If you e-mail records to me at Mike@surfbirder.com please also copy the County Recorder, Richard Baatsen at Baatsen@surfbirder.com

In the absence of updates please use the D-I-Y Gloster Birder in the Forum. You will need to log-in with a user name and an e-mail address.

Click here for Earliest Migrant Dates

Click here for New Bird Atlas details

Mon Dec 31st 2007

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still this afternoon at 4pm with 12 Little Egrets in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO744087. Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. (Chris & Theresa Stone).

Leigh Meadows    Two adult Whooper Swans, an adult Bewick's Swan and 20 Mute Swans today viewed from above The Red Lion. (Mike Smart/Richard Tyler). Pics by Rich.

WWT Slimbridge    The Tundra Bean Goose from Holden Tower still. (Chris & Theresa Stone).

Forest of Dean    A Dipper and a Grey Wagtail this afternoon behind the Stoneworks at Cannop Warth. (Mark Hobson).

Walmore Common    At 12:30pm 15 Mute Swans, 11 Bewick's Swans, two Shelducks, 200 Teal, six  Snipe and a Stonechat. (Mike Smart).

Sharpness    At 9:30am the Black Redstart still present. Also three Common Sandpipers, c200 Lapwings and a Sparrowhawk. (Barry R Catlin).

Cotswold Water Park    At Pit 46, Swillbrook, five Smew (a male and four redheads), five Goosanders (3m, 2f) and a Goldeneye still today. (Jennifer Rogers).

Hardwicke    The garden Water Rail again today and also Great Spotted Woodpecker, Fieldfare, Redwing and an assortment of Blackcaps. (Steve Dark).

Cheltenham    Two garden female Blackcaps today. (Ian Ralphs). Between 7:15 and 7:45am five different Tawny Owls heard one hooting near Crippets Farm answered from Shurdington Hill, two close together at Ullenwood Manor and the last calling near Daisybank car park, Leckhampton Hill. (Steve Brown).

Sun Dec 30th 2007

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still this morning in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO744087. Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. 

Bentham landfill    A Water Rail and a Woodcock this evening (both new to site) SO916164. (Terry Fenton).

WWT Slimbridge    346 White-fronted Geese and the Tundra Bean Goose still, also two Spotted Redshanks, five Ruff, two Peregrines and a Cetti's Warbler. (Martin McGill/Steve Brown).  

Sharpness    The Black Redstart still today. (Steve Brown).

Eastington area    This morning's survey produced a singing Dipper, a Water Rail, nine Blackcaps, 65 Blackbirds, 17 Song Thrushes, two Chiffchaffs, two Grey Wagtails, three Bullfinches, five Linnets, and two Siskins. At Five Acre Grove a Woodcock and a male Reed Bunting flushed from set-a-side and five Great Spotted Woodpeckers all drumming. At Stanley Downton 110+ Pied Wagtails, one Grey Wagtail and seven Meadow Pipits. Also: 200+ Redwings and 70+ Fieldfares. (Jake King)

Quedgeley    A garden Black Redstart today, on Kingsway, the new estate in Quedgeley. A mega-garden tick for Ed. (Ed Talma). At Clearwater Drive this morning two Kingfishers, a Green Woodpecker and a Water Rail. (Andy Chapman).

Sat Dec 29th 2007 

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret with nine Little Egrets still this afternoon in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO744087. Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. (Paul Masters). Pics by Paul.

Two more pics by Mike Smith.

Walmore Common    An adult male Merlin stooped unsuccessfully at a Meadow Pipit. Also nine Bewick's Swans, 180 Teal, six Shovelers, 14 Snipe, a Kingfisher and five Stonechats. (Andy Jayne).

Plusterwine/Aylburton Warth    A huge flock of up to 1000 Bramblings with 500+ Chaffinches in a field of Sunflower and an oiled adult Kittiwake resting in a stubble field. Also 45 Teal, an adult Peregrine, 500+ Lapwings, 50+ Dunlin, 205 Curlews, 21 Redshanks and a Common Sandpiper in Cone Pill. (Andy Jayne/Lewis Thomson). Pics below by Lewis.

Cotswold Water Park    At Pit 46, Swillbrook, six Smew (a male and 5 redheads), three Goosanders (2m, 1f) and a female Goldeneye at 12:30-12:45pm today. (Ken Cservenka).

Leigh Meadows    On the same field as on Boxing Day at SO853260 a flock of 17 swans grazing, two adult Whooper Swans, an adult Bewick's Swan with a yellow ring, number 675 reading up, on its left leg and 14 Mute Swans. (Mike Smart/ Les Brown).

Coombe Hill Meadows    The Grundon Hide is still accessible with wellingtons, though the water is over the boardwalk; shallow flooding has submerged the scrapes. 240 Canada Geese and a Barnacle Goose roosting – the biggest group so far this winter - but all had left (mostly to the north going beyond Apperley) by 8:30am. A few Mutes Swans roosting, they too left early, two Shelducks, 340 Wigeon, 30 Shovelers, on the Long Pool 120 Teal. A female Sparrowhawk, also unusually three Great Black-backed Gulls with other gulls. At the Wainlodes end, a Little Owl and c60 Snipe on one flooded field. (Mike Smart/ Les Brown).

Hardwicke    A Peregrine over the A38 this afternoon, 0.7mls south of the BP Garage at Hardwicke roundabout. (Paul Masters).

Cheltenham    At Naunton Park two garden Lesser Redpolls, a male and a female/first winter, on and off during the day feeding on Lemon Balm seed heads and the seeds left after blackberries have rotted away on the bramble. (Steve & Megan Brown). Pic below by Steve.

Fri Dec 28th 2007 

Kingscote/Calcot area    This morning a flock of 42+ Bramblings, 20+ Golden Plovers, 150+ Lapwings, 100+ Fieldfares, three Buzzards, a Kestrel and two Grey Partridges. This is the worst count of Grey Partridges in the winter recorded for this area! (Neil Smart). Pics below by Neil.

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still this morning in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO 744087. Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. 

Hardwicke    The garden Water Rail again this morning at 9:30am. (Steve Dark).

Thu Dec 27th 2007 

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still this morning in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO 744087. Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. 

Withington    25 Siskins in trees over the stream by the Mill Inn. Also a grey, frosty Redpoll with white rump seen well but briefly along the edge of a weedy field at SP024152 but not again in the next 15 minutes, most probably Common (Mealy) Redpoll also a Brambling with a mixed finch flock including c35 Chaffinches. (Mark Dowie).

Cassey Compton    From 10:30am 4+ Buzzards, two Ravens over, a Kingfisher and four Hawfinches (including at least one female) flew in to the top of the hornbeams at 11:50am but only stayed 10 minutes before flying off, landing briefly in a roadside tree at the top of the hill to the NE before flying off in the direction of Compton Abdale. (Mark Dowie).

Leckhampton    At Hartley Farm, Leckhampton Hill 76 Lapwings, four Bramblings (2m 2f)  with c50 Chaffinches but mobile, three Yellowhammers and 18 Common Gulls this morning. (Mark Dowie).

Hilcot    A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming and a Dipper on the Hilcot brook. (Terry Fenton).

Cotswold Water Park    At Pit 57 two Red Crested Pochards and a Chiffchaff. At Pit 46 a redhead Smew, three Goosanders (1 drake), two female Goldeneyes, a drake Gadwall and a Chiffchaff. (Steve Brown).

Forest of Dean    At Woorgreens 100 + Lesser Redpolls, 150 + Siskins and three Goosanders this morning. (Tony Eveleigh). At Lydbrook four Hawfinches landed at the top of an Oak tree at 2:20pm, staying a couple of minutes before flying eastwards over the forest. A major garden tick for Lewis. (Lewis Thomson).

Witcombe Reservoirs    Today a Little Grebe, five Great Crested Grebes, five Cormorants, c55 Coot, 13 Tufted Ducks, nine Pochards, c40 Greylags and c100 Carrion Crows in the field by Church Farm. (Harold Smith). 

Wed Dec 26th 2007 

WWT Slimbridge    The Bittern was seen from the Zeiss hide before flying into the reed bed in front of the hide around 3pm and quickly disappearing from view. A Tundra Bean Goose was showing well on Tack Piece from the Holden Tower. (Peter Jones).

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still this morning in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO 744087. Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. 

Cotswold Water Park    A drake and four redhead Smew on Pit 46 this morning, also a Water Rail calling and two Lesser Redpolls. Two drake Goosanders on Pit 48. No sign of the Red-necked Grebe on Pit 46 or 16. (Jon Mercer).

Coombe Hill Meadows    At first light today there were c170 Canada Geese and seven Mute Swans, most of which had left by 8:15am, presumably to graze elsewhere. Also only 25 Wigeon, lots of Teal calling from Long Pool and 15 Lapwings on floodwater. (Mike Smart).

Leigh Meadows    At 9:30am two adult Whooper Swans and an adult Bewick's Swan, with a yellow ring, number 675 reading up, on its left leg. Also a Green Sandpiper and a Grey Wagtail SO853260. (Mike Smart).

Charlton Kings    This morning at Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve a pair of Bullfinches, six Long-tailed Tits and three Goldfinches. (Steve Brown).

Tue Dec 25th 2007 

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still today in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO 744087 until 3pm at least with seven Little Egrets. Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. 

Robinswood Hill    A Woodcock at dusk today. (Mark Hobson).

Hardwicke    The garden Water Rail returned this morning at 11am, patrolling the lawn for 15 minutes. (Steve Dark).

Charlton Kings    A male Blackcap feeding in the garden. (Mark Dowie).

Quedgeley    A Blackcap heard calling in the garden but remaining hidden. (MK).

Westrip    Belated news of a male Blackcap feeding in the garden on Tuesday 18th Dec. (Ty & Sian Mein).

Mon Dec 24th 2007

Forest of Dean    At Parkend, at the crossroads just before the Barracks, in the Beech woods to the right of the road, a flock of 50+ Bramblings today. (Louise Watson/Andrew McDermid).

Cotswold Water Park    Five Smew on Pit 46 this morning, three males and two females. Also half a dozen Goosanders. (Richard Tyler). Pics below by Richard.

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still today in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO 744087 at 8am with five Little Egrets. Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. 

Longborough    A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen for several minutes from RB's garden as it flew steadily south at 12:15pm. The white rump was clearly seen. A brief search was made south of the village but it wasn't relocated. (Rob Brookes).

Sharpness    A Black Redstart on the high gabled building at the end of the road past the Post Office at 2:30pm. (Andy Chapman).

Ashleworth Ham    c180 Canada Geese roosting, c500 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 90 Pintail, 75 Shovelers, 50 Mallards, seven Gadwall and a single Tufted Duck. 300 Lapwings flew over, c20 Snipe and a Jack Snipe at the bottom of Stank Lane and a couple of Reed Buntings. (Mike Smart/Les Brown).

Brimscombe    A Dipper, a Kingfisher and two Marsh Tits at Brimscombe Port this morning. (David Owen).

Cassey Compton    No sign of the Hawfinches this afternoon, between 11am-12 noon seems to be the best time, but a redhead Smew flew over. Also two Ravens over and a Kingfisher on the stream. (Dave Morgan).

Cheltenham    Two Ravens over Naunton Park today. (David Anderson/Steve Brown).

Sun Dec 23rd 2007

Longney    An adult Mediterranean Gull at Longney Crib this afternoon. (Jeremy Squire).

Cassey Compton    Four Hawfinches late morning in the hornbeam trees between the yew trees and the stream along the orchard. Please stay on the road and don't walk into the orchard as it is Private Property. The birds are quite wary but as there is a reasonable amount of fruit left on the trees hopefully they will stay around for a while. Also a Goshawk flew over. (Duncan Dine/Richard Tyler). Pics by Richard.

Hardwicke    A garden Water Rail this afternoon at 2pm, unsurprisingly a mega-garden tick. (Steve Dark).

Cotswold Water Park    A redhead Smew, a drake Goosander and five Goldeneyes on Pit 46 in very foggy conditions this morning. (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman/Mark Hobson). The Red-necked Grebe reported on Pit 46. No further details.

Driffield    Nine Grey Partridges in the field to the right of the road to the village coming from the A419 where it bends right. Also a female Stonechat here. (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman/Mark Hobson). Pics below by Paul.

Harnhill    Two Tree Sparrows this morning. (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman/Mark Hobson).

Bentham    At the landfill site two Jack Snipe, five Snipe and a pair of Stonechats today SO916164. (Terry Fenton).

Bencombe    A maximum of four elusive Bramblings in treetops at the roadside near Croomes Grove Farm at ST799969 on the road to Uley just off the B4068 road from Wotton to Nailsworth. (Geoff Moyser).

Robinswood Hill    Five Tawny Owls at dusk with three males calling on the North side and a female calling near the Quarry. Also two Ravens. (Mark Hobson).
Clanna    On Clanna Ponds eight Moorhens, eight Mallards, three Little Grebes, a Mute Swan, a Tufted Duck and a Dipper. A Goshawk on a woodland edge nearby and 25 Buzzards in an arable field. (Ivan Proctor).

Lower Slaughter    Garden Great Spotted Woodpecker and Long-tailed Tits pictured below by Richard. (Richard Tyler).

Sat Dec 22nd 2007

Bourton-on-the-Water   Four Snipe at Salmonsbury Meadows flushed by a nearby shoot. Also c10 Lesser Redpolls and ten Goldfinches feeding on alder cones. (Andy Lewis).

Forest of Dean    Two Dippers on Cannop Brook immediately behind the Stoneworks at 12:25pm. (Gavin Black).

Beachley Point    A Firecrest at 1:40pm by the large pylon and two Bullfinches. Park under the Severn Bridge and walk south for 400 yards. (Andy & Mhairi Chapman).

Lydney Harbour    c140 Golden Plovers and a Blackbird with a white head. (Andy & Mhairi Chapman).

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still today in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO 744087 at 1pm with a Little Egret. Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. Also here a Buzzard, a Green Woodpecker, Goldfinches, a Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tits and numerous Redwings. (Mark Moore). On the river here 800 Dunlin after the tide 10:30am, two Redshanks and at the Waterworks three Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest. (Mark Hobson).

Cotswold Water Park    A female Red-breasted Merganser with a flighty group of ten Goosanders, in SE corner of Pit 46, right on the County boundary, the flock flew towards Pits 58/41. Also there three redhead Smew flew in then flew off again also towards Pits 58/41, a Kingfisher, a Lesser Redpoll and a pair of Bullfinches. On Pit 44 a pair of Goosanders and on Pit 57 two drake Goosanders and ten Goldeneye. (Jon Mercer). The Red-necked Grebe was reported yesterday (21st) on Pit 16, presumably the bird that has been in Wilts, and an adult Yellow-legged Gull.

WWT Slimbridge    The Tundra Bean Goose still present today and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose flew upriver. Also two Little Stints, a Peregrine, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Redshank, 70 Golden Plovers, 50 Dunlin and a Buzzard on the Tack Piece and another Peregrine was on the Dumbles. A male and a female Blackcap were near the restaurant. (Paul Masters).

Severn Hams    After the recent flooding, water levels have dropped, and there is little floodwater left, just the usual waters in the scrapes and Long Pool. Still quite a bit of ice on the fields and the Long Pool, so rather few birds about. 16 Mute Swans and 80 Canada Geese had roosted, but no sign of the Whoopers, c200 Teal but few other ducks. The Whoopers were not on Leigh Meadows either. Birds at the Wainlodes end included a Green Sandpiper, 40 Snipe, a Little Owl and a Grey Wagtail. At Ashleworth water has returned to normal winter levels, a few hundred ducks including c20 Pintail. A Jack Snipe and a Snipe at Hasfield. (Les Brown/Mike Smart).

Frampton    A Water Rail calling and 12 Long-tailed Tits at the reed-bed south of Splatt bridge, at the WWT 100-Acre, from Green Lane, 220 Lapwings, 2-3 Stonechats, a Kingfisher, a Kestrel, a Mistle Thrush, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard and four Curlews. (Paul Masters). Also a second-winter Yellow-legged Gull at the Sailing Lake. (Jeremy Squire).

Leckhampton    At midday at Hartley Farm, Leckhampton Hill, 50 Lapwings, 100 Fieldfares, a male Bullfinch and three Roe Deer (a buck, a doe and a well grown youngster). (Steve Brown).

Fri Dec 21st 2007

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still today in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO 744087. Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. (Jeremy Squire).

Bencombe    c40 Bramblings feeding on the roadside near Croomes Grove Farm on 17th December and again today at ST799969 on the road to Uley just off the B4068 road from Wotton to Nailsworth. (John Ryman/Vic Polley).

Tewkesbury    Four Shelducks, 34 Snipe, 50 Pied Wagtails and two male Stonechats on Severn Ham. A Little Grebe, two Water Rails heard and a Cetti's Warbler at The Mythe. (Andy Jayne).

Cotswold Water Park    At Pits 46/48 two redhead and an adult male Smew still today.

WWT Slimbridge    From Holden Tower the Tundra Bean Goose still and the Bittern from Zeiss hide. Early on the six Continental Greylags and a Peregrine from the Holden Tower and a Cetti's Warbler from the Knott Hide. (Steve Brown).

Frampton    A Merlin reported flying through the WWT 100-Acre. (per Steve Brown).  

Cambridge    A Kingfisher perched on a roadside post in Ryall's Lane near Longaston Lane. (Steve Brown).

Condicote    At least 80 Linnets feeding in a stubble field east of Condicote village. (Rob Brookes).

Longborough    A pair of garden Bramblings and also a pair of Siskins, 25 Chaffinches, at least 15 Goldfinches and at least 15 Greenfinches. Nearby, a Buzzard on a manure heap 'worming' and a Little Owl just east of Longborough. (Rob Brookes). Pics below by Rob.

Thu Dec 20th 2007

Cotswold Water Park    At lunchtime at Pit 65 four Snipe flushed, a Green Woodpecker, five Goldeneye, a Water Rail heard, c70 Goldfinches and a Chiffchaff. At Pit 57 a female Ruddy Duck, two Goldeneye, 40 Shovelers, 250 Wigeon and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. At Neigh Bridge 5+ Siskins with c15 Goldfinches in alders by the car park. Good numbers of Fieldfares generally also 5+ Song Thrushes seen. (Jon Mercer).

Cassey Compton    Two female Hawfinches still in the beech trees between the yew trees and the stream along the orchard. (Dave Pearce).

Wed Dec 19th 2007

Cotswold Water Park    At Pits 46/48 four redhead and an adult male Smew, two female/juvenile Goldeneyes, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers and at Pit 44 a pair of Red Crested Pochards. (Will Hayward per GH).

WWT Slimbridge    The Tundra Bean Goose and Dark-bellied Brent Goose from Robbie Garnett hide today. 

Tue Dec 18th 2007

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still this morning in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO 744087 with five Little Egrets. Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. 

WWT Slimbridge    The Tundra Bean Goose and Dark-bellied Brent Goose from the Holden Tower today. (Andy Chapman).

Hardwicke    A Green Sandpiper on a flooded ploughed field still today on the left hand side of the A38, 0.7mls south of the BP Garage at Hardwicke roundabout just south of the raised lay-by. (Andy Chapman).

Quedgeley    At Clearwater Drive a Jack Snipe, a Water Rail, two Reed Buntings and a Green Woodpecker today. (Andy Chapman).

Leckhampton Hill    Late afternoon 15 Lapwings at Hartley Farm and a pair of Stonechats on a dung heap at Hartley Bottom. (Steve Brown).

Cheltenham    At Naunton Park this afternoon a garden Redwing.  (Steve Brown).

Gloucester    A pic of the Starlings below, that have been roosting in conifers behind the Barton Street Police Station/Machine Mart, Tredworth. Good views may be had from the Metz Way railway bridge. (Ian Elphick). Pic by Ian.

Mon Dec 17th 2007

Ashleworth Ham    Two Whooper Swans with Mute Swans by the side of the road to the hide. (Dave Pearce).

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still this morning in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO 744087 with five Little Egrets. Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. 

WWT Slimbridge    The Tundra Bean Goose and Dark-bellied Brent Goose still today.

Longford    This afternoon a Jack Snipe flushed from the Hatherley Brook near Longford was then taken by a Sparrowhawk. (Andy Jayne).

Gloucester     A Water Rail and a Chiffchaff at Sudmeadow marsh and also 30 Meadow Pipits on Sudmeadow itself. (Gordon Avery).

Forest of Dean    At Cannop Ponds feeders a Grey Wagtail, a Jay, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker today. (Brian Davis). Pics below by Brian.

Sun Dec 16th 2007

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still this afternoon in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO 744087 with five Little Egrets. Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. 

WWT Slimbridge    The Tundra Bean Goose and Dark-bellied Brent Goose still today. The Bittern still present today from Zeiss hide.

Cassey Compton    Two Hawfinches today in beech trees by the side of the orchard. Also Fieldfares and Redwings. (Richard Tyler). Pics by Richard.

Cheltenham    A drake Goosander on Pittville Park Lake this morning. (John Sanders). Pic by John.

Frampton    A Cetti's Warbler, a Chiffchaff, two Stonechats, a Reed Bunting, a Goldcrest, a Green Woodpecker, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, four Redshanks and a Little Egret between Cadbury and Splatt Bridges this morning. (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman).

Forest of Dean    This morning at Brierley four Bullfinches (three males), two Ravens, two Siskins and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. (Steve Brown).

Gloucester    A large flock of c10000 Starlings has been roosting in some conifers behind the Barton Street Police Station/Machine Mart, Tredworth. Good views may be had from the Metz Way railway bridge this evening. (Ian Elphick/Richard Lawrence).

Sheep Bridge    A Little Egret on the River Leach, just east of Sheep Bridge SP10 late morning, also 100 Linnets, 100 Chaffinches and 12 Bramblings in game cover nearby. (Ian Ralphs).

Sat Dec 15th 2007

Awre    A first-winter Glaucous Gull on the river off Awre in with the thousands of roosting gulls. (John Phillips).

Cirencester    A female Goshawk in the trees between Cirencester Cricket Club and The Bathurst Estate around midday. (Mark Brooks per GH).

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still until 2pm at least today in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO 744087 with five Little Egrets. (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman/Ian Ralphs). Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. 

WWT Slimbridge    A wing-tagged female Great Bustard sat on the seawall viewable from Holden Tower this morning until 10am when it flew S and then again at 11:40am and the Tundra Bean Goose and Dark-bellied Brent Goose still. Also the Bittern still from Zeiss hide. (James Lees/Shirley and Tony Hawkins/Ian Ralphs).

Forest of Dean    At Cannop Ponds feeders at least 18 Blackbirds, three Marsh Tits, two Nuthatches, three Jays, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers and five Grey Squirrels. On the pond two Little Grebes and two Greylags. At Cannop Stoneworks a Dipper by the bridge. At Mallards Pike Lake just two Mandarins. (Mark Moore with Nathalie & Cam).

Frampton    A Kingfisher, a Sparrowhawk, a Reed Bunting, three Green Woodpeckers, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Little Egret and three Curlews along the canal from Cadbury to Splatt Bridges and at the WWT 100-Acre, two Peregrines, two Buzzards, a Kestrel, a male Stonechat and six Snipe. A Water Rail was at the reedbed south of Splatt Bridge. (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman). 

Fri Dec 14th 2007

WWT Slimbridge    A Dark-bellied Brent Goose on the Tack Piece today and the Tundra Bean Goose still. (Paul Masters).

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still at 10:15am today in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO 744087 with two Little Egrets. It occasionally changes fields but doesn't go far. (Andy Chapman). Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. 

Hardwicke    A Green Sandpiper on a flooded ploughed field still today on the left hand side of the A38, 0.7mls south of the BP Garage at Hardwicke roundabout just south of the raised layby. (Paul Masters). 

Thu Dec 13th 2007

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still at 3:30pm today in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham SO 744087 at first with Black-headed Gulls on the ploughed field, then moved to the grassy field and disappeared over the road. It occasionally changes fields but doesn't go far. (Steve Brown). Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. 

Ozleworth Park    A Tawny Owl today. (Mike Smith). Pic by Mike.

Charlton Kings    A garden Grey Wagtail this morning. (Graham Watson). Pics by Graham.

Hucclecote    At Barnwood Park Arboretum today a Green Woodpecker, 16+ Long-tailed Tits, c50 Mallards and c20 Moorhens. (Harold Smith).

Wed Dec 12th 2007

Bourton-on-the-Water    Four Pintails and five Little Grebes amongst the 200 Canada Geese at the south (Santhill) pit today. (Andy Lewis).

WWT Slimbridge    A Tundra Bean Goose, 234 White-fronted Geese, two Spotted Redshanks, two Peregrines and 102 Bewick's Swans today. An influx with the favourable conditions. (Martin McGill). The Bittern still from Zeiss hide today.  (Richard Tyler). Pic by Richard.

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still at lunchtime today in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham. SO 744087. It occasionally changes fields but doesn't go far. Look for the Little Egret flock. (Richard Tyler). Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. Pic by Richard, also Fieldfare at Frampton.

Condicote    A male Merlin just SE of Condicote (towards the trout farm) on a roadside hedge at 8:55am, the bird then flew off low south eastwards. Also here at least 80 Skylarks feeding in a root crop field, at least 30 Yellowhammers and ten Corn Buntings. (Rob Brookes).

Charlton Kings    A male Siskin, two male Blackcaps and a female at garden feeders today and a male Sparrowhawk took a Goldfinch. (Graham Watson).

Tue Dec 11th 2007

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still at lunchtime today in the fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham. SO 744087. It occasionally changes fields but doesn't go far. Look for the Little Egret flock. (David Owen). Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. 

Longborough    A Barn Owl on the garden fence again at 9pm. (Rob Brookes).

WWT Slimbridge    The Bittern showed at Zeiss Hide again today.

Brimscombe     Two Marsh Tits and a Dipper along the River Frome at Brimscombe today. (David Owen). 

Gloucester    At Castlemeads late afternoon a Reed Bunting and a Mistle Thrush both singing near the footbridge from the docks, a Kingfisher flew up the East Channel near to Lower Parting and a Raven tumbling at passing Gulls. Also at Town Ham a Kingfisher across the pond and at Over Ponds (near Port Ham substation) a Woodcock. (Steve Brown/Ian Elphick). At Sudmeadow two Lesser Redpolls trapped for ringing, were the first ever at this site! A Woodcock in the marsh and also a Water Rail calling and a Kingfisher nearby. (Gordon Avery). 

Mon Dec 10th 2007

Fretherne    The Cattle Egret still at 10am until 3:30pm at least feeding with 10 Little Egrets in the third field to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham. SO 744087. It occasionally changes fields but doesn't go far. Look for the Little Egret flock. (Dave Evans/Gordon Kirk). Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk west from the canal. 

WWT Slimbridge    The Bittern showed again at the Zeiss Hide today. (Graham Cox). Pic by Graham, also Gadwall, Rook and Blue Tit.

Sun Dec 9th 2007

Fretherne    A Cattle Egret until 3:45pm at least feeding with 16 Little Egrets in fields to the right of the minor road to Fretherne/Arlingham. (Gordon Hodgson). Park only at Cadbury Bridge/Frampton village due to this site being on a dangerous narrow bend with no parking available. It is c5 minutes walk from the canal. Pics by Gordon.

More photos taken by Paul Masters.

Newent    This morning at 4am, a Barn Owl over the B4215 near the pub at Malswick. (Nick Hopkinson).

Cirencester    Still c100 Golden Plovers two fields north of the Harnhill turning off the A419 south of Cirencester, opposite South Cerney airfield today. (Jon Mercer).

Hardwicke    A Green Sandpiper on a flooded ploughed field at 12:15pm this afternoon on the left hand side of the A38, 0.7mls south of the BP Garage at Hardwicke roundabout just south of the raised layby. (Mark Hobson). 

Wotton-Under-Edge    c70 Siskins feeding on Alders at the disused Nind fish farm (ST756916) at 1pm and also a Lesser Redpoll, a Bullfinch and a Marsh Tit. (Vic Polley).

Gloucester    At Port Ham a pair of Stonechats and several Reed Buntings. At Castlemeads West a number of Teal in the marsh and a Reed Bunting. At Town Ham a female Sparrowhawk. (Ian Elphick).

Cheltenham    Two Pheasants at 9:15am crossing College Road by Sandford Park in fairly busy traffic. (Laurie Pierce).

Sat Dec 8th 2007

WWT Slimbridge    The Bittern from Zeiss hide still today and a Merlin and two Peregrines from Holden Tower.

Crown of Crucis (Ampney Crucis)    A Kingfisher flew upstream mid afternoon and again at dusk. Also seven Long tailed Tits, 20 Goldfinches, a Mistle Thrush and a Kestrel preening. (Steve Brown).

Robinswood Hill Farm    The annual Grey Wagtail is about again, three Ravens and a Sparrowhawk past the farm feeders. (Ian Elphick).

Ashleworth Ham    The reserve is now flooded to normal winter level. The increased water level has attracted additional Pintail and other surface-feeding ducks in the last couple of days, this morning 300 Wigeon, 250 Teal, 70 Pintail, 60 Shovelers, 55 Mallards, seven Gadwall and a Stonechat. (Mike Smart/Les Brown).

Coombe Hill Meadows    Two Whooper Swans, 190 Canada Geese, a Barnacle Goose, 290 Wigeon, 110 Teal, six Shovelers, 58 Pintail, a Redshank and a Green Sandpiper. (Mike Smart/Les Brown).

Longborough    A pair of garden Siskins and a female Brambling feeding with a mixed flock of finches and sparrows of at least 50 birds and a Barn Owl at 7am. 30 Yellowhammers feeding in a stubble field nearby still. (Rob Brookes).

Fri Dec 7th 2007

Frampton    A Short-eared Owl hunting on on the WWT 100-Acre at 1:30pm. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. (James Lees).

Framilode/Priding    106 Golden Plovers on the sands this afternoon plus up to 1000 in flight overhead. Also 33 Curlews, an adult Yellow-legged Gull and four Chiffchaffs along the footpath just west of Priding House. (Andy Jayne).

Longborough    A male Merlin landed in a stubble field, watched for several minutes before it took off and flew at speed eastwards towards the village. Also a pair of garden Siskins feeding with Goldfinches, Chaffinches and Greenfinches and a Barn Owl at 6:45pm perched on a roadside fence. (Rob Brookes).

Thu Dec 6th 2007

Gloucester    Two Woodcocks in Sudmeadow osier bed. At least two Stonechats on Port Ham, a Green Sandpiper flew over to Sudmeadow after being flushed by a jogger on Port Ham. (Gordon Avery).

Walmore Common    This morning a family of Mute Swans (two adults and three grown cygnets, the male still extremely aggressive to a pair of Mutes that flew in), 100 Teal, two Snipe, a Stonechat and c40 Meadow Pipits. (Mike Smart).

Wed Dec 5th 2007

WWT Slimbridge    The American Golden Plover again with Golden Plovers on the Dumbles early afternoon from Holden Tower.

Ashleworth Ham    47 Pintails,  50 Shovelers, 250 Wigeon and 150 Teal today. (Les Brown/Mike Smart).

Tue Dec 4th 2007

WWT Slimbridge    The American Golden Plover again with Golden Plovers on the Dumbles this afternoon from Holden Tower but mobile.

Forest of Dean    At Cannop Ponds at 8:15am 12 Canada Geese flew south
down the Cannop Valley onto the lower pond, joining two male
Goosanders and a Tufted Duck which were already there. (Ivan Proctor).

Mon Dec 3rd 2007

WWT Slimbridge    The American Golden Plover again with Golden Plovers on the Dumbles early afternoon from Holden Tower 1:25-2:25pm at least. Also from Zeiss Hide the Bittern briefly this afternoon, it was showing well this morning reportedly, two Ruff, two Black-tailed Godwits and two Redshanks. (Tony Eveleigh/Steve Owen).

Epney    A female Merlin by the River Severn at Epney this morning. Also 65 Redwings and a few Fieldfares with them in a small pasture nearby. (Mike Teesdale).

Walmore Common    A pair of Stonechats this morning. (Mike Smart). 

Wilmer Common, Rodley    Five Shelducks lekking already, the Common/Paradise Shelduck cross that was there last winter, a Stonechat, 15 Pied Wagtails and eight Meadow Pipits foraging around the edge of the floodwater. (Mike Smart).

Gloucester    A pair of Stonechats by the Plantation Pool, Sudmeadow today (probably the Fielding's birds). (Gordon Avery).

Sun Dec 2nd 2007

WWT Slimbridge    The American Golden Plover again with Golden Plovers on the Dumbles mid-afternoon from Holden Tower. (Paul Masters/Mark Hobson).

Gloucester    Two Green Sandpipers on Sudmeadow Marsh this morning. (Gordon Avery).

Sat Dec 1st 2007

Hawling    At 10:30am a Red Kite flew south-west low overhead escorted by 20 Rooks. Later at Charlton Kings Mrs. Pearce reported a Red Kite flew over at 11am - very likely the same one! (Dave Pearce).

Fri Nov 30th 2007

Forest of Dean    A Willow Tit at Gorsty Knoll today. (Ivan Proctor).

Sharpness    A Red-breasted Merganser down river at 9:40 am, 30 Redshanks, a Greenshank, 35 Dunlin, 28 Lapwings, 12 Cormorants, a Shelduck, 40 Wigeon, 40+ Mallards, two Grey Herons, two Ravens, a Kestrel, a Kingfisher, three Linnets, two Meadow Pipits, a Pied Wagtail and a steady passage of the five common gull species. (Graham Watson). Pic by Graham.

Sharpness Docks    This morning the Black Redstart was again on the high gabled building at the end of the road past the Post Office. (Dave Pearce). Pic by Dave.

Kemble    A Barn Owl hunting along a disused railway line just north of the airfield. (Phil Pope).

Gloucester    Two Ravens over Castlemeads this morning. (Steve Brown).

Thu Nov 29th 2007

WWT Slimbridge    The Siberian Chiffchaff again today from the viewing platform by the car park reedbed occasionally. The Bittern again from Zeiss hide.

Longborough     A male Merlin between Longborough and Condicote, perched for several minutes at 8:20am this morning on a roadside bush before flying off south west in pursuit of small passerine. (Rob Brookes). Pic by Rob.

Cirencester    South of Cirencester a flock of 100 Golden Plovers circling over fields east of the A419 opposite the airfield just W of Driffield at 4:15pm and a Buzzard. (Mark Dowie).

Gloucester    A pair of Stonechats again today on Fielding's Playing field, Sudmeadow Road. (Gordon Avery).

Wed Nov 28th 2007

WWT Slimbridge    An American Golden Plover was found at 11am (Bruce Pendlebury) but then went missing until relocated at 2:30pm by GW and it remained with stragglers of the large Golden Plover flock until 3:15pm at least. Record shot by Martin below, more pics on the Anser site.

The Siberian Chiffchaff showed late afternoon to the left of the viewing platform by the car park reedbed. Also seen a Spotted Redshank, three Ruff, a Stonechat, a male Sparrowhawk, two Buzzards and two Peregrines. (Graham Watson/James Lees/Martin McGill). Pics below by Graham.

Forest of Dean    The Great Grey Shrike was still present at Farmers Green this morning along with one Hawfinch. (Colin Butters).

Longborough    At least 30 Bramblings feeding in beech wood by the A424 just west of Longborough. Just east of these, at least 40 Yellowhammers feeding in a stubble field. (Rob Brookes).

Cirencester    A male Brambling in a garden at Overhill Road with the finch flock visiting the feeding station at 10:30am. (Ken Cservenka).

Tue Nov 27th 2007

Ewen    Belated news of two Waxwings on Saturday 24th on a garden apple tree at the west end of the village. No sign since but it may be worth checking berry bushes in the vicinity. (Hannah Sarabjee per RB).

WWT Slimbridge    A Siberian Chiffchaff found in the willows on South Lake this afternoon. Although currently feeding in a private area it is hoped this bird will move into the grounds or in front of the hide . It was also seen feeding with a Scandinavian Chiffchaff. For pics and more news click on the link. (James Lees). Also the Bittern again from Zeiss hide today.

Mon Nov 26th 2007

WWT Slimbridge    The Bittern was on the right hand side of the reed bed at the Zeiss Hide today and showing very well, before flying back into the left hand reed bed and disappearing, also a Buzzard at South Finger and a Long-tailed Tit at the Holden Tower. (Graham Cox). Pics below by Graham.

Sharpness shoreline to Berkeley Pill    This morning 65 Wigeon, 73 Dunlin, five Redshanks, two Rock Pipits, three Stonechats, a female by the coastguard cottages and a pair along the ditch past the water works. At Berkeley Pill six Redshanks, 24 Snipe, two Rock Pipits and a male Stonechat. (Gordon Avery).

Sharpness Docks    At midday an adult Peregrine on the Silo nest box and a first-winter male Black Redstart on the high gabled building (offices) at the end of the road past the Post Office. (Gordon Avery).

Cheltenham    At 6:30am three Tawny Owls hooting from Battledown, Ryeworth and Ham respectively. (Steve Brown).

Crickley Hill    40 Bramblings below the escarpment. (Terry Fenton).

Little Shurdington    Off Greenway Lane, a juvenile Peregrine defending a kill against Buzzards. (Terry Fenton). Pic by Terry.

Sun Nov 25th 2007

Turkdean    Ten Bramblings and 40 Chaffinches along the road north of Turkdean. They were in the woods by the side of the road close to the entrance to Pountwell. (Keith White).

Bourton-on-the-Water    A female Goldeneye on the northernmost pit. (Andy Lewis).

WWT Slimbridge    An Otter from Zeiss hide from 8:30am to 9:50am at least. (James Lees). Also the Bittern again and a Ruff from here. A Water Vole by the pool at the entrance to the Trust building. (Rich Ford). Pic by Rich.

Another pic by Allan Chard and also a Wren trapped inside a hide which hit a window trying to get out.

Also a Water Rail at South Finger, a Great Crested Grebe at South Lake and a Pintail on the Pen. Also five Buzzards, two Peregrines , a Sparrowhawk and three Ruff. (Graham Cox). Pics below by Graham.

Cassey Compton    A Hawfinch showed well again at midday near the walled orchard by the bridge over the stream, in the large evergreen trees. (Dave Pearce).

Forest of Dean    The Great Grey Shrike present between 11:15am and 12:45pm ranging over the clear felled area, favouring the area beyond the deer hide. At Brierley six Hawfinches, two Goldcrests and small numbers of Siskins. At Cannop Ponds two pairs of Mandarins, two Little Grebes, two Nuthatches and three Marsh Tits visiting the feeders and 30 Siskins. 15 Crossbills at Parkend Church at midday and 100 Siskins at Woorgreens this afternoon. (Steve Brown/Mark Hobson). Pic by Mark.

Eastington    At Millend a Hawfinch flew from, and returned to, the grounds of Eastington Park (patch tick), six Grey Wagtails, a Green Sandpiper and a Chiffchaff on the Frome south arm, ten Siskins over, a male Sparrowhawk stooping at a Starling flock and a Dipper flying down the Frome north arm. (Jake King).

Longborough    A female Brambling feeding on Rob's garden bird feeder all week, still present today along with 20 Goldfinches, 15 Chaffinches, 12 Greenfinches and at least 15 House Sparrows. Also a female Siskin and a Barn Owl at 6:30pm, sitting on fence post by 15ft from Rob's house. Also Field Mice and Bank Voles visit. (Rob Brookes).