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Sightings 2008

 

January to June

 

Mon Jun 30th 2008

Forest of Dean    A Curlew on territory near St Briavels and two Crossbills over. (Andy Jayne).

 

Sun Jun 29th 2008

Gloucester    A Little Egret flew over Sudmeadow tonight at 9:20pm in the direction of GLS. (Gordon Avery). At Rea Bridge a female Mandarin and a Curlew over. (Andy Chapman). Three Little Egrets at Castlemeads West, a male Sedge Warbler singing, a Broad-bodied Chaser, a male Emperor dragonfly and a Fox at Oxleaze. (Ian Elphick).

Hucclecote    Two very noisy Ravens flew over Porchester Road heading NW. (Harold Smith).

 

Sat Jun 28th 2008

May Hill    A Crossbill over May Hill village today. (Rob Guest).

Cambridge    An Osprey flew E over Longaston Lane at 4:30pm. (Nick Goatman).

WWT Slimbridge    15 Green Sandpipers from Holden Tower this morning. Also a Stock Dove, a female Pied Wagtail with four juveniles and a White Wagtail. From Mid Point four Oystercatchers, 30+ Curlews, a Peregrine, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, two Little Egrets and two Sand Martins. (Jake King).

Newnham    A Hobby over the River Severn at Newnham this afternoon. (Lee Rogers).

Lower Slaughter    A Hobby over chased by martins this afternoon. (Richard Tyler).

Longford    A Hobby at Broadboard brook, Longford SO873213 seen twice this morning. Also a Buzzard, a Yellowhammer, four Reed Buntings, a Stock Dove and two Grey Herons. (Jim Northcott).

Cirencester    A Hobby over the car park at Cirencester Tesco at 11am this morning. (Jon Mercer).

Dowdeswell Reservoir    Three Great Crested Grebes (two adults and a well grown juvenile), two Little Grebes, four Tufted Ducks, 25 Mallards (a few ducklings also), two Grey Herons, 12 Coot, three Moorhens, 25 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and three Herring Gulls bathing, three Chiffchaffs, two Blackcaps and a Whitethroat all singing. Also two Grass Snakes, a Slow Worm, a Common Lizard, a Field Vole and a Common Shrew. Marbled Whites, Ringlets, Speckled Woods and Cinnabar and Scarlet Tiger Moths on the wing. (Graham Watson).

 

Fri Jun 27th 2008

May Hill    Four Crossbills over Bearfoot Wood on May Hill. (Rob Guest).

Ford    A Quail, 1km due west of Ford at the bend in lane to Pinnock. (Jim Milton).

Guiting Power    A Quail calling just north of Nosehill farm at 3:30pm today SP123263. Also a Green Sandpiper here flying south. (Richard Tyler).

Quedgeley    A Curlew flew SSE over Clearwater Drive wetland this morning at 9:05am, also a Whitethroat still in song towards Sims Bridge and a Lesser Whitethroat yesterday. (Paul Masters).

 

Thu Jun 26th 2008

Coombe Hill Meadows    A summer-plumaged Dunlin and a Little Ringed Plover, both return passage birds, also seven Lapwings, at least two Green Sandpipers and a Little Egret. Also noted extensive stands of Canary Reed Grass Phallaris, presumably the legacy of last year's summer flood, and some stands of True Fox Sedge Carex vulpina, the rare plant for which the site is famed. (Mike Smart/Juliet Bailey/Jackie Birch).

Gloucester    A Common Tern fishing today on the Gloucester-Sharpness canal at two-mile bend. (Paul Masters).

Naunton    A wing-tagged Red Kite hunting this morning. (Jim Milton).
Amberley    At Theescombe Lane a Red Kite flying S towards Nailsworth, also a Kestrel and a Buzzard sparring overhead.  (Phil Williams).

Charlton Kings    A garden Blackbird damaging the newt population today. (Graham Watson). Pic by Graham.

Lydbrook    At garden feeders at Hangerberry over the last couple of days juveniles or families of Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Blackbird, Dunnock, Robin and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Also Swallows overhead from next door's barn and the roof next door has a large roost of Pipistrelles. (Gavin Black).

Cotswold Water Park    Several thousand Common Blue Damselflies today by the banks of Pit 57 and also in other areas of the Water Park. Also two Speckled Wood butterflies. (Felicity Cobb).

 

Wed Jun 25th 2008

Amberley    At Theescombe Lane five Ravens flying together in the valley. (Phil Williams).

Hawling    Two Quail calling around the minor crossroads south of Hawling (SP060220) at 9:10pm. (David Owen).

Bisley    A Hobby over at 7pm. (David Owen).

Guiting Power    A Quail calling today 1/4 mile N of Nosehill Farm near Guiting Power, on reclaimed quarry ground. (Jim Milton).

Upper Swell    A recently fledged Dipper from a second brood near Upper Swell at 1pm, also recently fledge brood of Grey Wagtails there. (Rob Brookes). Pic by Rob.

Longborough    A Hobby over the village at midday. Also a Barn Owl watched for five minutes sat on the garden fence at 11:15pm.(Rob Brookes).

 

Tue Jun 24th 2008

Hawling    Two Quail still calling this evening near the minor crossroads at SP060220 and at least five singing Corn Buntings in the area. (Dave Pearce).

Cleeve Hill    A Grasshopper Warbler reeling this evening at Wardens Wood. (Paul Masters).

Frampton    A Grasshopper Warbler still reeling late evening at Nebrow Hill Oak Wood in scrub to the left of the furthest pond. Also a Little Grebe on the pond, unusual here, a Barn Owl, a Lesser Whitethroat singing, a Sparrowhawk, 16 Long-tailed Tits together and a Roebuck towards dusk. Pic below. (MK).

Eastleach Martin    Two Quail still calling in fields 3 miles north of Eastleach Martin today. (Ewan Urquhart).

WWT Slimbridge    The Dark-bellied Brent Goose still at Knott pool and an Egyptian Goose in the Rushy Pen. (James Lees). 

Forest of Dean    A pair of Nightjars at Boy's Grave seen in reasonable light at 9:55pm this evening, the male in wing-clapping display, then churring intermittently. Also a roding Woodcock over. Also another Nightjar churring on the opposite side of the road, audible from the Boy's Grave car park at 10:05pm. (Jon Mercer). A noisy family of Stonechats at Farmers Green this afternoon. (Rob Guest).

Ashleworth Ham    Today  Quail calling both morning and evening. On the Severn above Haw Bridge this evening a Common Sandpiper on the river, also a Kingfisher and two local broods of Canada Geese, on the cut hay meadows, at least 15 Lapwings. Downriver movements of waders are under way with Lapwing and Common Sandpiper today. (Mike Smart).

 

Mon Jun 23rd 2008

Ashleworth Ham    Quail still singing early morning and late evening (as they have been for most of June). In the evening there were eight non-breeding Curlews feeding on a newly cut hayfield. (Mike Smart).

Frampton    A Grasshopper Warbler reeling late evening at Nebrow Hill Oak Wood. (Nick Goatman).

Ruscombe    A male Siskin on garden feeders today - first summer record in 15 years. (Gordon Kirk).

Daneway Banks    A Crossbill over at 6pm SO939033. (MK).

WWT Slimbridge    Swallows feeding young at Mid Point today. (Allan Chard). Pic by Allan.

Sun Jun 22nd 2008

WWT Slimbridge    Two Cattle Egrets in breeding plumage on the Dumbles, the second-summer Ring-billed Gull still, five Green Sandpipers from Robbie Garnett hide and two Egyptian Geese in the Rushy Pen. (James Lees). At 11:50am today at South Finger a mother Otter and two cubs. (Graham Cox). A Fulmar flew N past Mid Point at 10:25am at high tide and then over Saul Warth and inland towards Longney. Also nine Oystercatchers, ten Curlews and 14 Shelducks. A female Redstart was along the summer walkway, a Dark-bellied Brent Goose was at Knott Pool and 23 Black-tailed Godwits were on South Lake. (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman/Andy Jayne). 

Cotswolds    A Quail calling just N of Ford today in a barley field. A Spotted Flycatcher in Half Moon plantation near Snowshill. Also a recently fledged Peregrine in the Cotswolds today. (Richard Tyler).

 

Hawling    A Quail heard near the Larkhill Farm crossroads mid-afternoon. (Andy Lewis).

Brimscombe    A Harrier species near Quarhouse on the hill above Brimscombe on the way to Thrupp. Also a Ringlet butterfly.

Forest of Dean    At Oakenhill Wood a Turtle Dove seen and two others heard and also a male Bullfinch. At Cannop ponds a female Mandarin with ducklings and a Sparrowhawk over. At Boy's Grave two Ravens. At Woorgreens a Lesser Black-backed Gull, seven singing Willow Warblers, two singing Garden Warblers, two parties of 6/7 Long-tailed Tits, a party of six Coal Tits, a female Crossbill with a juvenile, and later another juvenile Crossbill on the lake side. At Crabtree Hill two Buzzards and two Fallow Deer. At Nagshead a Spotted Flycatcher. Also a Redstart, a Treecreeper, two Nuthatches, and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers. (Graham Cox/Lee Rogers/Alan Baxter/Nick Hopkinson). Pic by Graham.

 

Sat Jun 21st 2008

Brockhampton    This afternoon at White Hill Wood a minimum of 15 Crossbills in the pines at SP047228. Park on the minor road there. (Duncan Dine).

Sheepbridge    A Quail in barley on the north side of the bridleway at SP197073 this morning. (Ian Ralphs).

Ampney Crucis    A wing-tagged Red Kite this afternoon. (Andrew Newton).

Charlton Kings    This afternoon a singing Tree Pipit on Ravensgate Hill. (Steve Brown).

Holcombe    A male Linnet and a male Red-legged Partridge at Holcombe, near Painswick. (Philip Williams).

Thistledown    Two Spotted Flycatchers at Thistledown, near Nympsfield. Also seven juvenile Swallows on posts being fed by adults. (Philip Williams).

Down Hatherley    A Ring-necked Parakeet still on garden feeders this morning. Also a female Redstart, a Goldcrest, two Little Owls, a Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. (Paul Masters/Andy & Mhairi Chapman). Pic by Paul.

Coombe Hill Meadows    Two Little Egrets, a Canada Goose with five goslings, two Common Terns on the island in the scrape, four Green Sandpipers, three Redshanks, five Lapwings, four Cuckoos, very active, still singing and four all at once chasing one another, a Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk, 1-2 Buzzards, a family party of four Blackcaps, five Whitethroats, a Willow Warbler and two Chiffchaffs. (Paul Masters/Andy & Mhairi Chapman/Les Brown/Mike Smart).

 

Fri Jun 20th 2008

Witcombe Reservoir    A Grey Partridge again by the second cattle grid and a Reed Warbler. (Dave Pearce).

Down Hatherley    A Ring-necked Parakeet on garden feeders this morning. (Bill & Helen Welsh). Pics by Bill.

 

Thu Jun 19th 2008

Little Witcombe    A Red-footed Falcon over the plantation at 9:15pm heading SW. (Terry Fenton).

Forest of Dean    At Oakenhill Wood two Turtle Doves. At Boy's Grave two Woodcocks over and two Nightjars. (David Owen). 

Gloucester    A pair of Little Grebes with four chicks on the pond at Port Ham this afternoon. One of the adult grebes was diving down and attacking a family group of Coots (two adults, two chicks) from underneath. (Richard Lawrence).

Cheltenham    A Sparrowhawk over Naunton Park at 8:45pm. (Steve Brown).

 

Wed Jun 18th 2008

Coombe Hill Meadows    A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at 4:15pm by the Grundon hide. (James Lees). 

Ashleworth Ham    Belated news of a White Stork late in the day on the 8th of May. (Mr & Mrs Adrian Mitra per Mike Smart).

Frampton    A female Sparrowhawk tonight sitting on top of garden feeders in the Vicarage Lane. (Bill Church).

 

Tue Jun 17th 2008

Stratton    A Little Owl at Barnway at 9:45pm. (Ken Cservenka).

Forest of Dean    A singing Turtle Dove in the garden at Yorkley this morning, it flew off and landed on a TV aerial opposite and stayed there for c1½ hours. (Barrie & Jos Mills).

Gloucester    At Port Ham this morning a female Cuckoo called then flew and perched near the old railway line. A Lesser Whitethroat singing at Sudmeadow heard from Lower Parting. Also several singing Reed Buntings. (Steve Brown).

 

Mon Jun 16th 2008

WWT Slimbridge    A Long-eared Owl again this morning on the summer walkway at 8:30am hunting the newly cut fields before roosting in the hedges. (James Lees). On South lake today there were two Oystercatchers, ten Redshanks, 20 Black-tailed Godwits and 50+ Lapwings. (Bob Shiret). 

Sun Jun 15th 2008

Woodford    Two Red Kites flew slowly north from Woodford towards Newport parallel with the A38 at 2:15pm. (Derek Edmondson).

Wye Valley    From Lydbrook to Yat Rock 15-20 Banded Demoiselles, over 100 White-legged Damselflies, a Club-tailed Dragonfly and a Hairy Dragonfly. (Eric Osbaldeston).

WWT Slimbridge    A White Stork flew onto the Dumbles edge at 1:15pm and remained until 2:40pm when it flew N over the car park. (John Overfield). Also today the second-summer Ring-billed Gull still, a Sparrowhawk from Zeiss hide, a juvenile Song Thrush and Cetti's' Warbler along the Holden Way, a Little Grebe on Knott Pool, Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits and a Great Crested Grebe at South Lake. (Ray Sherman/James Lees). Record shot below MK. 

Frampton    Two Cattle Egrets in the WWT 100-Acre today. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. Please park sensibly at Splatt Bridge or in the village. (James Lees).

Longborough    Ten Crossbills calling as they flew over N at 2:50pm. (Rob Brookes).

Kingscote    A tetrad visit (ST89H) this morning had singles of Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzard in the space of two minutes. Also Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. (Hugh Manistre).

Cheltenham    This afternoon a Scarlet Tiger moth in the garden at Naunton Park. (Steve Brown). 

 

Sat Jun 14th 2008

WWT Slimbridge    Two Green Sandpipers at the Holden Scrape today. (Steve Brown).

Frampton    A very young Common Shrew on the towpath at Splatt Bridge. (Steve Brown). 

Forest of Dean    At Nagshead a Pied Flycatcher, two Spotted Flycatchers and a female Redstart today. At Farmers Green two Mandarins with young, Marsh Tits on the Stone Works feeders with the usual Nuthatch etc, a Spotted Flycatcher and two male Redstarts on the left of the path to the turn and a female Pied Flycatcher on the fences near the 2007 Shrike viewing area. At Boy's Grave two Nightjars churring from 9:30pm and in flight from about 9:45pm in great light, only one real display flight though. Also at least three Woodcocks. (Mark Moore).

Beachley Point    16 Mallards, 15 Shelducks, seven Black-headed Gulls, three Oystercatchers and a Grey Heron. Also a Reed Warbler, a Reed Bunting and Meadow Pipit all singing and a Buzzard. (Ivan Proctor).

Gloucester    A Muntjac at Hempsted this evening. (Mark Hobson).

 

Fri Jun 13th 2008

Gloucester    This morning a Cuckoo and a Reed Bunting near Lower Parting, Alney Island. Also 25 Rabbits on Walls Roundabout. (Steve Brown).

 

Thu Jun 12th 2008

Forest of Dean    At Oakenhill Wood 5-6 Turtle Doves and Garden Warbler. At Nagshead three Pied Flycatchers, a Wood Warbler and two Spotted Flycatchers. At Boy's Grave two Tree Pipits, a Woodcock over and two displaying Nightjars. (Tom & Greg Mabbett). Pics below.

 

 

 

Highnam Wood    1+ Willow Tits and a Spotted Flycatcher briefly. (Tom & Greg Mabbett). 

Corse    A Little Owl hunting in the garden at dusk. (Darrell Moody).

Frampton    A pair of Red Crested Pochards on the Sailing Lake this evening. (Nick Goatman).

WWT Slimbridge    A Crossbill today and the second-summer Ring-billed Gull still today. (James Lees).

Eastleach Martin    At least three, probably five Quail calling in fields 3 miles north of Eastleach Martin today. (Ewan Urquhart).

Cotswold Water Park    At Whelford Pools N.R. (Pits 111 and 111b) six Common Terns, nine Great Crested Grebes (five adults and four young) and 14 Red Crested Pochards (7m, 1f, 6 young) at Pit 111a. (Harold Smith).

 

Wed Jun 11th 2008

Hawling    Two Quail calling at 4pm near the derelict barn at SP057218. (Rare Bird Alert). 

WWT Slimbridge    A Red Kite over going north at 2pm. (Neil Smart).

Gloucester    Two Little Egrets at Castlemeads all week, viewable from the Severn Way, Sudmeadow. (Gordon Avery).

 

Tue Jun 10th 2008

Cambridge    A possible Marsh Warbler singing at the bottom of Ryall's Lane towards the canal at midnight on Monday. No sign this evening though but a Quail heard calling from the direction of Nebrow Hill Oak Wood, three young Tawny Owls, two Barn Owls and five Little Owls. (Nick Goatman).

Hawling    A Quail calling at 8:40pm N of the derelict barn at SP057218. (Jon Mercer). 

Gloucester    This afternoon on Gloucester Royal Hospital a juvenile Peregrine begging and exercising, three other Peregrines on or around the tower. (Steve Brown).

Duntisbourne Abbots    A Hobby flew E over the A417 this evening. (Jon Mercer).

Cotswold Water Park    A Great White Egret feeding at Pit 126 at 2:30pm. Also 25 Great Crested Grebes, 25+ Red Crested Pochards, 10+ Tufted Ducks, 50+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls, a Grey Heron, Common Terns and Black-headed Gulls. View from the Public right of way, from Whelford Pools SSSI/GWT Reserve. Please do not enter the active quarry. (Gareth Harris per Nigel Pleass).

Frampton    On the Sailing Lake at 9:15pm a Hobby hunting insects low over the water and three Common Terns. (Bill Church).

Eastington    Eight Crossbills flew over Millend towards Coaley Peak at 4pm. (Jake King).

Bulls Cross near Painswick    Two Hobbies hawking for damselflies and dragonflies above a set-aside field beside Frith Wood at 1pm SO871082. (Vic Polley).        

Guiting Power    A Tree Pipit and a Redstart singing this morning at Barton Larches SP111259. (Jim Milton).

 

Mon Jun 9th 2008

WWT Slimbridge    The second-summer Ring-billed Gull still from Martin Smith hide. (Richard Cawsey). Pic by Richard.

Alderley    Between Alderley and Tresham a Red Kite circling low overhead for a few minutes at 5pm today (ST780908) before flying off W. Also in the same area were five soaring Buzzards and a Kestrel. (Vic Polley).

Gloucester    At Alney Island this morning just S of the railway a Cuckoo calling, four fledgling Great Spotted Woodpeckers on the ground then flew into low branches joining the adults and a Whitethroat feeding two fledglings. (Steve Brown).

 

Sun Jun 8th 2008

Cotswold Water Park    A Nightingale singing mid-afternoon at Swillbrook Pits 46/48, and a Hobby hawking for insects. Also Black-tailed Skimmer, and Azure, Common Blue and Large Red-eyed Damselflies. (Jon Mercer).

Edge Common    Two Tree Pipits, two Buzzards, a Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Also Dingy Skipper, Common Blue, Small Blue, Brown Argus and a Forester moth. (MK/Bridgette King/Claire Silburn).

Saul    A male Wood Duck on the Stroudwater Canal near Saul today. Pic below. (Susan & Peter Jones).

WWT Slimbridge    Two Little Grebes on Knott Pool, a Little Egret on the Tack Piece, eight Black-tailed Godwits at South Lake. Three Egyptian Geese, one on South Lake and two in the Rushy Pen, one of them being leucistic. (Ray Sherman). Pic by Ray.

Cotswolds    From Great Barrington to Sherborne Meadows this morning numerous Whitethroats, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps, two Chiffchaffs, two Lesser Whitethroats and four Garden Warblers, a Hobby, a Red Kite, one very pale morph Buzzard, Willow Tit feeding fledged young, young Long-tailed Tits sunning themselves and a Brown Hare. (Richard Tyler). Pics by Richard of Whitethroat, Brown Hare, Long-tailed Tits and Willow Tit fledgling below.

 

 

 

Cheltenham    This morning a Buzzard and a Raven disputing airspace over Naunton Park. (Steve Brown).

 

Sat Jun 7th 2008

Frampton    A Cattle Egret still in the WWT 100-Acre today. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. Please park sensibly at Splatt Bridge or in the village. (Rare Bird Alert).

Cotswold Water Park    Late afternoon at Pit 57 a Nightingale singing, five Common Terns, three male Red Crested Pochards and a female with six ducklings, two singing Reed Buntings and a singing Sedge Warbler. (Steve Brown).

Hawling    Late evening SP057217 three Quail calling (from 9:15pm for about 15 minutes only), two Barn Owls hunting, then engaged in a rough and noisy fight. Also a Corn Bunting singing nearby. (Ian Lavell/Gordon Kirk).

WWT Slimbridge    A Kingfisher and a Little Grebe on the Knott Pool, two Green Sandpipers on the pool in front of the Holden Tower and a pair of Shelducks still with five young, six Oystercatchers, three Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, three singing male Reed Warblers, a pair of Reed Buntings taking food into the reeds, two singing male Skylarks, a Peregrine and a Short-eared Owl at Mid Point. (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman).

Slimbridge    A Little Owl in the village near Kingstone Farm at 8:50am. (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman). Pic by Paul.

Sherborne    A Red Kite by the Northfield Barn car park at 12:30pm. (Alan Richards).

Burford    A Red Kite flew over the A361 by Cotswold Wildlife Park late this afternoon on the Glos/Oxon border. (Felicity Cobb).

Calcot    A Quail calling this morning in a wheat field on the NE side of the Follies at Oldwalls Farm SP107097. (Ian Ralphs).

Cotswolds    A Green Woodpecker at Lower Slaughter, a pair of Great Crested Grebes with three half grown young at Bourton Pits and a Yellow Wagtail at Condicote. (Richard Tyler). Pics by Richard.

 

 

Fri Jun 6th 2008

Frampton    A Great White Egret flew S over the WWT 100-Acre towards the Trust this evening. (Nick Goatman).

Hawling    At lunchtime two calling Quails at the derelict barn, same site as Thursday, a Red-legged Partridge, four Ravens over South and a Stock Dove near Larkhill Farm.  Also a mixed flock of about 20 Linnets/Goldfinches feeding. (Steve Brown).

 

Thu Jun 5th 2008

Cotswold Water Park    The first-summer male RED-FOOTED FALCON again this evening hunting at Pit 79 at 7:30pm. (Chris Walker). No further sign by 8:40pm. (Jon Mercer).

Hawling    Late evening five Quail calling and three Barn Owls SP057217. (Richard Tyler/Mark Hobson).

Condicote    At 1:30pm a pair of Yellow Wagtails feeding young, a Grey Partridge and three male Corn Buntings. (Stephen Martin). Also the pair of Grey Partridges on the roadside verge at the Flagstone turn SE of Condicote at 3pm. (Rob Brookes).

Cheltenham    At 7am a Peregrine consuming prey on Eagle Tower. (Steve Brown).

 

Wed Jun 4th 2008

Cotswold Water Park    Male and female Ruddy Duck on the largest Shorncote pit today. (Laurie Pierce).

Symonds Yat    Belated news of a group of four Red Kites over Symonds Yat on Saturday 31st May and a single bird later. (Natalie Waller per Gavin Black).

Forest of Dean    A hooting male and "kewicking" probable female Tawny Owls at Nagshead at lunchtime near the information centre. (Gavin Black).

WWT Slimbridge    A probable Marsh Harrier from the Holden Tower looking towards the Canoe area at 2pm (Awre bird?). Also from Mid Point a Peregrine with a kill and 12 Curlews flew up river and landed on the sand and fed near to Frampton church. (Susan Jones).

Uley    Near the River Ewelme a Kingfisher and a Treecreeper at 5pm. (Susan Jones).

Kempsford    No sign of the first-summer male RED-FOOTED FALCON early this morning or by 8pm. Two Hobbies there this evening. (Jon Mercer/Rare Bird Alert).  

Hawling    The Quail was still calling this afternoon from the boundary between the set-aside and the cereal fields at SP057217, but infrequently. However, another was calling frequently from the same field by the minor crossroads near SP060220. (Dave Pearce).

Awre    A female-type Marsh Harrier headed slowly upriver over the Awre peninsula at 6:30am. (John Phillips).

Aylburton Warth    At high tide this morning, 36 Lapwings, 12 Redshanks, seven Shelducks, two Dunlins and a Little Egret. Also a pair of Yellow Wagtails, a singing Meadow Pipit, three Whitethroats, two singing Reed Warblers, two Brown Hares, and a Peregrine over. (Lewis Thomson). Pic by Lewis.

Tue Jun 3rd 2008

Withington    A Barn Owl along the road to Withington opposite the golf course today. (Laurie Pierce).

Symonds Yat    A female Goshawk circled over Symonds Yat Rock this afternoon (and Sunday) and within five minutes a Red Kite also circled there. (Gavin Black/Ivan Proctor/Natalie Waller).

Condicote    A Grey Partridge back again in the regular field SE of the village opposite the Flagstone turn at 7pm. (Rob Brookes). Pic by Rob.

Kempsford    The first-summer male RED-FOOTED FALCON still present this evening until 8pm at least just S of Kempsford at Hannington Bridge SU165960. (John Phillips/Andy Lodge/Paul Masters). Walk W for c2/3ml along the Thames Way and view wires and trees near the stream. Stay on public rights of way and as always park sensibly and with regard to the residents. Parking is very limited near the bridge and be aware of localised flooding of roads. Pic by Paul.

WWT Slimbridge    The second-summer Ring Billed Gull still on the Dumbles today. Also two Dark-bellied Brent Goose still. (James Lees).

Gloucester    At Castlemeads by the City Council car park a Little Egret and singing Reed Bunting and Sedge Warbler this morning. (Ian Elphick).

 

Mon Jun 2nd 2008

Kempsford    A first-summer male RED-FOOTED FALCON until 8pm at least just S of Kempsford at Hannington Bridge SU165960. (Gareth Harris). Walk W for c2/3ml along the Thames Way and view wires and trees near the stream. Stay on public rights of way and as always park sensibly and with regard to the residents. Parking is very limited near the bridge. First 4 pics by Richard Tyler last pic by Dave Pearce.

 

 

 

 

Gloucester    Male and female Peregrines circling above Gloucester Cross at 2:45pm today. (Martin Drew).

Ashleworth Ham    2+ Quail singing today audible from the hide and to the NE of there. (Mike Smart/Lawrence Skipp).

Lechlade    A Great White Egret near Lechlade at Southrop today. Keep to public rights of way. There is a footpath between the Trout Farm at Lechlade and Southrop. The path runs north of the river and the bird is S of the path in the ditches of the water meadows. (Rare Bird Alert).  

WWT Slimbridge    The second-summer Ring Billed Gull still on the Dumbles today. Also a Dark-bellied Brent Goose still and a first-summer Mediterranean Gull flew through, 146 Sanderlings and three Knot. (James Lees).

 

Sun Jun 1st 2008

Forest of Dean    At Cannop ponds a male Reed Bunting and a Cormorant taking a large eel. (Martin Price). Pics by Martin. At Lower Lydbrook two Red-legged Partridges today. (Tony Marfell).

 

 

 

WWT Slimbridge    The second-summer Ring Billed Gull still from the Holden Tower, three Common Gulls, a Sparrowhawk, a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, c200 distant waders on the estuary, mostly Sanderlings with a few Dunlin and a pair of Reed Buntings at Mid Point. (Steve Brown).

Frampton    From Splatt Bridge two Common Terns and three singing Cetti's Warblers between here and Cadbury Bridge. (Steve Brown).

 

Sat May 31st 2008

Saul Warth    Four Ringed Plovers, a Grey Plover and four Oystercatchers this evening. (Gordon Hodgson).

Hawling    A Quail was calling at 5:15pm today near Hawling from the boundary between the set-aside and the cereal fields at approx SP057217. There was also a Corn Bunting singing close by. (Janet & John Datchens).

Forest of Dean    A Turtle Dove at Oakenhill Wood late morning. A Goshawk and four Buzzards from New Fancy View early afternoon. (Mike & Bridgette King/Jake King). At Cannop ponds a female Firecrest, a female Mandarin with nine ducklings, a Little Grebe, a Muscovy Duck, three Garden Warblers, a pair of Grey Wagtails, a male Reed Bunting and a pair of Marsh Tits feeding at least one young. At Woorgreens a male Reed Bunting, a female Redstart with male calling, a Lesser Redpoll in display flight and a Brimstone butterfly. At Boy's Grave in the morning three Tree Pipits, a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker calling and a Fallow Deer. At Nagshead two Spotted Flycatchers (possibly three), a male Pied Flycatcher briefly, a male Redstart calling, a Nuthatch feeding young and Marsh Tits feeding young. Two Turtle Doves on Oakenhill Ridge, one in display flight and a party of Crossbills over. At Boy's Grave in the evening two Nightjars and Woodcock roding; also there the white Fallow Deer again. (Jake King).

Highnam Woods    This morning six singing Nightingales heard. (Lee Rogers). A pair of Nightingales bubbling to each other in the thickets just before dark this evening and a Cuckoo in the distance. (Rob Wilkinson).

Gloucester    Two Little Egrets were at Castlemeads this afternoon at 4:45pm, viewable from the Severn Way, Sudmeadow. (Lee Rogers/Gordon Avery/Ian Elphick).

Elmstone Hardwicke    A pair of Yellow Wagtails seen 7am today at Piff's Elm. (Peter Cadogan).

Barrington Bushes    Two Grey Partridges at 8:30am. (Martin McGill/Neil Smart/MK). 

Lower Harford    No sign of the Purple Heron in the meadow beside the River Windrush S of the main farm buildings at 7-8am but three Grey Herons, a male Reed Bunting and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. (Martin McGill/Neil Smart/MK)

Westwell    A Barn Owl at 6:30am. Also a Muntjac near Sherborne. (Martin McGill/Neil Smart/MK). 

Fairford    At Whelford at 5:30am the reported Golden Oriole was singing and showing well but was a Black-naped Oriole, (Oriolus chinensis). (Richard Baatsen/Martin McGill/Neil Smart/MK). Pics by Martin.

 

Nearby at Dudgrove pits four Nightingales, four Shelducks and a Cuckoo. (Richard Baatsen).

 

Fri May 30th 2008

Lower Harford    Late news of a Purple Heron in the meadow beside the River Windrush S of the main farm buildings at 1pm yesterday. (Rare Bird Alert).  

Saul Warth    The Spoonbill was roosting on the right hand flash until 8:30pm at least. Also a drake Wigeon and two Hobbies. (Lawrence Skipp/MK).

Forest of Dean    c4 Turtle Doves at Oakenhill Woods and a Firecrest at Cannop ponds. (Mark Hobson). Pics by Mark.

 

At Milkwall  1-3 Siskins daily and yesterday a confirmed sighting of a juvenile, fledged this year. There was also a male singing in the garden yesterday and during the past week other sightings have included two males together and a male and female together. In the Wye valley two Wood Warblers singing at Quicken Tree Wood (SO 548078) and a Pied Flycatcher singing nearby at The Fence (SO 578077). (Ivan Proctor).

WWT Slimbridge    At 5pm a Spoonbill briefly stopped on the pool in front of the Holden Tower before heading N for 100-Acre/Saul Warth. The second-summer Ring-billed Gull still on the edge of the Dumbles today. Also a Short-eared Owl hunting at Mid Point and a Little Egret on the Top New Piece. Also two Dark-bellied Brent Geese this morning only and Red Kite over the Trust at 10am seen by volunteers. (James Lees/MK/Mark Hobson). On the high tide 211 Sanderlings, 180 Dunlin, 280 Ringed Plovers and six Grey Plovers. (James & Sarah Lees/Paul Marshall). Pics by MK.

 

Hawling    A Quail was calling again this morning from the boundary between the set aside and the cereal fields at SP057217. Also a Corn Bunting singing. (Martin McGill).

Frampton    Tonight on the Sailing Lake two Hobbies hunting, two Common Terns, a Cuckoo calling and 12 Long-tailed Tits. (Bill Church). Also a male Cuckoo in the reed bed north of Splatt Bridge and two Cetti's Warblers calling nearby this evening. (MK)>

Bibury    A Red Kite over Bibury this afternoon. (Martin McGill).

Bourton-on-the-Water    A pair of Grey Wagtails catching/carrying food on the River Windrush near Birdland. (Martin McGill).

Whelford    A Downy Emerald at Whelford Pools this afternoon. (Martin McGill).

Sherborne Water Meadows    A Hobby over this afternoon. (Martin McGill). 

Churchdown    A Red-legged Partridge spent 11am till 3pm in a back garden in Churchdown. (Ken Hurcombe).

Brimscombe    This lunchtime, an adult Yellow-legged Gull on a roof top at Brimscombe Port. (David Owen).

Gloucester    A Little Egret was at Castlemeads at 12:20pm today. (Gordon Avery).

 

Thu May 29th 2008

Forest of Dean    At Oakenhill Wood 2/3 singing Turtle Doves. At Boy's Grave from 9:15pm on, despite steady rain, a Nightjar in flight joined briefly by a second and seen churring on a dead branch. Also a Woodcock, a Tree Pipit, a Pipistrelle and two Fallow Deer (one pure white). (Steve Brown).

Hawling    A Quail was calling again from 9:18pm this evening from the boundary between the set aside and the cereal fields at SP057217. A Barn Owl was hunting from 8pm onwards, 1+ Corn Bunting singing, a Sparrowhawk over and Red-legged Partridge calling. Also in the area three Roe Deer, five Brown Hares and a Fox. (MK).

WWT Slimbridge    A second-summer Ring-billed Gull still on the edge of the Dumbles today. Also two Dark-bellied Brent Geese today. (James Lees/Geoff Moyser). 

Quenington    A Turtle Dove near Quenington today. (Richard Tyler). Pic by Richard. 

Wed May 28th 2008

WWT Slimbridge    A second-summer Ring-billed Gull near Mid Point on the edge of the Dumbles this afternoon. (Martin McGill). Pic by Martin. Also later a Short-eared Owl at Mid Point.

Hawling    A Quail was calling again at 1pm from the boundary between the set aside and the cereal fields at SP057217. (Paul Masters).

Frampton    A Cattle Egret still in the WWT 100-Acre today. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. Please park sensibly at Splatt Bridge or in the village. 

 

Tue May 27th 2008

Lydney Marsh    The Purple Heron present again this morning until 11:15am at least and showing well on the far bank of the east lake, and seen catching and eating a large eel. Both the lakes are a private site so please only view from the Lydney harbour road (SO637017). (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman/John Phillips). Pics by Paul. A pair of Turtle Doves along the canal this afternoon but no further sign of the heron. (Dave Pearce).

 

Hawling    A Quail was calling frequently at midday from the boundary between the set aside and the cereal fields at SP057217. (Dave Pearce). It was still calling this evening at 7pm near the dilapidated barn. (Duncan Dine/Graham Watson).

Charlton Kings Common    At midday a Red Kite flew low over the scarp then moved off high over Cheltenham, also two Tree Pipits and a Buzzard. Also a Green Woodpecker and a pair of Bullfinches near Southfield Manor. Later a Raven over Naunton Park flying towards Eagle Tower. (Steve Brown).

Forest of Dean    At Wenchford a Dipper this morning. Along Oakenhill Wood at 8:30am c5 Turtle Doves (five calling but more seen flying around), also a male Cuckoo and two Linnets. At Boy's Grave a Tree Pipit, two Buzzards and a Raven. On the slope W of Speech House three Redstarts, a male singing by the power pole with transformer, further down a male and a female. (Derek Hale). Pic by Derek.

At least four Turtle Doves at Oakenhill Wood this morning (SO626076). (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman). Three Tree Pipits, a Willow Warbler and two Ravens at Farmers Green. (David J Slater). Pic by David.

Mon May 26th 2008

Charlton Abbots    Belated news of a Quail calling yesterday in a bean field at Roel Barn. This is the dilapidated barn on the right hand side going up the road from Charlton Abbots towards Roel Gate (Shirley Threadingham).

Lydney Marsh   The immature Purple Heron again seen in flight being chased by a Herring Gull at 11:09am across the larger lake NE towards the smaller lake. It was not seen again in very poor conditions. Both the lakes are a private site so please only view from the Lydney harbour road. (MK).

WWT Slimbridge     A Long-eared Owl from Holden Tower this morning. (Mark Hobson).

Longborough    A second Swift found grounded after heavy wind and rain, the first was caught by a cat. After drying out in the house the bird recovered and was released at 7pm. (Rob Brookes). Pic by Rob.

Lower Slaughter    A brood of Great Tits in an old fence post. (Richard Tyler). Pic by Richard.

Sun May 25th 2008

Lydney Marsh   An immature Purple Heron seen briefly in flight before it dived into all cover on the east shore of the larger lake. It was not seen again in very poor conditions. Both the lakes are a private site so please only view from the Lydney harbour road. (John Phillips).

Fairford    A secondhand report from BirdGuides of a male Golden Oriole along Whelford Road by the Water Skiing lake at 5pm. (Chrissy Owens). 

Gloucester    A Little Egret and a Cuckoo at Port Ham. (Ian Elphick).

WWT Slimbridge     On the estuary this afternoon viewed from the Holden Tower, five Knots, three Turnstones, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank, four Curlews, a Little Egret, and 180 small waders mainly Ringed Plover and Dunlin in roughly equal numbers with c20 Sanderlings. A Black-tailed Godwit was on South Lake. (Paul Masters). 

Frampton    Two Cattle Egrets on Court Lake late afternoon. View from footpath at cSO752072. Please park sensibly in the village, keeping off of the village greens and keep to public footpaths. (Mark Hobson). c150 Swifts, House Martins and Sand Martins on and around the sailing lake late afternoon. (Paul Masters). Pic by Mark.

Sat May 24th 2008

Hardwicke    A male Cuckoo calling at Hockley Hill at 6:45am. (Paul Masters). 

Coombe Hill Meadows    A White Wagtail and a singing male Redstart today. (Tom Mabbett). Pic by Tom. 

Forest of Dean    This morning at Boy's Grave eight Crossbills, a Raven and two Tree Pipits. At New Fancy View two Cuckoos heard. At Nagshead two Pied Flycatchers, three Wood Warblers, a Sparrowhawk and two Ravens. (Steve Brown). This afternoon at Woorgreens a Crossbill, a Lesser Redpoll and a female Mandarin with three ducklings. Also a Redstart singing in the car park. A Hobby over between Speech House and New Fancy View. On the ridge above Parkend church a Siskin. (MK/Martin McGill). A Red Kite flew over Bream heading for Shutcastle Inclosure/Bromley Inclosure. (Adrian Thomas).

Saul Warth    Three Turnstones, three Knot, 22 Sanderlings, 42 Ringed Plovers, seven Dunlin, an Oystercatcher, a Little Egret, a Peregrine, four Common Terns and a Raven at high tide this morning. (MK/Martin McGill/Jake King/Vic Polley). Later two male Garganeys, a Little Egret and a Reed Bunting on the right hand flash and another male Garganey on the left hand flash. Also a Kingfisher flying along the ditch besides the footpath running from the road to the Severn shore. (Vic Polley).

Frampton    From Splatt Bridge at noon, two Hobbies and at least two Common Terns to the left of the metal gate (on the nearest 100-Acre pool) and to the right in the shallow pool, two Little Egrets. (Vic Polley). A male and female Reed Bunting on the reedbeds near Splatt Bridge. Also several Reed Warblers heard. (Fiona Leathart).

WWT Slimbridge    The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was still lingering today. 

Witcombe    A Grey Partridge calling and seen on the road up to the Roman Villa early morning. (Terry Fenton).

Little Witcombe    A Spotted Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler in the plantation. (Terry Fenton).

Arlingham    A Spotted Flycatcher at Milton End Farm today. (Just off the Arlingham road. SO7110). (Andy Chapman). 

Gloucester    A Kingfisher flew through Sudmeadow this morning. (Gordon Avery).

 

Fri May 23rd 2008

Forest of Dean    A male Nightjar churring and seen in flight at Boy's Grave from 9:29pm SO620111. Also here 1+ Woodcock, a female Fallow Deer and 6+ Pipistrelles (also 7 million midges - take repellent). Earlier at 9:20pm a Woodcock over Cannop ponds. (Jake King/MK). At Oakenhill Woods this evening two Turtle Doves, two Linnets, three Woodcocks, three Chiffchaffs, 4-5 Willow Warblers, a Whitethroat, a Blackcap and 6+ Song Thrushes.  (Barrie Mills).

Hawling    This afternoon two Curlews near Larkhill Farm. (Steve Brown).

Ashleworth Ham    This morning male and female Cuckoos heard, two singing Reed Buntings and a Tawny Owl flushed at the entrance to Stank Lane. (Steve Brown).

Cotswold Water Park    On Pit 104 eight Hobbies hawking insects, 11 Red Crested Pochards, a Common Tern and two Kingfishers. (Mick & Jo Jones).

 

Thu May 22nd 2008

Priding    A Red Kite drifted slowly north over Priding (SO738103) at midday today. (Andy Jayne).

Cotswold Water Park    On Pit 57 at midday today a male Ruddy Duck, a Red Crested Pochard, seven Common Terns and two Cuckoos. (Andy Chapman). 

Longborough    At 2:30pm a Hobby over Windy Ridge Arboretum. (Stephen Martin).

Gloucester    Five Reed Buntings, four singing males, at Port Ham, a Sedge Warbler at Over ponds and a Willow Warbler at Richard's Wood South today. (Ian Elphick).

Forest of Dean    At Speech House on the W side of the road 1+ Redstart heard singing, three birds glimpsed in treetops but elusive. At New Fancy View a male Cuckoo, four Buzzards and four Canada Geese. (Derek Hale). The pair of Mute Swans at Cannop ponds have eight cygnets. (Brian Davis). Pics by Brian.

 

Wed May 21st 2008

Forest of Dean    A male Nightjar churring and seen in flight at Boy's Grave at 9:45pm SO620111. (Valerie Emery). At Crabtree Hill three Wood Warblers, three Garden Warblers, three Bullfinches (2m,1f) a male Cuckoo and  4+ Tree Pipits. At Nagshead NR a male Pied Flycatcher, a Wood Warbler and two Marsh Tits nesting. At New Fancy View a Raven and four Buzzards. (Derek Hale).

May Hill    A Turtle Dove high on the eastern slope of May Hill this morning. (Rob Guest).

Frampton    The two Cattle Egrets were still in the WWT 100-Acre today with a Little Egret and two drake Garganey. Also from Green Lane three Hobbies, a Peregrine, two Buzzards, a Cuckoo heard, 11 Lapwings, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. Please park sensibly at Splatt Bridge or in the village. (Harold Smith/James Lees). A Wood Sandpiper late afternoon in the flash left of the north reedbed easily viewable from Splatt Bridge and a Little Egret also there. (Jake King). At nearby Nebrow Hill Oak Wood a Spotted Flycatcher today. (Harold Smith).

Cleeve Hill    This morning on the Bill Smyllie reserve two Tree Pipits, a Redstart, a Garden Warbler and a Stock Dove all singing, a Bullfinch heard and a Duke of Burgundy butterfly. Near the masts two family parties of Linnets (4 & 6). ( Steve Brown).

Guscar/Aylburton    On the high tide this morning five Little Egrets, two Hobbies flew upriver very high, 20 Shelducks, four Oystercatchers, a Dunlin, three singing Reed Warblers in the reeds in ditches and two Yellow Wagtails. (Mike Smart).

Robinswood Hill    Two territorial Garden Warblers and a male Bullfinch today. (Ian Elphick).

Longborough    A pair of Hobbies over Longborough at 12:30pm. (Rob Brookes).

Upton-St-Leonards    A garden Jay today. (Chris Hebbron). Pic below.

Tue May 20th 2008

Ebworth    A White Wagtail near the Ebworth Lodge feeding on edge of the field. (J. Fleming).

Highnam Woods    Two Nightingales heard singing in the NW corner of the reserve. (Derek Hale).

Robinswood Hill    A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers feeding young today. (Ian Elphick).

Witcombe Reservoir    A first-summer Little Gull today. (Gordon Avery).

Forest of Dean    At Nagshead two male Pied Flycatchers, two Spotted Flycatchers, two Treecreepers and a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a female Mandarin with three ducklings. At the Cycle Centre two singing Wood Warblers. At Woorgreens three Mandarins including pair with six young, two Canada Geese, eight Greylags and three Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Nearby 20+ Crossbills, including juveniles, drinking from a puddle. At Parkend four Turtle Doves on the ridge purring and displaying. (Graham Watson/Derek Hale). Pics of Mandarins, Wood Warbler and Dunnock by Graham. At Cinderford Linear Park a Tree Pipit and 10+ House Martins. (Derek Hale). Pipit pic by Derek.

 

 

 

Fretherne    Eight Sanderlings, 12 Ringed Plovers, six Dunlins and an Oystercatcher this evening before high tide. (Paul Masters). Pic by Paul.

Coombe Hill Meadows    Today 25 Coot, some with young, at least 50 Swifts hawking insects, two Redstarts singing and a Reed Warbler in song. At Tirley Lake six Barnacle Geese and at Staunton a Yellow Wagtail in a grass field. (Mike Smart/Les Brown).

Frampton    The two Cattle Egrets were in the WWT 100-Acre today with a Little Egret and four Grey Herons. (James Lees).

WWT Slimbridge    A male Garganey, two summer-plumaged Dunlins, a Greenshank and a Peregrine from Holden Tower and two adult Kingfishers still feeding young at the nest hole at South Finger. Yesterday the Dark-bellied Brent Goose was still lingering. (James Lees/Derek Hale). 

Longborough    At 9am a Hobby over Windy Ridge Arboretum. (Stephen Martin). A Hobby over Longborough at 5pm. (Rob Brookes).

Cheltenham    This afternoon a pair of Grey Wagtails feeding young in a nest at Barratt's Mill, Sandford Park. Also a Jay and two Blackbird fledglings being fed by a male. (Steve Brown).

 

Mon May 19th 2008

Ebworth    A Red Kite over Ebworth Lodge heading towards Climperwell Farm at 3:30 pm. (J. Fleming). 

Saul Warth    A Wood Sandpiper on the right hand flash at 8:45am. Also a few Sanderlings, Ringed Plovers and Dunlin. (Gordon Hodgson/Graham Watson).

Frampton    Three Hobbies and two Cattle Egrets at Court Lake this evening. 50+ Swifts and two Hobbies (same?) over the Sailing Lake. (Nick Goatman/Bill Church). A female Whinchat was in the WWT 100-Acre. (James Lees).

Westonbirt Arboretum    A Red Kite over at 2:30pm today. (Colin Butters).

Forest of Dean    A Red Kite over New Fancy View today at 1:50pm. One Wood Warbler seen and several heard at Nagshead. Also Pied Flycatcher and Redstart. At Cannop Ponds a Grey Wagtail near the sluice. A Reed Bunting, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Nuthatch, a Marsh Tit and a Willow Tit on feeders. At Boy's Grave a Crossbill in a mixed finch flock near the entrance gate. (Allan Chard/Gareth Rees). Pic by Allan. 

Mickleton    A Red Kite flew ENE over Broad Marston Lane at 1:30pm. (Rare Bird Alert). 

 

Sun May 18th 2008

Southrop     16 Crossbills moving east in open country south of Southrop SP10V. (Ian Ralphs).

Forest of Dean    A Firecrest, two Garden Warblers and a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Cannop Ponds, at Nagshead two Spotted Flycatchers, four Goldcrests, a Pied Flycatcher, a Nuthatch and a Wood Warbler. Two Willow Warblers, a Tree Pipit and 30 Crossbills at Boy's Grave. A Redstart at Woorgreens and a Whitethroat at Parkend. (Paul Masters/Steve Davies). Pics by Steve.

 

A Peregrine, a Goshawk and a Hobby plus a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel over the Huntley area today. A Red Kite and a Hobby at Abenhall at 12:40pm today. (Rob Husbands). 

Gloucester    A Little Egret at Port Ham today. (MK).

Highnam Woods    A pair of Spotted Flycatchers today. (Phil & Chris Andrews).

Tewkesbury     A Red Kite flying low NE over the A38 near Hoo House Nursery and the Odessa Inn at 4:42pm today. (Pam & Frank Bryant).

WWT Slimbridge    Two Greenshanks on the pool in front of Holden Tower, an Egyptian Goose at the Rushy Pen and a Sedge Warbler at South Finger. (Ray Sherman).

Cleeve Hill    A Turtle Dove heard this afternoon at Bill Smyllie Reserve. (Shirley & Tony Hawkins).

Saul Warth    The Harbour Porpoise again this evening. (Gordon Hodgson).

 

Sat May 17th 2008

Fretherne    At high tide this morning 90+ Sanderlings, 120 Dunlin, 170+ Ringed Plovers, seven Grey Plovers, five Knot including two in red summer plumage, two Little Stints, two Whimbrels, two Oystercatchers and a Curlew. Also four Greenshanks and a Redshank, six Arctic Terns, four Common Terns, a Sandwich Tern, a pair of Reed Buntings and Cetti's Warbler, Cuckoo and Yellow Wagtail heard. (MK/Richard Baatsen/Martin McGill/Paul Taylor).

Forest of Dean    A Firecrest at Cannop, and at Nagshead a Wood Warbler, 3-4 singing male Pied Flycatchers, a pair of Redstarts, and a female Mandarin with six young. (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman). A Cuckoo at Oakenhill Woods SO628078. (Barrie Mills).

 

Fri May 16th 2008

Fretherne    On the tide his evening 90 Sanderlings, 130 Dunlin, 170 Ringed Plovers, three Little Stints, two Turnstones, a Redshank, a Greenshank, six Whimbrels, a Curlew and a Common Sandpiper. Also a Hobby, a Cuckoo and hundreds of hirundines and Swifts.  (John Overfield/Gordon Hodgson). 

Frampton    A Wood Sandpiper and a Greenshank on the flashes N of Splatt Bridge this morning. (Martin McGill). Two Hobbies at the Sailing Lake this evening. (Nick Goatman).

Coombe Hill Meadows    At least four Redstarts, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a Green Woodpecker. (Barrie Mills).

Barton Larches (near Cotswold Farm Park)  SP111260 Two Yellowhammers, a Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler and a Skylark. Nearby at Tinkers Barn Quarry SP111258 a Whitethroat. (Barrie Mills). 

Gorse Valley    A Green Woodpecker, two Redstarts and four Linnets SP106257. (Barrie Mills). 

 

Thu May 15th 2008

WWT Slimbridge    The two Cattle Egrets flew through and settled in the 50-Acre amongst cattle. (James Lees).

Wotton-Under-Edge    A Hobby over at 6:45pm. (John Overfield).

Stonebench    A female Redstart this afternoon. (Mark Hobson).

 

Wed May 14th 2008

Saul Warth    Two Garganey and a Little Ringed Plover still today. (Gordon Hodgson).

Coombe Hill Meadows    Two Turtle Doves, two Little Stints and a Hobby this evening. (Rare Bird Alert). 

Whittington    A pair of Spotted Flycatchers today. (Graham Watson).

Gloucester    A Hobby over Llanthony weir at 4:30pm heading towards the docks. (Gordon Avery).

 

Tue May 13th 2008

Foston's Ash    A Red Kite at 3:30pm heading north at Foston's Ash SO914113. Then flew over Hazel Hanger wood, circled a few times then carried on northwards. (John Fleming).

Saul Warth    Two Garganey and a Little Ringed Plover today. (Gordon Hodgson).

Cotswolds    A Corn Bunting and a Brown Hare at Nosehill Farm (SP 122262), a Kestrel at Stow-on-the-Wold, a Yellowhammer and two Linnets at Woods Barn (SP 113253) and a Corn Bunting and two Brown Hares at the junction of the B4068 and the A436 near Hawling (SP 077219). (Barrie Mills).

WWT Slimbridge    The Dark-bellied Brent Goose still and the Egyptian Goose in the Rushy Pen today. (James Lees/Martin McGill).

Frampton    This evening on the Sailing Lake a summer plumaged Little Gull and three Black Terns. (Mark Hobson/Frank Bryant). The Short-eared Owl again this evening in the WWT 100-Acre, a Cattle Egret and a Cuckoo in the 100-Acre and from Splatt Bridge and two Hobbies. (Nick Goatman/Frank Bryant/Ian Elphick). The WHISKERED TERN still in the WWT 100-Acre today until 6pm at least. View only from the viewing platform or the roped off area by the viewing gate in Green Lane. Please park sensibly at Splatt Bridge or in the village. (James Lees/Martin McGill). Pic taken 11/05 by James.

Birdlip    A Red Kite this afternoon at 4pm hanging on the updrafts above "The Peak" near Birdlip. (Rob Wilkinson).

Gloucester    A Reed Bunting and a Sedge Warbler at Castlemeads West and a Reed Warbler and a Sedge Warbler at Port Ham. (Ian Elphick).

Lydney    In Lydney Park today a Raven mobbing a Buzzard, two Green Woodpeckers, c25 Jackdaws, five Chiffchaffs, two Willow Warblers and a Sparrowhawk. Also Large Whites, Small Whites, a Green-veined White and an Orange Tip, a Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly and numerous Large Red Damselflies, many of them mating. (Harold Smith).

Leckhampton    This morning at 6:45am at Leckhampton Hill a Tawny Owl hotly pursued by two Jays and assorted passerines into the trees below Daisybank Road, perched briefly on the fence then took refuge back in the wood. (Steve Brown).

Cotswold Water Park An unsubstantiated report from BirdGuides of a White-rumped Sandpiper on Pit 57 200yds along the artificial beach with Ringed Plovers at 1:20pm SU025936. If you have any details of this record please contact me or the County Recorder. No sign at 1:50pm and no sign at 5pm.

 

Mon May 12th 2008

Forest of Dean    A White Wagtail on the entrance road to Cannop ponds near the barrier this evening. (Paul Masters). Pic by Paul. Also four singing Wood Warblers around the slag heaps to the south of Cannop Cycle Centre this afternoon. (Lewis Thomson). Pic by Lewis.

 

Frampton    The WHISKERED TERN still in the WWT 100-Acre until 8pm at least. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. Please park sensibly at Splatt Bridge or in the village. Also a Black Tern early and a few Common Terns. Up to five Hobbies hawking at the same time. This evening the Short-eared Owl was hunting along sea wall seen both from 100-Acre and Splatt Bridge. The two Cattle Egrets sitting by the bank going out to the sea wall at Splatt Bridge and a Hobby from Splatt. (Graham Watson/Bill Church). Pics by Graham. Also from Green Lane two Redshanks, six Lapwings, six Little Egrets, a Cuckoo heard, a Kestrel, a Sedge Warbler, two Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, a Chiffchaff and a Reed Bunting. North of Splatt Bridge, a Cetti's Warbler and Reed Warbler in song, two Little Egrets, five Grey Herons, 35 Shelducks, two Gadwall, several Lapwings, a Buzzard and two Whitethroats. (Mark Grieve).

 

Gloucester    A pair of Shelducks this morning. (Gordon Avery). A Willow Warbler in Richard's Wood (S) mid-afternoon. (Ian Elphick).

Berkeley    A pair of Ravens feeding two young today. (Derek Edmondson).

 

Sun May 11th 2008

Whitecroft    An unsubstantiated report from BirdGuides of a Rose-coloured Starling on the roof of the Royal Oak pub at 5:40pm SO617060. No sign when searched for later. If you have any details of this record please contact me or the County Recorder.

Frampton    A WHISKERED TERN still in the WWT 100-Acre from early morning until 5:30pm at least. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. Please park sensibly at Splatt Bridge or in the village. Also viewable from the canal towpath which may provide better light conditions. Also two Hobbies, 2+ Common Terns, a Little Ringed Plover and a drake Garganey and the two Cattle Egrets still in the area. At 5:30pm the Short-eared Owl again. (David Owen).

Quedgeley    A probable Honey Buzzard high N over Quedgeley at 12:50pm. (MK). One later at 4pm between Great Malvern and Worcester.

Fretherne    Two Whimbrels on the riverbank early afternoon. (Brian Stretch).

WWT Slimbridge    An Egyptian Goose from the Knot Hide, two Linnets on the Tack Piece, two Common Terns and two Black-tailed Godwits at South Lake. (Ray Sherman).

Cotswold Water Park    Eight Hobbies over Pits 57/42 at 1pm today. (Jon Mercer).

Gloucester    A Peregrine soaring above a Sparrowhawk over Abbeymead at 4pm for five minutes then headed towards city centre. (Ken Hurcombe).

Forest of Dean    At Nagshead, seven Wood Warblers, a pair of Spotted Flycatchers and a male Pied Flycatcher. At Cannop Ponds, seven Greylags, ten Mandarins, a Cormorant, a Grey Wagtail, a Firecrest heard singing, two singing Wood Warblers, a Garden Warbler, a Raven over and four Little Grebes. Two Tree Pipits singing at the clearfell to the east. A singing Redstart at Beechenhurst Lodge. At Crabtree Hill two singing Tree Pipits. A Wood Warbler singing here, near Brierley and another near the Cycle centre. Also at the Cycle centre a Grey Wagtail and a Dipper in the gully over the road. At Speculation a queen Hornet. (Graham Cox/Mark Hobson/Steve Brown). Wood Warbler pics by Graham.

 

 

Sherborne Water Meadows    Plenty of Willow Warblers, two Cuckoos, a pair of Hobbies and a Willow Tit. (Richard Tyler). Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler pics below by Richard.

 

Sandhurst    A Red Kite flew over the Severn at Sandhurst this morning at 8am. (Peter Cadogan).

 

Sat May 10th 2008

Frampton    A WHISKERED TERN in the WWT 100-Acre from early afternoon until 8:15pm at least. (Dave Paynter). View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. Please park sensibly at Splatt Bridge or in the village. This afternoon 11 Common Terns, at least one Arctic Tern and a Cuckoo on the Sailing Lake. (Andy Jayne/Steve Brown).

Eastleach    A Whinchat at Eastleach Downs Farm today and also a Garden Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Corn Bunting and a Redstart. (Ian Ralphs).

Berkeley shore    A dark-phase Arctic Skua and a first-summer Little Gull through and also the Harbour Porpoise showing well this morning. (Paul Taylor).

Forest of Dean    In the Woorgreens/Cannop ponds area two Tree Pipits and two male Mandarins, two Firecrests. a Garden Warbler and a Raven. At Nagshead male and female Pied Flycatcher, a Tawny Owl and a Tree Pipit heard. A male Mandarin and a Grey Wagtail on the river behind The Fountain Inn. (MK/Andy Lodge/Richard Tyler). Pics below by Richard.

 

 

 

Ashleworth Ham    From Stank Lane, two Cuckoos, four Willow Warblers, five Redstarts, six Stock Doves, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, eight Whitethroats, two Lesser Whitethroats, a Chiffchaff, two Lapwings, a Curlew heard, two Reed Buntings and four Sedge Warblers. (Mark Grieve).

Bourton-on-the-Water    A Curlew bubbling by the South Pit at 7pm and two Cuckoos nearby. Also two Ravens here. (Andy Lewis).

Ravensgate Hill    This morning two singing Tree Pipits, a pair of Linnets, a Little Owl giving alarm call from below the scarp and a Garden Warbler singing just inside the woods. (Steve Brown).

Highnam Woods    Two Nightingales seen and heard a further six males singing, two Blackcaps, a Raven, a Spotted Flycatcher, a pair of Marsh Tits, three Nuthatches, a Buzzard, a Song Thrush, two Chiffchaffs and heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming. (Lee Rogers).

 

Fri May 9th 2008

Forest of Dean    Two male Nightjars churring at Boy's Grave at dusk, a bird was also seen in flight SO620111. (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman/Mark Hobson). This is an easily accessible site to watch Nightjars and as with other years I will not report from other sites but please send your records in.

Winchcombe    This morning at Waterhatch Farm buildings, south of Winchcombe a female Black Redstart perched on roof showed well, also a Cuckoo and two Garden Warblers. (Steve Owen).

Sevenhampton/Syreford    A Red Kite, two Spotted Flycatchers and a Garden Warbler today. (Steve Owen).

Pope's Wood    Four singing Tree Pipits and a pair of Spotted Flycatchers in the northern area of Pope's Wood today. (Francis Steuck).

Edge Common    A Red Kite tonight at 6pm flying over the Common in the direction of Whiteshill. (Greg Anderson).

Fretherne    At midday, three Grey Plovers, one Knot, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 18 Whimbrels, 22 Dunlin, 14 Ringed Plovers, a Yellow Wagtail, a Hobby and two male Garganeys on the flashes. (Dave Pearce/Jon Mercer).

Frampton    11 Black Terns at the Sailing Lake early afternoon with at least four Arctic Terns and c50 Common Terns and a Hobby. At Splatt Bridge two Cattle Egrets. (Dave Pearce). 

North Nibley    A Spotted Flycatcher today. (Dave Pearce).

Forest of Dean    In the Edge Hills area this evening two Mandarins over, four Buzzards, a Peregrine, two Woodcock roding, three Turtle Doves, three Tree Pipits, a Wood Warbler, two Willow Tits, two Ravens and c25 Crossbills. (Andy Jayne). A Marsh Tit at Cannop ponds and at Nagshead were a Spotted Flycatcher, three Wood Warblers, three Pied Flycatchers and a Treecreeper. (Allan Chard). Pics by Allan.

 

 

 

Lydney    At the pools behind Lydney Railway Station a Turtle Dove, a Reed Warbler and a Reed Bunting. On Lydney New Grounds a Little Egret, at least four Whitethroats, three Reed Warblers and at least five Brown Hares. (Barrie Mills).

 

Thu May 8th 2008

Cleeve Hill    A Red Kite at the back of Cleeve Common flying towards Brockhampton. (Darran Davis). Pics by Darran.

 

Naunton    A Hobby today (also belated report of two together on 28th April here). (Jim Milton).

Saul Warth    This morning four first-year Little Gulls flew NE at 9:15am and a dark-phase Arctic Skua flew high NE at 10:18am after briefly chasing a Herring Gull. Also five Grey Plovers, four Knot, 16 Sanderlings, six Bar-tailed Godwits, nine Whimbrels and two Turnstones. (Andy Jayne).

WWT Slimbridge    A breeding plumage adult Temminck's Stint over high tide. A dark-phase Arctic Skua flew very fast up river at 10:07am and a Red Kite flew low up river at 10:23am. Also two Little Stints, six Grey Plovers, three Turnstones, six Bar-tailed Godwits, two Sanderlings and a Knot and two drake Garganeys from Zeiss Hide. Also the Dark-bellied Brent Goose remains on the Tack Piece. (James Lees/Martin McGill).

Frampton    At  Sailing Lake there were two Black Terns and seven Common Terns and at the WWT 100-Acre two more Black Terns, two Hobbies and five Black-tailed Godwits with the two Cattle Egrets again between there and Splatt Bridge. (Andy Jayne).

Forest of Dean     At Nagshead three singing male Pied Flycatchers, a Spotted Flycatcher and a singing Wood Warbler. Two male Mandarins at Cannop Ponds, and two Tree Pipits and a Redstart all singing in the Woorgreens area this morning. (Jon Mercer). Five garden Siskins on feeders at Milkwall still today. (Ivan Proctor). At Kensley Lodge a Redstart and a Garden Warbler. At Woorgreens a Sedge Warbler, two Reed Buntings, several Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. At Kensley Ridge Inclosure a Wood Warbler and four Crossbills (1m, 3f). At Yorkley two Siskins. (Barrie Mills).

Birdlip    Between 9:50am and 10:20am at Shab Hill two Tree Pipits singing and a male Redstart. (David Owen).

Coombe Hill Meadows    This morning between 8:05 and 8:15, eight Black Terns flew NE over Grundon hide. (John Towers/David Owen). Along the canal up to eight Whitethroats, two Blackcaps, five Willow Warblers, three Chiffchaffs, three Reed Buntings, two Redstarts, a Cuckoo, five Sedge Warblers, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and several Swallows. From the Grundon hide four Shelducks, six Lapwings, male and female Tufted Duck, a Grey Heron, a Buzzard and a Reed Warbler singing near Snipe pool. (Mark Grieve). Also two Whimbrels from the Grundon hide this afternoon. Also a Carrion Crow took an egg apparently from a pair of Shelducks. (Phil & Chris Andrews).

Gloucester    A Common Sandpiper along the river at Port Ham this afternoon. (Gordon Avery). At Gloucester Station a Yellow-legged Gull flew in and bullied all the other gulls off the roof of platform 4. A Peregrine viewed on the hospital from platform 1. (Steve Brown).

Cheltenham    A Peregrine on Eagle Tower this morning and a singing Blackcap in Montpellier Gardens. (Chris Furley).

 

Wed May 7th 2008 

Highnam Woods    Three male Nightingales singing, together with several Blackcaps and a Garden Warbler. Also a WillowChiff singing like the 2003/04 Frampton bird. (Brian Hawker).

Forest of Dean    This evening at Moseley Green SO635083 two Tree Pipits, two Tawny Owls and 12 Woodcocks in 40 minutes, a maximum two together. (Barrie Mills). At Nagshead at least eight Wood Warblers, two Pied Flycatchers, two Spotted Flycatchers and three Redstarts. At Crabtree Hill this morning three Garden Warblers and a Wood Warbler heard distantly. Also a party of Wild Boar. (Steve Owen/Richard Price).

Cleeve Hill    Two Grasshopper Warblers reeling at West Down this evening 200yds east of the car park, one seen, also three Cuckoos including a bubbling female. (Jon Mercer).

Cotswold Water Park    A Black Tern on Pit 57 this evening. (Mark Hobson).

Fretherne    At high tide a Wood Sandpiper called as it dropped into the flash nearest the sluice, but was not located amongst the reed tufts. A Snipe flew around calling before going N and a Turnstone flew in. A male Garganey was on the other flash, over which twelve Black Terns fed. (Dave Pearce).

Frampton    Two Black Terns at the Sailing Lake today. (Dave Pearce).

Coombe Hill Meadows    This morning no sign of the Wood Sandpiper but a Little Ringed Plover, at least six Redstarts singing along the canal between The Wharf and Wainlodes and many Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats. (Mike Smart/Les Brown).

Ashleworth Ham    At 1pm two Hobbies chasing large insects overhead. (Mike Smart/Les Brown).

Dursley    At Breakheart Quarry near Dursley four Grizzled Skippers, a Dingy Skipper and a Green Hairstreak today. (Phil Pope).

Cutsdean Quarry    A Buzzard eating a Grey Squirrel on the roadside just east of the quarry late afternoon. (Rob Brookes). Pic by Rob.

Donnington Brewery/Donnington Trout Farm    A Hobby over at 4pm. (Rob Brookes). 

 

Tue May 6th 2008 

Aylburton Warth    This evening on the high tide, 16 Whimbrels, two Bar-tailed Godwits, c20 Ringed Plovers, 60 Dunlin, a Wheatear and three or four Yellow Wagtails. (Mervyn Greening/Andrew Jayne/Barrie Mills/Mike Smart).  

Coombe Hill Meadows    A Wood Sandpiper from the Grundon hide this afternoon. (Keith Colcombe per Les Brown). Still present this evening until 7:40pm at least. Also two Little Ringed Plovers, a Ringed Plover, three Whimbrels and two Lapwings. (MK/Mark Hobson/Andy Lodge/Paul Masters). Pics by Paul.

 

Frampton    A female Hen Harrier went straight through the WWT 100-Acre this afternoon towards Saul Warth and then away over Whitminster. (Martin McGill).

Condicote    The pair of Grey Partridges again SE of Condicote near the Flagstone turn at 6pm. (Rob Brookes). Pic by Rob.

Mon May 5th 2008 

Sherberrow Hill    A Red Kite with two Buzzards circling above it and over the next field a Buzzard being mobbed by a Raven at Sherberrow Hill SPO84 334 near Stanton at 3:50pm. Also a Whitethroat here. (Paul Burgess).

Staunton    A female Yellow Wagtail and two Ravens today. (Mike Smart).

Cleeve Hill    This morning three Yellowhammers, three Wheatears, two Meadow Pipits, two Linnets, a Song Thrush, two Mistle Thrushes flying over and at least six Skylarks up singing. (Greg Anderson).

Robinswood Hill    This afternoon a Lesser Whitethroat in song in the woodland edge next to hole 1 of the golf course. Also a Green Woodpecker, three Blackcaps, five Chiffchaffs and a Song Thrush. (Greg Anderson).

Ashleworth Ham    A Hobby at 1pm chasing insects. (Mike Smart).

Coombe Hill Meadows    This evening a Little Grebe, two Shelducks, three Little Ringed Plovers, six Dunlin in summer plumage (flushed by a Hare), two or three Curlews coming in to roost when it was nearly dark and at least one Whimbrel after dark. (Mike Smart).

Walmore Common    Three Hobbies taking insects early afternoon. (Andy Jayne).

Dowdeswell Reservoir    Three Common Terns this evening at 6:30pm. (Duncan Dine).

Cutsdean Quarry    A Red Kite drifting slowly NE at 4pm. Also a singing Garden Warbler there. (Rob Brookes).

Swell Wold    A pair of Mandarins in the valley bottom at 4:30pm. (Rob Brookes).

Condicote    A Grey Partridge just SE of Condicote at the edge of one of the oilseed rape fields at 4:40pm. (Rob Brookes).

Longborough    A Hobby being mobbed by a Kestrel over RB's house at 10am, also a singing Garden Warbler in the garden after a heavy rain storm. First garden record here in 40 years, taking RB's garden list to 107. (Rob Brookes).

Forest of Dean    Two Firecrests N of Cannop ponds and also a Garden Warbler today. At Woorgreens a Crossbill and a Willow Tit. (Richard Tyler). Pic by Richard.

Cotswold Water Park    A flock of 19 Black Terns on Pit 9 at 12:30pm today. (Jon Mercer).

Fretherne/WWT Slimbridge    At high tide three dark phase Arctic Skuas went through N at 7:50am, five Black Terns, two Common Terns, two Knot, six Grey Plovers, 24 Bar-tailed Godwits, three Sanderlings, two Dunlins, four Oystercatchers, two Whimbrels and a first-summer Mediterranean Gull, the Short-eared Owl again over the WWT 100-Acre and behind the hide at Mid-Point, also a Little Egret, a Yellow Wagtail over and a continual passage of Swallows. Also the Harbour Porpoise again. (Gordon Hodgson/Richard Baatsen/Phil Pope/Martin McGill/Neil Smart/MK/Allan Chard). Pics of the owl by Allan, also a Meadow Pipit here.

 

 

 

Frampton    A Black Tern and seven Common Terns on the Sailing Lake this morning. (Richard Baatsen/Vic Polley). On the WWT 100-Acre at 8:45am no sign of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, but a Cuckoo flying, a female Sparrowhawk perched behind the viewing platform, a male Reed Bunting and a Lesser Whitethroat in trees in Green Lane. From Splatt Bridge later the Short-eared Owl flying near the sea wall, 30+ Swifts over the pools and the two Cattle Egrets with a Little Egret were north of Splatt Bridge just beyond the reed bed between the canal and river and also in the field N of the church cSO741071. Two Cetti's Warblers and a Lesser Whitethroat north along the canal. (Bill Church/Vic Polley/Martin Price).

Gloucester    At Sudmeadow three Shelducks flew over and then back downriver. A Common Sandpiper on the river. Five in the Lesser Whitethroats marsh area, all trapped, two Reed Warblers in the marsh area, one trapped and a singing male, two Garden Warblers marsh area, one trapped and a singing male. (Gordon Avery).

 

Sun May 4th 2008 

Aylburton Warth    A Firecrest working its way along a hedgerow this afternoon, also 20+ Lapwings, 15+ Meadow Pipits, nine Redshanks, seven Shelducks, six Curlews, six male Wheatears (including a first-summer male Greenland Wheatear in the pic below, and possibly all six were of this race), four singing Whitethroats, three Yellow Wagtails, two pairs of Linnets, a White Wagtail with five Pied Wagtails, a Little Egret, a Little Ringed Plover, a singing Reed Warbler and four Swifts over. Also a Stoat briefly and two Brown Hares. (Lewis Thomson). Pics by Lewis.

 

 

Cleeve Hill    At West Down at 7:30pm three Grasshopper Warblers reeling. One of them showed well from the car park, walk right down the path for approx 100 metres then right for 50 metres and stand by the wooden bench to hear the birds reeling. (Duncan Dine).

Frampton    The adult summer BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER was still present in the WWT 100-Acre and seen on and off throughout the day but it was again always elusive in the long grass. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. Please park sensibly at Splatt Bridge or in the village. Also two Black Terns, a Cuckoo, two Cetti's Warblers and a Lesser Whitethroat on the WWT 100-Acre. (Steve Owen/Geoff Moyser). A Wood Sandpiper flew over the WWT 100-Acre towards Saul Warth at 3:50pm. (Martin McGill). A Little Tern at 2:50pm seen above the WWT 100-Acre sea wall heading N and a Garganey. 43 Whimbrels, 13 Common Terns and a Peregrine at the Sailing Lake this afternoon. (Paul Masters).

Fretherne    At high tide two Little Terns, 43 Arctic Terns, three Common Terns, 15 Commic Terns, four Curlew Sandpipers, two Knot, six Grey Plovers and a Short-eared Owl distantly over the WWT 100-Acre. Also the Harbour Porpoise again. (Richard Baatsen/Steve Owen). 14 Whimbrels through at 10am. (Ian Ralphs).

Forest of Dean    In the Woorgreens area early morning two Tawny Owls calling, 16 Crossbills including four red males, a pair of Tree Pipits, four Garden Warblers, three drake Mandarins on the lake and a singing male Redstart in the car park and a distant Cuckoo heard. This afternoon two Wood Warblers and two Treecreepers over the back of Kensley Ridge. (MK). Record shot below.

A Pied Flycatcher and a Wood Warbler at Nagshead and at least one Redstart heard. (Mark Moore).

WWT Slimbridge    A Temminck's Stint, a Little Stint and six Turnstones this morning on the Dumbles. A Marsh Harrier from Holden Tower 2:40-3pm. (Martin McGill).

Cotswold Water Park    This morning on Pit 58 three Black Terns with 30+ Common Terns. Also a Hobby. Also heard in Swillbrook reserve three Cetti's Warblers, four Nightingales, Sedge Warblers, Garden Warblers and Blackcaps. A Lesser Whitethroat in the hedgerow by Minety Road/Clattinger Farm. (Anne & John McLellan).

Gloucester    A Dawn Chorus Walk produced at Port Ham two Reed Buntings, a Reed Warbler and two Sedge Warblers. At Castlemeads West two Sedge Warblers and a Whitethroat, with another at Castlemeads East. At Willow Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat at Sudmeadow and a Lesser Whitethroat and a Cuckoo at Over ponds. A Common Sandpiper and a Kingfisher at Lower Parting. (Ian Elphick).

Ashleworth Ham    From the hide a one hour watch produced two Grey Herons, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, two female and one male Wigeon, a Curlew, a Cuckoo, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and Redstart. (Mark Grieve).

 

Sat May 3rd 2008 

Frampton    An adult summer BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER in the WWT 100-Acre this afternoon until 6:15pm at least. It was associating with two Ruff. No further sign during the evening but it was always elusive in the long grass and is probably still present. (Dave Paynter). View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. Please park sensibly at Splatt Bridge or in the village. Pics by Martin McGill.

 

 

 

Also 23 Whimbrels, a Raven and a Little Egret. Three Black Terns, two Arctic Terns and 2+ Common Terns and a Common Sandpiper on the Sailing Lake this evening. (Nick Goatman/Richard Baatsen/MK). 

Cleeve Hill    A Grasshopper Warbler at West Down at 9:45am today. (Steve Owen). Also 15 Wheatears this morning. (Duncan Dine).

Saul Warth    The Guillemot still on the river bank at Saul Warth until 9:30am at least. A Great White Egret flew high N at 7:30am. Eight Black Terns flew through high N at 8:20am. A Harbour Porpoise was in the main channel of the river at the same time. Also 60+ Shelducks and the Shelduck hybrid, five Arctic Terns, 5+ Common Terns, two Whimbrels, 3+ Curlews, five Dunlin, three Sanderlings, three Ringed Plovers and four Oystercatchers. On the flashes a Garganey, an Egyptian Goose and a Black Swan. Two Cattle Egrets were in fields beside the canal S of the Warth. Also 50+ Swifts, a Yellow Wagtail over high N, 2+ Wheatears and a Cetti's Warbler heard. (Neil Smart/Richard Baatsen/Jake King/Andy Lodge/MK). Pics below by Neil Smart and Dave Pearce (2nd).

 

Over    Two Lesser Whitethroats today. (Andy Chapman).

Highnam Woods    Three Nightingales today. (Andy Chapman).

Forest of Dean    At Nagshead RSPB a Firecrest, a Wood Warbler, two Pied Flycatchers, two Redstarts, a Tawny Owl calling and two Goshawks over. At Brierley three Hawfinches and two Crossbills and at Woorgreens two Tree Pipits, a Redstart and a Cuckoo. (Andy Chapman).

Coombe Hill Meadows    Two Greenshanks early morning, along the canal 12+ Whitethroats, 12+ Sedge Warblers, six Chiffchaffs, three Willow Warblers, three Blackcaps, four Bullfinches, a Green Woodpecker heard, three Reed Buntings, a Jay and a Buzzard. From the hide a male Tufted Duck, two Shelducks, two Lapwings, a Curlew heard, a Sand Martin, 2/3 House Martins, 10+ Swallows, 40+ Swifts and a Meadow Pipit over. (Mark Grieve/Les Brown/J & M McDonagh).

Ashleworth Ham    First session of Constant Effort ringing. Early on two Cuckoos, at least six Redstarts, 8-10 Sedge Warblers, 2/3 Whitethroats, two Blackcaps, 4/5 Willow Warblers, a few Chiffchaffs and at least six Reed Buntings. Birds caught included seven Sedge Warblers (including three birds originally ringed in 2004 and 2005), a Garden Warbler (infrequent at Ashleworth), three Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat and only one Reed Bunting. Other birds seen included seven Barnacle Geese over, a Greenshank, a Hobby and two Ravens. (Mervyn Greening/Mike Smart/Les Brown).

Cirencester    A Corn Bunting was near Cirencester Golf Course within the tetrad SP00c. At Stratton a male Yellowhammer and a male Brambling still in the garden. (Ken Cservenka).

Condicote    Still several Yellow Wagtails south of the village today. (Rob Brookes).

Longborough    A number of Swifts back in the village and at 8pm the first bird returned to its nest in RB's house (seen via a 'nest cam'). (Rob Brookes).

Cheltenham    A Lesser Whitethroat singing in Hartley Close, Sandy Lane and seven Swifts over Naunton Park. (Steve Brown).

 

Fri May 2nd 2008 

Painswick Beacon    A male Cuckoo today. (Francis Steuck).

Saul Warth    A Guillemot came up on the high tide this evening and at 7pm climbed out onto the riverbank. Best viewed from the gate at the sluice end of the Warth and still present at 7:20pm. (Jake King). Also 25 Whimbrels, 20 Curlews, two Oystercatchers, two Sanderlings, 15 Dunlin and a female Wheatear. (John Overfield). Also a Short-eared Owl distantly over the 100-Acre, (Richard Baatsen).

Forest of Dean    A Firecrest at Cinderford Linear Park at 8:20am along the Cinderford spur of the cycle route. (Barry Embling).

Condicote    A Little Owl, just east of Condicote village at 8:30am this morning. (Rob Brookes). Pic by Rob.

Frampton    On the Sailing Lake 12 Common Sandpipers roosted late evening, two Arctic Terns and three Common Terns. (John Overfield/Jake King/Nick Goatman).

Charlton Kings    A Garden Warbler singing on Sandy Lane bridleway and a Lesser Redpoll at Southfield Manor. (Steve Brown). 

Gloucester    The pair of Peregrines nesting in an artificial nest tray at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital have successfully hatched two chicks. Mrs. Dana Parry saw the female pick up part of an eggshell at 12:55pm on Monday 28th April, moments later the first chick was seen, by 3:30pm the second had hatched. (Terry Cockburn). A Little Egret near Telford's Bridge, Alney Island at lunchtime, also several Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats singing. At 3:30pm at Gloucester Station a Yellow-legged Gull standing neatly between a Herring Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull on the roof of platform 4 and a Peregrine on the tower of Gloucester Royal Hospital. (Steve Brown). A Swift over Tuffley at 2pm. (Ian Elphick).

Highnam Woods    At least five singing Nightingales today. (Phil Andrews).

Pic by Phil.

Witcombe Reservoir    A Wheatear between the church and reservoir, at least five Common Sandpipers and a Grey Wagtail from the bridge at about 4:30pm. (Mark Moore).

Calmsden    A Whinchat at at midday today. (Richard Tyler).

Tirley    A garden Whitethroat today, also singing Blackcap, Chiffchaff, and a further three singing Whitethroats around Tirley, also our first House Martin back. (Mark Grieve.).

Longborough     A Garden Warbler in Crook Lane at 10:30am. (Steve Martin).

Stratton    Two Swifts over at 3pm. (Ken Cservenka).

 

Thu May 1st 2008 

Painswick Beacon    A displaying Lesser Redpoll today. (Francis Steuck).

Cleeve Hill    36 Wheatears near the Masts this evening, initially mostly together, until scattered by the inevitable dogs. (Dave Pearce).

Whiteshill    A female Ring Ouzel at "Bird in Hand" corner north of Whiteshill, Stroud this morning until 9am at least; SO837082, in the field with the Alpacas. (Gordon Kirk).

Haresfield    An early Spotted Flycatcher on the Cotswold Way path just east of Ringhill Farm, Haresfield Hill, SO824092. (Gordon Kirk).

Weston Subedge    At 8:15am a Turtle Dove in display flight. (Steve Martin).

Frampton    At the Sailing Lake this morning at 7am an Arctic Tern and five Common Terns. The two Cattle Egrets were in fields just N of the church still. (MK). Two Arctic Terns, two Common Terns and a Common Sandpiper at the Sailing Lake this evening and three Whimbrels flew over heading W. (Paul Masters).

Elmstone Hardwicke    A Peregrine flying over fields to the W of the M5. Also a Yellow Wagtail and two Swifts. (Peter Cadogan).

Gloucester    20+ Swifts in the Hatherley Road area of Tredworth this morning. (Richard Lawrence).

Lower Slaughter    A Barn Owl this evening and also a pair of Long-tailed Tits whose nest was predated by two Weasels. (Richard Tyler). Pic by Richard.

Wed Apr 30th 2008 

Tewkesbury    Two Curlews and two Shelducks on the Ham. Also a Common Sandpiper along the Avon just before the mill. (Laurie Pierce).

Frampton    At the Sailing Lake this evening a Black Tern, four Common Terns, 20+ Swifts and numerous hirundines. The two Cattle Egrets were behind the church still. (Neil Smart). This afternoon a Hobby over by the church, two male Mandarins flew S down the canal and Swallows, House Martins, Sand Martins and Swifts together over Splatt Bridge. (Tim Hall). Pic by Tim.

Forest of Dean    At Nagshead this morning a male Pied Flycatcher and two others heard. Two Wood Warblers seen very well, both singing. At New Fancy View two male Crossbills, two Siskins, a female Goshawk and a Greylag past. Below the viewpoint a singing Tree Pipit. On Cannop Upper Pond two Mandarins. (Tim Hall).

Highnam Woods    Early afternoon a Marsh Tit, six singing Nightingales and one seen briefly. (Tim Hall).

Cambridge    A male Whinchat this evening between Ryall's Lane and the Cambridge Arms bridge. (Nick Goatman).

Cashes Green    A Swift over at 6:30pm, flew over Springfield Gardens towards the Prince of Wales pub and the old Cashes Green Hospital. (Rob Palmer).

 

Tue Apr 29th 2008 

Frampton    A Hobby and four Common Terns at the Sailing Lake this evening. The two Cattle Egrets roosted at Court Lake and also a Tawny Owl there. (Nick Goatman).

WWT Slimbridge    A Short-eared Owl flew in at 8:25am from the N before resting in the grass at Mid-Point. It flew back N mid-morning. Also a first-summer Mediterranean Gull on South Lake today. (Martin McGill).

 

Mon Apr 28th 2008 

Painswick Beacon    A pair of Ring Ouzels today. (Francis Steuck).

Frampton    An adult Little Gull and eight Common Terns on the Sailing Lake this evening. (Nick Goatman).

Coombe Hill Canal    A Lesser Whitethroat and a Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Yellow Wagtail, a Wheatear, eight Black-tailed Godwits, two Dunlin, three Redshanks, a Greenshank, a Little Ringed Plover and lots of Swifts and hirundines late afternoon. (David Owen).

Leigh Meadows    This evening two Peregrines (a male and a female) on pylons, two or three Curlews, a Lapwing, a Green Sandpiper, a Wheatear, two or three Redstarts calling and three Whitethroats singing. (Mike Smart).

Leckhampton    Three Ring Ouzels, a female Redstart, a Wheatear and a singing Tree Pipit, all on the scarp across from Hartley Farm this morning. (Dave Pearce).

Cleeve Hill    A Whinchat and six Wheatears in the field by the Masts this evening. (Dave Pearce).

Lydney New Grounds    A male Reed Bunting today. (Barrie Mills).

Yorkley    Two Swifts this evening. (Barrie Mills).

Charlton Kings    This evening a Roebuck on the fields below Timbercombe Wood. (Steve Brown).

 

Sun Apr 27th 2008 

Painswick Beacon    A female Ring Ouzel and female Wheatear today. (Francis Steuck).

Forest of Dean    At Kensley Lodge a Garden Warbler, a male Redstart, a Willow Warbler and three House Martins and at Woorgreens Lake a Sedge Warbler, two Willow Warblers and a Blackcap. (Barrie Mills).

Kingscote    A good fall of 14+ Wheatears, a Whinchat and a Ring Ouzel in a rain storm this evening in the Kingscote area. (Neil Smart).

Ashleworth Ham    At Stank Lane at least three Redstarts, at least two Lesser Whitethroats, Curlews heard bubbling both sides of the lane and 36 Mute Swans grazing/loafing in a field on the left as you go down to the river. (Keith White).

Coln St Aldwyn's    A Little Egret, a Little Owl, a Grey Wagtail, a Sparrowhawk, three Swifts over, a Garden Warbler, five singing Blackcaps and two Whitethroats. (Chris Furley).

Cranham    This morning ten Wheatears in the fields at Overtown Farm, near Cranham, SO912125. Also a Hobby seen twice nearby, flying at Swallows round Climperwell Farm. (Gordon Kirk).

Gloucester    At Port Ham three male Reed Buntings, eight Sedge Warblers, a Wheatear and a Little Grebe and another two Sedge Warblers at Over ponds. (Ian Elphick).

Symonds Yat    A Hobby and also a probable Saker today.  (Gavin Black).

WWT Slimbridge    An Avocet from Holden Tower on the scrape in front of the Tower until 9:30am at least. A Long-eared Owl in a private area still this morning. Access will be arranged today, contact WWT for details. (Martin McGill/Neil Smart). Pic by Paul Masters, second pic by Nathan Casburn. Also the Dark-bellied Brent Goose still at Holden and six Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper and three Common Gulls on South Lake. An Egyptian Goose in the roadside field and Peregrine and a Skylark along the summer walk. (Nick Goatman/MK/Ray Sherman).

 

Saul Warth    A male Montagu's Harrier went N over the Awre peninsula at 8:45am and appeared to move inland, but no further sign since. Also a Black Swan this morning. (Richard Baatsen). Five Grey Plovers this morning. (Mark Hobson) and four Whimbrels. (Phil Pope/DBPS Group).

Frampton pools    On DBPS Dawn Chorus Walk four Nightingales between Court and Sailing Lake. Reed Warblers at either end of the Sailing Lake, two Common Sandpipers at the Sailing Club and a Cuckoo. Two Cattle Egrets from Splatt Bridge in the reeds off to the left from the gate. At the north reed bed a Water Rail calling and a Cetti's Warbler showing well (Phil Pope/DBPS Group). Later in the WWT 100-Acre a Hobby, seven Whimbrels, 20+ Swifts, a Lesser Whitethroat in Green Lane and a Red Damselfly. (Nick Goatman).

Cotswold Water Park    At CWP East, Pit 104 and the River Coln area seven Sedge Warblers, six Garden Warblers, ten Blackcaps, 12 Chiffchaffs, six Willow Warblers, a Cetti's Warbler, two Reed Warblers, a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, two Bullfinches, eight Goldfinches, four Reed Buntings, four male Red Crested Pochards, an Oystercatcher and three Common Terns. (Mick & Jo Jones). Mill Estate 7:30-9am a Nightingale singing at the end of the lane and another by Pit 57, a Black Tern dipping in Pit 57 then heading N, five Red Crested Pochards over, 4/5 Garden Warblers alongside the lake. At 9:30am at Freeth Meend, Pit 41, SU032936 a Wood Warbler singing and feeding in the big willows at the corner where the footpaths meet. A first-winter Little Gull at Pit 58, SU025935, between 9:30 and 10am this morning, a Lesser Whitethroat nearby and at Swillbrook Lakes a singing Cetti's Warbler and 4/5 singing Nightingales. (Steve Brown). At Pit 79 two Snipe, a Jack Snipe, two Redshanks, four Reed Buntings and 50+ Lapwings. At Pit 85a 50+ Sand Martins and a Reed Bunting. At Pit 84 four Shovelers, three Sedge Warblers, a Reed Bunting, a Little Egret and six Gadwall. At Pit 85b two Great Crested Grebes and three Gadwall. (Tim & Mike Beard).

Highnam Woods    This morning five Buzzards, four Ravens, five Blackcaps (4m, 1f), a female Sparrowhawk, and a Chiffchaff, eight singing Nightingales heard. Also Peacock, Orange Tip, Brimstone and Small White. (Lee Rogers). At Highnam Court fête a Common Sandpiper flew across the lake. (Steve Brown).

Cambridge    At Longaston Lane today two Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Little Owl. (Jake King).

Leckhampton    Three male Whinchats and 11 Wheatears at Hartley Farm this afternoon after the rain. (Duncan Dine).

Stoke Orchard    An unidentified harrier sp seen from a distance wheeling over the edge of Stoke Orchard tip and then moving gently NE towards Bishops Cleeve at 11:15am. (Robert Homan).

Tirley    Three singing Whitethroats, two singing Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff, and two pairs of House Martins back at their nest site. (Mark Grieve).

Stroud    A Swift over this evening at 8pm. (Hugh Manistre).

Longborough    A single Swift returned to the colony at Ganborough Road at 8:10pm. After 10 or 12 attempts the bird made it in to its nest site at around 8:25pm. (Rob Brookes).

Longlevens    A garden Whitethroat at 9:45am today. (Frank Bryant).

 

Sat Apr 26th 2008 

Cleeve Hill    A pair of Redstarts, a Cuckoo and a Tree Pipit in the Wardens Wood/Wontley Barn area this morning. (Richard Tyler). Pics by Richard. Late morning a Grasshopper Warbler heard reeling from deep bramble just E of the circular clearing where there is a seat. Also Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and many Willow Warblers in the plantation. (Keith White).

 

 

 

Longborough/Condicote    Two Yellow Wagtails at 6:30am just SW of Condicote near the B4077 crossroads. One Yellow Wagtail flying over W of Longborough at 7:35pm. Two male Wheatears south of Springhill House at 7:30am also two Muntjacs close by. Two male Wheatears in ploughed field just W of Longborough at 10:30am. Two House Martins over W of Longborough at midday. A Barn Owl at Longborough at 9:30pm  and several Tawny Owls calling as well. (Rob Brookes). Pics by Rob.

 

WWT Slimbridge    A Whinchat and a Wheatear on the cross fence at north end of Dumbles today and two Swifts over. (Geoff Moyser). Also a Lesser Whitethroat in the car park, three Knot and a Yellow Wagtail, a Common Sandpiper at Robbie Garnett hide and from Holden Tower at High Tide the Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Bar-tailed Godwit and six Dunlin. (Pete Alder/Steve Brown) and earlier at Mid-Point a Marsh Harrier flew downriver, two Greenshanks and a Whimbrel. (Pete Alder).

Coombe Hill Meadows    Three Greenshanks and a Lesser Whitethroat today. (Richard Price/Rob & Jackie Phillips).

Cleeve Hill    Two singing Tree Pipits at Wardens Wood today. (Richard Price).

Fretherne/Saul Warth    A female Marsh Harrier which flew S to the WWT 100-Acre, a female Wheatear, a Yellow Wagtail flew N, five Buzzards, two Peregrines, two Sparrowhawks, two Swifts and at high tide a Knot, five Curlews, eight Whimbrels, a Grey Plover, three Oystercatchers and four Ringed Plovers. (Gordon Hodgson/MK/Steve Owen/Dave Pearce). A pair of Garganey present this evening at Saul Warth. They were tucked in tight in the left-hand corner, looking out from the canalside bank. (Rob & Jackie Phillips).

Frampton    Two Cattle Egrets still in the field just north of the church at 6:45am. They were in the field, just north of the north reedbed this evening. The second bird is now also acquiring summer plumage. Two Common Sandpipers flew down the canal towards Cambridge, a Lesser Whitethroat in the hedge between the canal and Green Lane, a Cuckoo calling from Nebrow Hill, three Little Egrets in the WWT 100-Acre and two more on the flashes N of Splatt Bridge, three Swifts flew S and Cetti's Warblers calling from the reed bed N of Splatt and the 100-Acre pools. (MK). From the flashes N of Splatt two Wheatears, a Whitethroat, a Common Tern, two Little Gulls flew N, two Tree Sparrows flew N and on the mudflats 19 Dunlin, two Grey Plovers and four Ringed Plovers. (Martin McGill). 20 Swifts at the Sailing Lake and four juvenile Great Crested Grebes on the smaller pool behind the main lake. (MK/Martin McGill). At midday, at least one Arctic Tern along with at least one Common Tern on the Sailing Lake. (Steve Owen/Dave Pearce). This evening a Common Sandpiper on the Sailing Lake, a Cuckoo calling, a Whimbrel over, a Cetti's Warbler and two Nightingales. (Nick Goatman).

Cotswold Water Park    A Black Tern and 12 Common Terns at Pit 16. At Pits 46/48/57/58 four Hobbies, two Little Gulls, three Arctic Terns, 23 Common Terns, 20 Swifts, five Sand Martins, seven Nightingales, five Garden Warblers, two Sedge Warblers, two Reed Warblers, three Cetti's Warblers, a Common Sandpiper, a Cuckoo, four Lesser Whitethroats and 12 Red Crested Pochards this morning. (Andy Chapman/Paul Masters/Mark Hobson). Pics of Nightingale and Garden Warbler below by Paul. At 1pm at Pit 57 a Little Gull and nine Hobbies at Pit 57 and an Arctic Tern at Pit 16. (Jon Mercer).

 

Hardwicke    Three Nightingales, two Lesser Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler south of The Pilot this morning. (Paul Masters/Mark Hobson).

Sheepbridge    23 Buzzards kettling together this morning. (Ian Ralphs).

 

Fri Apr 25th 2008 

Dowdeswell Reservoir    A Golden Pheasant below the dam this evening. (Terry Fenton).

Hardwicke    Two singing male Nightingales south of The Pilot this morning, also two Lesser Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler. (Paul Masters).

Cotswold Water Park    At Pit 57 a first-winter Little Gull, a female Marsh Harrier over, six Common Terns, three Common Sandpipers, three Swifts and a pair of Red Crested Pochards. By the river a Nightingale, a Sedge Warbler, 2+ singing Garden Warblers, 5+ Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and two Chiffchaffs. At Pit 16 a summer plumaged Black Tern (found by Kim Milsom), an Arctic Tern and a Common Tern. (Graham Watson/Jon Mercer). In fading light this evening 28 "Commic" Terns, at least six Arctic Terns and probably more. (Jon   Mercer).

WWT Slimbridge    Four Sedge Warblers and a Whitethroat around Holden Tower. At Mid-Point two Common Terns, three Knot, two Sanderlings, a Bar-tailed Godwit, four Grey Plovers, two Sanderlings and three Oystercatchers. (Mark Hobson).

Frampton    This evening on the WWT 100-Acre a Marsh Harrier, a Greenshank, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, a Black Swan and a Lesser Whitethroat. (Nick Goatman & Rachel Partridge/Jake King). At Splatt Bridge two Cattle Egrets and a summer plumaged Spotted Redshank on the flash N of the bridge. Also four Little Egrets, a male Redstart in the hedge just N of the bridge and a singing Lesser Whitethroat. (Jon Mercer). At the Sailing Lake a Common Sandpiper, two Nightingales, three Common Terns, a Reed Warbler and a Kingfisher. (Mark Hobson). A Whimbrel and a Curlew at Splatt Bridge and a Cuckoo calling further S. (Ian Elphick).

Condicote    At least five Yellow Wagtails just SW of Condicote at 8:30am. A male Merlin, seen in flight and perched for several minutes SE of Condicote at 1:30pm. (Rob Brookes). Pic by Rob.

Forest of Dean    Three Pied Flycatchers at Nagshead (2m, 1f) and male and female Redstart at Speech House today. (Shane & Julian Long). At Kensley Ridge this morning, two Redstarts and a Wood Warbler singing in the oak woods. Also a Sand Martin and a Common Sandpiper at Woorgreens Lake. (Ivan Proctor).

Beachley Point    In the afternoon on an ebbing tide, 20 Shelducks, two Mallards, three Whimbrels, three Curlews, four Oystercatchers. Around the Point five singing Blackcaps, two Whitethroats and a Chiffchaff, a Kestrel and Sparrowhawk flying over. (Ivan Proctor). In the Woorgreens/Crabtree Hill area this evening, a singing Wood Warbler, a singing Whitethroat, three singing Tree Pipits, five Lesser Redpolls and a pair of Crossbills. (Lewis Thomson).

Hartpury    A Lesser Whitethroat singing from a hedgerow at Hartpury College this morning. (Lewis Thomson).

Ashleworth Ham    This morning two singing Redstarts, a Garden Warbler, two Whitethroats, two Cuckoos all singing and three Curlews. (Jon Mercer).

Cleeve Hill    This morning a Stonechat and a Cuckoo. (Peter Cadogan).

Fretherne    On the high tide eight Whimbrels, four Curlews, seven Ringed Plovers, five Dunlin, a Sanderling, a Grey Plover and two Oystercatchers with a Whimbrel still this afternoon. (Jon Mercer/Mark Hobson). Pic by Mark. 

Thu Apr 24th 2008 

Guiting Power    A Peregrine seen in fast stoop over Cotswold Farm Park at 7:15pm. (Rob Brookes).

Witcombe Reservoir    A Wigeon, 13 Common Sandpipers, a Wheatear and a Whitethroat today. (Terry Fenton/Duncan Dine/Gordon Avery). Pic by Terry.

Frampton    A Common Tern on the Sailing Lake this evening. (Nick Goatman).

Forest of Dean    A Redstart singing this morning near Kensley Lodge. (Ivan Proctor).

Condicote    A male and a female Grey Partridge in a cornfield at Condicote Lane at 12:30pm. (Steve Martin).

WWT Slimbridge    A Sandwich Tern and three Arctic Terns this morning. A Long-eared Owl was discovered on a private area of the reserve yesterday evening roosting in a Hawthorn. Access had been planned for today but sadly the bird could not be relocated this morning. (James Lees/Martin McGill).

Gloucester    A Little Egret and a female Reed Bunting at Port Ham and a Willow Warbler at Richard's Wood (S). (Ian Elphick).

Wed Apr 23rd 2008   

WWT Slimbridge    A male Pied Flycatcher today, two Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Tern from the Holden Tower and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose still. (Martin McGill).

Aylburton Warth    20+ Meadow Pipits, 11+ White Wagtails, five Yellow Wagtails, a male Whinchat, 20+ Lapwings, seven Redshanks and a Common Sandpiper this afternoon. (Lewis Thomson). Pics by Lewis.

 

Hardwicke    A singing male Nightingale south of the Pilot this morning. (Paul Masters).

Little Witcombe    A Hobby, a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk together in the air. (Terry Fenton).

Prescott    A Cuckoo and four Whitethroats today. (Terry Fenton).

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 until 1:45pm at least. Also a singing Tree Pipit here. (Rob Brookes). 

Dursley    A Red Kite flew over Burnt Oak mid-morning and headed off towards Stinchcombe Hill. (Dave Denney).

Frampton    A Marsh Harrier and a Hobby from Green Lane this morning. Also a Treecreeper. (Mike Smith/Geoff Moyser). Two Cattle Egrets at Splatt Bridge still and also a Greenshank. (Geoff Moyser/Roy Shilham/Shane Long). Also eight Whimbrels flew over Splatt Bridge this morning. (Shane Long). 34 Whimbrels through including the eight already reported and five Bar-tailed Godwits. Also a female Redstart in Green Lane. (Francis Steuck). At the Sailing lake a Cuckoo, two Lesser Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler. (Geoff Moyser).

Saul Warth    Four Garganey still this morning. (Shane Long). 

Cleeve Hill    Four Ring Ouzels near the heather enclosure at 1pm then flew east. (Roy Shilham).

Forest of Dean    A Lesser Redpoll, four Linnets and two Stonechats at the Industrial Estate near Linear Park, Cinderford today. (David J Slater). Pic by David.

Ashleworth Ham    From the hide, three Lapwings (two displaying), a Chiffchaff, 2/3 Blackcaps, a Little Grebe, 29 Teal, five Grey Herons, a Little Egret, a male Reed Bunting, a male and two female Wigeon, a Curlew heard only, a singing Goldcrest, a distant Cuckoo heard, a singing Redstart at the far end of Meerend Thicket and another Redstart singing at the end of Dirty Lane ,also a Willow Warbler. (Mark Grieve).

Gloucester    Along the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal between Sims Bridge and Parkend Bridge eight singing Lesser Whitethroats and a Nightingale. (Michael Teesdale).

Epney    c20 Whimbrels briefly along the Severn at Epney. (Michael Teesdale).

 

Tue Apr 22nd 2008

Frampton    Two Little Gulls on the Sailing Lake from 4:30-5pm only. (Martin McGill/Trevor Maynard). Also a drake Ruddy Duck on the Sailing Lake and a Common Sandpiper by the Sailing Club this evening. (MK). Also this evening a Grasshopper Warbler reeling between Green Lane and the canal. (Bruce Pendlebury/Mark Hobson). A Barn Owl hunting between Green Lane and the canal from 7:20pm onwards, a Whitethroat, two Cetti's Warblers calling and 15 Snipe in flight over the 100-Acre pools. (Mark Hobson/Nick Goatman/Paul Masters/MK). Two Cattle Egrets still this evening in the field just N of the church in the village, earlier at Splatt Bridge. (MK/Ian Elphick). No sign of the singing male PALLAS'S WARBLER at Frampton pools this morning but a Nuthatch today. Also three Reed Warblers and a Cetti's Warbler in the reed bed north of Splatt Bridge. (Frank & Pam Bryant/Graham Watson). Pic by Graham.

Fretherne/Saul Warth    At Fretherne two Whimbrels, 55 Shelducks, six Curlews and a Ringed Plover today. (Graham Watson). At Saul Warth two Sedge Warblers, three Garganey (two males) and a singing Lesser Whitethroat. (Ian Elphick).

WWT Slimbridge    A Spoonbill reported circling over the WWT car park at 3:15pm. (Colin Butters per Martin McGill).

Eastington    Three Common Cranes over SE at 12:50pm heading inland in the Dursley direction. (Nick Goatman). 

Longford    A Grasshopper Warbler reeling at SO835215 this evening, also two Buzzards, a Grey Heron, two Chiffchaffs, three Mallards and 60 Fieldfares. (Jim Northcott).

Painswick Beacon    At 7:30pm a male Ring Ouzel, a male Black Redstart (FS's first for the site), three Tree Pipits and a Willow Warbler SO868121. (Francis Steuck).

Leckhampton Hill    A Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff and a Redstart singing between Highland Road and Daisybank. Also a Stock Dove near the Devil's Chimney. (Steve Brown).

Awre    Two Hawfinches in the orchard at Northington Farm today. (John Phillips).

Cleeve Hill    This morning a Red Kite over the Wash Pool at 10:30am and at 11:30 am four female and 12 male Ring Ouzels below the heather enclosure. (Jennifer Rogers/Trevor Maynard). This afternoon ten Ring Ouzels on the slopes below the heather enclosure. At Wontley Farm a pair of Redstarts and several Tree Pipits. (Richard Cawsey). This evening still 15+ Ring Ouzels near the heather enclosure and a Red Kite over flying W. (Ian Lavell).

Coombe Hill Meadows   Along the canal six male Reed Buntings today. (Ian Lavell). Also a pair of Garganey today. (Les Brown). Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, a Curlew bubbling over the meadows and a Cuckoo calling. (Ingrid and Colin Twissell).

Ashleworth Ham    This evening 76 Teal, a Peregrine, still at least 15 Snipe but no drumming despite perfect conditions, a Jack Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, two Cuckoos, two Lesser Whitethroats singing and at least six Redstarts calling. (Mike Smart). A Hobby at 1pm. (Les Brown).

Bourton-on-the-Hill    A flock of at least 150 Fieldfares feeding in a grass field 3 miles west of Bourton-on-the-Hill. (Rob Brookes).

Longborough    A male Siskin and a female Brambling on garden feeders still. (Rob Brookes).

Gloucester    A Lesser Whitethroat singing between Sims and Rea bridges on the Gloucester-Sharpness canal. (Mark Hobson).

Longlevens    At 2pm over garden five Buzzards circling while moving SW over Park Avenue. (Frank & Pam Bryant).

 

Mon Apr 21st 2008

Frampton    The singing male PALLAS'S WARBLER at Frampton pools through until the early evening. It is in the tree belt between the Sailing Lake and Court Lake favouring the end nearest to the farm cSO752072. Please park sensibly in the village, keeping off of the village greens and keep to public footpaths. 

Also at the pools this morning a Yellow Wagtail flying over. (Dave Evans). Two Cattle Egrets still in the paddock north of the church at 10:15am with one Little Egret. (Tony Eveleigh). In Green Lane a Whitethroat, eight Chiffchaffs and two Sedge Warblers today. (James Lees).

Cleeve Hill    19 Ring Ouzels present mid afternoon, initially in a loose flock adjacent to the heather enclosure until 11 flew towards the Wash Pool. (Dave Pearce). Still at least 12 Ring Ouzels near the heather enclosure this evening. (Gerry Shilham/Ian Lavell).

Windrush Valley    Five Mandarins in the upper Windrush valley between Naunton and Guiting Power. (Jim Milton).

WWT Slimbridge    The Dark-bellied Brent Goose still from Holden Tower today. (James Lees).

Coombe Hill Meadows    This morning five Yellow Wagtails, three White Wagtails, two Little Ringed Plovers, a Greenshank, a Snipe, two Redstarts and 200 Sand Martins feeding low in light rain. (Steve Owen).

Snowshill    Two Ring Ouzels in the grass field just SW of Cutsdean Quarry at 10am, but no sign of the Shrike, also two singing Willow Warblers there. (Rob Brookes).

Longborough    A Barn Owl perched on the garden fence at 11:15pm. (Rob Brookes).

Cheltenham    Two Peregrines on Eagle Tower office block today. Also two Swallows, heading north. (Chris Furley).

Temple Guiting    A Whitethroat at Temple Guiting village hall car park. (Rob Brookes).

Longborough    Still two garden Bramblings, both females, today. (Rob Brookes).

Forest of Dean    At least three Siskins and three Lesser Redpolls still visiting a garden niger seed feeder in Milkwall. 75 Linnets on Gorsty Knoll near Coalway this evening. (Ivan Proctor).

Hawling    This evening at the junction of the A436 and the B4068 SP078218, two Corn Buntings, a Yellowhammer, five Lapwings, three Red-legged Partridges, a Skylark and ten Stock Doves. (Barrie Mills).

Aylburton Warth    Ten Ringed Plovers, 14 Dunlin, a Redshank, five Sanderlings, 17 Lapwings, six White Wagtails, a Kestrel and a Brown Hare today SO615000. (Barrie Mills).

Alvington    In the field in front of Alvington Court four Lapwings, a Little Egret, a Grey Heron, five Canada Geese and two Brown Hares. (Barrie Mills).

Gloucester    A Whitethroat singing on Sudmeadow today. 50 Linnets on the tip dislope and this afternoon a rather unseasonal abietinus Chiffchaff by the river at Sudmeadow. (Gordon Avery).

 

Sun Apr 20th 2008

Painswick Beacon    On the beacon early morning a male and female Ring Ouzel W of the summit SO868121. Also 12 Tree Pipits including five singing males, a Greenland Wheatear, four Blackcaps, three Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler. In the Painswick valley a Tree Pipit in the plantation at SO883115, a male Ring Ouzel in a field to the SW of Saltridge wood SO887110 and good numbers of common warblers throughout the valley, with 19 Chiffchaffs, nine Blackcaps and eight Willow Warblers. At the Ebworth centre, a flock of 125 Fieldfares in a field and two fly-by Bramblings, SO899114. (Francis Steuck).

Forest of Dean    Two male Pied Flycatchers at RSPB Nagshead today. (Paul Masters).

Gloucester    A Whitethroat singing on Hempsted N.R. SO810170 today. (Gordon Avery).

Bourton-on-the-Water    A summer-plumaged Black Tern at Bourton Pits South at 2pm. (Duncan Dine). Pic by Graham Watson.

Cleeve Hill    17 Ring Ouzels present this afternoon. (Richard Tyler). 

Frampton    The singing male PALLAS'S WARBLER at Frampton pools through until the evening. It is in the tree belt between the Sailing Lake and Court Lake favouring the end nearest to the farm cSO752072. Please park sensibly in the village, keeping off of the village greens and keep to public footpaths. 1st pic by Paul Masters and 2nd pic by Nathan Casburn.

 

A Common Sandpiper at the Sailing Lake by the Sailing Club early morning. Also seven House Martins and another at Splatt Bridge. Two Cattle Egrets still this morning in the field just N of the church in the village until 8:30am at least, later by Splatt Bridge. A Cuckoo by Splatt Bridge at 8:30am, seven Little Egrets, a Cuckoo (maybe same) and a pair of Redstarts in the WWT 100-Acre, 41 Goldfinches flew N, a Swift and two Tree Pipits through N, two Kingfishers over the reed bed N of Splatt Bridge and a Water Rail calling in the reed bed. A Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler and two Cetti's Warblers calling by the canal. (Terry Fenton/Phil Pope/Jon Mercer/Andy Jayne/MK). A Common Tern flew N at high tide. (Richard Baatsen). Later a summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank from Splatt Bridge. (Nathan Casburn/David Owen). Two Common Terns at the Sailing Lake this afternoon. (Mark Hobson). A Nightingale and two Garden Warblers all singing on the corner near the landfill, two Stock Doves calling near Court Lake. (Steve Brown). Also a second-hand report from a non-birder of the Marsh Harrier by the north reed bed early morning. 

Arlingham    On the Severn way near Arlingham a Kingfisher and a Whitethroat today. (Steve Brown).

Framilode    An Oystercatcher on a ploughed field near Framilode. (Steve Brown).

Cirencester Park   A Pied Flycatcher in the park today. (Jo Jones/NCOS).

Over    Two Whitethroats, a male Redstart, a Wheatear and 75 Linnets today. (Andy Chapman).    Also two Whimbrels over. (Steve Brown).

Saul Warth    A pair of Garganey this morning. (Andy Jayne).

Aylburton Warth    This morning a small but steady stream of migrant Swallows and Sand Martins upriver from about 8:15am, fair numbers of Whitethroats, at least 50 Yellow Wagtails and 31 White Wagtails (no Pied) with Meadow Pipits. Also six Oystercatchers, many displaying Lapwings and Redshanks, 120 Curlew, a Whimbrel, a Little Ringed Plover, four Common Sandpipers, 30 Ringed Plovers, 47 Dunlin, three Sanderlings, five Golden Plovers in summer plumage and a Snipe. (Mike Smart/Barrie Mills/Lewis Thomson).

WWT Slimbridge    A Lesser Whitethroat in the bushes in front of the Holden Tower at 10:30am, also the Dark-bellied Brent Goose still present. (Jon Mercer/Phil Pope). Also four Yellow Wagtails, two Little Stints and a Grey Plover on the Dumbles. (Neil Smart). A Red Kite N over South Finger at midday. A Hobby over South Lake at 3pm. (Martin McGill).

Coombe Hill Meadows    Along the canal up to eight Chiffchaffs, seven Willow Warblers, five Whitethroats, a male Reed Bunting, three Bullfinches, two Blackcaps and a Buzzard. From the hide ten Teal, a Wigeon, a Shelduck, three Redshanks, a Greenshank, five Little Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin, six Lapwings, three White Wagtails, up to eight Yellow Wagtails, two Meadow Pipits, a Sedge Warbler, two Ravens over, 70+ Sand Martins, 50+ Swallows and five House Martins, a Curlew and Jay both heard only. (Mark Grieve/Nick Goatman).

 

Sat Apr 19th 2008

Frampton    A singing male PALLAS'S WARBLER at Frampton pools this morning from 10:45am until 11:45am at least. Then it went missing but was still present at 4:30pm at least. It is in the tree belt between the Sailing Lake and Court Lake favouring the end nearest to the farm cSO752072. Please park sensibly in the village and keep to public footpaths. (Nick Goatman). Also a Nightingale there this morning. Pics below by Richard Ford (1st) and Graham Watson (2nd & 3rd).

 

 

Two Cattle Egrets still this morning in the horse field behind the houses in the village and only viewable from the towpath N of Splatt Bridge. A House Martin at Splatt Bridge, a Little Egret flew N and another in the WWT 100-Acre, three Cetti's Warblers calling, one at the reed bed N of Splatt Bridge, one near Saul Warth and another from the 100-Acre pools and two Reed Warblers north of Splatt Bridge. (MK). A Swift flew NE over Splatt Bridge at midday, a Water Rail calling at the reed bed N of Splatt Bridge and a Whitethroat singing from the scrub further along the canal. (Gordon Avery). Also a Raven over the 100-Acre. (Bill Church). The Marsh Harrier flew over the 100-Acre at 1:15 and then past Splatt Bridge. (Geoff Moyser).

Adlestrop    A Red Kite over today. (Richard Tyler).

Cleeve Hill    14+ Ring Ouzels (11 males) on the slope below the bench near the heather enclosure this evening. (Duncan Dine). 

Oakenhill Woods    A Woodcock today at SO 628079. (Barrie Mills).

Coombe Hill Meadows    Nine species of wader today seven Little Ringed Plovers, a Ringed Plover, seven Lapwings, a Grey Plover, two Greenshanks, three Redshanks, two Curlew, six Snipe and two Black-tailed Godwits. Also a singing Whitethroat and two singing Sedge Warblers, three Yellow Wagtails, two White Wagtails, two Pied Wagtails and good numbers of Swallows and Sand Martins. (Les Brown/Mike Smart).

Ashleworth Ham    A Green Sandpiper and at least one Redstart today. (Les Brown / Mike Smart).

 

Fri Apr 18th 2008

Stancombe    Two House Martins with 25 Swallows at Stancombe near North Nibley this afternoon. (Fiona Leathart).

Longlevens    A male Redstart spent two hours this afternoon in a garden. Dave's 3rd in seven years. (Dave Clawley).

Walmore Common    A Hawfinch in a tall hawthorn hedge this afternoon. The only previous record here was on 22nd December 1981. Also a pair of Redstarts here. (Andy Jayne).

Coombe Hill Meadows    Eight Little Ringed Plovers, a Ringed Plover, a Grey Plover, two Greenshanks, three Redshanks, nine Lapwings, two Yellow Wagtails, a White Wagtail, four Pied Wagtails, two Reed Buntings, 30 Swallows, 50 Sand Martins, two House Martins, a Raven, four Stock Doves, a Grey Heron, 11 Coots, two Shelducks, four Greylags, two Mute Swans and a female Merlin this afternoon/evening. (Andy Chapman/Paul Masters/Mike Smart/Lawrence Skipp). Pics by Paul. 

 

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 until 1pm at least. Also a Fieldfare calling as it flew over. (Rob Brookes). Pic by Rob.

 

 

Standish    The escaped adult Bald Eagle was at Little Haresfield Farm from mid-morning until 12 noon when it flew towards Haresfield village. (Juliet Bailey).

It escaped from the Cotswold Falconry Centre at Batsford at 4pm last Thursday. I have heard from Juliet Bailey that it was recaptured at Matson ski-slope later.

WWT Slimbridge    A Marsh Harrier again hunting the Bottom New Piece, a three Garganey (2m, 1f) and a Little Ringed Plover on the Top New Piece and two Cattle Egrets in the WWT 100-Acre at Frampton today. The Dark-bellied Brent Goose at the Holden Tower still. (James Lees).

Hardwicke    Two House Martins, c5 Swallows and two Reed Warblers by The Pilot Inn this morning. (Paul Masters).

Forest of Dean    A Hawfinch at New Fancy View this morning. (Barry Embling).

Cleeve Hill    13+ Ring Ouzels (including 8+ males) feeding together in the sheltered area SW of the radio masts. (Paul Marshall). 

Harnhill    A Tree Sparrow today. (Paul Marshall). 

Frampton    A Spotted Redshank in the WWT 100-Acre today. (Paul Marshall). 

Cotswold Water Park    This morning at Pit 79 five Little Ringed Plovers, two Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin, a Green Sandpiper. At Pit 46 two Nightingales singing, two Sedge Warblers and a Reed Warbler and at Pit 16 a Common Tern. (Steve Owen/Paul Marshall).

Hawling Triangle    Two Curlews and a flock of 20 Golden Plovers this morning. (Steve Owen).

 

Thu Apr 17th 2008

Cleeve Hill    Ten male Ring Ouzels on the slope below the bench near the heather enclosure this evening. (Rare Bird Alert). 

Coombe Hill Meadows    Hundreds of Sand Martins, smaller numbers of Swallows, just a few House Martins. Migrant waders included three Little Ringed Plovers and a Dunlin. Amongst the breeding birds a couple of Curlew, three Redshanks and Lapwing. (Mike Smart). Also a Swift over today. (Les Brown).

Cirencester    A Red Kite 5:30pm this evening over the A417, 2m N of Cirencester by Perrott's Brook turnoff. (Jon Mercer).

Ruscombe    An adult Bald Eagle wearing jesses and bells flying around before settling in a tree at The Close, Ruscombe at 7pm. (Gordon Kirk). Pic by Gordon.

 

Also a record flight shot, which could explain a recent eagle sighting.

Apperley    Ten Swallows today. (Mark Grieve).

Cambridge    A male Pied Flycatcher in a Chris Goatman's garden at Longaston Lane this evening. (Nick Goatman).

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 until 6pm at least. (Jim Milton/Rob Brookes). 

Frampton    Two Cattle Egrets together feeding in amongst the horses in the field across Splatt Bridge from the car park, to the left of the north reed bed until 7:15pm at least but have now moved to the village side of the canal behind the houses and are only viewable from the towpath north of Splatt. They appear to be two adults, one still in winter plumage one with buff tinges of summer plumage. Also a good passage of Swallows and Sand Martins, 1+ near summer plumaged Spotted Redshank, four Little Egrets, nine Redshanks, a pair of nest building Chiffchaffs, a female Peregrine and a Yellow Wagtail over. (Jake King). Nine Yellow Wagtails at Splatt Bridge this evening. (Martin McGill). This evening at the Sailing Lake 100+ Sand Martins, two House Martins, a Common Sandpiper, five Willow Warblers, a Reed Warbler and a Kingfisher. Also a Little Owl in the village. (Mark Dowie).

WWT Slimbridge    A Little Tern flew north past the Holden Tower at 7:22am. Also two White Wagtails and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose still. (Martin McGill). A Marsh Harrier around the new canoe trail in the grounds this evening, possibly roosting nearby. (Neil Woodward per Martin McGill). 

Fretherne    Three Whimbrels this morning. (Andy Chapman).

Cotswold Water Park    Three Nightingales singing at Pits 46/48 Swillbrook this morning, one seen, also many Blackcaps and a Peacock butterfly. A Reed Warbler singing at Pit 6, another at Keynes Park Pit 31. Sedge Warblers now widely scattered. A Yellow Wagtail and four Red Crested Pochards at Pit 31. At Pit 79 and 79a four Little Ringed Plovers, two Ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper and a Dunlin. At Pit 44 two Red Crested Pochards and at Pit 57 two Red Crested Pochards, from Hayward hide two Little Egrets, several Gadwall, ten Shovelers, many Sand Martins, a Swallow and a nesting Mute Swan. From the hide higher up the path three Little Egrets and 25 Black-headed Gulls feeding over the water. (Jon Mercer/Felicity Cobb/Mike Robinson). Pic by Jon.

Ebworth   A pair  of Treecreepers breeding, a Wheatear in ploughed field at Ebworth on 15-17 April and a Siskin singing today in conifers by the offices with a pair of Goldcrests. (Rob Palmer).

 

Wed Apr 16th 2008

Ebworth area    Seven Swallows through the fields with pair lingering around barns in the work yard/office area at Ebworth. Four Blackcaps singing throughout Workman's Woods and one in Saltridge woods since the 12th of April. A Willow Warbler in song in Workman's Woods and two day calling Tawny Owls. (Rob Palmer).

Forest of Dean    A Common Sandpiper at Cannop pond south today. (Ian Lavell).

Fretherne    At 6:30pm this evening at high tide 19 Whimbrels and six
Ringed Plovers. (David Owen). 

Gloucester    Three Yellow Wagtails in amongst Richard and Felicity's herd of Gloster cattle on the Oxleaze, Alney Island local nature reserve at 1:40pm this afternoon. (Richard Lawrence & Felicity Davies). Pic by Richard.

Witcombe Reservoir    14 Common Sandpipers, 13 Tufted Ducks, a Mallard with five ducklings, two Pied Wagtails and a large number of House Martins and Swallows with a few Sand Martins. (Graham Watson).

Cleeve Hill    This evening seven Ring Ouzels in the scrubby hedge below the beech grove to the left of the radio masts favouring the hawthorn with a good crop of ivy berries, following four there this morning. (Dave Pearce/David Owen). Also this morning two Wheatears and four more Wheatears along road 500 yards away from the masts. (David Owen). This evening on the West Down side of Cleeve Hill, a Cuckoo, four Wheatears, two Tree Pipits and a Raven. (Steve Owen).

Forest of Dean    A male Pied Flycatcher at Nagshead RSPB this morning. (Lewis Thomson. (Lewis Thomson).

Eastington    A reeling Grasshopper Warbler at Millend from 10:20am until 11:15am. (Jake King). Two Yellow Wagtails over this morning. (Nick Goatman).

 

Tue Apr 15th 2008

Ebworth    A Red Kite over ploughed fields between Cranham Road and Ebworth Drive. (Tim Jenkins, Estate Warden).

Frampton    A Yellow Wagtail, a White Wagtail and three Knot in the WWT 100-Acre today. (Martin McGill). 

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 until 11am at least. (Rob Brookes/Barrie Mills). Also a Muntjac at SP 145329 near Kennel Hill Plantation. (Barrie Mills).

Cleeve Hill    Mid-morning five, possibly six, Ring Ouzels in the scrubby hedge below the beech grove to the left of the radio masts favouring the hawthorn with good crop of ivy berries. Also an erythristic Rook with pink/white colouration and no black pigment. (Jake King).

Charlton Kings    Still 12 Bramblings at garden feeders today. (Graham Watson). Pic by Graham.

Gloucester to Moreton Valence    24 singing Chiffchaffs along the Gloucester canal between Sims Bridge and Parkend Bridge. Also two singing Willow Warblers and five singing Blackcaps. (Mike Teesdale).

Forest of Dean    Siskin and Reed Bunting at the Cannop pond feeder today. Pairs of Goldcrest, Treecreeper and Nuthatch at Nagshead. (Allan Chard). Pics by Allan. 

 

 

 

Another pic by C P Townend below.

 

Mon Apr 14th 2008

Cashes Green    A Willow Warbler singing by The Prince of Wales pub in the grounds of the old Hospital in the evening. (Rob Palmer).

Saul Warth    This evening a pair of Garganey, two Little Ringed Plovers, two Oystercatchers, plenty of Sand Martins, several Swallows and House Martins and a Willow Warbler singing. (Gordon Hodgson).

Hawling    Six Corn Buntings, one singing with 20 Linnets on a small tree opposite the layby at the triangle. Two other singing Corn Buntings and 30 Fieldfares still around the village. At Oxleaze (west of the village) a Little Owl and a displaying Lapwing. (Steve Brown).

Whittington    A Lapwing displaying and 20 Linnets. (Steve Brown).

Salperton    Two Grey Wagtails and a Nuthatch near the old railway bridge. (Steve Brown). 

Highnam Woods    This morning a reluctant but singing male Nightingale, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, four Chiffchaffs, eight Fieldfares, a Kestrel, a Treecreeper, a Nuthatch, a Blackcap, a Willow Warbler heard singing and a Peacock butterfly. (Lee Rogers).
Lydney New Grounds    15 Lapwings, a Raven, two Chiffchaffs and two Brown Hares this evening SO628014. On the ponds behind Lydney Railway Station two House Martins in with several Swallows and Sand Martins, two Shelducks and 42 Tufted Ducks. (Barrie Mills).

Guscar Rocks    A Water Pipit in the wet field immediately downriver of Grange Pill this morning. Very jumpy and it flew off towards Aylburton Warth. Also a Whimbrel with Curlews nearby and two Yellow Wagtails flying over. (John Phillips).

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 until midday at least. (Dave Pearce).

Robinswood Hill    A male Blackcap in song, first heard on the hill this year. (Ian Elphick).

 

Sun Apr 13th 2008

Doverow Hill    At 4:30pm a Red Kite over Doverow Hill to the N of Stonehouse. It circled and soared quite high and slowly drifted SE in the Selsley direction. (Hugh Read).

Guiting    A pair of Redstarts in Campden Lane, and a Cuckoo calling from The Warren, both just at the western extremity of Guiting Wood at 10:30am. (Paul Burgess).

Hawling    Two male Wheatears today. (Richard Tyler). Wheatear pic by Richard. Also 12 Linnets, a Kestrel, three Buzzards, four Yellowhammers, four Skylarks, six Stock Doves and several pairs of Red-legged Partridges. (Graham Watson). Partridge pics by Graham. 

 

 

WWT Slimbridge    A Wheatear on the cross fence at the end of the Dumbles and a Peregrine. (Phil Pope). Nine Golden Plovers on the Dumbles and a Ringed Plover on the 100-Acre. (Martin McGill). The Pink-footed Goose with the feral Barnacle Geese on the Tack Piece. At South Lake 17 Black-tailed Godwits, a Yellow-legged Gull, two Great Crested Grebes and a Little Grebe. Small numbers of Sand Martins around the grounds and two Swallows. (Steve Brown).

Frampton    A Common Sandpiper on the Sailing Lake near the Sailing Club. At Nebrow Hill Oak Wood a Redstart heard singing briefly at 12:45pm. (Phil Pope).

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 between 7:30-10am at least. (Martin Dyer).

Cleeve Hill    A pair of Ring Ouzels this morning along the right hand hedge of the field just below the radio masts. Also here a Tree Pipit and on the common four Wheatears, 3+ Willow Warblers, two Swallows through, a Cuckoo, a Peregrine and a Stonechat.  A male Redstart in the Bill Smyllie Butterfly Conservation Area.   (Graham Watson/Andy Chapman/Paul Masters/Mark Hobson/MK). At 11am four Ring Ouzels there. (Richard Tyler). Four Ring Ouzels still present until 6:30pm at least feeding on the grassy areas between the gorse bushes looking from the enclosure towards the head of the valley. (Mark Dowie).

Cotswold Water Park    This evening at Pit 85b pair of Ruddy Ducks, at Pit 79 four Redshanks, two Little Ringed Plovers and a pair of Wheatears. Between Tarlton and Lowesmoor ten Linnets on wires. (David Owen).

Charlton Kings    Two Swallows and a Peregrine over Cox's Meadow. (Mark Dowie).

Northleach Turville    Five Brimstone butterflies, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard and a Brown Hare today. (Felicity Cobb).

Witcombe Reservoir    A Yellow Wagtail, two Swallows, a Little Grebe and four Great Crested Grebes. (Andy Chapman/Paul Masters/Mark Hobson).

Lower Slaughter    The male Nuthatch still this morning near a nest site in the village. (Richard Tyler). Pic by Richard.

Sat Apr 12th 2008

Ashleworth Ham    From the hide 47 Teal, 12 Shovelers, five Wigeon, three Pintail (2m, 1f), 3-4 Swallows, seven Sand Martins, 35 Fieldfares flew NE, a male Reed Bunting, a Yellow Wagtail flew S, two Buzzards, a Grey Heron, a Chiffchaff, two male Blackcaps, a Cormorant and a Little Grebe heard. (Mark Grieve/Lawrence Skipp).

Woolaston    A male Redstart fly catching along a hedgerow at Woolaston Court this afternoon. (Lewis Thomson).

Lydney    On the pools behind Lydney Railway Station SO636017 five Sand Martins, three Swallows, two Willow Warblers, a Chiffchaff, a male Reed Bunting and a Green Woodpecker. A Little Owl at Naas House SO648017. (Barrie Mills).

Cotswold Water Park    A singing Sedge Warbler this morning at Pit 6. (Jon Mercer).

Cleeve Hill    Three Ring Ouzels this morning just below the heather enclosure at the head of the Wash Pool valley. (Richard Price). Pic by Richard.

Frampton    A male Redstart at Nebrow Hill Oak Wood this morning. (Nick Goatman). Another male Redstart (present since 10th) at the Sailing Lake still today between Vicarage Lane and the Sailing Club and also along the hedgerow beside the allotments until 5:15pm at least. (Mark Hobson/Nick Goatman/MK). Also 100+ Sand Martins, a House Martin and three Swallows today. (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman/Nick Goatman).

WWT Slimbridge    The Dark-bellied Brent Goose still from Holden Tower today. Also two Willow Warblers, two pairs of Oystercatchers, a Swallow and a Peregrine. (James Lees/Neil Smart/Paul Masters/Andy Chapman/MK). The last Bewick's Swan still remains in with the captive Bewick's. (James Lees). Also the Pink-footed Goose still. (Richard Cawsey). Pic by Richard.

Aylburton Warth/Guscar Rocks    A winter-plumaged Water Pipit down in the wet grassland SE of Woolaston Level Crossing, right down by the corner of the fence as you turn toward Guscar rocks. Seen at 7:30am feeding in long damp grassy patch before it flew high south. A Wheatear, a Peregrine, a Swallow and a Cetti's Warbler this morning. (Ian Ralphs).

Hawling    Two Curlews and several pairs of Lapwings at noon today. (Laurie Pierce).

Naunton    A Curlew heard bubbling today at Summer Hill. (Jim Milton).

Guiting Power    A pair of Mandarins at Barton today. (Jim Milton).

Cheltenham    A Peregrine over Cheltenham town centre at 8:20am flying south over Montpellier Gardens. It took a Pigeon and settled on top of the SE face of Eagle Tower, where it  proceeded to pluck and eat the Pigeon until 9:30am at least. (Paul McGowan).

Fri Apr 11th 2008

Robinswood Hill    Five Swallows flying NW across the beacon. (Ian Elphick).

Hawling    Today at the Hawling triangle at 2:30pm c30 Golden Plovers, a Curlew, male and female Wheatear and four Brown Hares. (Peter Grimmitt).

Naunton    A Curlew heard bubbling today. (Jim Milton).

Gloucester    At Hempsted a Jack Snipe, 15 Snipe, three Skylarks, five Meadow Pipits, a Blackcap, a Reed Bunting and a Kestrel near the Severn Way late afternoon. (Paul Masters). A Marsh Harrier over Port Ham this afternoon seen from the by-pass. (Andy Chapman).

Cotswold Water Park (E)    In the Pit 104 area an Oystercatcher, a Cetti's Warbler, ten Chiffchaffs, four Willow Warblers, three Blackcaps, 200 Sand Martins, 40 Swallows, four pairs of Red Crested Pochards, five Goldeneye (2m, 3f), four Little Grebes, 12 Great Crested Grebes and a male Redstart today. (Mick and Jo Jones).

Ullenwood    A Red Kite flew across the Cotswold Hills Golf Club, Ullenwood SO91N 946167 at 6:10pm this evening. It flew from Seven Springs, across the golf course and headed off in the direction of Crickley Hill. (Arthur Ball).

WWT Slimbridge    A probable adult White-tailed Eagle on the spartina island from the Holden Tower at 10:15am, but only until 10:20am. It had probably been present for about 45 minutes but had earlier been passed off as a log. Identification wasn't confirmed until it took to the air. (Pete Alder). The Dark-bellied Brent Goose and Pink-footed Goose still from Holden Tower today. Also a White Wagtail, two pairs of Oystercatchers, a Willow Warbler, a Little Egret and a Peregrine. (James Lees/MK). This morning a male Redstart and a Whimbrel. (James Lees). Pic by MK.

Forest of Dean    A rung male Pied Flycatcher at the north Cannop pond at 2:30pm. (Lewis Thomson). Pic by Lewis.

Leckhampton Hill/Charlton Kings Common    A Raven flying along the scarp and three Wheatears reported near Hartley Farm. Also numerous singing Willow Warblers and a Speckled Wood butterfly. (Steve Brown). 

Cheltenham    At Naunton Park a garden Chiffchaff and a Sparrowhawk disputing airspace with a Carrion Crow. (Steve Brown).

 

Thu Apr 10th 2008

Frampton    A male Redstart at the Sailing Lake today. Heard calling on the 11th too. (Heather Hobson).

WWT Slimbridge    The Dark-bellied Brent Goose still from Holden Tower today. (James Lees). 

Hawling    Still a flock c70 Golden Plovers in and around the fields at the junction of the B4068 and the A436 near Hawling this evening. (Barrie Mills).

Frampton    A Reed Warbler singing at the reedbed north of Splatt Bridge and the Cattle Egret was behind the north reed bed today. (Geoff Moyser).

Condicote    A Red Kite flying very low heading west over a field of rape adjacent to Flagstone Farm at 1pm. (Steve Martin).

Cotswold Water Park    At Pit 79 this morning a Yellow Wagtail, 2+ White Wagtails, two Wheatears, two Oystercatchers, 3+ Redshanks, three Ringed Plovers, four Little Ringed Plovers, a Snipe in flight, 26 Golden Plovers flew over and a pair of Red Crested Pochards. On Pit 79a a Little Ringed Plover and a Green Sandpiper. (Jon Mercer). Pics by Jon.

 

Ebworth    Around the Ebworth Centre a pair of Nuthatches on the feeder with eight Long-tailed Tits, four Blue Tits, five Great Tits and a Marsh Tit. A Treecreeper in the old Horse Chestnut by the office, a Swallow in the yard, six Chiffchaffs singing, a Blackcap singing, five Wheatears in the ploughed field, three Yellowhammers, a Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a day calling Tawny Owl. (Rob Palmer).

 

Wed Apr 9th 2008

Cleeve Hill    A Red Kite about 800m NNE of The Masts, seven Wheatears in the field beside the Masts car park SO995248, a singing Willow Warbler and a Swallow (John Ryman/Vic Polley).

Lower Slaughter    A pair of Nuthatches preparing a nest site in the village. Also a male Siskin still coming to a garden feeder. (Richard Tyler). Pics by Richard.

 

 

Coombe Hill Meadows    This evening three Redshanks, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 200 Sand Martins, 20+ Swallows, a House Martin and male Yellow Wagtail. (Andy Jayne).

Longford    Two Green Sandpipers in Horsbere Brook. (Andy Jayne).

Newnham    No sign of the Franklin's Gull again this evening but two Swallows flew north. (MK).

WWT Slimbridge    An Osprey flew north at 3:15pm and was followed just two minutes later by a Marsh Harrier heading the same way. Four White Wagtails from the Holden Tower and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose and the Pink-footed Goose still. (James Lees). 

Forest of Dean    At Farmers Green this afternoon, two Goshawks circling high to the east, two singing Tree Pipits and a pair of Stonechats on the clearfell, also two Swallows and three House Martins heading northwards. (Lewis Thomson).

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314. (Rare Bird Alert). 

Gloucester    The first Willow Warbler in the osier on Sudmeadow this year and also a Green Sandpiper. Also a loafing flock of 45 Carrion Crows in Hemmingsdale Road. (Gordon Avery).

 

Tue Apr 8th 2008

Cheltenham    A male Peregrine perched and flying around Eagle Tower at 6:30pm. (Chris Furley).

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 until 11:30am at least. (Ian Lavell/Barrie Mills). Nearby five Brown Hares in a field near Guiting Power SP102235. (Barrie Mills).

Edge    A singing Tree Pipit at Edge Common today. (Gordon Kirk).

Newnham    No sign of the Franklin's Gull this evening but an adult Mediterranean Gull. (Paul Masters/Paul Taylor/Barrie Mills). Pic by Paul M.

Cotswold Water Park    At Pit 16 this evening a Common Tern, c80 Sand Martins, c20 Swallows and 2+ House Martins. (Jon Mercer).

Cleeve Hill    This morning a female Ring Ouzel between the Wash Pool and the Radio masts. Also a Wheatear, five Stonechats, and unusually two Cormorants flying east towards Winchcombe. (Steve Owen).

Leighterton    On the western outskirts of Leighterton (cST827910) 12 Corn Buntings, a pair of Little Owls, 11 Stock Doves and two Brown Hares and on the eastern side (cST820913), two Lapwings and 10+ Fieldfares. (Vic Polley).

River Severn south of Tewkesbury    At Lower Lode four Sand Martins and a Stock Dove calling. At Deerhurst church a Sparrowhawk and at Haw Bridge three Cormorants, three Sand Martins and a Curlew displaying. (Steve Brown).

Ashleworth Ham    Two Roe Deer ran across one of the meadows, probably the first site record. c50 each of Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler, the non-breeding flock of Mute Swans now numbers over 30 and at least six Willow Warblers singing. (Les A Brown/Mike Smart).

Coombe Hill Meadows    A Little Ringed Plover, two Common Sandpipers, six Pied Wagtails, a couple of Willow Warblers singing and a pair of Mute Swans nest building just by The Wharf. A Curlew displaying south of Coombe Hill and also a displaying Lapwing and two Sand Martins. (Les A Brown/Mike Smart/Steve Brown).

Cheltenham    A Sparrowhawk over Clarence Square. (Steve Brown).

 

Mon Apr 7th 2008

Newnham    A near adult Franklin's Gull, with a partial hood and alight pink flush to the breast, in the gull flock viewed from the car park at Newnham beside the river this evening from 6:40pm until 7:20pm when it was lost from sight amongst the packed gulls. (John Phillips).

Frampton    The Cattle Egret roosted at Court Lake again this evening. (Nick Goatman).

Bentham    A Jack Snipe and a Snipe on the waste ground behind the church today. (Dave Pearce).

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 until 1pm at least. (Ian Lavell). 

Aylburton/Guscar    c50 Shelducks, two to three pairs of Oystercatchers, c100 Lapwings, c15 Redshanks, c80 Curlew, a Little Ringed Plover flew over north,  80+ Swallows and 10+ Sand Martins flying upriver mid morning, a male Wheatear and a female Merlin. (Mike Smart/Barrie Mills/Lewis Thomson).

Lydney Harbour Pools    A Little Egret, a female Mallard already with a duckling, 20 Tufted Ducks, a few Swallows and a Willow Warbler singing. (Mike Smart/Barrie Mills/Lewis Thomson).

Walmore Common    c60 Teal, seven Shelducks, five Lapwings, two Redshanks and a female Peregrine hunting. (Mike Smart/Barrie Mills/Lewis Thomson).

Gloucester    Two Swallows over Sellars Bridge today. (Mark Hobson).

 

Sun Apr 6th 2008

Woodchester Park    A pair of Nuthatches and another 3-4 calling through the wood, a Grey Wagtail below the top dam, a pair of Ravens, three Treecreepers calling throughout woods and five Chiffchaffs singing. Also a report received of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker on 27th March. (Rob Palmer).

Forest of Dean    18 Hawfinches and a Brambling at Brierley at 12:30pm. (Mark Hobson). An Osprey flew N from the Severn at Elton between Newnham and Westbury at c2:15pm today. A Crossbill flew over Russell's Enclosure today and two Tree Pipits here. (Robin Griffiths).

Saul Warth   A drake Garganey Saul Warth this morning still, best viewed from the canalside (see link). Also three drake Pintail. (Rob Emery).

Frampton    On the WWT 100-Acre this morning a Ruff and two Spotted Redshanks. Also four Little Egrets, 13 Swallows and 11 Sand Martins along the canal near Splatt Bridge. (Rob Emery).

Cleeve Hill    Very little this morning between 7:30-9am. Only a Stonechat of note. (Richard Tyler). Pic by Richard.

WWT Slimbridge    A Peregrine, the Dark-bellied Brent Goose and Pink-footed Goose still from Holden Tower, a Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff along the Holden Walkway, a Swallow from Robbie Garnett hide, a Buzzard at the Rushy Pen, a Little Egret from Kingfisher hide and Sand Martins, a Great Crested Grebe and eight Black-tailed Godwits at South Lake. (Ray Sherman).

Highnam Woods    A Willow Warbler, a Marsh Tit, three Bullfinches (2m, 1f) and two Fieldfares over this morning. (MK/Mark Hobson). 

Hardwicke    Seven Willow Warblers along the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal south of The Pilot Inn this morning. (Paul Masters). Pic by Paul.

Hawling    In the Hawling area c200 Golden Plovers (many in summer plumage) three pairs of Lapwings, a pair of Curlew and a dozen Corn Buntings. (Richard Tyler). Pic by Richard.

Ashleworth Ham    From the hide, two Chiffchaffs, 1+ Willow Warblers, a Blackcap, 21 Sand Martins, 40+ Wigeon, two Little Grebes, 30+ Shovelers, 15+ Teal, ten Tufted Ducks, two Gadwall, three Pintail (2m, 1f), a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a displaying Lapwing, two Snipe, a Buzzard, a Grey Heron, a Stock Dove and a Goldcrest. (Mark Grieve).

Chedworth    A Swallow flying around fields near Denfurlong Farm, Chedworth and a garden Yellowhammer today. (Gill Tovey).

Apperley    Six Swallows on wires today. (Mark Grieve).

Gretton    A pair of Red-legged Partridges were a garden tick this evening for RW. (Roger Wasley). Pic by Roger.

 

Sat Apr 5th 2008

Symonds Yat    A probable Lanner Falcon, spent some time in a tree near to the resident Peregrines at Yat Rock, and remained unchallenged by them. (Phil Andrews). Pic by Phil.

Bream    A Swallow over today. (Robin Griffiths).

Cirencester    At Oakley Wood today a Marsh Tit, a Treecreeper, six Nuthatches, a Coal Tit and a Raven. (Steve Davies).

Frampton    A pair of Garganey on Court Lake this afternoon. Also a House Martin, five Swallows, three Willow Warblers and a pair of Mandarins. (Nick Goatman).

On the WWT 100-Acre this morning no sign of the drake Green-winged Teal but a Ruff, two Spotted Redshanks and three Little Stints. (John Overfield). 

Coombe Hill Meadows    This morning a Great Crested Grebe on the Long Pool, four Shelducks, 40 Teal, ten Shovelers, 14 Lapwings, only two or three Curlews, five Redshanks, a Green Sandpiper, a Willow Warbler singing, a Blackcap singing and c10 Swallows. (Mike Smart/Les Brown).

Ashleworth Ham    A Great Crested Grebe, 40+ Wigeon still, a few Teal, ten Swallows, 30 Sand Martins, a House Martin, two Willow Warblers and a Blackcap. (Mike Smart/Les Brown).

Fretherne    Three Black-tailed Godwits, five Oystercatchers and 20 Sand Martins this morning. (Gordon Hodgson/MK).

Leckhampton    A male Ring Ouzel on the hedge about 100m down from the road, on the footpath between Leckhampton Church and Leckhampton Hill at 10am today (SO945187). Gave a brief snatch of song. (Steve Brown).

Cleeve Hill    Male and female Ring Ouzel, flighty in the gorse above the 11th tee at 8am. A male and two female Wheatears in the same area. Also a male Stonechat along the main track and a Curlew and a Swallow over. (Jon Mercer). Pic by Jon.

Hawling    A Corn Bunting singing along the minor road W of the triangle. (Jon Mercer).  

Birdlip    c40 Golden Plovers E over Birdlip at 9:30am. (Jon Mercer).

Cotswold Water Park    A Cetti's Warbler singing at Pit 6 and a Cetti's Warbler and a Blackcap singing at Pits 46/48. (Jon Mercer).

Highnam Woods    A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Highnam woods just NW of the Pinetum. (Paul Masters/Andy Chapman). Pic by Paul.

Saul Warth   Three Garganey (2m, 1f) at Saul Warth this morning still, best viewed from the canalside (see link). Also male and female Mandarin. (John Overfield/Richard Tyler). Pic by Richard.

Gloucester    A Peregrine at the Cathedral at 8:20am today. (Martin Drew).

Apperley    A Swallow on wires today. (Mark Grieve).

Aldsworth    A Red Kite flew over at 7am, just inside the Glos border. (Gary Cox).

 

Fri Apr 4th 2008

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 this afternoon. Looking very plump in the photos after just eating a lizard. (Richard Tyler). Pics by Richard.

 

Forest of Dean    4+ Hawfinches and Bramblings at Brierley, six Bramblings, two Reed Buntings, nine Mandarins, c5 drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Grey Wagtail and two Little Grebes at Cannop upper pond and a Swallow at Broadwell. (Paul Masters). Pics below by Paul.

Coombe Hill Meadows    At dusk six Redshanks, ten Lapwings, c16 Curlews, a Green Sandpiper, and two or three Snipe calling at nightfall, but no sign of drumming. (Mike Smart).

Lydney area    This evening up to ten Chiffchaffs singing along the riverside pathway between Lydney Docks and Wellhouse Rocks. A Whitethroat in Kears Wood (SO657030), a Blackcap at Naas Cliff (SO655025), a Cormorant, two Oystercatchers and a Lapwing on Wellhouse Rocks (SO669039) and a Great Spotted Woodpecker in woods on the shoreline. (Barrie Mills).

Cotswold Water Park    At Pit 79 two Little Ringed Plovers, three Green Sandpipers, four Redshanks, four Lapwings, four Snipe, two Wigeon, a Kestrel, a Buzzard over and numerous Sand Martins. At Pit 57 two pairs of Goldeneye, six male Red Crested Pochards courting one female. (Graham Watson).

WWT Slimbridge    A Green Sandpiper at Robbie Garnett hide, the Pink-footed Goose and Dark-bellied Brent Goose from the Holden Tower and ten Black-tailed Godwits on South Lake. (Paul Masters).

Saul Warth   Three Garganey (2m, 1f) at Saul Warth this morning still, best viewed from the canalside (see link). (Rare Bird Alert).

Fairford    At Pit 104 and along the River Coln near Fairford today two Oystercatchers, six Willow Warblers, three Blackcaps, 15 Chiffchaffs, a Kingfisher, a Grey Wagtail, four Pied Wagtails, two Little Grebes, two Red Crested Pochards, ten Sand Martins and one House Martin. (Mick & Jo Jones).

Painswick Beacon    This morning there was four Willow Warblers and three Chiffchaffs brought down by the fog. (Francis Steuck).

Cleeve Hill    This morning at the West Down end of Cleeve Hill, two Wheatears, two Stonechats, a Raven and Red Kite over. (Steve Owen). Three Ring Ouzels in the Wash Pool valley later. (Martin McGill).

Tirley    A singing Willow Warbler today. (Mark Grieve).

 

Thu Apr 3rd 2008

Painswick Beacon    A fair amount of overhead passage over Painswick Beacon today 210 Meadow Pipits, 40 Golden Plovers, 12 Woodpigeons, eight Chaffinches, five Bramblings, five Goldfinches, five Siskins, three Linnets, two Sand Martins, a Yellowhammer and an alba Wagtail. On the ground two Chiffchaffs and singles of Wheatear and Fieldfare. (Francis Steuck).

Cleeve Hill    A male Ring Ouzel at the head of the Wash Pool valley this evening and a Woodcock flying around, also several Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs and a pair of Little Owls on a quarry face. (Dave Pearce).

Frampton    On the WWT 100-Acre this morning 7am-8am the drake Green-winged Teal still, displaying to a (presumed!) female Eurasian Teal, a Ruff, two Spotted Redshanks, a Black-tailed Godwit, a stint sp flew south with Dunlin and five Little Egrets. The Cattle Egret seen at 8:20am perched on a post. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. (Paul Marshall/Derek Hale). Six Cetti's Warblers heard along the canal. (Derek Hale).

Saul Warth   Three Garganey (2m, 1f) at Saul Warth this morning still, best viewed from the canalside (see link). (Derek Hale).

WWT Slimbridge    A Common Tern heading upriver at 8:30am from Holden Tower. (James Lees). 

Cotswold Water Park    Two White Wagtails at Pit 79, two singing Willow Warblers at Pit 31 and Pit 79, a Jay over (unusual here) and two drake Red Crested Pochards on Pit 79, also a Little Ringed Plover, two Oystercatchers and two Redshanks today. (Jon Mercer).

Brimscombe Port    A pair of Grey Wagtails and a Kingfisher today. (David Owen).

Little Haresfield    A Swallow this evening. (Paul Masters).

Quedgeley    A garden Chiffchaff and a Brimstone today. (Paul Masters).

Coombe Hill Meadows    12+ singing Chiffchaffs, four Buzzards, 17 Teal, four male Shovelers, two Shelducks, 12 Lapwings, 11 Tufted Ducks, at least 120 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 30 Herring Gulls, two Black-headed Gulls, a Snipe, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 60+ Fieldfares arrived from high west, a female Sparrowhawk displaying, four Curlews and a pair of Redshanks. (Mark Grieve).

Ashleworth Ham    From the hide, 20+ Wigeon, 20+ Shovelers, a male Gadwall, eight Tufted Ducks, male and female Pintail, 10+ Teal, a Little Grebe, three Grey Herons, a singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff, two Buzzards and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker. (Mark Grieve).

Tirley    A singing Blackcap, a Chiffchaff and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker today. (Mark Grieve).

Berkeley shore    Seven Turnstones this morning. (Shane Long).

Leckhampton    A Willow Warbler this morning. (Peter Cadogan).

Forest of Dean    A Willow Warbler in the clearfell below New Fancy View today. (Barry Embling). A male Brambling at a feeder at Cannop pond north. Also a pair of Mandarins and two pairs of Mandarins at the south pond. Nearby four female Goosanders at Woorgreens. (Laurie Pierce).

 

Wed Apr 2nd 2008

Highnam Woods    A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Highnam woods just NW of the Pinetum. (Barry Embling).

Forest of Dean    A Redshank today, a very unusual record, and 11 Goosanders (8f, 3m) at Woorgreens Lake. (Barry Embling). Around Cannop Ponds this morning, a singing Willow Warbler, three singing Blackcaps and two Chiffchaffs. Also five female Goosanders flushed by walkers from the south pond. (Lewis Thomson). A Hawfinch at Parkend Church, two Bramblings at feeders at Cannop Ponds and a Swallow at New Fancy View. (Richard Newton). SW of Speech House 7:35am, two Bramblings and a Treecreeper. At the north end of Linear Park, Cinderford at 3:30pm a Great Crested Grebe and three Tufted Ducks (2m, 1f). (Derek Hale).

Hawling    In a field at the junction of the B4068 and the A436 near Hawling (SP076221) 250+ Golden Plovers with quite a few in summer plumage and five Lapwings. (Barrie Mills).

Cleeve Hill    Near the radio masts 40 Fieldfares, 13 Meadow Pipits, a Stonechat, a Yellowhammer and a Curlew circling high. (Graham Watson).

Charlton Kings    Still up to 12 garden Bramblings including males in near breeding plumage. (Graham Watson). Pics by Graham.

 

Kent's Green    A low flying Red Kite crossed the Newent to Gloucester road near the Kent's Green junction this afternoon heading for May Hill. (Rob Wilkinson).

WWT Slimbridge    A Sandwich Tern over the estuary at 8:20am and the Dark-bellied Brent Goose still from Holden Tower. (James Lees). 

Frampton    On the WWT 100-Acre this morning the drake Green-winged Teal and the Cattle Egret still. Also three Little Egrets. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. (James Lees). Mid afternoon two Swallows on wires between Vicarage Lane and Splatt Bridge and one Swallow seen later flying over the reedbed north of the bridge towards Saul. Also a Little Egret by the reedbed. (Jan & John Datchens). 

Saul Warth   A drake Garganey at Saul Warth still this morning, best viewed from the canalside (see link).  (Jan & John Datchens).

Painswick Beacon    Two Willow Warblers this morning on the beacon, the earliest FS has recorded for this site. Also 3-4 Siskins and a Chiffchaff. (Francis Steuck).

Symonds Yat    At Yat Rock at 6:15pm a Peregrine, eight Cormorants in the roost tree, six Pheasants (4m, 2f) and 33 Fallow Deer on field below. (Derek Hale).

Shipton Oliffe    A Swallow over The Frog Mill Inn heading N. (Mark Grieve).

Bourton Downs    c1000 Fieldfares with a few Redwings feeding in a field opposite Bournes Folly and in the Folly itself near Snowshill (SP 113335). (Barrie Mills).

 

Tue Apr 1st 2008

Forest of Dean    At Wenchford two Dippers. At Farmer's Green a male Great Grey Shrike (N end of clearing at 9:20am) and a male Stonechat. At New Fancy View two Goshawks, a Sparrowhawk, four Buzzards, two Ravens and 10+ Goosanders flew NE. On the path up from the car park a Common Lizard and a female Adder basking in the sun. (Derek Hale).

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 until 1pm at least. Also a male Crossbill flew over calling. (Rob Brookes). Pic by Rob.

Frampton    From the WWT 100-Acre platform this morning the drake Green-winged Teal still, the Cattle Egret again, seven Little Egrets, a Ruff and two Spotted Redshanks. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. (James Lees). Also two Oystercatchers flew over the Sailing Lake. (Tony Eveleigh).

WWT Slimbridge    A female/immature Marsh Harrier flew north at 10:45am. (James Lees/Nigel Warren). 

Saul Warth   A drake Garganey at Saul Warth still this morning, best viewed from the canalside (see link). Also the WWT female/immature Marsh Harrier flew north at 11am. Also a Sparrowhawk, a Peregrine and five Chiffchaffs singing. (Tony Eveleigh/Alan Baxter/Nick Hopkinson).

Coombe Hill Meadows    A Black-tailed Godwit this morning. (Peter Cadogan).

 

Mon Mar 31st 2008

WWT Slimbridge    The Dark-bellied Brent Goose still from Holden Tower and a Long-eared Bat in the hide. (Bob Shiret). Pics by Bob.

 

Frampton    A Willow Warbler, eight Chiffchaffs and three Blackcaps singing and two Nuthatches this morning at the pools. Also a Fieldfare flying over. (Roy Bircher). From the WWT 100-Acre platform this morning the drake Green-winged Teal still displaying with a drake Teal (pic below by Martin), the Cattle Egret again, 30 Curlews and a Willow Warbler. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. (Martin McGill/James Lees/Bob Shiret). 

Also a Cetti's Warbler singing in Green Lane at 1:10pm and a Swallow flying S down the canal at 1:20pm. (Graham Bullivant).

Severn Hams    At Coombe Hill a female Sparrowhawk displaying, 40 Teal, five Lapwings, a Redshank, a Curlew and a White Wagtail. At Ashleworth 40 Wigeon, five Lapwings still displaying, a Redshank and a Curlew bubbling display. (Mike Smart/Les Brown/Juliet Bailey).

Walmore Common    15 Mute Swans (one preparing to nest), 15 Lapwings and a Redshank. (Mike Smart/Les Brown/Juliet Bailey).

Gloucester    A Kingfisher flew up the East Channel at Sudmeadow at 4:15pm and 2 or 3 Chiffchaffs in the osier beds. (Gordon Avery).

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 until 3pm at least. (Ian Lavell/Rob Brookes/Dave Pearce). Pic by Dave.

Saul Warth   A drake Garganey at Saul Warth still this morning, best viewed from the canalside (see link). Also a Water Rail, five Black-tailed Godwits, two Little Grebes, a Chiffchaff and a Swallow over. (Graham Watson).

Forest of Dean    At Woorgreens at 7:15am a Wild Boar sow with seven piglets, a  Willow Warbler singing and plenty of Chiffchaffs. South of Speech House a male Brambling and two Hawfinches. From New Fancy View 1+ Goshawk, a male Siskin, a Raven, a Blackcap and Chiffchaffs singing. (Derek Hale). Pic by Derek.

A solitary Brambling at Cannop ponds today along with 10+ Mandarins, two of which were eating at the feeder. (Allan Chard). Pics by Allan.

 

 

 

Sun Mar 30th 2008

Forest of Dean    Twelve Goosanders (one adult male) at Woorgreens and a male Goshawk overhead. At Moseley Green a Hawfinch near The Rising Sun. (Andy Jayne). At Brierley four Hawfinches and c10 Bramblings (one male in almost full breeding plumage). At Crabtree Hill/Woorgreens two Hawfinches at the car park, also 20 Siskins and a Goshawk and at Cannop ponds four Little Grebes and five Mandarins. (Paul Masters/Mark Hobson). Two House Martins today at 2pm in the Velthouse valley between Flaxley and Blaisdon woods SO6917. (Robin Husbands).

Yorkley    A Swallow over today. (Barrie Mills).

Kingscote area    210+ Woodpigeons, 66+ Stock Doves, other flocks of Stock Doves 11, 8 and 6, two Wheatears, 15+ Pied Wagtails, 17 Fieldfares, two pairs of Yellowhammers and three Buzzards. (Neil Smart).

Cotswold Water Park    At Pit 79 this morning two Oystercatchers, two Little Ringed Plovers, a Ringed Plover, a Redshank and two Little Egrets. At Pit 79a three Green Sandpipers and 40+ Sand Martins. (Jon Mercer).

Frampton    From the WWT 100-Acre platform this morning the drake Green-winged Teal, the Cattle Egret in flight briefly before it disappeared into the vegetation, five Little Egrets, a female Merlin, two Little Stints, a Ruff, two Oystercatchers, six Redshanks, eight Dunlin, two Spotted Redshanks, two Reed Buntings (m&f) and two Brown Hares. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. Close to Splatt Bridge a Willow Warbler in the hedgerow. (Phil Pope/Bill Church/Derek Hale). A garden Pipistrelle flying around at 1pm in Vicarage Lane. (Bill Church). 

Saul Warth   A drake Garganey at Saul Warth still this morning, best viewed from the canalside (see link). Also a Willow Warbler singing from the copse on the opposite side of the canal. (Phil Pope).

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 until 3pm at least. (Ian Lavell).

Ashleworth Ham    A singing Chiffchaff from the hide, 25+ Wigeon, 15 Tufted Ducks, 40+ Shovelers, 20+ Teal, a male Pintail, a singing Skylark, two Buzzards, a singing Goldcrest and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker. (Mark Grieve). 

Hasfield Ham    Three Reed Buntings, a Snipe, up to nine displaying Lapwings also two Meadow Pipits over and 25+ Linnets opposite the Great House. (Mark Grieve).

Gloucester    Two Little Egrets flew over the river at Sudmeadow at 11:40am onto Port Ham. (Gordon Avery).

Cleeve Hill    Very quiet early this morning, no migrants at all, just two pairs of Stonechats of note. Also no sign of the Puckham Scrubs shrike. (MK). Later a Wheatear on the edge of the golf course above the quarry car park at 11:30am. (Robert Homan).

 

Sat Mar 29th 2008

Forest of Dean    An Osprey circling over Flaxley valley, seen from Pope's Hill, about 8:30am before drifting off to the NW. (John Phillips).

Lydney New Grounds    Three Snipe, 21 Lapwings, 17 Curlews, 18 Linnets, a Chiffchaff and a Green Woodpecker. (Barrie Mills).

Tirley    A Raven over at 7:20am.(Mark Grieve). 

Deerhurst    200+ Fieldfares and a female Sparrowhawk. (Mark Grieve).

Gloucester    A Green Sandpiper, 30 Snipe, five Reed Buntings and a Little Grebe at Port Ham. (Paul Masters/Mark Hobson). 

Walmore Common    A Little Egret, two Shelducks, 19 Teal, four Snipe, a Buzzard and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers. (Paul Masters/Mark Hobson).  

Saul Warth   Three Garganey (2m, 1f) at Saul Warth until midday at least, best viewed from the canalside (see link). Also a Cetti's Warbler calling, six pairs of Pintail and a pair of Oystercatchers. (MK).

Frampton    The Cattle Egret was in the field on the right just after the phone box in the village until midday at least with six Little Egrets. It is better viewed from the canal towpath north of Splatt Bridge. Also along the canal a Kingfisher, a male Mandarin and a Water Rail calling from the reed bed north of Splatt and a Water Rail feeding along the hedgerow at the southern end of Saul Warth flashes. (MK). 50 Sand Martins on the Sailing Lake still. (Paul Masters/Mark Hobson). 

Two Little Stints and eight Dunlin in the WWT 100-Acre this morning. Also a Swallow and six Sand Martins flew south, a Green Woodpecker in Green Lane, three Brown Hares showing well, and a Spitfire over. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane.  (MK/Jake King/Jon Mercer). 

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 at 7:30am. (Ian Lavell).

Coombe Hill Meadows    Two Black-tailed Godwits, a Redshank and Little Ringed Plover briefly and four Chiffchaffs along the canal this morning. Grundon hide accessible now. (Ian Ralphs).

 

Fri Mar 28th 2008

Frampton    A Garganey in the WWT 100-Acre today. Also a Spotted Redshank. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane.  (Rare Bird Alert).

Forest of Dean    An adult summer Mediterranean Gull flew NW over Pope's Hill with about 20 other gulls this morning. (John Phillips). 

Awre    At high tide from 10:30-11:30am an immature Iceland Gull today. (John Phillips). 

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 until 4:30pm at least. (Ian Lavell/Margaret Boulton/Dave Pearce).

 

Thu Mar 27th 2008

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314. (Ian Lavell). Pic by Colin Townend.

Forest of Dean    A female Goosander at Woorgreens Lake this evening. (Greg Jones).

Gloucester    A Green Sandpiper, two Snipe and three Teal on Sudmeadow. c30 Ravens on the Sheep Down (old tip) and GLS and two Shelducks over on Minsterworth Ham. (Gordon Avery).

Frampton    A Cattle Egret with five Little Egrets in a rough grassy area in the WWT 100-Acre this morning. Possibly a new bird and not the long-staying Fretherne bird, as it appeared to be all-white with no hint of buff plumage. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. The drake Green-winged Teal still at 9:30am. Also three Ruff, a Spotted Redshank, 30 Dunlin, two Little Stints and two Snipe. (Martin McGill/Jon Mercer).

Cotswold Water Park    This afternoon a Little Ringed Plover on Pit 79, two Green Sandpipers on Pit 79a (between79 and 85a/Shorncote reserve), three Redshanks moving between Pits 79 and 79a, and two Snipe on Pit 79. Also 40+ Fieldfares over. (Jon Mercer).

WWT Slimbridge    The Dark-bellied Brent Goose still from Holden Tower. (Rare Bird Alert).

Bigsweir    A Sand Martin flew over the river today. (Ivan Proctor).

Tewkesbury    A Chiffchaff singing for the first time this year, at the Mythe nature reserve today. (Chris Andrews).

Tirley    A singing Chiffchaff and a flock of 15 Stock Doves. (Mark Grieve).

 

Wed Mar 26th 2008

Frampton    The Cattle Egret roosted with five Little Egrets at Court Lake this evening. Also 20+ Sand Martins, 15 Fieldfares and a Redwing and a male Mandarin flew in. (Nick Goatman).

Chalford    A Dipper at Belvedere Mill at 4:30 pm today. (Mark Wallis).

Moreton Valence    At Moor Farm, a female Merlin at 4pm, a Little Owl and four Chiffchaffs flycatching at the farm pond. (Terry Fenton).

Forest of Dean    Around Beechenhurst Inclosure this afternoon, 6+ Hawfinches, four Bramblings, three singing Chiffchaffs and a Goshawk over.  (Lewis Thomson). Pic by Lewis. A pair of Stonechats at Farmers Green today. (Barry Embling).

Frampton    The drake Green-winged Teal on the WWT 100-Acre still today until 3pm at least. View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. Also a male Sparrowhawk, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and two Chiffchaffs. On the canal a pair of Great Crested Grebes and a Mute Swan. (Graham Watson). Pics by Graham.

 

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 until 11am at least. (Rare Bird Alert).  

WWT Slimbridge    The Dark-bellied Brent Goose still from Holden Tower. (Rare Bird Alert).

Cheltenham    At Naunton Park a garden Tawny Owl calling at 12:30am and 1am. (Steve Brown).

 

Tue Mar 25th 2008

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 until 5pm at least. (Rare Bird Alert).  

Frampton    The drake Green-winged Teal on the WWT 100-Acre still today but very elusive. (Geoff Moyser). Also 3/4 Little Stints and the Temminck's Stint, with Dunlin, Redshanks and a Ruff, a Kestrel, a Chiffchaff and Brown Hares. At Splatt Bridge a female Merlin with a kill, distantly from the gate, and two Little Egrets at the southern reed bed. (Graham Watson). Kestrel pic by Graham). At the Sailing Lake this evening 50+ Sand Martins, 50 Fieldfares and ten Redwings, four Mistle Thrushes, a Chiffchaff, a Green Woodpecker, a Little Egret flew in at 5:25pm and a Curlew heard flying over calling. Only two resident Pied Wagtails tonight, no sign of last night's White Wag or the large flock of wagtails. (MK).

Bishops Cleeve    A Red Kite circling GE Aviation factory at 12:30pm today. (Roy Shilham).

Coombe Hill Meadows    This morning two Shelducks, 14 Gadwall, ten Pintail, ten Shovelers, ten Tufted Ducks, two displaying Lapwings, ten Curlews (two displaying the other eight probably migrants passing through), six Black-tailed Godwits, five Chiffchaffs singing, a Blackcap in song and four Reed Buntings singing. At the Wainlodes end nine Shelducks, 15 Tufted Ducks, three Redshanks and a Green Sandpiper. (Mike Smart/Les Brown/Andy Jayne).

Ashleworth Ham    15 Tufted Ducks, 30 Wigeon, a Peregrine, a Curlew displaying and 30 Snipe. (Mike Smart/Les Brown/Andy Jayne).

Robinswood Hill    Five Buzzards soaring around today and two Chiffchaffs heard singing. Also garden Siskin feeding on niger seed Upper Tuffley. (Greg Anderson).

 

Mon Mar 24th 2008

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314 until 10am at least. (Mike Hearn). Three Ring Ouzels (2m, 1f) and possibly another female bird in the grass field adjacent to Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads SE of Snowshill SP104314 at 3:30pm. (Steve & Lorna Martin).

Brockhampton    In the grass field by the road from Brockhampton to the A436 at SP055217, 210 Golden Plovers and a Curlew. (Laurie Pierce).

Frampton    The drake Green-winged Teal on the WWT 100-Acre until 2:45pm at least. Also 34 Black-tailed Godwits, a Kestrel in Green Lane and a Merlin flying across the field between Green Lane and the canal. (Jake King/John Overfield/Bill Church/Martin McGill/David Spicer). View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. Merlin pic below by David.

A White Wagtail in the paddock with two horses between Court Lake and the Sailing Lake next to the footpath. (Paul Masters). Pics below by Paul. Also 50 Sand Martins, 40 Pied Wagtails, two Chiffchaffs and four Reed Buntings at the Sailing Lake. (MK).

 

Forest of Dean    Five Hawfinches and a Willow Tit at Brierley. Two Goshawks near Horse Lawn and two Goshawks from New Fancy View. The Great Grey Shrike still at Boy's Grave. (John Overfield).

WWT Slimbridge    The Dark-bellied Brent Goose still from Holden Tower. (Rare Bird Alert).  

Bromsberrow    c200 Common Gulls on fields being planted with potatoes, at Bromsberrow at SO747343. (Mick Woodward).

Tirley    Three male Wheatears and 22 Pied Wagtails in ploughed field. (Mark Grieve).

Gloucester    A Green Sandpiper on the scrape at the end of Port Ham substation and a Little Grebe in summer plumage on the pond on Port Ham. (Richard Lawrence/Felicity Davies).

Cheltenham    At Naunton Park this morning four garden Lesser Redpolls, a female Blackcap and 25 Siskins. A Tawny Owl calling nearby at dawn. At Wistley Hill at midday, a Stock Dove calling, two Jays, two Buzzards and a pair of Chaffinches mating. (Steve Brown).

Quedgeley    At Clearwater drive this morning a Water Rail, two male Reed Buntings, male and female Bullfinch, a Kingfisher and a Green Woodpecker. (Andy Chapman).

Saul Warth    Early morning 60+ Curlews, six Oystercatchers, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, ten Redshanks, c50 Shovelers, 27 Shelducks, four pairs of Pintail, a Little Egrets, a Cetti's Warbler calling. (MK).

 

Sun Mar 23rd 2008

Guiting Wood    Three male Wheatears at Deadmanbury Gate at the west end of Guiting Wood in a sheep grazed field between the two public bridleways leading S and W from the road. A male Brambling and a Goldfinch were associating with the Wheatears. (Keith White).

Andoversford    In the ploughed field on the north side and adjacent to the A40 at Andoversford, 1200 Common Gulls and three Black-headed Gulls. (Laurie Pierce).

Cotswold Water Park    At Pit 104 and along the River Coln near Fairford a male Wheatear, 13 Pied Wagtails, three Grey Wagtails, a Snipe, eight Red Crested Pochards, a Cetti's Warbler, a Barn Owl, two Lesser Redpolls, eight Reed Buntings, ten Chiffchaffs, 22 Sand Martins and a House Martin. At Pit 103 an Oystercatcher and at Pit 102A a male and two female Goldeneye. (Mick & Jo Jones).

Forest of Dean    A Hawfinch and three Bramblings at Brierley at 12:30pm. The Great Grey Shrike still at Boy's Grave at 1.30pm. Also two female Crossbills. (Martin Drew).

Awre    A male Wheatear this evening. (Paul Masters/Mark Hobson). 

Hardwicke    A Raven, four Chiffchaffs and two Long-tailed Tits along the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal south of The Pilot Inn. (Paul Masters). 

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314. (Richard Tyler). Pic by Richard.

Frampton    A drake Green-winged Teal on the WWT 100-Acre today. Also there the wintering Temminck's Stint and 38 Black-tailed Godwits. (Martin McGill/James Lees). Still present until 5:25pm but very elusive. (Ben Macdonald). View only from the viewing platform or the viewing gate in Green Lane. A Little Egret in the reed bed south of Splatt Bridge. 50 Sand Martins, a Chiffchaff and a female Reed Bunting at the Sailing Lake this morning. (MK). Pic by Paul Masters.

WWT Slimbridge    Three Wheatears and a Yellow-legged Gull present this morning. (James Lees). Also the Dark-bellied Brent Goose still from Holden Tower. (Rare Bird Alert).  

Gloucester    At Port Ham and Castlemeads this morning there were 35 Teal, five Shovelers, a Little Grebe, a Little Egret, two Jack Snipe, 16 Snipe, two possibly four Green Sandpipers and a Barn Owl flushed from a tree. (Andy Jayne).

Leckhampton Hill    A male Sparrowhawk pursuing a male Blackbird below Daisybank Road. (Steve Brown).
Quedgeley    A garden female Blackcap this morning. (MK).

Saul Warth    Early morning 90+ Curlews, a pair of Oystercatchers, ten Black-tailed Godwits, 50+ Shelducks, a pair of Grey Wagtails at Fretherne sluice and a Little Egrets in the field opposite the gate leading to the sluice. (MK).

 

Sat Mar 22nd 2008

Elkstone    An active flock of c250 Golden Plovers between Elkstone and the A417. They would be visible from A417 when flying, many in breeding plumage. (Keith White).

Frampton    A House Martin, 140 Sand Martins and three Chiffchaffs at the Sailing Lake mid-afternoon. (James Lees). A Little Egret in the field opposite Splatt Bridge car park, another three on the flashes north of the bridge. Also here 112 Curlews, two Redshanks, a Chiffchaff, a Reed Bunting and a Water Rail feeding along the hedgerow at the southern end of Saul Warth flashes with 22 Moorhens. 35 presumably feral Barnacle Geese flew south at 5:55pm. (MK).

Fretherne/Saul Warth    48 Black-tailed Godwits, 43 Curlews and six Chiffchaffs this afternoon. (Paul Masters). Also 50 Shovelers, 20+ Pintail and 20+ Teal on the flashes. (MK).

Coombe Hill Meadows    Extensive flooding, though the water is flowing out rapidly to the Severn via the Deerhurst Parish Drain, but the hides are still inaccessible and likely to remain so for another couple of days.  The edge of the floodwater is approachable from the north via Apperley. Three Great Crested Grebes, 18 Tufted Ducks and two Curlew seen. (Mike Smart/Les Brown).  

Ashleworth Ham    The hide just accessible with determination and wellingtons if you leave vehicles on the Ham Road at the Tirley end.  Another three Great Crested Grebes, 20 Mute Swans, six Greylags, a Peregrine, 300 Wigeon, 25 Pintail, 40 Shovelers, five Pied Wagtails and 75 Fieldfares. (Mike Smart/Les Brown).

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike until 11:30pm at least in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314. The bird has been spending a lot of time in the hawthorn scrub out of sight for up to an hour at a time due to high winds and snow. (Rob Brookes). Pic by Rob.

 

Tirley    A Barn Owl at 11am. (Mark Grieve).

Berkeley shore    A first-winter Iceland Gull flew through north at 8:10am with other large gulls. A drake Garganey landed on the river with two Mallards in front of Severn House Farm at 8:30am. Earlier a male Merlin flew through northwards. (Paul Taylor). 

WWT Slimbridge    The Berkeley Iceland Gull flew past the Holden Tower at WWT at 8:40am and disappeared north over Frampton. At 9:30 a male Common Scoter came upriver, then sat on the water and went back down with the tide. (Neil Smart).

 

Fri Mar 21st 2008

Andoversford    In the ploughed field on the north side and adjacent to the A40 at Andoversford, 1200 Common Gulls, c20 Herring Gulls, 12 Linnets and also Yellowhammers, Chaffinches, Stock Doves and corvids. (Laurie Pierce).

Lydney    A first-winter Iceland Gull on Saniger Sands this afternoon. (Barrie Mills).

Cleeve Hill    The Great Grey Shrike still today at 1pm at Puckham Scrubs, near SP011221 (near where the footpaths meet). Best to approach along the path (SP020222) from the road junction and view initially distantly from the top of the hill. Also a Stonechat. Earlier between Wontley Farm and West Wood a loose group of two Wheatears and five Stonechats (two males) moving slowly west. (Steve Brown).

Walmore Common    A pair of Garganey today. Also 120 Teal, 22 Lapwings, two Snipe, a Jack Snipe and three Redshanks. At nearby Rodley just two Grey Herons and 12 Shelducks. (Mike Smart).

Forest of Dean    A Firecrest singing at Horse Lawn this morning at SO633120 on edge of ride. (Barry Embling).

Cotswold Water Park    A drake Scaup on Pit 79 this morning. Also two Redshanks, an Oystercatcher and a Green Sandpiper. On Pit 87 another Green Sandpiper and on Pit 31 three Chiffchaffs. (Jon Mercer).

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still late afternoon in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill SP104314. (Rare Bird Alert). 

Quedgeley    Three Sand Martins over the canal south of Rea Bridge and three Chiffchaffs. (Mark Hobson/Paul Masters). Pic by Paul.

Fretherne    A Kittiwake this morning at 9:30am. (Andy Chapman). Earlier 36 Curlews, three Oystercatchers, five Sand Martins, 2+ Chiffchaffs and two drake Pintails. (MK).

Frampton    At the Sailing Lake at 9:15am 30+ Sand Martins and 20+ Fieldfares. In the field on the right after the phone box in the village five Little Egrets. (MK/Mark Hobson/Paul Masters).

 

Thu Mar 20th 2008

Fretherne    Two Bar-tailed Godwits, an Oystercatcher, 72 Curlews and 54 Shelducks. (Andy Chapman). 

WWT Slimbridge    Two first winter Iceland Gulls in the roost in front of the Dumbles tonight (a first winter seen last night). Also four adult summer Mediterranean Gulls. The Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 12 wild European Greylags still present today. (James Lees).

The Rissingtons    A male Merlin today along the lane between Wyck Beacon and Wyck Rissington SP195207. (Richard Tyler) 

Gloucester    A singing male Reed Bunting at Castlemeads East today. (Ian Elphick).

Forest of Dean    Both singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff at Nagshead today. (Barry Embling). A Hawfinch at Speech House by the school, two Hawfinches near the car park at Woorgreens. Also 14 Goosanders (three drakes, a pair of Mandarins, a pair of Greylags and a Little Grebe on the lake. (Mark Hobson).

Cleeve Hill    The Great Grey Shrike still today at Puckham Scrubs, near SP011221 (near where the footpaths meet). Best to approach along the path (SP020222) from the road junction and view initially distantly from the top of the hill. It showed very well briefly but can go missing for long periods of time.
Also several singing Skylarks, 20+ Meadow Pipits, several Yellowhammers, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Green Woodpecker, two Buzzards, a Raven, four Stonechats (1m, 3f), 20 Fieldfares and 20 Redwings flew NE and a Snipe flew over calling. (Mark Grieve/Steve Owen).

Ashleworth Ham    Note: The Severn at Haw Bridge had dropped yesterday, but water is now deeper on the meadows, so Ham Road now closed and Ashleworth hide no longer accessible.

Aylburton/Guscar Rocks    A Little Egret, 40 Shelducks, 90 Wigeon, 30 Teal, two Oystercatchers, five Ringed Plovers, eight Golden Plovers, 120 Lapwings, ten Dunlins, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 140 Curlews, 20 Redshanks, a Meadow Pipit in song flight and another 20 migrants, two Chiffchaffs in song and two Ravens. (Mike Smart).

Walmore Common    Seven Gadwall, ten Pintail, ten Lapwings, 42 Black-tailed Godwits including six brightly coloured males and two Curlews, infrequent here. (Mike Smart).

 

Wed Mar 19th 2008

Forest of Dean    An adult male Hen Harrier flew north over Pope's Hill at 6pm. (John Phillips).

At Brierley this morning, 10+ Hawfinches, seven flyover Crossbills and three Bramblings, two Ravens, a singing Chiffchaff, and a very brief Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. (Lewis Thomson). Pic by Lewis.

Whittington    Along the road to West Down, Cleeve Hill, an adult Mediterranean Gull with 2500 Common Gulls today. (Dave Pearce).

Snowshill    The Great Grey Shrike still today in Cutsdean Quarry at Half Moon Plantation crossroads south east of Snowshill (SP104314). (Richard Tyler). Pic by Richard.

Fretherne    12+ Chiffchaffs in the hedge by the water treatment works, two House Martins and a Swallow over, three Dunlins and 50 Curlews on the river. (Graham Watson). Pics by Graham.

 

Frampton    41 Pied Wagtails by the Sailing Lake with ten Reed Buntings. Also a Chiffchaff and 16 Pochards on the lake. (Graham Watson). 

WWT Slimbridge    Two Buzzards, a Kingfisher from Robbie Garnet Hide, two Little Grebes, a Pink-footed Goose and a Chiffchaff from the Stephen Kirk Hide. The Dark-bellied Brent Goose still from the Holden Tower, a Water Rail and a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the Holden Walkway feeders. A Snipe from the Zeiss hide and a Great Crested Grebe on South Lake. (Ray Sherman).

Robinswood Hill    Two singing Chiffchaffs (first heard singing 17th), a Marsh Tit and five Lesser Redpolls today. (Ian Elphick).

Tirley    A singing Chiffchaff today. (Mark Grieve).

Quedgeley    A garden Chiffchaff in sub-song today, very unusual here. (MK). 

Cheltenham    At Naunton Park this morning three female Lesser Redpolls on a niger feeder, a singing male Siskin and a female Siskin and a female Sparrowhawk. This afternoon four Roe Deer put up from scrub near Pheasant Lane, off Old Churchdown Road, then seen later near Hayden. (Steve Brown).

Charlton Kings    A male Sparrowhawk took a female Brambling, one of 12 at garden feeders. Now just eight Siskins. (Graham Watson). Pic by Graham.

Tue Mar 18th 2008

Cleeve Hill    The Great Grey Shrike still today at Puckham Scrubs, near SP011221 (near where the footpaths meet). Best to approach along the path (SP020222) from the road junction and view initially distantly from the top of the hill. Nearby 20 Meadow Pipits and ten Yellowhammers, two Buzzards, a Kestrel and a Nuthatch. A Red Kite flew steadily eastwards over Cleeve Hill. (Graham Watson). Pics by Graham.

 

Woolaston/Aylburton Warth     Three male Wheatears, two Chiffchaffs and a Common Sandpiper this afternoon. Also 22 Lapwings, 19 Shelducks, 11 Curlew, 8 Redshanks, two Snipe, eight Meadow Pipits, five Skylarks and three Reed Buntings. (Lewis Thomson). Pics by Lewis.

 

Cam    This afternoon at 4pm a Red Kite was over Cam & Dursley railway station. (Julie Sherman).

Severn Hams    The Severn has risen very sharply since the rain at the weekend and is breaking its banks both above and below Haw Bridge, which means that the meadows will flood in the next day or so and be slow to clear of water. At Coombe Hill, the canal bank is still accessible, and the edge of the floodwater can be reached from the Apperley side, but there is no chance of reaching either the Grundon or Long Pool hides; all the areas where breeding waders were beginning to hold territory is under water, 17 Tufted Ducks on the floodwater, two Redshanks, eight Sand Martins and at least four Chiffchaffs singing. At Haw Bridge a Curlew and a Sparrowhawk. At Ashleworth, the hide was still accessible this morning, 140 Wigeon, 73 Shovelers, 55 Teal and a Sparrowhawk. ( Mike Smart/Les Brown).

 

Mon Mar 17th 2008

Shipton    A Barn Owl at the Shipton turn-off on the A40 at cSP039177. (Gordon Avery).

Windrush    A Barn Owl at the Windrush turn-off on the A40 at cSP193126. (Gordon Avery).

Sheepscombe    A Grey Partridge calling at the Ebworth Centre SO900114 at 10:50pm. (access by foot only, no public parking at the centre). Also a pair of Bullfinches for the last few days with small parties of Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Goldcrests and three Marsh Tits also present. At least one pair of Tawny Owls and Little Owls around the estate, 3-4 drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers and 1-2 pairs of Green Woodpeckers, a pair of Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk and a pair of Red-legged Partridges. Also a possible Woodcock over at dusk last night. (Rob Palmer). A belated report of a Hawfinch in beech trees near Foston's Bank at the Ebworth Centre, where the bridleway drops down from B4070 seen with Brambling and other finches near a feeder in early March. (John Fleming per RP).

Cleeve Hill    The Great Grey Shrike still at Puckham Scrubs, near SP011221 (near where the footpaths meet). Best to approach along the path (SP020222) from the road junction and view initially distantly from the top of the hill. Be wary of the male Reeve's Pheasant in the copse. The farmer, Ian Boyd, took the following photo. (Dave Pearce).

Calmsden    The Great Bustard is still in the kale field south of the civic amenity site at Fosse Cross north of Cirencester on the Stow Road. (Andy Lewis).

Cirencester Park    Six Buzzards, four Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Green Woodpecker, a Coal Tit, a Brambling, four Jays and a Nuthatch today. A Red Kite was seen by another birder. (Bob Shiret).

Bourton-on-the-Water    At Bourton Pits on  Pit 1 a Little Egret fishing late morning. Also a Curlew calling as it landed in a field close to Pit 1. Also seven Chiffchaffs at Pits 1 and 2 several of which were singing. At Salmonsbury Meadows two Kingfishers and four Lesser Redpolls in an Alder by the river. (Rob Brookes).

Lydbrook    Over 200 Siskins and c30 Bramblings in the garden today. (Gavin Black).

Longborough    Up to ten garden Siskins and eight Bramblings today. (Rob Brookes).

Forest of Dean    2+ Goshawks showing well at New Fancy View. Also the Great Grey Shrike still at Boy's Grave today. (Allan Chard). Pics of Jay, Nuthatch and Dunnock at Cannop ponds by Allan.

 

 

Sun Mar 16th 2008

Awre    This afternoon/evening two adult Mediterranean Gulls, a first-year Glaucous Gull and an immature Iceland Gull (a bit distant and a pale individual, but probably also a first-winter). Also a few days ago a leucistic-looking Herring Gull here, very pale overall but grey-white rather than buff-white, and irregularly blotchy-looking seen in flight (beware of this when identifying white-winged gulls in the estuary).  (John & Viv Phillips).

WWT Slimbridge    Two European Greylags in the roadside fields. At Holden Tower the Dark-bellied Brent Goose still, also an Oystercatcher and two Buzzards. A Water Rail at feeders on the Holden Walkway. From South Finger hide a Grey Squirrel, a Brown Rat, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Sparrowhawk. (Gareth Rees).

Dursley    A Red Kite flew in an easterly direction over Woodfield School today. (John Workman).

Fretherne    A male Wheatear, five Sand Martins, four Chiffchaffs, 50 Meadow Pipits, two Linnets and two Oystercatchers this afternoon. (Mark Hobson).

Tuffley    Six garden Siskins, also two Goldfinches, a Chiffchaff and seven Redwings today. (Mark Hobson).

Ashleworth & Hasfield Ham    At Hasfield Ham three Whooper Swans still. From the hide at Ashleworth a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 16+ Sand Martins, 25+ Pintail, 50+ Wigeon, 20+ Teal, 25 Shovelers,  seven Tufted Ducks, a Curlew heard, a Peregrine on the pylons and a singing Goldcrest. (Mark Grieve).  

Tirley    A Curlew calling at 7:15am, a garden tick. (Mark Grieve).

Forest of Dean    Fourteen Goosanders (5m, 9 f) and a Sand Martin at Woorgreens Lake this morning. Also, 130+ Redwings on the field at Speech House. (Martin Drew). The Great Grey Shrike was at Boy's Grave at 10:30am still.  (Gavin Black). 

Symonds Yat    An intruding immature female Peregrine today. Also two Great Black-backed Gulls (first year and adult) feeding on a very large dead fish on the river with a Cormorant until the river rose and carried the fish away.  (Gavin Black).

Stonehouse    A Swallow at Bridgend today. (Dave Evans). The second earliest ever date together with today's Frampton birds following yesterdays Forest bird. The previous earliest date being 17th March (2003).

Frampton    60+ Sand Martins and three Swallows on the Sailing Lake today. (Nick Goatman/Neil Smart). 

Charlton Kings    A garden Lesser Redpoll at feeders today. (Nigel Bayliss). Pic by Nigel.

Sat Mar 15th 2008

Frampton    A Wheatear, a male Stonechat, 86+ Golden Plovers, 20+Snipe, ten Redshanks, a Little Egret, 18 Curlews and three Cetti's Warblers. (Neil Smart). The WWT 100-Acre can be viewed from Green Lane and other parts of the shore are viewable from the canal towpath.

Forest of Dean    A Wheatear on Speech House field today. Also a singing Chiffchaff at Cannop. (Martin McGill). The earliest ever County Swallow flew across the clearing at Farmers Green. The Great Grey Shrike still at Boy's Grave and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker near Cannop ponds. (Richard Ford/Ben Macdonald).

Berkeley Shore    A female Wheatear and three Sand Martins today. (Paul Taylor).

Fretherne    A young male Marsh Harrier flew over north at 11am. Also here 20+ Pintail, three singing Chiffchaffs at the sewage works, a singing Blackcap at Saul Lodge and a Sand Martin went north. Also the Cattle Egret still in its usual horse field. (Gordon Hodgson). Pic by Gordon.

WWT Slimbridge    Twelve European Greylag Geese in the roadside fields along with a White-fronted Goose, two singing Chiffchaffs at the Holden Tower, also the Dark-bellied Brent Goose still and fou