 Jay, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 17 Chiffchaff (16 singing males), 2 Blackcap, 8 Greenfinch (were very scarce locally but now seem to be widespread), 5 Bullfinch


BELOW M4 & BANES

28-03-19  Yellowhammer, Marshfield, (Peter Coslett)

Marshfield:
Northfield Lane - 1 Buzzard, 1 Raven, 30+Skylark, 8 Pied Wagtail, 40-50 Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Goldfinch, 20+ Corn Bunting, 10 Yellowhammer 

28-03-19 Brambling, Claverton Down (Rob Hargreaves)

Bath:
Claverton Down - 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Nuthatch, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 2 Goldfinch 

Newton St Loe:
3 Mute Swan (1 on nest), 1 Buzzard, 3 Stock Dove, 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Raven, 1 Jay, 6 Coal Tit, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Nuthatch, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Greenfinch    

Butterflies - Holly Blue, Small White, Tortoiseshell, Comma, Orange Tip, Peacock, Brimstone

Monkton Coombe:
1 f Goosander

RESERVOIRS


Chew Valley Lake: 
36+ Canada Goose, 1 Greylag Goose, 40+ Mute Swan, 13 Shelduck (most Herriotts Pool, 6 on the Lake), 20+ Goldeneye, 10 Pintail (Herriotts Pool), 32 Shoveler, 6 Little Grebe, 14 Great Crested Grebe (lots of display all over the lake), 6 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret (Herriotts Pool) , 1 Sparrowhawk (Moreton), 5 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine

28-03 19 Peregrine with leg rings, Moreton, CVL (Ian Stapp)

[Rings on both legs - Left : orange+ black 60. Right: metal 716 (?)]

Postscript from blagdonlakebirds: 'This is a bird we spotted at Blagdon on 9 Nov 2018. It was ringed near Northwich, Cheshire on 18th May 2016 by Merseyside Ringers. The metal ring number is GR72855' - with thanks to Nigel Milbourne for this information

1 Common Sandpiper (Dam), 1 white Coot (Stratford), 6 GBB Gull, 4 Collared Dove, 2 Stock Dove , 45+ Wood Pigeon, 6+ Great Spotted Woodpecker, (drumming Woodford, Nunnery, Moreton, Stratford), 5 Jay, 2 Raven, 36+ Jackdaw, 50+ Carrion Crow, 10+ LTT, 12+ Sand Martin (HG), 2 Treecreeper, 4 Goldcrest, 6 Cetti's (2 Moreton,  2 Nunnery & 2 Herriotts) 20+ Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 7 Wren, 1 Song Thrush, 6 Blackbird, 6+ Robin, 20+ House Sparrow (Bishop Sutton), 4 Dunnock, 1 Grey Wagtail, 18+ Pied Wagtail, 12 Goldfinch, 30+ Chaffinch, 7 Reed Bunting


Reports: Peter Coslett, Anne Crowe, Robert Hargreaves, Adrian Hockey, Henry Kirkwood, Lisegirl, Glen Maddison, Nigel Milbourne, Jean Oliver,Trevor Riddle, Darren Robson, Ian Stapp, Howard Taffs,Chris Teague, Bob Webber, nslbirding, opsbirding

27-03-19 Wednesday - Mediterranean Gull - Willow Warbler

Another sunny day.

Little Ringed Plover
Lesser Scaup
Mediterranean Gull, Water Pipit
Wheatear
Willow Warbler
Brambling

BRISTOL

27-03-2019 Grey Wagtail & Kingfisher Eastville Park (Martin Tayler)

27-03-2019 Kestrel Create Centre (Ian Loats)

Eastville Park:
1 Cormorant, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtail

Stoke Park:
1 Snipe, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap

Montpelier:
2 Jays - mewing like cats!

Brandon Hill:
1 Jay, 1 singing Chiffchaff, 2 singing Blackcap, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Redwing

Create Centre: 
Kestrel - with his latest meal

Avonmouth Dock Entrance Gates:
1 Wheatear


SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
20 Chiffchaff singing around the patch and 1 Grey Wagtail by the lake.

New Passage/Northwick/Pilning wetland:
3 Canada Goose, 2 Mute Swan, c.90 Shelduck, 16 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 9 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Moorhen, 13 Coot, c.35 Oystercatcher, 5 Lapwing, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 63 Black-tailed Godwit, c.50 Curlew, 30 Turnstone 4 Snipe, 180 Redshank, a Knot, 2 Dunlin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff & Blackcap singing, 7 Pied Wagtail, 2 Reed Bunting.

Severn Beach:
1 Redpoll  - north east

Bradley Stoke Three Brooks Reserve:
Lots of Chiffchaff and Greenfinch today.

Yate:
2 Sparrowhawk

Lyde Green / Science Park:
6 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap

NORTH SOMERSET

Clevedon-Yeo:
1 Black Swan, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Sand Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear, several (prob) White Wagtail moving north, 1 Brambling,

Uphill:
4 Sand Martin, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Bullfinch.

BELOW M4 & BANES

Hanham, R Avon, Chequers Pub:
2 Blackcap - singing, 1 Treecreeper, 11 Fieldfare

Willsbridge:
1 Peregrine - perched on a pylon - 2nd night running and 1 Swallow - over, very high, heading west.

27-03-2019 Willow Warbler Keynsham (Ian Stapp)

Keynsham Community Woodland:
1 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff all singing

Bishop Sutton:
2 Collared Dove, 20+ House Sparrow

RESERVOIRS

Blagdon Lake:
1 Greylag Goose, 2 Egyptian Goose, 1 Lesser Scaup, 1 Great White Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper.

Chew Valley Lake
38+ Canada Goose 1 Greylag Goose 35+ Mute Swan, 34 Shoveler, 48+ Goldeneye, 9 Great-crested Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 8 Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Mediterranean Gull - sum plum, 15 c Common Gull, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, 4+ Great Spotted Woodpecker, 20+ Jackdaw, 40+ Carrion Crow, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 12+ Chiffchaff - singing, 6 Blackcap - singing,  6 Robin, 2 Grey Wagtail, 12+ Pied Wagtail, 1 Water Pipit - 75% sum plum, 7 Reed Bunting

Dam:
1 Greylag Goose, 1 Common Sandpiper

27-03-2019 Greylag Goose  CVL TtB

Heron's Green:
2 Little Grebe, 30+ Woodpigeon, 6 Goldfinch

27-03-2019 Blackcap Moreton (Ian Stapp)

Moreton:
1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Stock Dove, 2 Jay, 2 Raven, 10+ Long-tailed Tit, 2 Blackcap (f&m), 1 Treecreeper, 8 Goldcrest, 5 Wren, 5 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Dunnock, 25+ Chaffinch

Stratford:
1 White Coot, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap.

Herriott's Pool:
13 Pintail, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 1 Red Kite - 13:58 east, 16 Sand Martin, 12
Meadow Pipit

Reports: Derek Angell, Des Bowring, Paul Bowerman, Barry Dursley, Chris Hall, Adrian Hockey, Rob Laughton, Ian Loats,  John Martin,  Nige Milbourne, Phil Quinn, Vic Savery, Ian Stapp,Larry Sweetland,  talkingtobears, Howard Taffs, Martin Tayler, Mike Tripi, Chris Vines, Keith Vinicombe, blagdonlakebirds, CVRS, nslbirding, opsbirding, severnsidebirds, TBOSG

26-03-19 Tuesday - Lesser Scaup

Sunny - nearly shorts weather, apart from the frost on the grass first thing.

Lesser Scaup
Barn Owl
House Martin
Red Kite


BRISTOL

26-03-2019 Kestrel Avon Gorge (Bri Thompson)

Avon Gorge:
1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine

26-03-2019 Sparrowhawk Frenchay Garden (Carol Roberts)

Frenchay:
1 Sparrowhawk - with an ex Woodpigeon

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
1 Greylag Goose - flew upriver, 4 Wigeon, 23 Teal, 9 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe - on the river, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 12 Moorhen, 3 Curlew. Common Gull - steady stream SW at about 50 an hour, 1 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine - with an ex Collard Dove, 2 House Martin, 1 Blackcap - singing male, 1+ Redwing, 3 Mistle Thrush,

Littleton Brick Pits:
1 Kingfisher, 2 Chiffchaff,

26-03-2019 Water Pipit NP/NW (Paul Bowerman)

NORTH SOMERSET

Clevedon Wain's Hill - vismig:
2 Meadow Pipit - rather frustrating after an hour.

26-03-2019 Peregrine Sand Point (Penny Wills) - waiting for migration event, went hungry!

BELOW M4 & BANES

Marshfield:
1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Red Kite, 5 Buzzard, 6 Red-legged Partridge, 3 Raven,  and lots of singing Skylark, Corn Bunting, and Yellowhammer scattered around

Bath:
2 Peregrine - still on 4 eggs, same as last year.

26-03-2019 Brambling Claverton Down (Bri Thompson)

Claverton Down:
4 Brambling still around - you have to be very patient!

Bishop Sutton:
4 Collared Dove, 20+ House Sparrow, 

RESERVOIRS

29-03-2019 Common Sandpiper Blagdon Lake (George Stacey)

Blagdon Lake:
2 Greylag Goose - flying along the lake, 2 Egyptian Goose, 1 Lesser Scaup (m), 18 Goldeneye, 1 Great White Egret, 3 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, some Sand Martin, - lots of birdsong inc Blackcap, 2 Nuthatch,

Chew Valley Lake
44+ Canada Goose 2 Greylag Geese 34+ Mute Swan, 20+ Goldeneye, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Grey Heron, 5 Buzzard, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 6+ Great Spotted Woodpecker - lots of drumming, 20+ Jackdaw, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 12+ Chiffchaff - singing, 2 Blackcap, 6 Robin, 7+ Pied Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting.

Dam:
1 Common Sandpiper,

29-03-2019 Chiffchaff CVL (George Stacey)

Bittern Trail:
1 Greater spotted woodpecker, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff - singing, 3 Blackcap (m) singing, 2 Reed Bunting.

Grebe Trail:
1 Barn Owl - 10am

Heron's Green:
2 Little Grebe, 12 Goldfinch,

26-03-2019 Sparrowhawk CVL Moreton (IanStapp)

Moreton:
2 Sparrowhawk - together, 6 Stock Dove, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Jay, 3 Raven - one after the Sparrowhawk, 4+ Long-tailed Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Wren, 3 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Dunnock, 20+ Chaffinch,

Stratford:
1 Barn Owl - 1pm, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker

Herriott's and Pool:
11 Shelduck, 10 Pintail, 3 Little Egret, 1 White Coot, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Wagtail,

 

26-03-2019  Great Crested Grebe CVL Stratford (Ian Stapp)

OUT OF AREA

Castle Combe - BOC Tuesday Walk:1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Buzzard, 4 Green Woodpecker, Coal Tit -totally oblivious to us, 1 Marsh Tit, several Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing, and some very close views of Nuthatch - showing off his desirable abode to prospective mates.

Reports: Paul Bowerman, Andy Davis, Dominic Godfrey, Simon Harris, Hawk&Owl Trust, Nick Hawkridge, Andy Middleton, Carol Roberts, Nigel Sluman, George Stacey, Ian Stapp, Howard Taffs, Bri Thompson, Penny Wills blagdonlakebirds, CVRS, nslbirding, opsbirding, severnsidebirds, TBOSG

25-03-19 Monday - Whitethroat

Temp 7 to 14 ℃. Sunshine wall to wall today, strong cold breeze melting into Buzzers and heat

25-3-19 Buzzers by the billion at CVL (Ian Stapp)

Garganey, Lesser Scaup
Red Kite
Ruff
Willow Warbler, Whitethroat
Brambling, Redpoll

BRISTOL

1 Willow Warbler in garden with 3 Chiffchaff

25-3-19 Peregrine over Avon Gorge (Ian Loats)

Avon Gorge:
1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Buzzard, 5 Peregrine

Henbury:
1 Chiffchaff, 1 Nuthatch

Stockwood Open Space:
2 Coal Tit, 10 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat (previous earliest 2/4/12), 2 Song Thrush, 8 House Sparrow, 6 Goldfinch

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
5 Sand Martin

25-3-19 Coal Tit on Cadbury Hill (Mark Savage)

Milbury Heath:
1 Red Kite, Buzzards, 1 Peregrine

NewPassage/Northwick Warth, 0555-0930:
110 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 7 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 7 Little Egret, 1 Buzzard, 1 Water Rail, 105 Turnstone, 1 Raven, 2 Sand Martin, 8 Siskin

Yate, Kingsgate Park:
1 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap

NORTH SOMERSET

25-3-19 Snipe at Portbury Wharf (Howard Taffs)

Portbury Wharf:
1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Snipe

Clevedon, Wains Hill:
36 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 5 Linnet. 1 Redpoll, 3 Siskin

25-3-19 Garganey, Blind Yeo (Howard Taffs)

Clevedon, Blind Yeo at Kenn Pier Bridge:
1 m Garganey (PC)

Clevedon, Dowlais:
38 Shelduck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 11 Lapwing, 1 Ruff, 115 Redshank

Clevedon-Yeo, CVF to Blake's Pools:
250 Shelduck, 6 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Grey Heron, 6 Little Egret, 6 Oystercatcher, 90 Curlew, 2 Snipe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 30 Skylark, 8 Sand Martin, 3 Chiffchaff, 20 Meadow Pipit.

Sand Point:
lots singing Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap

25-3-19 Coal Tit on Cadbury Hill (Mark Savage)

Yatton, Cadbury Hill:
5 Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Raven, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Marsh Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Treecreeper

BELOW M4 & BANES

Keynsham Manor Park:
2 Raven displaying

25-3-19 Brambling at Claverton Down (David Hughes)

Bath, Claverton Road:

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Nuthatch, 1 Brambling

Bishop Sutton:
4 Collared Dove, 15 Jackdaw, 20 House Sparrow

RESERVOIRS

Blagdon Lake, WeBS:

31 Canada Geese, 24 Mute Swan, 2 Egyptian Geese, 5 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 48 Mallard, 2 Teal, 1 Pochard, 266 Tufted Duck, 1f Scaup, 1 Lesser Scaup, 16 Goldeneye, 3 Little Grebe, 17 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Great White Egret, 8 Cormorant, 5 Buzzard, 10 Moorhen, 274 Coot, 1 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 15 Bh Gull, 3 GBB Gull, 28 Herring Gull, 222 LBB Gull

25-3-19 Mute Swans, Herriotts pool (Ian Stapp)

Chew Valley Lake:
38 Canada Goose, 44 Mute Swan, 11 Shelduck, 32 Shoveler (Herriott's pool), 4 Gadwall, 10 Pintail, 20 Goldeneye, 4 Little Grebe, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret,  1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 1 Common Sandpiper (Dam), 1 Redshank, 6 GBB Gull, 2 Stock Dove, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 2 Raven, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 10+ Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtail, 20+ Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Reed Bunting

25-3-19 Treecreeper, Moreton (Ian Stapp)

Out of Avon
White Stork and Garganey at Slimbridge and Splatt

The summer migrants table in the sidebar has been updated with today's House Martin
No obvious new migrant for the rest of this month

The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS)  commences in April

The BBS is the main scheme for monitoring the population changes of the UK’s common breeding birds, providing an important indicator of the health of the countryside.  BBS trends (measuring increases/decreases in populations) are produced each year for over one hundred species, and the results are widely used to set priorities and inform conservation action.  More details can be found at www.bto.org/bbs .

Volunteers are needed for the next breeding season for the following squares in the Avon BTO Region.  Please contact me (dave.stoddard@tiscali.co.uk  (tel 0117 9246968)) if you would like to take on one of these.  Squares marked with an asterisk have not been surveyed previously as part of BBS.  They will be allocated on a 'first come first served' basis.–

B&NES ST5665 - S of Dundry ST5958 - White Cross, S of Bishop Sutton ST6159 -Farmland W of Clutton ST6356 - Hallatrow ST6954 - E Radstock * ST7057- Peasedown St John* ST7160 - Farmland N of Dunkerton * ST7257 - Wellow Road, E of Peasedown St John ST7264 - Twerton ST7368 - Nr Lansdown ST7559  - Twinhoe, NE of Wellow* ST7669 - SE of Charmy Down North Somerset ST3962 - Rolstone, E of St George's * ST4158 - N of Winscombe* ST4257 - Sidcot * ST4659 - Upper Langford* ST4668 - Chelvey (S of Nailsea)*

South Glos ST5485 - Severn Beach ST5580 - Hallen* ST6088 - Elberton ST6389 - SW Thornbury ST6873 - Bridgeyate Somerset (but in Avon BTO Region) ST3150 - N of Burnham-on-Sea* ST3650 - Levels South of Rooksbridge ST3754 - Levels S of Loxton* ST3850 - Levels W of Chapel Allerton* ST4456 -  S of Shipham * ST4651 - Cheddar Moor Drove* ST4953 - Cheddar Head* ST5050 - Westbury Beacon, Mendip* ST5153 - Yoxter Farm, Mendip ST5256 - Green Plantation, S. of Ubley

ST5454 - Lamb Bottom ST5650 - Tower Hill (E of Priddy (Mendip)) * ST5851 - Mendip, W of GreenOre* ST6050 - SW of Emborough (W of Old Down)* ST6054 - Farmland E of Litton ST6154 - NW of Ston Easton * ST6250 - N of Gurney Slade ST6251 - Old Down (Mendip) ST6750 - N of Holcombe (E of Stratton on the Fosse)* ST6850 - Lipyeate ST7050 - Wincanton Racecourse * ST7452 - Hardington & surrounding farmland  ST7652 - E of Hardington ST7853 - W of Woolverton (nr Rode but W of A36)*

The skills required to take part in the BBS are simply the ability to identify common birds by sight and sound.  A training morning (see below) is also available.  The time commitment is three mornings in the first year (one to assess the route/habitat) and then two in subsequent years.  Visits normally take between one and a half and two hours and are made early in the morning in the breeding season (April to about mid-June).  Returns can be made online and most people contributing to the survey find it a rewarding and worthwhile activity.

BBS Training Morning – Sunday 31 March 2019

We are holding a BBS training session on 31 March meeting outside Westbury-on-Trym Library (ST569773) at 7.30am.  Practical fieldwork will be followed by coffee and discussion.  We should be finished before 11am.  Please contact me if interested.  You are welcome to attend even if you have not yet decided to take on a square but simply want to know more about what is involved.

Local Breeding Bird Survey

We also use the basic BBS methodology to survey additional squares in the Avon BTO Region in order to get a more complete picture of our local bird populations.  Unlike the BTO’s National scheme you may choose any square of your choice though please check with me to avoid duplication.  You might like to consider doing the kilometre square around your home – additional urban/suburban squares would provide particularly valuable additional data.

If you are interested in taking on a square, wish to attend the training session or if you have any queries about any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Best wishes

Dave Stoddard
dave.stoddard@tiscali.co.uk  (tel 0117 9246968)

BBS Organiser for Avon

Reports: Blagdonlakebirds, BUPP, Paul Chapman, Mark Coller, Anne Crowe, Stephen Curtis, Paul Francis, Robert Hargreaves, Peter Hazelwood, Adrian Hockey, David Hughes,, Ian Loats, Paul Marshall, John Martin, Nigel Milbourne, Aravind Ramesh, Adam Rawson, Trevor Riddle, Carole Rushton, Mark Savage, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Howard Taffs, Paul Williams