24-03-19 Sunday - Tree Sparrow - pic Barn Owl

Sunshine all day - wind a bit chilly

Barn OwlRed Kite
Brambling
Little Ringed Plover, Merlin, Water Pipit
Long-tailed Duck
Tree Sparrow
Lesser Scaup, Scaup

24-03-2019 Barn Owl Portbury Warth (Lisa Presland)

BRISTOL

24-03-2019 Goldcrest Eastville Park (Allan Chard)

Eastville Park:
2 Goldgrest

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
2 Shoveler, 2 Pintail - possible Willow Warbler,

Aust Warth:
1 Red Kite,

24-03-20019 Merlin Northwick Warth (Dave Hughes)

Northwick Warth  / Pilning wetland:
9 Canada Goose, 80+ Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon, 8 Mallard, 6 Teal, 10 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 4 Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, 43 Oystercatcher, 3 Lapwing, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 30+ Curlew, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Turnstone, 100+ Redshank, 5 Black-headed Gull, 3 Herring Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, 1 Merlin (m), Carrion Crow, 2 Raven, 7 Sand Martin, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Robin, 1 Wheatear (m), Pied Wagtail, 6+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Water Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, Goldfinch, 4 Reed Bunting.

Severn Beach:
2 Shoveler, 14 Wigeon - floating up with the tide, 4 Black-Headed Gull, 2 Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collard Dove, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, House Sparrow, 4 Pied Wagtail, 6 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch.

24-03-2019 Wheatear CSC (Vĕra  Carpenter)

Chipping Sodbury Common:
2 Buzzard, 40+ Jackdaw, 3 Skylark, 2 Wheatear, 1 Meadow Pipit

NORTH SOMERSET

24-03-2019 Wren and Goldfinch Portbury Warth (Lisa Presland)

Portbury Wharf:
5 Snipe, 1 Little Gull, 1 Barn Owl, 4 Chiffchaff, Wren, 4 Chaffinch, 1 Bullfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 8 Goldfinch,

Cleavedon - Wain's Hill:
68 Woodpigeon, 1 Peregrine, 2 Jay, 1 Raven, 5 Sand Martin, plenty of Chiffchaff,  2 Blackcap -singing, 3 Tree Sparrow, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipit, 8 Chaffinch, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Linnet, 1 Redpoll, 12 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 1 Yellowhammer

24-03-2019 Chiffchaff CL-Y (Jason Williams)

Clevedon-Yeo:
2 Canada Goose, 210 Shelduck - good spread along the coast, 90 Wigeon, 50 Teal,  4 Tufted Duck - at KP, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egret, 1 Cormorant, 4 Buzzard, 2 Coot, 9 Oystercatcher, 6 Lapwing - at Dowlais, 90 Curlew, 3 Snipe, 240 Redshank - 180 up Yeo and 60 at Kenn, 20 Black-headed Gull - on KP, 12 Herring Gull, 1 Kestrel, 2 Raven, c12 Skylark, 8 Chiffchaff - Blake's Pool, 1 Wheatear, 20 Meadow Pipit, also much 'singing' at Dowlais at dawn.

24-03-2019 Little Grebe CL-Y (Jason Williams)

Backwell Lake:
27 Canada Goose, 19 Mute Swan - nest with a terrapin sunning itself! 12 Gadwall, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Chiffchaff - singing.

24-03-2019 Mute Swan & Terrapin Backwell Lake (Mike Thomas)

Little Egret Roost - Just 14 came in last night (23rd).

What date is the earliest Orange Tip on record? One seen today in Backwell.

Bleadon Levels - avoiding the marathon runners:
3 Canada Goose, 4 Gadwall, 11 Teal, 16 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 6 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Water Rail, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 2 Stock Dove, 7 Skylark, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 5 Reed Bunting.

BELOW M4 & BANES

Marshfield:
3 Buzzard,1 Kestrel, 1 Raven, 20+ Skylark, 2 Wheatear, 40 Linnet, 3 Corn Bunting.

24-03-2019 Brambling Claverton Down (Wayne Tucker)

Claverton Down:
2 Mandarin Duck (f&m), 1 Coal Tit, 1 Nuthatch, 4 Brambling

24-03-2019 Mandarin Duck Claverton Down (Bri Thompson)

Bath Mill, Newton St.Loe and Bath Spa Uni. Then back towards Newbridge:

1 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Tit - pr, 3 Skylark - singing, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Mistle Thrush, 1 Linnet. 

24-03-2019 Mallard and friend? NSL  (Wayne Tucker)

Newton St Loe - inc WeBS:
3 Mute swan, 26 Mallard - 1 strange Chilean cross? 13 Teal, 1 Cormorant, 5 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 5 Buzzard, 1 Stock Dove, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtail, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Nuthatch, 4 Greenfinch.

Paulton:
1 Kestrel, 2 Skylark, 40 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellowhammer

RESERVOIRS

Barrow Tanks:
1 Long-tailed Duck, Tufted Duck, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Sand Martin,

Blagdon Lake:
2 Egyptian Goose, 2 Scaup, 1 Lesser Scaup, 1 Great White Egret, 24 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 73 Rook nests, 38 Sand Martin, 20 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 5 Nuthatch, 5 Reed Buntings,

Bishop Sutton
5 Collared Dove, 20+ Jackdaw, 12+ House Sparrow.

24-03-2019 Reed Bunting CVL Moeton (Ian Stapp)

Chew Valley Lake
34+ Canada Goose, 36+ Mute Swan, 30+ Goldeneye, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Grey Heron, 5 Buzzard, 1 White Coot, 6 Great Black- backed Gull, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 10+ Chiffchaff, 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 Reed Bunting.
Heron's Green:
2 Little Grebe,

Moreton:
6 Stock Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 12+ Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Wren, 3 Blackbird, 3 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 20+ Chaffinch, 4 Goldfinch.

Herriott's and Pool:
8 Shelduck, 13 Pintail, 3 Teal, 1 Great White Egret, 2 Little Egret, c40 Pied Wagtail

Reports: Bill Blake, Dru Broke-Taylor, Vĕra Carpenter, Raoul Chandrasakera, Allan Chard, Pete Coslett, Stephen Curtis, Patrick Hancock, Robert Hargreaves, Nick Hawkridge, Dave Hughes, Glen Maddison, Ben Ofield, Lisa Presland, Nick Rhodes, Harvey Rose, Carol Rushton, Ian Stapp, Howard Taffs, Mike Thomas, Mike Trew, Wayne Tucker, Jason Williams,
 blagdonlakebirds, CVRS, nslbirding, opsbirding, severnsidebirds, TBOSG

23-03-19 Saturday - House Martin

Temp 9 to 13 ℃. Some Sunshine at first, clouded over a little later, cold wind

Garganey, Lesser Scaup
Great White Egret
Red Kite
Avocet, Little Ringed Plover
Little Gull, Yellow-legged Gull
Sandwich Tern
Swallow, House Martin
Willow Warbler
Firecrest
Wheatear
Brambling, Redpoll, Crossbill
Corn Bunting

23-3-19 Kestrel and Vole, Aust (Paul Milo)

BRISTOL

Filton:
1 Grey Heron flyover mobbed by Gulls

Hoar Gout:
2 Tufted Duck, 2 Peregrine, 2 Buzzard, 2 Coot, 1 Peregrine, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff

Sea Mills WeBS:
2 Shelduck, 18 Mallard, 1 Common Sandpiper, 80 Redshank, 130 BH Gull, 1 Herring Gull, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station, vis mig to NE:
1 Buzzard, 14 Chiffchaff singing, 1 m Brambling, 1 Redpoll, 4 Crossbill, 2 Siskin

23-3-19 Willow Warbler, Littleton Brick Pits (Mark Dadds)

Littleton Brick Pits:
1 Willow Warbler, 1 Siskin

23-3-19 Wheatear, Aust (Peter Coslett)

Aust Wharf:
2 Kestrel, 1 f Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Raven, 1 m Wheatear, lots Meadow Pipits north

NewPassage/Northwick Warth, 0555-0930:
1 Great White Egret, 49 BH Gull, 12 Common Gull, 24 LBB Gull, 1701 (spring record) Wood Pigeon, 18 Sand Martin, 49 Meadow Pipit, 4 Redpoll all N/NW. Also, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 m Merlin, 1 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine

23-3-19 Linnet, Severn Beach (Rob Hargreaves)

Severn Beach:
9 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Wheatear, 3 Linnet

Yate, Brinsham Park:
2 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest

NORTH SOMERSET

23-3-19 Little Gull, Portbury Wharf (Brian Thompson)

Portbury Wharf:
1 Little Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 30 Sand Martin, 8 House Martin, 10+ Chiffchaff

Clevedon, Wains Hill:
2 Greylag Geese, 25 Oystercatcher, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 600 Woodpigeon, 11 Sand Martin, 1 Wheatear, 64 Meadow Pipit, 21 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 8 Linnet, 1 Redpoll, 29 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin

23-3-19 jet stream Sparrowhawk displaying, Sand Point (Brian Thompson)

Sand Point:
1 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, 35 Curlew, 6+ Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear, 3 Rock Pipit

BELOW M4 & BANES

Warmley:
1 Red Kite a.m

Marshfield, Rushmead Lane;
2 Buzzard, 50 Linnet, 40 Corn Bunting, 10 Yellowhammer

Bath, Prior Park:
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff

Paulton:
1 Buzzard, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Skylark, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Yellowhammer

Bishop Sutton:
4 Collared Dove, 16 Jackdaw, 15 House Sparrow

RESERVOIRS

Barrow Tanks:
1 m Long-tailed Duck down to 15-20 yards range

Blagdon Lake:

2 Egyptian Geese, 3 2m Scaup, 1 Lesser Scaup, 6 Goldeneye, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Red Kite, 13 Snipe, 7+ Chiffchaff, 50+ Filedfare and Redwing

23-3-19 Great-white Egret displaying, Herriott's channel (Ian Stapp)

Chew Valley Lake:
48 Canada Goose, 42 Mute Swan, 5 Shelduck, 2 Garganey, 155 Shoveler (Herriott's pool), 12 Gadwall, 13 Pintail, 67 Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebe, 12 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Great White Egret (Herriott's pool), 3 Little Egret,  2 Buzzard, 1 white Coot, 1 Avocet, 1 Common Sandpiper (Dam), 9 GBB Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern, 3 Stock Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Jay, 350 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Cetti's Warbler

23-3-19 Chiffchaff, Moreton (Ian Stapp)

8 Chiffchaff, 2 Chiffchaff ringed (CVRS), 4 Goldcrest, 3 Blackbird, 3 Pied Wagtail, 20+ Chaffinch, 1 Bullfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 3 Reed Bunting

23-3-19 Wren, Moreton (Ian Stapp)

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, Karle Burford, Peter Coslett, Chris Craig, Adam Cross, Stephen Curtis, CVRS, Mark Dadds, Ian Dickie, Barry Dursley, Patrick Hancock, Robert Hargreaves, Peter Hazelwood, Julian Head, Matt Hobbs, Andrew Lipczynski, Glen Maddison, John Martin, Nigel Milbourne, Paul Milo, Mervyn Pearce, Lois Pryce, Carol Rushton, Sova, Tony Scott, Ian Stapp, Chris Stone, Howard Taffs, Gary Thorburn, Keith Vinicombe

22-03-19 Friday - Willow Warbler

Temp 9 to 12 ℃. Dull dry not too cold again, mostly Dull

Bar-headed Goose
Lesser Scaup
Bar-tailed Godwit
Little Gull
Skua
Short-eared Owl
Willow Warbler
Wheatear
Brambling

BRISTOL

Bishop Rd to Horfield Common:
5 Herring Gull, 1 LBB Gull, 13 Woodpigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 7 Magpie, 2 Jackdaw, 6 Carrion Crow, 4 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 2 Wren, 5 Starling, 5 Blackbird, 5 Robin, 15 House Sparrow, 5 Dunnock, 1 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch

Stoke Park:

2 Sand Martin

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station WeBS:
16 Shelduck, 18 Wigeon, 24 Teal, 8 Tufted Duck, 36 Curlew, 35 Turnstone, 2 Peregrine, 4 Chiffchaff, 7 Redwing, 1 Wheatear, 1 Yellowhammer

Aust Wharf:
2 Short-eared Owl

22-3-19 Water Pipit at New Passage (Paul Bowerman)

NewPassage/Northwick Warth:
2 Bar-headed Geese, 1 Skua Sp drifting upstream 07.40, 1 Water Pipit

NORTH SOMERSET

Portbury Wharf:
1 Black-tailed Godwit, 45 Redshank, 1 Little Gull, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler (five days earlier than 2017), lots Chiffchaff, 5 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting

Clevedon-Yeo:
265 Shelduck, 160 Wigeon, 105 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 10 Tufted Duck, 9 Cormorant, 5 Little Egret, 6 Grey Heron, 5 Little Grebe, 7 Coot, 12 Oystercatcher, 15 Lapwing, 3 Ringed Plover, 275 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 15 Redshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Kestrel, 75 Sand Martin, 21 Skylark, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 5 Wheatear, 460 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting

BELOW M4 & BANES

Oldland Common;
singing Blackcap

22-3-19 Green Woodpecker at Compton Dando (Chris Perry)

Compton Dando:
6 Pheasants, 1 Sparrowhawk, 11 Buzzards, 1 Tawny Owl, 4 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 5 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 10+ Blue Tits, 10+ Great Tits, 5 Skylarks, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 8 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 1 Nuthatch, 8 Blackbirds, 3 Redwing, 2 Song Thrushes, 20+ Chaffinches, 15+ Goldfinch, 20+ Yellowhammers

Bath, Claverton Down:
5+ Brambling

RESERVOIRS

Blagdon Lake:

1 Lesser Scaup

The summer migrants table in the sidebar has been updated with today's Willow Warbler

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

BBS Organiser for Avon

Reports: Adrian Adams, Blagdonlakebirds, Paul Bowerman, John Budd, BUPP, Paul Francis, Hayden James, Lisegirl, Andy Middleton, Nigel Milbourne, Chris Perry, Steve Sanins, Rich Scantlebury, Howard Taffs, Chris Vines, F D Williams

21-03-19 - Thursday - Brambling

Temp 9 to 13 ℃. Dull dry not too cold, mostly Dull

Great White Egret
Marsh Harrier
Bar-tailed Godwit
Little Gull
Chiffchaff
Wheatear
Brambling

21-3-19 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Moreton (Ian Stapp)

BRISTOL

Eastville Park:
1 Grey Heron, 1 Grey Wagtail

21-3-19 Chiffchaff, Stoke Park (Allan Chard)

Stoke Park:
1 Kestrel, 5 Chiffchaff

21-3-19 Mistle Thrush, Bristol (Jon Mortin)

St Andrews Park:
1 Mistle Thrush

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Oldbury Power Station:
1 Canada Goose on nest, 4 Grey Plover, 80 Curlew, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 70 Redshank, 120 Common Gull, 230 Woodpigeon to NE, 8 Chiffchaff, singing Blackcap, 20 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling

21-3-19 Short-eared Owl, Aust Wharf (Paul Bowerman)

Aust Wharf:
1 Short-eared Owl

21-3-19 Wheatear, Northwick Warth (Brian Thompson)

NewPassage/Northwick Warth:
12 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 69 Oystercatcher, 66 Curlew, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 205 Redshank, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Wheatear

NORTH SOMERSET

21-3-19 Little Gull, Portbury Wharf (Robin Martin)

Portbury Wharf:
14 Canada Geese, 6 Mute Swan, 20 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 20 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 1 Snipe, 20 BH Gull, 1 Little Gull, 10 Herring Gull, 50 LBB Gull, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Skylark, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrsuh, 3 Pied Wagtail, 4 Greenfinch, 10 Goldfinch, 5 Reed Bunting

21-3-19 Reed Bunting, Portbury Wharf (Robin Martin)

Clevedon-Tesco Supermarket:
1 Chiffchaff singing

Clevedon, Wains Hill:
5 Sand Martin, 1 singing Chiffchaff at home, 5 Pied Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit

Clevedon-Yeo:
34 Canada Geese, 75 Shelduck, 110 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck. 2 Litle Egret, 4 Coot, 8 OPystercatcher, 8 Lapwing, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 185 Curlew, 1 Dunlin, 145 Redshank, 30 Herring Gull, 15 LBB Gull, 2 Raven, 1 Chiffchaff, 0 Wheatear, 10 Meadow Pipit

Worle:
1 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine

BELOW M4 & BANES

Willsbridge Mill;
2 Kingfisher (rare here)

Wick, GoldenValley:
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Jay, Chiffchaffs,  1 Nuthatch, 1 Dipper, 1 Grey Wagtail

Bath, Bath Uni to Bathwick:
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Raven 4 Marsh Tit, 1 Skylark, 1 Nuthatch, 22 Chaffinch, 4 Brambling, 15 Linnet

Bishop Sutton:
3 Collared Dove, 30 Jackdaw,  15 House Sparrow

RESERVOIRS

21-3-19 Shoveler & Pintail with G-W Egret Herriott's Pool (Ian Stapp)

Chew Valley Lake
32 Canada Goose, 42 Mute Swan, 5 Shelduck, 23 Shoveler (Herriott's pool), 4 Gadwall, 10 Pintail, 30 Goldeneye, 3 Little Grebe

21-3-19 Great Crested Grebe CVL, (TtB)

8 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Great White Egret (Herriott's pool), 0 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 1 Common Sandpiper (Dam)

21-3-19 mixed large Gulls Herriott's pool 2 (Ian Stapp)

27 Common Gull, 7 GBB Gull, 1 Stock Dove, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Jay, 1 Raven, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest,  1 Treecreeper, 3 Blackbird, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtail, 20+ Chaffinch, 1 Bullfinch,  4 Goldfinch, 6 Reed Bunting

Summer Migrant Arrival Dates 1996 - 2017

2019 dates will be updated when known and be shown in red
The list is sorted under average arrival date
The table is also available in the first section of the sidebar

Species	Earliest	Latest	Average	2017 or 19 in red
Sand Martin	23/02/08	21/03/06	08-Mar	24-Feb
Wheatear	28/02/98	25/03/06	10-Mar	28-Feb
Swallow	06/02/19	28/03/98	19-Mar	06-Feb
White Wagtail	01/03/07	09/04/97	23-Mar	17-Mar
House Martin	04/03/97	07/04/07	24-Mar	13-Mar
Willow Warbler	13/03/11	01/04/07	24-Mar	27-Mar
Ring Ouzel	09/02/08	28/04/99	27-Mar	10-Apr
Little Ringed Plover	12/03/15	30/04/94	28-Mar	17-Mar
Tree Pipit	16/03/92	27/04/91	03-Apr	04-Apr
Garganey	13/03/93	05/05/00	04-Apr	08-Apr
Redstart	17/03/11	21/04/90	04-Apr	30-Mar
Yellow Wagtail	21/03/92	20/04/90	07-Apr	02-Apr
Osprey	20/03/14	19/05/94	09-Apr	27-Mar
Sedge Warbler	30/03/07	18/04/98	09-Apr	08-Apr
Whimbrel	29/03/02	18/04/98	10-Apr	07-Apr
Common Tern	30/03/06	21/04/98	10-Apr	30-Mar
Reed Warbler	01/04/15	28/04/91	11-Apr	01-Apr
Whitethroat	02/04/12	24/04/90	12-Apr	04-Apr
Cuckoo	06/04/05	20/04/97	12-Apr	10-Apr
Grasshopper Warbler	28/03/97	24/04/96	13-Apr	06-Apr
Pied Flycatcher	30/03/02	19/05/07	12-Apr	18-Apr
Sandwich Tern	18/02/12	29/05/95	13-Apr	18-Mar
Arctic Tern	29/03/15	26/04/95	15-Apr	22-Apr
Garden Warbler	29/03/90	28/04/91	16-Apr	15-Apr
Swift	08/04/01	27/04/90	17-Apr	16-Apr
Hobby	30/03/90	28/04/91	17-Apr	17-Apr
Lesser Whitethroat	10/04/10	27/04/91	18-Apr	09-Apr
Whinchat	14/04/09	28/04/90	20-Apr	18-Apr
Wood Warbler	08/04/98	02/05/08	21-Apr	21-Apr
Nightingale	08/04/02	07/05/08	22-Apr	01-May
Black Tern	14/04/13	14/05/09	24-Apr	26-Apr
Little Tern	16/04/15	30/05/17	27-Apr	30-May
Spotted Flycatcher	21/04/03	17/05/09	01-May	06-May
Turtle Dove	05/04/70			11-May
Quail	08/05/96	29/06/91	01-Jun	27-May

Taken from the Avon Bird Report 2017 which has details of arrival and departure dates for both summer and winter visitors

Reports: Paul Bowerman, Allan Chard, Anne Crowe, Stephen Curtis, Paul Francis, Peter Hazelwood, Adrian Hockey, Hayden James, Glen Maddison, John Martin, Robin Martin, Nigel Milbourne, Jon Mortin, Harvey Rose, Nigel Sluman, Ian Stapp, Howard Taffs, Martin Tayler, TalkingtoBears, Brian Thompson