Diary 2004    

December 30    Today I am pleased to put on-line Philip Pope's May/June 1994 Western U.S.A. Trip Report click here or go to the revamped (by Continent) Trip Reports for this and others. Although a little dated it is a good read, the information is I'm sure still useful and its nice to see Phil looking so young.

December 26    I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Day and thank you for the kind messages of support and thanks. I'm conscious of not writing in the diary much of late but to be honest I haven't done much. I've only been birding five times since returning from Florida in late October. In addition I've had a minor health problem for about a month which has left me feeling a bit under the weather and we have also had builders in so there hasn't been much enthusiasm for birding. Also birds in general have been few and far between. I regret missing the Cream-coloured Courser on Scilly but I've never twitched Scilly before and that's not going to change. In fact the only bird I've ever twitched on an offshore island was the Ancient Murrelet on Lundy and I left that until three days before its final departure on its third visit! 

I haven't managed to get to Kingsholm either but am looking forward to being there on January 2nd for the visit of Leicester. I hope to see some of you there. Glos have had mixed fortunes this autumn and Wolves have just been well, Wolves. Maybe Hoddle will turn it around.

December 18    A telescope and tripod has been found at Long Eaton G.P.s. It is believed to belong to a Gloucester or Bristol birder. If it is yours and you can describe it please contact me in the first instance and I will put you in touch with the finder.

November 23    Today I am pleased to put on-line Philip Pope's February 2004 Namibia Trip Report click here and Gerry Shilham's September 2004 Seychelles Trip Report click here or go to the revamped (by Continent) Trip Reports for this and others. 

November 07    Today I am pleased to put on-line my October 2004 Florida Trip Report click here or go to Trip Reports for this and others. There are 24 photos in it so it may take a while to load on dial-up connections. I have reduced the quality of images to enable faster loading. If anyone wants a full-size image of any let me know. Yesterday I had a successful trip to Cornwall with Jake King and Gerry Shilham. We saw the Little Crake at Marazion, a lifer for all of us, and had a good supporting cast of Green-winged Teal, Pectoral Sandpiper, Great Northern Divers (one in summer plumage), Black Redstarts and Little Egrets. Also a snowy-white headed Stonechat had us all going for a minute at Porthgwarra. 

October 27    Today I am pleased to put on-line Duncan Dine's June 2004 Switzerland Trip Report click here or go to Trip Reports for this and others. 

October 25    I'm back and thankfully it looks like I didn't miss much. I had a fabulous holiday, 131 species and 31 lifers. The best of these were Black and White Warblers, a male Black-throated Blue Warbler, a male Hooded Warbler, two Ovenbirds, a male Snail Kite, three Crested Caracaras, 35 Magnificent Frigatebirds and three Florida Scrub Jays. Tom Rodriguez of Orlando took me out to the Gulf Coast with a perfectly timed visit after a cold front moved through. It was the biggest fall of birds I have ever witnessed - little at all at dawn but after the front moved through it rained birds. There was in excess of 15 species of warblers alone without all the other goodies. I'll write a proper trip report soon. In the meantime here's a Sora Rail I was pleased to find at Merritt Island.

 

October 03    I travelled to Minsmere yesterday with Jake, Paul and Mike to see a putative Slender-billed Curlew. Well, we saw the bird and it was certainly interesting. Was it a SBC?, good question, opinions are divided and the jury's out. Some very well-respected names are batting for it including the Belgian expert Didier Vangeluwe, who has seen more SBCs than most and came across from Belgium to see this one. Incidentally probably a shorter journey than ours. However I don't think many were keen to repeat what happened at Druridge Bay, Northumberland in 1998 when many, myself included, ignored messages about a funny curlew, which was later accepted as Britain's first SBC. Curlews aside we had an excellent day and racked up an impressive species list. We had a Red Kite over the M4, 20+ Little Gulls, a Baird's Sandpiper, Avocets, Spotted Redshanks, Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stints, Bearded Tits, a Marsh Harrier, a Hobby, a White Wagtail and an adult Red-breasted Goose (not sure of the origin of that one either but still nice to see). We finished up with tea and cakes at Sizewell Beach Cafe to celebrate what we may have seen. It was a long drive back thanks to traffic lights, diversions and bad weather and we all appreciated Jake's even temper behind the wheel and entertaining games on the journey home.

       Above: Tony, Paul and Steve discuss what they've seen or whose turn it was to buy the teas.

 

September 26    I forgot to give a special mention to Martin McGill who achieved 200 species in the County on the 14th. Martin doesn't take part in the league and he's left us mere mortals standing this year. It must be incredibly tough birding for a living. Well done mate. 

I plodded around Fretherne yesterday morning but it was very quiet. The Ruddy Shelduck was still there and there were good numbers of waders further down the estuary but too far to pick out a Semi-P. The rest of the day belonged to the rugby. We were shoe-horned into the Shed to see Glos beat Newcastle Falcons. The reason for the crush - Jonny Wilkinson - yesterday however he was a racehorse amongst donkeys and it was an easy win. Michael and I managed to meet the great man afterwards and found him brilliant even after a hiding. We also met the new England coach, Andy Robinson, but were disappointed to discover he's a Stoke City fan, but seemed a decent bloke otherwise. 

Not long now till I go to Florida, if it's still there, but there's still time for one more Glos tick before I go. Make mine a Wryneck please. Hope to see lots of you at the pub on Friday and don't forget we're moving.

 

September 20    The pace of birding slackened off this weekend but I managed to see Black and Arctic Tern at the Sailing Lake before heading off to Sharpness. There I was joined by Jake, Andy C and Richard B. Conditions seemed to be good. A bank of mist built up obscuring the bridges, the wind picked up from the south and a 12 metre tide pounded in. What did we see - Sweet F.A.  that's what, and what was back today now most of us are back at work - Manxies. Cosmic! They may as well have built a wall when they put that second crossing up, who needs two ways to get to Wales anyway. 

At least Gloucester won the rugby brilliantly and Wolves got their second away win in a week. If I haven't mailed you already check the Message Board - we are moving pubs for the monthly meet.

 

September 12    Two good birds in one week in Glos, now what's the odds on that. Not much I thought when my car broke down on Tuesday night. Five to seven days waiting for parts and relying on lifts was the verdict. Then I got Martin's call at work Friday morning - Aquatic Warbler in the 100 Acre - a lifer for me. I didn't panic, much. Lift home e-mailed everyone (hope you all got there) and planned to pick up a hire car for the weekend at 4:30pm. Two minutes after hitting the send button, Andy Chapman, my saviour, rang me asking if I wanted a lift. Is the Pope Catholic? Half an hour later we joined Tony on site and immediately Andy and I had the bird fly across the channel, before perching briefly and then disappearing. At 3:05 until 3:30pm it gave excellent views on and off to all and sundry who came. A brilliant lifer after years of dipping at Marazion. The number of people I have seen go away from there after ticking off juvenile Sedge Warbler is unbelievable, but when you see a real one its like a small tiger, absolutely stonking. 

 

September 06    I haven't written much in the Diary for a while because it's been very quiet since the White-rumped Sandpiper. I made a couple of visits to Fretherne over the weekend but even though there were quite a few birds about the hoped for rarities didn't emerge. A creeping bird in a ditch was not a Lancy but a Dunnock, the Wryneck which vanished into long grass without trace was almost certainly a Skylark and the Marsh Warbler along the same reedy ditch was a juvenile Reed, but Jake and I tried hard. News of the weekend's best bird didn't come to light until nearly 11pm last night, through no fault of the finder, when I checked my Surfbirds e-mail (the one that fields all the Spam). I was gobsmacked to read Andy Oliver's mail about a White Stork roosting at Stoke Orchard tip. A dozen texts and 30 e-mails later I had done my best to alert everyone. I got to bed at midnight was up again at 5am and by 6am I was watching my second County White Stork. Incidentally the second of the year, the first only being seen by David Owen and his Bank Manager! A good many birders are indebted to Andy for his find and a few gained a County tick having missed the 1998 Ashleworth bird. Later John Sanders (who unfortunately missed it by 30 seconds) found out from the tip workers that it had been there all weekend! 

Last weekend I enjoyed watching Glos beating Calvisano and this weekend an away win at Leeds was particularly satisfying with Wasps and Bath losing. Wolves had their best weekend of the season with all games being cancelled, and as for England let's not get into that. 

Other news - we have more or less decided to move the monthly pub meeting to a new venue from the first Friday in October, due to the unavailability of food and other reasons. More of that later, watch the Message Board, that place you lot have stopped using since it changed. You need to get into practise because I'm off to Florida soon (if it's still there) so you'll need it to pass news around. I may try and train my daughter to update the Sightings whilst she house-sits but I wouldn't hold your breath on that one.

Oh, and did I mention Andy Jayne was 40 on the 4th, Happy Birthday Andy.

 

August 23    Congratulations to the WWT team for winning the OBC Football cup at the Bird Fair on Saturday, 1-0 in the Final. Not a bad weekends birding although the WWT Marsh Harrier continues to elude me. A nice scattering of waders, passerine migrants and butterflies and dragonflies this weekend. Friday we had an excellent evening watching Gloucester beat Llanelli Scarlets 28-6, in a far from friendly "friendly". Can't wait for the season to get under way now. 

 

August 15    My lucky streak returned today when I joined Martin, Neil and Paul first thing to examine the high tide wader roost at WWT. Martin immediately picked out a moulting adult White -rumped Sandpiper in his swanky new bins and within minutes we were all enjoying cracking views of this super wader, a County tick for three of us, but Neil's third! It remained obliging for much of the day, if a little distant, allowing birders to catch up with it.

 

August 13    I'm back from holiday today and normal service will be resumed. We had an excellent activity holiday in Devon and tried everything from Abseiling to Zip wire, through Dry-slope Skiing and Lacrosse. We went with my sister and her family and all are still in awe of the 49 year old who scored the winning goal in the football and the winning bull's-eye in the Archery. Modesty prevents me from naming him and I've been banned from mentioning it again. Birding took a backseat throughout the week but I went out to nearby Berry Head on a couple of occasions where I year-ticked Cirl Buntings, Manx Shearwater and Gannets. I also saw a couple of Arctic Skuas and good numbers of Wall butterflies there. 

 

July 31    Today turned out quite well since I had no birding planned. We went to Speech House with my sister and family for a picnic. Ravens were the only birds of note, apart from a confused Tawny Owl at Woorgreens calling mid-afternoon. Silver-washed Fritillaries were a new butterfly for me around the picnic site glades at Speech House. Also there were a few Giant Wood Wasps, very big c2" and loud, and straight from the set of "Starship Troopers". 

This evening following on from the success of others I went for the Hasfield Quail late in the day. It was calling very close to me, about six feet away, when I arrived. When I turned to leave after speaking to Gerry on the phone it leapt into the air from under my feet and flew the length of the field, where it began calling again immediately on landing. I refute entirely the suggestion from one birder that I was using a strimmer. I suggest he uses one at his place of employment and then we might get to see a Spotted Crake this August, mentioning no names.

 

July 24    Two new items on the site this week. The first a Birders Small Ads page where I will place adverts for birding related products for sale or exchange and I will host them for free. In exchange please mention The Gloster Birder when replying to any of the advertisements. If you are selling goods please notify me when sold so that I can remove the ad. 

In addition yet another Message Board has ended. Dream Tools are closing on 1st August so I have started a new board as from today. It may be necessary to be registered for this board but I'm not sure, but if you do it only requires a user name and an e-mail address, so its not difficult. Please use this Message Board from today and hopefully it will be as popular as before. It certainly looks better.

 

July 12    I have received this today from Simon Mackie, long time friend of the site - "I have at long last got around to completing a site showcasing, and making available to buy, the images I have been taking over the last few months. I hope you will all take the time to have a look and get your wallets and/or purses out to contribute to my becoming a millionaire overnight. I'm sure one of my pictures would look lovely on your wall. Tell your friends. Many thanks in advance with tongue firmly in cheek." Simon Mackie http://www.sjmackie.com. You can also still see Simon's images on the link from the Digiscoping page.

 

July 10    Today I am pleased to put on-line Dave Pearce's April 2004 Southern Morocco Trip Report click here or go to Trip Reports for this and others. 

Here is another two live web cams for you. This time of White Stork nests in Poland. Click here. You will need Real Player which is freely available on the Net.

The live footage from the Chiltern Red Kite's nest is also still on, click on the Kite below then select Live Pictures. 

 

July 06    Today I took a day off work to dip the Greater Sand Plover at Snettisham in Norfolk with Paul and Tony. I'm really getting into the swing of this now and I think together with Gerry, Richard P, Tony, Paul and myself we have a fine nucleus of a GB Freestyle Dipping team to enter into the Olympics. We had a few bits and pieces of note including a female Marsh Harrier, 1000+ Bar-tailed Godwits, fifty Knot (including some nice red ones) and Grayling butterflies.

 

June 28    I headed to the Midlands again on Saturday, with Gerry and Richard Price, this time to successfully dip the Bufflehead. I'm beginning to sense a pattern here. Sometimes I really hate twitching. The only notable sighting was successful breeding of Ruddy Ducks. 

 

June 25    Well the football's over, a sorry finish to a great tournament and I'm not going to mention cheating Swiss referees at all. Well maybe once. I think it's time to get back out there and find some birds, so here's a challenge - a Corncrake in the Cotswolds, Honey Buzzards in the Forest or a rare wader at Frampton - if you do get lucky let us all know. A Cinnabar Moth in the garden today, together with a few damselflies over the pond and House Martins in a clear blue sky. Life is good, so long as no-one mentions the football.

 

June 20    After dipping the Broad-billed Sandpiper in Staffordshire with Gerry and Richard Price last weekend, I stayed local this weekend and visited a few Forest sites. Breeding seems to be in full swing but many birds are still singing and a Cuckoo still calling at May Hill this morning was quite late. A Lime Hawk Moth in the garden on the 16th was nice (see Sightings).

The National Bird of Prey Centre at Newent has lost an Eleonora's Falcon this week, so if you see it look for jesses, straps and a tail bell. If it's got them ring Jemima at NBPC - if it hasn't ring everyone quickly!

I have another bad week with PC problems and have spent a few restless nights contemplating the best way to deal with the unpleasant idiots that create viruses and spyware. Grrrrr!! At least we've got the football for a while longer anyway.

Steve Dark has sent me the following link for an excellent Japanese wader site. Click here.

 

June 11    Today I am pleased to put on-line Terry Fenton's May 2004 Lesbos Trip Report click here or go to Trip Reports for this and others. 

 

June 07    I went up into the Cotswolds early on Saturday to try and find Quail. I failed miserably and the traditional site near Eastington the other side of Northleach is planted entirely with Oilseed Rape rather than Barley this year making Quail unlikely here. I watched a Roebuck here clear a four feet wall from standing, quite an incredible feat, and had at least six Brown Hares. I picked up a couple of year ticks however and Corn Buntings remain easy to find at Huntsman's Quarry. I also drew a blank everywhere with Grey Partridge, an increasingly difficult species to find (other than the releases at Guscar). 

On Saturday evening I went to the Forest and had brilliant views of a pair of Nightjars and a couple of Woodcock roding. Tawny Owls however remained completely silent. 

 

June 01    Apologies for the lack of updates over the weekend, I've been away at the in-laws in Hertfordshire. It seems that the best bird was a Spoonbill found by Martin Wightman at Frampton for just six minutes. Saturday morning, in the absence of any enthusiasm for a long lone trip and the lack of really good birds, I went to Wilstone Reservoir. I spent a quiet hour in the hide just enjoying watching three hunting Hobbies and breeding Common Terns and Grey Herons. Best bird of the whole weekend though came at 8pm on Saturday night in the garden! I was sat in the bedroom watching the Whipsnade ridge looking for raptors (a Red Kite is sometimes seen and during the morning I had three Ravens). I looked down into the garden and saw a small bird moving through cotoneasters along the fence. I noted a crest, which I thought looked bright, and thought Goldcrest, that's a good garden bird. Then it came to the front of the hedge and I was astonished to note its zebra-striped face and bronze shoulder patches, Firecrest. I watched it for about half a minute and then it flew to a hanging basket. I nearly fell down the stairs in my rush to get someone else on it. Bridgette just saw it before it went. It did not reappear over the weekend. I imagine this must be a mega-garden record. I have sent it in to the Herts recorder, probably my best ever garden find. 

Sunday, together with Michael and Gerry (my father-in-law), we went to Twickenham for England v The Barbarians. Although it was nice to see six Gloucester boys in England shirts it really was boys against men (688 caps to 44 for England!) and the BaaBaas ran out 32-12 winners. 

The only other bird of interest over the weekend was a Red Kite floating over Jockey End near Hemel Hempstead. 

I have also been contacted by former Huntley resident, Roger Pensom, now settled in Portugal. He has asked me to introduce his self-catering apartments and guided birding available. Go to Casa Rosa. More details are on the links page.

 

May 20    An interesting few days when I managed to catch up with a fine trio of waders, all at Frampton - Pectoral Sandpiper, Temminck's Stints and Wood Sandpiper. For those of you who have tried phoning my mobile or sending me texts, I have been off-line for a week and I have not been very happy with my provider mentioning no names  OR ANythinG likE, but it should be resolved tomorrow. 

I received a great link today which is worth watching on and off throughout the day. Live footage from a Chiltern Red Kite nest, click on the Kite below then select Live Pictures.

 

May 09    This weekend couldn't be as good as last weekend and it wasn't. The weather was worse and the birds were hard to come by. I struggled in the Forest on Saturday morning managing to add four species to my year list, but only one of each. Best bird was a Spotted Flycatcher.

The Bird Race team of Duncan Dine, Tony Hurcombe, Steve Owen and Ian Ralphs did well to get to 112 species on Saturday, considering the weather and disappearance of all the rarities. I saw them at Nagshead early on Saturday looking suitably jaded. Ian says "We finished on 112 in the end. Which doesn't seem too bad given the weather! The Trust was good, I think the final list down there was two Bar-tailed Godwits, a Turnstone, a Little Egret (and that white Herring Gull) from Mid Point. Two Greenshanks, a Ruff, a summer plumage Little Stint and a Ruff from the Lathbury Hide. Down Green Lane we had a Little Owl and nine Black-tailed Godwits (and the stint again). Elsewhere Pit 114 at Dudgrove was good with a Nightingale, six Common Terns, lots of Red Crested Pochards and three Hobbies and West Down turned up trumps eventually with Grasshopper Warbler, Bullfinch and Garden Warbler but Pit 57 was hopeless almost nothing bar a Hobby. Would you believe we missed Yellow Wagtail, Woodcock, Common Gull and Pochard." Well done lads.

 

May 03    Well I was right it was a magic Bank Holiday weekend. I think I'll start by welcoming Tony Hurcombe to the Birding League, always a pleasure especially when it's old friends. 

As to the weekend, Friday afternoon saw me back at Lydney and I arrived just as the rain stopped and both Red-rumped Swallows showed really well down to three feet! The bird with two streamers spent long periods perched and seemed unwell and by Saturday it was gone. It would be nice to think it had moved on but I fear not. 

On Saturday I did no birding but went to Kingsholm instead, where Glos managed to roll Wasps in style. Pity they can't do it when it really matters. There was even a small passage of Swifts over at half time whilst I was in the beer queue. Sadly Wolves got relegated despite winning again, and although it hurts it wasn't a surprise. 

On Sunday morning I was at Sharpness at first light but it was dead, no sign of Saturday's Otter and just a Turnstone for consolation. I went to Frampton next and managed to add only Lesser Whitethroat. Ian Ralphs found a Wood Warbler, unusual this side of the river, at Saul Lodge so I went to seek it out. I didn't find it but Martin McGill phoned to say he had found a Dusky Warbler at the Trust. A County first and an incredibly late date. I drove to Splatt Bridge and ended up walking to the Trust. Arriving completely shattered (I wish I could have afforded a Leica when I was fit enough to carry it) I quickly connected with the Dusky Warbler. Amazing! I also knocked off three Knot and five superb male Whinchats before walking back to Splatt Bridge after Martin had driven me halfway. It was now 12:45pm and I was going to be home by 12MD at the latest. I got as far as Green Lane  before Dave Paynter arrived in the other Landrover. He said "Get in" - I said "I've got to get back" - He said "It's a Purple Heron" - I said "Move that rucksack over" and we were speeding back to Slimbridge. We pulled to a halt to see a Purple Heron circling the Trust, twice landing in low trees. My third County tick since Thursday. Thankfully Dave drove me back to my car at Splatt and I only arrived home two hours late. 

Sunday morning saw me back at Fretherne (it cost me three hours ironing ) with Richard B and it was awful. No Wood Warbler, no passage and just a couple of Whimbrel to trouble my notebook. Richard went home, I went to Splatt and spent an hour in the car drinking coffee and listening to the radio whilst it poured down. At 9:15am it stopped and I walked out to the towpath. I saw Martin parked on the seawall and I rang him to be told an Arctic Skua was heading my way. It took an age for me to pick it out and I got onto it as it went over Fretherne sluice. My fourth County tick since Thursday. I love May. Well done to Martin for his two special finds and I hope as many of you as possible got them too. I'm worn out now just recounting the tale.

 

Apr 29    Last night I searched the masses of hirundines at Frampton Sailing Lake for the Red-rumped Swallow seen at Lydney in the afternoon by John Phillips, to no avail. At 7pm in poor conditions I got the call from Andy Jayne that it was still at Lydney. A few calls later I led a convoy of cars down the M5 and over the bridge, pausing only to pick up Paul Taylor at Michael Wood. We arrived about 8pm in pouring rain and gathering gloom. However after a quarter of an hour the bird was refound on one of the small pools. We soon realised that directions onto the bird were coming from different points of the lake and it was only when they met in the middle we realised there were two. Amazing, second and third County records following the one in April 2001 at WWT that was inaccessible due to the Trust being closed because of the F&M epidemic. 

I've spent much of the day giving out texts and e-mails and know that most birders who went today will have connected. Let's hope they stay until the weekend, then I can have a second look. PS I predicted this one on April 19th - look below. 

Tonight there was a mass movement of 250+ Arctic Terns through the estuary. It could be a magic Bank Holiday weekend.

 

Apr 25    Today I am pleased to put on-line Greg Anderson's April 2004 Southern Spain Trip Report click here or go to Trip Reports for this and others. 

Yesterday morning I had a pleasant morning's birding starting with the Bredon's Hardwick Green-winged Teal and then birding Frampton and Fretherne with Richard Baatsen and Jake King. A flock of 63 Bar-tailed Godwits over at Fretherne was spectacular in number, colour and sound. I returned in the evening to try for a Grasshopper Warbler at Frampton with Richard but failed. As a result I went up to West Down at first light which is Gropper Central at the moment with at least four singing and showy birds. I can't remember when I saw more than one in the same place. Other ticks this weekend were Common Terns, Whimbrel and Cuckoo and a County Ringed Plover.

 

Apr 19    I didn't do a lot of birding this weekend through a combination of poor weather and being lucky enough to be a hospitality guest at Twickenham for the Powergen Cup Final. A cracking game and the food was great too. However I managed an hour Sunday morning and another hour in the evening at Frampton. I found a cracking male Redstart, quite a scarcity at Frampton, and also added Common Sandpiper, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat and Yellow Wagtail to my year list. I'm taking things much more leisurely this year, and I like it. Frampton has never been so well covered but I managed to do things in the wrong order Sunday morning and missed the Arctic Skuas Martin Wightman had fly upriver and inland. 25+ years and I still haven't seen one in the County. 

There are also masses of hirundines on the Sailing Lake, surely we are overdue a twitchable Red-rumped Swallow. I'll keep checking. In addition that darned WillowChiff returned to the same bush on the 3rd of April and is still present at the time of writing. An interesting bird which starts off it's song as Chiffchaff and finishes with near perfect Willow Warbler. A hybrid maybe or just a good mimic, and if the latter it's definitely a Chiffy doing Willow and not the other way about. It would be interesting to see the results if it was trapped.

 

Apr 09    After dipping the Royal Portbury Dock Dusky Warbler, the day it vanished in March, I decided to go back this morning now it had reappeared. I arrived at 7:15am and after 2½ hours on my own without sight or sound it was looking like a bad idea. Another birder arrived and he headed south along the towpath and I headed north. I rang home at 9:40am to say I was just leaving and had dipped again when a double "tac" call sounded just in front of me - and there it was, Dusky Warbler. It then showed very well at close range until I left at ten. I quickly summoned the other guy and he joined me. This was almost a life tick for me. The one I had seen at Holkham in November 1996, called once, was seen perched for about five seconds then flew between my legs never to be seen again. I know it's not Glos but directions are as follows: Leave the M5 at J19, go up the slip road to the roundabout, take the Docks road (last exit before the M5 North exit) and at the roundabout take the second left signed Portbury West. After 400yds turn left into Banyard Road. Go to the bottom of the road and park by Celloglass. The bird gets in the low evergreen hedge running alongside the building (it was there when I left). If you go down the grass bank at the end you are on a towpath, if you go left it gets in the hedge below Kerry's Warehouse (where I found it) and if you go right there is a small reedbed where it also gets to. Listen for the diagnostic double "tac" call. 

I have also reinstated the Guestbook today after it being swamped by unpleasant messages last time. Feel free to sign it to pass on your comments and suggestions.

 

Mar 28    What a weekend, sports-wise a nightmare Gloucester and England losing the rugby and Wolves (Oh Dear!) but the birds were much better. I managed to add Ring Ouzel, Garganey, Rock Pipit, Wheatear and Water Pipit. Not a bad haul and unless some over-enthusiastic birder manages to find rarities there, I have no need to return to my two least favourite places in the County - Cleeve Hill (DogmessingMotorbikerevvingHorsedodgingGolfbashingLungbursting Cleeve) and Aylburton mud heap (just go there you'll see what I mean) . Just kidding fellas, but give me Frampton every time.

 

Mar 23    I am pleased to welcome Paul Masters, one of my new contributors to the Glos Birding League for the first time. Its still not too late to get involved, just send your scores by e-mail. 

 

Mar 21    Apologies for the lack of updates this weekend but I have been away. I was at the in-laws and escaped both days to do some birding. Yesterday was a tough call though, it was either go to the Ideal Home exhibition with Bridgette and my Mother-in-law or go birding and watch the England rugby match. The latter was slightly more tempting so I managed a lifer at Fairlop in the shape of a super Hume's Warbler. Then I went to have a look at the Monk Parakeet flock in Borehamwood. Insurance birds really as they are increasing rapidly and will surely be added to Category C in the next couple of years. I had twenty and as many again were hidden from view in dense trees and gardens. Not the sharpest image on the left but it was blowing a gale.

Today I went to Wraysbury for the Ring-necked Parakeets (I love 'em) and also Sand Martins, followed up with Red Kites at Stokenchurch (at least ten) and finished with the Ring-necked Duck at Foxcote Reservoir. All in all a great weekend, especially with the Welsh losing again. Unfortunately I missed the Razorbill at Slimbridge but I reckon it was an escape .

 

Mar 17    Last weekend was a mixed one. I dipped the Portbury Dusky Warbler on Friday afternoon which was pretty grim because believe me there's not a lot else there, although a Kingfisher zipped through. Saturday was a lot better I saw the Purple Sandpiper at WWT in the morning and had wonderful views of the Frampton Little Gull in the evening. 

Before spring gets into full swing and everyone's out birding all the time the County Recorder, Richard Baatsen, kindly requests that you get all your outstanding 2003 records in to him at Baatsen@surfbirder.com  ASAP so the that annual report can be produced. He says "I am particularly interested in hearing from WEBS counters. I would also like to thank everyone who has taken the time and effort to submit records and anyone that has submitted descriptions. I have approximately 13,500 records on the system." Good birding in 2004  Richard.

 

Mar 10    Today I am pleased to put on-line Gruff Dodd's June 1998 Northern Scandinavia Trip Report click here or go to Trip Reports for this and others. 

 

Mar 07    I had an excellent day out in Norfolk yesterday with Gerry Shilham and Richard Price. We saw over 100 species and highlights included Lapland, Snow and Corn Buntings, Tree Sparrows, Shore Larks, Twite, Rough-legged Buzzard, Black-winged Stilt, Ross's Goose, Mediterranean Gulls and Barn Owls to name but a few. I was not really surprised to miss the Pine Bunting but would not be amazed if it showed again. All the finches, sparrows and buntings were concentrated feeding on dropped grain on the concrete pads at Choseley, especially in the freeze of last weekend. However now it has thawed the flocks are spread over a wide area feeding naturally and not needing to come to provided food.................Well, that was prophetic it turned up this afternoon at 4:15pm for a quarter of an hour. Should have had a bet!

 

Feb 28    I am pleased to welcome Terry Fenton, one of my regular contributors to the Glos Birding League for the first time this year. Its still not too late to get involved, just send your scores by e-mail. 

Also many thanks to Gerry Shilham for the link for this digiscoping site Click here, very useful for all abilities.

 

Feb 17    Today I am pleased to put on-line Gruff Dodd's November 1998 Gambia Trip Report click here or go to Trip Reports for this and others. 

 

Feb 15    I have neglected the Diary of late and thought it about time I put down a few thoughts. Last weekend I dipped just about everything I went near, the Slimbridge Long-eared Owl on Saturday night (although I did get Barn Owl) and I froze in the Hempsted area Sunday morning failing to track any gulls of note. At the Bird Fair Sunday afternoon however, the walk I helped lead with Jeremy Squire found the Lapland Bunting considerably easier than some of the other walks. We had wonderful views at 3:30pm, when everyone else had gone back except for me and four hardy visitors, it flew in and perched in the open for fifteen minutes. It was nice see several old friends at the Trust and to meet a few new people too. The bird meeting was well-supported on the Friday night and I enjoyed being at Kingsholm on the Saturday when Glos thumped Newcastle. 

This weekend I developed another heavy cold (thanks Bridgette) and birded the Forest this morning. The Bramblings at the Arboretum were especially nice. Then I managed to catch up with the Spoonbill at the Trust. The rugby last night was excellent with Glos beating Sale. Best chant of the weekend in response to two girls in the Shed chanting "Sale, Sale" a voice at the back said "Don't you tell my missus there's a Sale!"

 

Feb 01    This morning I went to Sharpness early hoping yesterday's blow might have stranded something but it was very quiet. I then went to WWT for a second look at the Lapland Bunting. I was lucky enough to be in on its discovery last week, a brilliant result for Martin McGill and his feeding patch. This is the first twitchable Lapland Bunting in the County and dozens of people have now seen it. I would urge you all to support the Great West Bird Fair at the Trust next weekend. I will be there on Sunday so say hello if you spot me. The pub meetings also continue on the first Friday of the month (the next is on Friday 6th February) at the Old Forge at Whitminster. It would be even nicer to see you there - they've got beer!

 

Jan 22    Today I am pleased to put on-line Gerry Shilham's August 2003 St Lucia Trip Report click here or go to Trip Reports for this and others. 

 

Jan 18    Today I saw the Worcester Waxwings at first light, as indeed have many of you I hear. Roy Shilham has taken a couple of excellent photos which are in the General Gallery. Click here. Then I met Tony Eveleigh in the Forest and we had a good morning where we connected with Hawfinch, Raven, Willow and Marsh Tits, Mandarins and Siskins and Lesser Redpolls. However by lunchtime I was in the grip of a flu-like illness which arrived like turning on a switch so it was home to bed. Must be all that fresh air or the shock of yesterday's result.

 

Jan 17    Nothing at all to do with birds but I got to say it - Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Manchester United 0

 

Jan 11    I returned to Oxford for a second look at the Baltimore Oriole. Sometimes a bird is so rare and so near, you just need a second visit. The plan was see the bird at first light then head up to Worcester for Waxwings and maybe finish the morning at Frampton. Unfortunately the oriole hadn't read my version of the script and spent 3½ hours sat in a conifer hidden from view while the sixty-odd birders were sporadically lashed with wind and rain between sunny spells. It was only when a birder retreated to his car from the elements that he spotted a flash of orange huddled in the conifer, and for that I thank you. After that with all the morning gone I went home and failed on the way to find Duncan's big Brambling flock at Withington. 

 

Jan 09    I was pleased to get a mail today from Andy Chapman to say that the Quedgeley Jack Snipe had returned for, at least, their fourth winter here. Andy saw two and I went round immediately and saw one. This is the area we urged the council to conserve last year and not build on. Despite some fairly radical scrub and reed clearance by the authorities the flooded area remains intact and hopefully always will. After all who wants a house on ground that floods each winter, although Jack Snipe on the garden list would be good! After that I went to Nebrow Hill for dusk and had views down to 15ft of a Short-eared Owl here, my 100th species of the year (71 in Glos). I have included details of Nebrow Hill on the Frampton site page because I have had so many enquiries about this site.

 

Jan 07    There was a Kumlien's Gull at Gloucester Landfill Site on Monday. Kumlien's Gull is the north-east Canadian subspecies of Iceland Gull. I have not generally ever reported birds found on the GLS because access has always been difficult as it is a very busy working tip and can be a dangerous place to be. Finding one special gull amongst 10,000 is always hard. Generally permission to enter must be sought from the Site Manager and you will need a hard hat and Day-Glo jacket. This information has been broadcast on the pagers today. There are public footpaths which border the tip (consult an OS Landranger). When something really special turns up like the Franklin's Gull in 1996 access has been arranged.

The poll for the next new species to be found in the County has closed. The joint winners with seven votes each were Semi-palmated Sandpiper and Pallas's Warbler, my choice, Pied-billed Grebe, was second with six votes. So all that remains now is for you the voters to get out there and find one. Good Luck with Semi-P though! Please do vote in the new poll for the best County bird photo on the site in 2003. A big thanks to all the photographers who have brought this site to life.

 

Jan 03    I spent a very successful, if extremely damp, day in Cornwall today with Richard Baatsen, Gerry Shilham and Richard Price. We started with the American Robin at Godrevy, which was a lifer for three of us, me included. We continued to have good luck through the rest of the day with Purple Sandpipers at Penzance, Razorbill (swimming underwater), Black Redstart and Eider at Newlyn harbour, Water Pipits at Marazion, Ring-billed Gull at Helston, Lesser Yellowlegs and American Wigeon at Hayle and ended with Surf Scoter and Black-necked Grebes at Loe beach. A good day out.

 

Jan 02    After 11 months last year searching for a Dipper I found one with ease on day two this year at Bonds Mill in Stonehouse. 

 

Jan 01    A Happy New Year to you all, I hope it is a good one and filled with lifers. 

I started the New Year at Frampton with Gerry and Richard where the easiest Bittern in Britain made it a good start. We followed this with the Hen Harrier at Nebrow and finished with the Yellow-browed Warbler and two drake Smew in the Water Park. A good start with 64 species. I will soon move the Sightings and Diary for 2003 to the Archives section.