1-9 June 2008 Wildlife Sightings blog

Still places on the rare breeding birds day out 21 June, see news for details.

8-9 June 2008 Time out from birding with my latest highlight being Blue-tailed Damselfly in the garden on 8th. A first for my home patch. I have been encouraged to rest at home after taking a 60mph cricket ball in the head, much to the amusement of friends. Once again I apologise for my appearance to those that attended the Nightjar evening! I will not be at work until 17th June so I wil be an unlikely source of information until then. Keep checking the WWT site as there may well be a good bird during this period.

7 June 2008 An evening visit to the Forest of Dean for a special Nightjar evening. This proved to be succesful, a quick look at Woorgreens and 5 singing Willow Warbler, a singing Garden Warbler and Mandarin with 4 ducklings were highlights. In place for our nocturnal target and Nightjar began churring at 2145, a short burst. Another longer chur was from the top of a fir with the cuwick call and a close flyover our heads. Further cuwick calls were heard on four occasions and long spells of churring from quite close to the track. A male was silouetted against atop a tree as it churred. We got to a closer posistion but the light had gone, further churring and wing clapping was heard topping off a good all round performance from these special birds. A total of twelve fly by or fly over sightings of Woodcock was made including very close views overhead. Both calls were heard clearly. Bats were much in evidence as were biting insects. Tawny Owls were heard in the woods. A great evening, perfect for searching out the forest night birds.

3-6 June 2008 Very little birding.

Male Red-footed Falcon MJM

2 June 2008 Still lots of small waders on the Severn, see the WWT website for details. I also had a first summer Mediterranean Gull fly N along the foreshore calling as it went and the second summer Ring-billed Gull. Two male Hairy Dragonfly were territorial in the WWT 100 Acre, at least 5 Black-tailed Skimmer, 5 Four-spot Chaser and lots of mating Azure, Common Blue, Large Red and Blue tailed Damselflies. Later in the day I could not resist going for a lovely male Red-footed Falcon near Fairford, it is a stunning bird and I have not seen this species in Glos for 19 years!. The last two were also in the Cotswold Water Park.

A nice find for Gareth Harris but the bird is resting in a private area. I see the news is on the pagers/infolines. It can be viewed from the rather narrow and potentially dangerous road with closer views from the Wiltshire side of the river. On no account enter the fields unless it is along the public right of way on the Wilts side and park sensibly, do not compromise the goodwill of the landowners/locals and Gareth's relationship with these conservation minded people.



1 June 2008 Still lots of small waders in the estuary.

Below, Sanderling (every stage of spring moult), Red Knot and Dunlin.

1-31 May Birding/wildlife sightings

Black-naped Oriole? at Whelford

Gloster Birders seeing the funny side of a 0430 start but what a glorious morning!

31 May 2008 Out at 0430 with Neil Smart, Mike King and Rich Baatsen to try to locate a reported Golden Oriole near Fairford. It did not take much effort I spotted it from the car and it turned out to be a Black-naped Oriole (unless we have overlooked another type), stunning, lovely song, very much like GO but not a vagrant, a cage jumper. Thanks tothe finder as she did very well to get the news out and share the sighting. We used the rest of the morning wisely seeing Barn Owl and best of all Grey Partridge plus many other Cotswold birds. A list of the birds are on the Gloster Birder website. It was worth going to see the look on Mikes face when he noticed the extra black markings. We also investigated a report of Purple Heron but did not relocate it, an English Longhorn Bull was a bonus. In the afternoon I headed to the FoD to try to stake out some warblers for the forthcoming id day next Saturday, highlights included a Crossbill, Garden Warbler, two very grey breeding Willow Warblers and while trying to locate a teneral dragonfly (black/yellow) along a Woorgreens forest ride at magnificent Goshawk only 20 ft away on a Woodpigeon kill, to see it twisting thtough the larches was a treat but I was more dissapointed about not being able to find the dragonfly!

30 May 2008 Absolutely no birding today as it was a family day out, I did however did manage to see/hear in waht was collectively 20 minutes a Quail and Corn Bunting near Hawling, a pair of Grey Wagtail collecting food Bourton O T Water, Red Kite soaring over Bibury, Hobby at Sherborne Water Meadows and Downy Emerald at Whelford Pools. Very nice to be in the Cotswolds and the R. Windrush is stunning. When I got home I was called about a huge flock of Sanderling (211) off Middle Point WWT and a Spoonbill was seen on the Dumbles pool. Whilst looking from the N end of the reserve and chatting to Lawrence Skipp I picked it up flying in from the S over the 100 Acre and past us to Saul Warth.




29 May 2008 Much of the same at WWT, see the website for details.

Above and below, Second-summer Ring-billed Gull WWT Slimbridge MJM

Ruddy Turnstone (one was in full breeding with a white head but this will do)

28 May 2008 A day of heavy rain which is causing havoc among our breeding waders, nests are being flooded out and it is a very sad situation to see. I did not do any birding during the morning but bumped into LPA (Pete Alder) who had had a good morning with 19 Black Tern, 3 Arctic Tern and 20 and 4 Common Tern. Later in the day I investigated a couple of gulls, one of which looked interesting, it turned out to be a second-summer Ring-billed Gull. There are still a lot of waders in the estuary, 280 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 90 Sanderling, 4 Turnstone, 9 Grey Plover, 13 Curlew and I also saw a Black Tern plus 20 Common Tern and a possible Arctic, I called in at Townfield Lake to check for Black Terns but only 1 Common and 1 Sand Martin among 250 Swift and 350 House Martin. I then checked on the breeding waders at Splatt and found one of the Lapwing sitting in water, the levels are still rising but this bird was determined not to abandon so I moved the nest, built up the ground and replaced it. They had retuned t the new site ten minutes later, I hope the eggs were not chilled through being immersed. Nearby on the estuary I saw 1 Black Tern, 26 Common Tern and 1 Arctic Tern. I almost forgot the Short-eared Owl hunting Middle Point at lunchtime!

27 May 2008 I was still seeing a lot of small waders in the estuary, 210 Ringed Plover, 45 Sanderling, 120 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, 5 Knot, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Grey Plover. I saw a Black Tern on the estuary and relocated it later on Townfield Lake.

Bar-tailed Godwit, R. Severn 26 May 2008 MJM

26 May 2008 More waders on the estuary for me today, 5 Grey Plover, 5 Red Knot, 40 Sanderling, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Turnstone, 100 Ringed Plover, 9 Curlew, 70 Dunlin. The Long-eared Owl was re-discovered along the summer walkway and roosted all day atop a fencepost trying to shelter from the atrocious weather. I did see at least one Cattle Egret on the 50 Acre/Bull Ground hedge.

25 May 2008 I saw a selection of waders on the estuary today, 8 Turnstone, 126 Ringed Plover, 76 Dunlin, 30 Sanderling, 1 Greenshank, 5 Red Knot, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Short-eared Owl along the foreshore.

24 May 2008 As I was with Mike King this morning the hour or so spent on the estuary is better summed up on the Gloster Birder. Late afternooon was spent wandering around Woorgreens, Forest of Dean where I saw 5 Crossbill, 1 Siskin, 1 singing Wood Warbler, 1 singing Redstart and a few Willow Warblers, the windy conditions were very difficult for singing birds and for seeing them. In sheltered areas I saw a male Broad-bodied Chaser and 14 newly emerged individuals around the rides/tracks S of the pool. At least 20 Four-spot Chaser were also on the wing here with more reported N of the pool. I also noted c10 Large Red and a few Azure Damselflies.

Broad-bodied Chaser, Woorgreens, Forest of Dean 24 May 2008 MJM

Sanderling on the Severn 23 May 2008 MJM

Scarce Chaser, River Severn near Tewkesbury MJM 23 May 2008
Club-tailed Dragonfly same site/date as above MJM

23 May 2008 I went out to the Severn for a early morning walk, an intermediate phase Arctic Skua flew in at 0715, attempted to settle but the gulls drove it off, it headed NE into the misty gloom. A flock of 67 small waders held mostly Ringed Plover, later over high tide I noted 15 Sanderling 28 Ringed Plover and 6 Dunlin. 2 Red Knot were flying around. At Saul Warth a Four-spot Chaser and Blue-tailed Damselflies were on the wing by 1000 am, this made me head to North Gloucestershire on the R.Severn where thanks to Ingrid and Colin TwisselI I located my first 3 Club-tailed Dragonfly and 8 Scarce Chaser. 100,s of Blue tailed and Azure Damselfies were joined by 30 Large Red Damselfies, 30 Large Red, Common Blues and tens of Banded and Beautiful Demoiselles'. A quick afternoon search on local ponds and I saw my 6th Kingfisher of the day. I have found a new nest site locally and they are feeding young. I clocked one flying alongside my car this am and it was averaging 33mph.

22 May 2008 A good WWT 100 Acre lunchhour dragonfly search resulted in my first Large Red Eyed Damselflies of the year, c20 from viewing area plus c300 Azure, c100 Large Red, 300 Blue-tailed and c20 Common Blue Damselflies. A female Hairy Dragonfly was laying eggs but best of all was the first Scarce Chaser for the reserve near the 5 bar gate (viewing area). 2 Hobbies and 6 Common Tern were also present. The morning round fell to me and a Greenshank and single Black-tailed Godwit were seen, full list on the WWT website.

Whinchat WWT 100 Acre 19 May 2008 MJM

Dunlin, WWT Holden Tower/Dumbles Pool 20 May 2008 MJM
Wood Sandpiper, Saul Warth 21 May 2008 MJM

21 May 2008 A breeding wader survey of Saul Warth and the rest of the day looking after my chicken pox suffering daughter. A Wood Sandpiper was nice, 3 Dunlin and 12 Ringed Plover were on the estuary but the breeding wader situation is looking poor, only 4 pairs of incubating Lapwing and no territorial Redshank.

20 May 2008 Hardly any birding before, after or during work, best was a Greenshank, 2 Dunlin and the Dark-bellied Brent on the Holden Tower pool.

19 May 2008 A long list of today's birds on the WWT website, my personal highlight was seeing my first Whinchat (a female) of the year on a 100 Acre fence.

18 May 2008 Another look at the Severn's waders this morning, a few have departed but many were still present. 2 Knot, 70 Sanderling, 1 Greenshank, 2 Little Stint were among the Dunlin/Ringed Plover. I had a flock of 44 Sanderling whilst on the safari, other species noted around WWT/Severn estuary included 4 Greenshank, 2 Grey Plover, 2 more Knot and a Bar-tailed Godwit. A drake Garganey was on the Top New piece and a pair were present on the N part of the reserve. Lapwing have hatched chicks here also and Shelduck has 8 ducklings in the Decoy. At least 3 Hobby fed over the 100 Acre and c10 Four-spotted Chaser dragonflies were on the wing with four damselfly species. Yellow Wagtail are still on territory.

Red Knot on the Severn MJM

Tawny Owlet WWT Slimbridge Decoy (last week) MJM
Ringed Plover and Dunlin, R Severn MJM
Dunlin, River Severn MJM
Little Stint, R. Severn MJM

17 May 2008 I spent the period over high tide at Fretherne to hopefully sift through the large flocks of waders present yesterday, it was a good move. 170 Ringed Plover, 90 Sanderling, 2 Little Stint, 130 Dunlin, 5 Knot (two red), 2 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 6 Grey Plover and 4 Greenshank on the marsh were a joy to watch. On top of this lot a Sandwich Tern, 11 Arctic Tern N and c9 feeding/ranging local Common Terns made it even more enjoyable, a Great Crested Grebe was also floating out on the tide and Yellow Wagtail over/in the vicinity. In the evening 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, 1 Turnstone and 6 Knot were present as well as the same gang of waders.

16 May 2008 A half hour along the canal mid-morning and I spotted a Wood Sandpiper and Greenshank among the local breeding waders N of Splatt Bridge. Townfield Lake had huge numbers of House Martin and Swallow with c200 Swift and a few Sand Martin. A late afternoon/evening session at WWT and I headed to the estuary, large flocks of small waders contained many Sanderling, otherwise I did see 4 Turnstone, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Whimbrel N, 15 Curlew and a Grey Plover. On the Top New Piece a Greenshank and Common Sandpiper were present as well as male Garganey.

15 May 2008 An early start and a few more migrant s around, 1 Garganey male, a Common Sandpiper, 1 Sanderling and Little Stint early but later two flocks of c80 Waders had c15 Sanderling, the stint, a Knot, and 25 Ringed Plover, most were Dunlin. The 4 Black-tailed Godwit were on South Lake.

14 May 2008 At WWT, Tawny Owls and young were the highlight.

13 May 2008 At WWT migration has relented a little with it being much quieter now than last week. I only saw one Dunlin and 1 Greenshank to represent the migrants this morning, however the Whiskered Tern was joined by two Black Tern and this trio were just fantastic to watch on the afternoon safari, otherwise leftover pairs or possibly breeding Teal pair, Wigeon pair, 12 Shoveler (2 females), the DB Brent and 2 Cattle Egrets were the most notable birds. My first 8 Four-spotted Chaser of the year had emerged and lots more damselflies are emerging and breeding. 15-20 Hairy Dragonfly are on the wing, best viewed from the 100 Acre platform or over the stile to the new viewing area (roped off).

Garganey, South Lake, WWT Slimbridge MJM

Goldfinch MJM

12 May 2008 The Whiskered Tern was still gracing the 100 Acre. I did an afternoon Landrover safari with a good selection of birds including a Cuckoo showing well. A few Hobbies were over the 100 Acre also. Two Black-tailed Godwits were on South Lake. A pair of Yellow Wagtail are on territory also. At least six male and a female Hairy Dragonfly were on the wing between the 100 Acre viewing platform and the first pool to the N. Again large emergences of damselflies have occurred, at least 4 Azure Damselfly noted at the South Finger reedbed/extension area plus 50+ Blue-tailed and Commons, 20 Large Red, many mating laying eggs. At the 100 Acre egg laying Large Reds and mating Common Blues plus 100's of Blue-tailed.

11 May 2008 Back at WWT Slimbridge and to work.. highlights were the Whiskered Tern again and 2+ Hobbies, a Little ringed Plover also on the 100 Acre, a single Black-tailed Godwit and three male Garganey at the 100 Acre, South Lake and Top New Piece. At least three male Hairy Dragonfly were on the wing 100's of Blue tailed, dozens of Large Reds and a few Common Blues including mating pairs.

10 May 2008 I stayed overnight in the Forest of Dean with my son and we had a walk around the Nagshead RSPB reserve this morning as well as a few other sites. All the usual species were present but the Wood Warblers were great as well as at least 6 Pied Flycatcher. A Cuckoo was calling at Viney Hill and we had a pair of Tawny Owl and Ravens also. On returning home I was called by Dave Paynter to say he had a Whiskered Tern in the 100 Acre. This is a bird species I have always wanted to see here ever since we/WWT created the habitat over 17 years ago and seeing as I was on Lundy for the last one in Gloucestershire it made it all the more special. Dave is making a habit of finding May rares on Saturdays and was accompanied by Graham Maples for the find, we were looking all week for this species as there has been so many in our region this spring, a great find. A first-summer Little Gull as also present and Hobby and a few Hairy Dragonflies. Late afternoon I took my son to the Frampton Sailing Club event where he skillfully skippered a sailing boat while I got amazing views of 13 Common Tern (assumed as not all studied) and we heard Cuckoo.

Whiskered Tern at WWT Slimbridge 100 Acre, 10 May 2008 MJM

9 May 2008 An early morning walk produced nothing more notable than a Yellow Wagtail at the 100 Acre and 4 Black Tern at Townfield Lake. A high tide visit to Middle Point and a few waders were on show which included 3+ Sanderling, 30 Dunlin, 6 Grey Plover and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit.

8 May 2008 I high tide tea-break session at Middle Point and I logged a dark-phase Arctic Skua N at c1006, a Red Kite N at c1026 and a fine selection of waders. A Temminck's Stint, 2 Little Stint, 1 Turnstone with 2 N, 4 Sanderling, a party of Grey Plover and Bar-tailed Godwits and Dunlin and Ringed Plover In the 100 Acre I saw the 2 Cattle Egret, 2 Black Terns and 6 Black-tailed Godwit.

Large Red Damselfly WWT 100 Acre, 7 May 2008 MJM

Black Tern WWT 100 Acre MJM

7 May 2008 I spent most of the day repairing refloating tern rafts and constructing gull platforms in the 100 Acre for the second day. I did see two Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit on the BNP but best of all was three Lapwing chicks being brooded on South Lake. On returning back to the centre along the seawall a 10 minute watch produced 1 Whimbrel, 4 Sanderling, 4 Arctic Tern and 12 Black Tern N. Going back to the 100 Acre I watched a Hobby try to take the first Hairy Dragonfly of the year c10 feet from me. I saw three Hairy Dragonfly flying strongly along the ditches, the platform was the best place to see them. Also 4 boxing Brown Hare were c20 feet from the platform. A Common Blue, Blue-tailed and ovipositing Large Red Damselflies were on the wing. After adding Cattle Egret, Hobby and Hen Harrier to the 'seen from the boat' list, I added a Black Tern that dropped in and fed, often a few feet from us. It was picking off food that we were stirring up. At Saul Warth after work a pair of Wigeon, a Greenshank and Little ringed Plover were present with 2 Common Tern over. I saw two Black-tailed Godwit in the 100 Acre which were of the nominate race limosa, not islandica, they were probably the same birds that were on the BNP earlier.

6 May 2008 The tide at WWT produced many of the same birds as the last few days. 8 Grey Plover, 6 Barwit, 2 Knot, 35 Dunlin plus 10 at the N end, 4 Sanderling, 1 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plover and 8 Curlew, a Whimbrel was over the foreshore and two over the 100 Acre E. The Short-eared Owl was hunting the foreshore too. This afternoon 4 Buzzards went over N and a Hobby was hunting the 100 Acre, best of all was a female Hen Harrier through low N and then circled Frampton/Saul before heading off high to Whitminster at 1425-1436. A Whimbrel was cruising the A38 at Claypits...late news I saw c50 Whimbrel yesterday at the same site.

Short-eared Owl WWT Slimbridge, Middle Point MJM

5 May 2008 Another productive spell over the high tide at WWT, the Harbour Porpoise being the best thing we saw, at 0748 I picked up two dark phase Arctic Skua moving upstream low over the water, a third dropped in an joined them and they proceded N together. A Common Tern was around the breakwater and 2 Commic Tern went up but while we were watching the cetacean so we ignored them.The waders were good with Bar-tailed Godwit 6 N and 7 on saltmarsh with 2 Red Knot, 10 Grey Plover, 10 Curlew, 1 Little Stint, 30 Dunlin, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Ringed Plover N and 2 on the saltmarsh briefly and 2 Sanderling, 4 headed N earlier. I also picked a first-summer Mediterannean Gull moving N, c25 Black-headed Gull in two flocks went N, Swallows were migrating N as were c100 Herring Gull. The Short-eared Owl was also at Middle Point putting on a good show. On the Bottom New Piece a Little ringed Plover and two Greenshank fed, we had another Greenshank in the Bull Ground/50 Acre and Hobby over the 100 Acre. On safari we had a couple of Large Red Damselfly and a Blue-tailed Damselfly.

Two of the six Black Terns that fed over the WWT 100 Acre 4 May 2008 MJM

4 May 2008 What a day at WWT!...I went in early and kicked off with a 4 Common Tern, a Common Sandpiper and two Black-tailed Godwits on South Lake, a Greenshank on the Tack Piece, three Common and a Little Tern through past Middle Point at 0621 reaching Hock Ditch at 0631 where joined by a fourth Commic Tern. The waders were looking good and after a search I headed back in to collect my Birdwatch Morning group of 20. During the tide I saw breeding plumaged Curlew Sandpiper (I saw 2 take off earlier but four were present), 1 Knot, 9 Sanderling, 7 Grey Plover, 6 Turnstone, 6 Curlew, 50 Dunlin, 15 Ringed Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel on the Dumbles but 40-50 still commuting between the reserve and inland fields all day ( a flock of 18 dropped into the Top New Piece per J Budd), but best of all was a breeding plumaged Little and Temminck's Stint among them. 3 Little Egrets, flocks of Arctic Terns 16, 4, 10 and 11 through N but I thought some Commons to also be amongst them. Transferring to the 100 Acre with the group I saw Short-eared Owl hunting/being mobbed as a drake Garganey flew past and a Black Tern also at the same time, up to six were present by midday. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper showed briefly.

Between dropping off the group/breakfast and the first landrover safari of the day I managed to see the Harbour Porpoise off the Breakwater. This was a magnificent sight as it is is my first Gloucestershire cetacean.

On returning to the 100 Acre with a safari group we eventually got some views of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper with 2 Ruff.

Other species of note during the day. 4 Sand Martin N, 20 Swift N and 100 hanging around all day, 6 Yellow Wagtail N during the day. At least 6 singing Lesser Whitethroat. Two Cuckoo (at S Finger and 100 Acre).

The Dark-bellied Brent was in the Tack Piece. In the afternoon I saw a Marsh Harrier (a lot of pale markings and extensive shoulder patches onthis bird) heading S past the Holden Tower at 1450, it dropped into the Bottom New Piece reedbed for a while and then rose up and headed toward Purton. I had to cancel the pm safari due to the now soaked fields and after a session in the hides to make sure folk were getting onto birds I headed back to the 100 Acre to see if I could relocate the Buff-breasted Sandpiper but was unsucessful. I did have a Wood Sandpiper come out of the 100 Acre calling and fly off to Saul Warth being the 21st species of wader for the reserve today. The 2 Cattle Egret were also present among the cattle and two Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sandpiper and c20 Whimbrel were also on view.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper (left) with Ruff, WWT Slimbridge 100 Acre 3 May 2008 MJM
Two more images of the bird follow.

3 May 2008 Back to form... three magnificent Black Terns on Townfield Lake were eclisped by a breeding plumage Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the WWT 100 Acre. It is in the company of 2 Ruff and can be seen from the platform/gateway. This bird was a great find for my boss Dave Paynter, all the constant effort I put in and Dave, once again breezes in a turns up a good bird. He was on a Landrover safari when he initially saw it. I also saw four Yellow Wagtail near Splatt Bridge and a number of Whimbrel commuting between the estuary and inland.

Whimbrel off the WWT Slimbridge 100 Acre MJM

Guillemot (if you use your imagination) from the WWT reserve.

2 May 2008 An afternoon/early evening spell fo birding ended up being very good, 6 Dunlin on the estuary along with 7 Whimbrel that went inland and a flock of c8 along the foreshore. A Cuckoo was singing along the towpath. A breeding plumaged Guillemot was found by Jake King over the tide and was only the second I have seen in Glos. A county lifer for many it has been very popular but does not appear to be well. I saw it from the WWT reserve and got the rather poor shot of it, it hauled out but got flushed back into the water by a Brown Hare. I also saw a Common Sandpiper and an Arctic Tern was with the Common Terns at Townfield Lake.

1 May 2008 A very quiet start to May, no exciting scarce birds to report but highlights after a breeding wader survey of Saul Warth were four male and a female Garganey and at least seven singing Whitethroat. A flock of 42 Whimbrel arrived from their inland feeding foray E of the canal and rested at the mouth of Frampton Pill before heading back back inland again. These birds are going as far as Claypits and S of here along the A38. 28 singing Sedge and 34 Reed Warbler were drowning out everything else in the 100 Acre reedbed. An Arctic and 5 Common Tern were also of note at Townfield Lake at 0700.

Diary/Sightings 14-30 April 2008

Short-eared Owl WWT Slimbridge, Black Rock Breakwater 29 April 2009 MJMcGill

Eurasian Shelduck and Eurasian Shelduck x shelduck sp MJMcGill

This bird has been visiting WWT for 4 years

30 April 2008 A rather quiet end to the month, 2 Yellow Wagtail, the Ruff, a Common Sandpiper and 6 singing Lesser Whitethroats were the highlight at WWT. I had four Common Terns and a Hobby at Townfield Lake, Frampton on Severn at 1650.

29 April 2008 Apart from the Shelduck hybrid above, notable birds today included the Short-eared Owl that flew in at c0825 from the N being mobbed by gulls and landed near me, it eventually flew further S to rest in the grass at Middle Point. Two of our staff conducting an amphibian trapping and virus testing session saw it head back N mid-morning. I did hear a single Willow Warbler today and 5 Lesser Whitethroats and 5 Common Whitethroats. Even more Reed and Sedge Warbler are on site with 60+ of the former seen/heard. Two Common Sandpiper and the small female (complete with pectoral band and green legs) Ruff on South Lake. I also saw the first summer Mediterranean Gull here today. A flock of 13+ Black-tailed Godwit were also here. No waders seen on the estuary today by me, a few Curlew in flight to the N only.

28 April 2008 Most of what I saw today is on the WWT website but 6 Commic Terns N upriver at 1620 and the non-existence of Willow Warbler and less than 10 Sand Martin were notable as they have both been in very good numbers lately. At least 50 Swift were over the 100 Acre/Frampton area with LPA seeing 40 heading over the Tack Piece. The two Common Terns were still on the estuary but very few waders noted, 2 Sanderling, 3 Ringed Plover and a Grey Plover! On the wat to work a flock of c30 Whimbrel were low over fields just S of Hilltop Garage A38 at Claypits, this flock was also seen yesterday.

Dark-bellied Brent Goose and Avocet from the WWT Slimbridge Holden Tower and a Cattle Egret was in the Bull Ground 27 April 2008 MJM

27 April 2008 I had more migrants this time back at work at WWT Slimbridge, I met up with Neil Smart early and covered the rounds, it was soon apparent that a fall of acrocephalus warbler had occured. We did not cover the whole reserve but 40 singing Reed and 45 singing Sedge Warbler were logged. At least two Lesser Whitethroat were heard today. Not a single Willow Warbler was seen or heard, they as usual appeared to have moved through the reserve. Things got going when after mentioning to Neil that we really should have Avocet today he announced that there is one on the pool in front of the Holden Tower. It was with the DB Brent and also toured the 100 Acre and South Lake today and was seen at the latter site am and pm. We saw male Garganey on the Top New Piece and 100 Acre today. A single Yellow Wagtail went over N and a single Whimbrel was seen with two this afternoon. A flock of 380 Dunlin were on the estuary with a Little Stint, 10 Sanderling 4 Grey Plover and 16 Ringed Plover. News of a male Montagu's Harrier filtered through and while heading to the seawall we saw a female Goshawk fly out of the hedge and head N near Middle Point and saw the Long-eared Owl again. I set up a viewing area and the Owl showed well all day and was not disturbed at all. The harrier was found by Richard Baatsen and we all want to know why he was not at his desk doing County Recorder work and out birding on his day off! We also had three Wheatear with another seen on the Dumbles. Late in the morning we saw a normal Egyptian Goose was on the road fields. A flock of 7 Grey Heron and 2 Cattle Egret were also seen.

Nick Goatman beat me to the first Large Red Damselfly of the year in Green Lane.

26 April 2008 Another very productive morning birding session locally with 2 Tree Sparrow N, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Greenshank, 2 Wheatear, 2 Cattle Egret, 2 Cetti's Warblers (very Noah's Ark esque), 1 Common Tern, 4 Ringed Plover, 19 Dunlin, 2 Grey Plover and 8 Swift, a siging Cuckoo was also heard. The sparrows were good but the 2 first-summer Little Gulls that flew in from the S and fed before heading off N again were probably the highlight. The day was spent on the roof and down the chimney with the result being a lined chimney and operational woodburner. An evening walk with the family and Neil Smart was also excellent, we logged a flock of 66 Whimbrel, 8 Black-tailed Godwit (the brightest islandica I have seen this year), a Barn Owl and singing Lesser Whitethroat and the 2 Cattle Egrets again. I also saw 20 Swift over Townfield Lake, Frampton on Severn.

25 April 2008 An hour out birding and a few birds to report. I wandered about on the canal at Frampton on Severn this morning and saw my first Swift of the year, a singing Lesser Whitethroat and breeding plumaged Spotted Redshank with spectacles (it still retains pale rings around the eyes). Even more Reed and Sedge Warbler were singing from various places not heard from so far. One of the local Common Terns was fishing over the estuary.

First summer male Pied Flycatcher WWT Slimbridge 23 April 08 MJM

Long-eared Owl WWT Slimbridge 23 April 2008 MJM

24 April 2008 More spring migrants at WWT were around but a spell in the Holden Tower was my most productive part of the day. A Whimbrel was present with a newly arrived and non-breeding plumage Bar-tailed Godwit and four Curlew, 3 Arctic Terns flew N upriver (JSL had a Sandwich Tern off Middle Point). I went out over lunch and logged 2 and 9 Whimbrel, 4 Wheatear which included 3 (2:1) Greenland types and a pair of Common Tern in the 100 Acre pools. A few Ringed Plover and Dunlin were on the Dumbles edge.

23 April 2008 Yet another good day, the weather and birds were very uplifting. I went in to work early and had at least three singing Lesser Whitethroat and two male Wheatear, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Yellow Wagtail, a Siskin, some Goldfinch, 20 Linnet and a Grey Wagtail all heading N and rather pleasingly my target bird, a male Pied Flycatcher. It was a reserve first for me and remains a scarce bird here, they are seen from time to time but we generally do not hear about them until a day or two later. It was in full song and calling and was great to watch. I was on hide round duty although due to a corporate group arriving and making preparations I only got to spend 10 minutes in the Holden Tower, it was a good ten minutes though. Two Sandwich Tern flew downriver, an Arctic Tern flew up but was joined by the Sandwich Terns again. A Great Crested Grebe was also present but Terry Grant had three, the tern trio again and the 2 Little Gulls that were at Frampton yesterday. Thanks to Terry for tipping me off as to the male Redstart along the summer walkway, Steve Owen saw it here yesterday but this and the PiedFly made WWT Slimbridge feel more like Nagshead RSPB. A Sanderling was with the Ringed Plover and Dunlin flock, the DBBrent and 3 White Wagtail joined a Common Sandpiper on the pool.The day was also memorable due to discovering that the log in the hedge that I saw out the corner of my eye turned out to be a roosting Long-eared Owl,we were going to arrange viewing for the next day but it was not present.

22 April 2008 Another productive day, before work, during lunch and after work I logged a decent list of birds, I did not get onto either the 3 Common Crane that Nick lucky Goatman had fly over his workplace at Eastington (heading S) but I did see the last one he had over a number of years back. Also Colin Butters left a note on my desk saying that he had a circling Spoonbill over the WWT car park at 1515. At WWT I saw 4:1 Pintail plus a female , 5 Whimbrel, 3 Spotted Redshank, 2 Cattle Egret, 5 Yellow Wagtail N, 13 White Wagtail on the Dumbles, male Wheatear, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Sanderling, 50 Ringed Plover, 90 Dunlin, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, singing Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, 30 Willow Warbler and a male Redstart was seen but not by me. A light passage of Linnet and Goldfinch was in evidence but Bob Radford reports 100's passing Berkeley.

Around Frampton on Severn I saw 2 Little Gull and a male Ruddy Duck on Townfield Lake, Greenshank, 2 male and a female Garganey and 2 Cetti's Warbler and singing Whitethroat amongst many other birds but the highlight was seeing a flock of Curlew that have built up during the day to c67 making pre-migration fly arounds and being very vocal. I have seen this at this time of year for many years now and usually hear them flying over my house in the evening. At least 4 Whimbrel were also present.

21 April 2008 A little bit of visible migration but nothing like yesterday's mammoth bird haul. At WWT I noted at least four Yellow Wagtail over N and one on the ground, 3 White Wagtail and 2 Common Sandpiper. Two breeding plumaged Spotted Redshank were in the WWT 100 Acre and 3 Whimbrel were in the field adjacent to the canal which has South Splatt reedbed within it.
20 April 2008 Apart from 14 Sedge Warbler and 10 Reed Warbler at WWT nearly everything I saw today at work is on the WWT website, highlights being male Yellowhammer and Red Kite low over N at Midday. Click on the link for todays sightings. The Pallas's Warbler was still present today.
http://www.wwt.org.uk/article/213/1408/todays_sightings.html

19 April 2008 Just a little bit of birding at Townfield Lake, Frampton on Severn where Gloucestershire's first Pallas's Warbler sang and showed well to a grateful crowd. Well done to Nick Goatman on this great find and a bit of icing on the cake for him as he does put in a lot of effort locally. A couple of Nightingale were also singing and showing with plenty of Blackcap and Willow Warbler as well.

Singing Pallas's Warbler, Frampton on Severn MJM

Blackbird singing on a cold spring morning MJM

One of nine Yellow Wagtails from Splatt Bridge gate 17 April 08 MJM
Multiple occurence of Cattle Egret, Frampton on Severn MJM

18 April 2008 I had a moring stroll locally along the canal, heading North up the estuary were 5,1,1 Swallow, 6 Ringed Plover, a few large gulls but otherwise quiet. Sedge and Reed Warbler could be heard from the Green Lane in the WWT 100 Acre but this area was also quiet, highlights being lots of Sand Martin, 5 Goldfinch N 6 Willow Warbler and a Yellow Wagtail. The two Cattle Egret that were reported in the WWT diary on Tuesday and by Bruce and Jean Pendlebury on Wed 16 April were still in the field near the telephone box at Frampton on Severn.

17 April 2008 A few extra birds struggling into the wind, I had a Little Tern N @0722-0725, c100 Black-headed Gulls N, Yellow Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 55 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover, Whimbrel 1 over Decoy to South Lake and 3 N at Saul Warth in the evening. 2 Cattle Egrets flew from the WWT 100 Acre past Splatt Bridge and to the field adjacent to the canal (East) among the black/white cattle. A party of nine Yellow Wagtail dropped in for a few minutes at Splatt but headed North again. Nick Goatman rapidly departed my company when his mum rang with news of Pied Flycatcher in their Slimbridge garden. Cetti's Warbler and Little Grebe were on the Saul Warth marshes. At least 700 Sand Martin were around WWT/Frampton today and a passage of Goldfinch and Linnet was also in evidence, this was also witnessed by Paul Taylor/Bob Radford at Berkeley.

14-16 April 2008 All bird information of note is on the WWT website.

Birding diary/sightings 1-13 April 2008

13 April 2008 Back at WWT and a few migrants were around, I had my first two Reed Warbler of the year and nine Golden Plover some in full breeding plumage was of note as were single Ringed Plover and good numbers of commoner warblers.

Griffon Vultures, Monfrague National Park, Extremedura MJM

8-12 April 2008 A trip to Extremedura was productive despite the cold, wet weather and strong winds. A Light-bellied Brent Goose was a good find and in keeping with the conditions. Seeing it alongside Collared Pratincole and being continually flushed by Black Kite was less typical and the record must be highly notable as this is a landlocked province. Images are now on the trip report section but I will add report later.

Light-bellied Brent Goose, Embalse de Guadiloba, Caceres, Extremedura MJM.

latest news (less than 24 hrs after I e-mailed) from SEO Caceres Grupo Local.....

Hi Martin,

Is a very very interesting observation. The next day, 11th April, a local birder has seen a Branta bernicla in Casatejada (NE Caceres), probably the same bird. It was his first time with this species and he doesn't know something about subspecies. Please send to me photos, they send to him to confirm whether it was the same individual.

Light Bellied Brent is rarity in Spain. In 1984-2003, had only 10 records, all on the coast. This is the first observation in Extremadura and also the first in the interior of Spain. In Portugal coast there is another record.

If possible, it would be important to send a description and photos to Spanish committee of rarities. I attach a form to fill. Please send it to rarezas@seo.org. A greetings and congratulations on the observation

JAVIER PRIETA

What a good find for the group!

Brown Hare WWT Slimbridge

7 April 2008 At WWT we did a landrover safari 0800-1030 with the target being close views of Brown Hare, this was very succesful and four animals showed very well. Also noted were the two Wheatear and in the 100 Acre, 5 Little Stint, the Temminck's Stint, 3 Spotted Redshank, a Ruff etc. Perhaps 200 Sand Martin were around today with 25 Swallow. I did see the Cattle Egret also which was chased by gulls and ended up ina tree at the South Splatt reedbed. The highlight was seeing and hearing the first brood of Coot of the year near the viewing platform.

Cattle Egret in the WWT 100 Acre marshes, 6 April 2008 MJM

and on 3rd April 2008, a habit of standing on posts...
The brightest male Northern Wheatear on the reserve yet MJM

6 April 2008 A very cold wind and a flurry of snow and migrants made for an unusual spring day. Two male Wheatear, c 20 Swallow, a House Martin, c110 Sand Martin, plenty of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaff were all showing around the WWT reserve today. See the WWT website for full details. Other highlights for me were a couple of Ruff and single Black-tailed Godwit in the 100 Acre and the Cattle Egret of course.

5 April 2008 DIY but a Green Woodpecker and Grey Heron at home was OK.

4 April 2008 I was out at 0530-0730 on the estuary and Frampton Townfield Lake but the thick mist provented any watching so I listened. Highlight c30 calling Toads in the WWT 100 Acre. After some work on the house I went up onto Cleeve Hill for the afternoon with Bob Radford and bumped into Dave Pearce. We managed to locate two male and a female Ring Ouzel and three Wheatear as well as many other species typically found in this habitat. It was nice to chat to Dave about Ouzels and birding Cleeve as he is one of the Cotswolds most active and productive birders and inspired us to hang on a little longer for our reward.

3 April 2008 A stunning day, the warmest so far this year. I spent the day building a new bridge in the Canoe safari trail and was entertained by 3 Willow Warbler, singing Blackcap and 4 Chiffchaff. On the morning rounds I did not see much in the way of new birds, the 2 Spotted Redshank are turning black (JSL had a Common Tern upriver) but a flock of 27 mostly breeding plumaged Golden Plover and single Black-tailed Godwit showed that it was still happening. A flock of 22 of the latter were on South Lake and I noted 20 at Saul Warth along with my first belated Garganey of the year (2 males, 1 female) at dusk. I did see the Cattle Egret again but it was not present at lunchtime 1300-1400. The Green-winged Teal was reported again. A flock of 6 Buzzard were thermalling over the estuary with four more around the reserve. A Ruff remains on the 100 Acre and six Little Egret were present here with one at the Bottom New Piece.

2 April 2008 The Green-winged Teal and Cattle Egret were on show at the WWT 100 Acre but the pick of the day would have been the Sandwich Tern that was about the estuary early morning.

Green-winged Teal and Eurasian Teal WWT 100 Acre marsh MJM

1 April 2008 My first Swallows of the year (one in the 100 Acre and another on territory around the Top Hut at WWT) and migrant Blackcaps (two males in full song at the South Finger). At least 20 singing Chiffchaff were on site also. On my rounds 0800-1020 the Cattle Egret, 4 Little Egrets and Green Winged Teal were both in the WWT 100 Acre marsh as was a Ruff. An adult and immature Peregrine were on the sands. The egrets were busy eating toads!

Cattle Egret WWT 100 Acre marsh 31 March 2008 MJM

Birding diary 16-31 March 2008

29-31 March 2008 A few new birds around WWT to end the month along with some settled weather. The Cattle Egret was intermittent but showed most days. My first Willow Warbler of the year followed at least five others locally. An evening walk along the canal at Frampton and three Sand Martin and a Cetti's Warbler were the best I could muster.

Redwing near Townfield Lake, Frampton on Severn 28 March 2008

and Cattle Egret on the WWT 100 Acre marshes 27 March 2008.

28 March 2008 A short walk out with my daughter and 150 Fieldfare, 50 Redwing and 5 Sand Martin were the most notable birds on offer.

27 March 2008 On my rounds at WWT Slimbridge the day started beautifully, warm, sunny and calm, a group of 5 Sand Martin over the Bottom New Piece may have roosted in the adjacent reedbeds. I heard at least 5 Chiffchaff around the site but despite the favourable conditions never noted any further migration. A Little Egret in the same area was outnumbered by 5 around the 100 Acre, a Cattle Egret was also present which is the second reserve record but I am unsure if it is the Fretherne bird. It looked all white (not Barrymore esque comment and never a fan) but I was looking into bright sunshine as the image shows. It seems likely that it is the same bird. The waders were of interest, a Grey Plover, Little Stint, Ruff and the local Redshank. A group of 5 Black-tailed Godwit were also around the reserve.

24 27 March 2008 I did see the American Green-winged Teal on 24th-26th also but not on 27th, it was still reported as present though and has become rather elusive. A flock of c30 Sand Martin over the 100 Acre reeds on 26th and two male Wheatear along the foreshore was nice.

American Green Winged Teal at the WWT 100 Acre marsh.

23 March 2008 A good day at work at WWT Slimbridge with some migration in action. I did my usual rounds and thought it was going to be quiet, no Chiffchaffs at the South end of the reserve where I began my day. The two Kingfishers were at the South Finger nest hole as I drove past. At Middle Point I could see at least three Wheatear distantly on the foreshore among the high tide roosting gulls. The estuary was quiet, a single male Tufted Duck was notable and 4 Dunlin went south. Yesterday a first-winter Iceland Gull (PJ Taylor) and male Common Scoter (NR Smart) were seen over the tide in the estuary. On the 100 Acre I was counting the Black-tailed Godwits (38 at least but 48 in the area) when I noticed a male American Green-winged Teal with them. I texted the news out and settled to watch it but soon found the Temminck's Stint with c14 Dunlin, 2 Ruff and c20 Redshank. The birds showed all day and during an evening patrol I saw an adult Mediterranean Gull fly in with the Common Gulls (c6000) but very low numbers of large gulls (300) at 1800. The highlight was a flock of c100 adult Kittiwake fly in from downriver and continue North until reaching Hock Cliff, they spiralled high and headed off NE (so I presumed, it was very cold). I stopped watching them at 1745 but did hear Kittiwake calling at 1805 among the thousands of Common Gulls. This may have been the flock seen by P Bowerman off Severn Beach late morning (thanks for the call on these Paul!, normally 20 minutes from the Beach to us but 5.5 hours was rather lethargic)

22 March 2008 No real birding for me but I did got through the gulls during a Hempsted Recycling visit (from public areas). Lots of gulls, nothing notable, a flock of six Greylag Geese headed over North and a few Ravens were around.

21 March 2008 A local walk around Townfield Lake and 40-50 Sand Martin and my first House Martin of the year was notable. A Kingfisher, 200+ Fieldfare and 60 Redwing were also of note.

20 March 2008 I noted the three Spotted Redshank at the WWT 100 Acre and a few other waders but it was nice to have a minimum of 12 Chiffchaff on site.

19 March 2008 I did an evening patrol of the WWT reserve and had a memorable evening of birding. A pale first or possibly second winter Iceland Gull was on the Noose and I was very lucky to witness the departing of two of the local Bitterns. They flew around in circles calling to each other and headed off high, I even saw them fly through a full moon, spectacular! This behaviour is usually associated with departures from the breeding grounds in Autumn and I have never seen this before at WWT.

18 March 2008 A clear and sunny day and migration was in full swing. I noted 120 Lesser Black-backed, 150 Herring Gull and 20 GBB Gull heading north in 45 minutes whilst I was around the north end of the WWT reserve. A flock of 8 Sand Martin came chattering their way in and continued North and the WWT 100 Acre was looking great with 6 Black-tailed Godwit, c80 Golden Plover, 1 Ruff, 3 Spotted Redshank, c10 Redshank (also territorial), 25 Lapwing (many displaying), 8 Dunlin and 20 Snipe, the winter duck were also looking great. I saw at least 6 singing Reed Bunting and more Lapwing displaying at the Bottom New Piece.

17 March 2008 Horrendous weather caused much flooding and I could not raise the energy to try to bird through it!

Norfolk day trip 7 March 2008 with Anser Birding

Lapland and Snow Buntings at Salthouse, Norfolk all images MJMcGill

Lapland Bunting at Salthouse Shore Lark at Cley NNT, East Bank
White Crowned Sparrow, Cley next the Sea
Ross's Goose with Pink-footed Geese, Holkham
Common Crane at WWT Welney

7 March 2008 A rather ambitious and tiring day trip was worth it due to the excellent array of birds present and the sunny weather to enjoy them. Arriving at Salthouse the Snow Buntings were immediately on show, we noted c 40 including a few males that were beginning to moult into breeding plumage. A Lapland Bunting was also present and all of these cracking little birds showed to a few feet. A flock of Dark-bellied Brent and Egyptian Geese were also seen here. Further north we walked the East bank at Cley where a male Bearded Tit was seen near the reed cutters. 3 Shore Lark were on the shingle and 20+ Avocet were busy feeding. More Bearded Tits were calling on our return. In the village a 40 minute wait and the White-Crowned Sparrow was soon giving great views. A Marsh Harrier flew over. Next stop was at Holkham where a Ross's Goose was among the Pink-footed Geese, at least 120 E White-fronted Geese were also seen here and a Barn Owl. A pair of Marsh Harrier were displaying. We headed south to WWT Welney where the day was topped off with a Crane among the Whooper Swans and another Barn Owl.

Birding diary 2-15 March 2008

Hawfinch, Forest of Dean

15 March 2008 I guided a group to the Forest of Dean which worked out well until the rain settled in at Midday. It was nice to bump into Rich, Mark and Kate all out birding and walking. We began at Boys Grave/Speech House area and soon located the Northern Grey Shrike atop a sapling, it spent the whole time looking/listening for prey and did not move. A Cormorant flew over and Crossbill were heard. A stop to look through the 40 Redwing for Mistle Thrush revealed the real surprise of the day. A Wheatear was feeding on the turf of the Speech House field, the first of the year for me and on checking, part of a UK arrival!, we will have to see what appears on MLK's Gloster Birder site for any other reports. This is the first one I have seen in the forest. A Brambling and 2 drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers were also nearby. At Brierley a flock of 30 Brambling and 30 Chaffinch were eventually enticed down after an hour by British finch seed. Whilst waiting a walk towards Cinderford produced a Hawfinch, Siskins, another Brambling, single Redpoll, Raven, 1 Marsh Tit and many common woodland species. We also had poor and brief views of a Goshawk flying away from us. On returning a further 5 Hawfinch flew in and showed well for about 10 minutes. A stop for comfort at Beechenhurst and the rain began falling. A look at Woorgreens gave us a pair of Mandarin, a few Greylags and 19 Goosander, 3 males, 8 females and 8 first-winter/summer males. We then expored Cannop Ponds where more Mandarin, male Reed Bunting, a Marsh Tit, a singing Chiffchaff, a pair of Little Grebe, a pair of Grey Wagtail and lots of woodland birds were seen. The rain continued to fall and further searches were not really possible, it was game over for the day but we gave it 5 minutes for Crossbill without success before leaving. A Marsh Harrier was reported at Fretherne.

14 March 2008 A recycling trip to Hempsted was made more interesting by the pair of Shelduck feeding on the roadside puddle complete with industrial backdrop.

13 March 2008 It was nice to see 2 Dunlin, 9 Black-tailed Godwit (inc breeding plumage birds), 1 Grey Plover and 1 Golden Plover were all on the 100 Acre at 0800-1330 at least. Two Black-tailed Godwit were on South Lake as well.

12th March 2008 Little or no birding but there were 54 Kittiwake on the estuary.

11 March 2008 My highlight of the day was a Rock Pipit which was joined by what was probably a Water Pipit at the WWT, 100 Acre. We had a female Goshawk stoop and then fly low over the Decoy at 1230. The Temminck's Stint was still showing at the Holden Tower.

9-10 March 2008 No birding.

8 March 2008 On investigating a white winged gull at Townfield Lake I saw my first six Sand Martin of the year. Jeremy had seen what he believes to be a leucistic Herring Gull so beware when looking for Iceland/Glaucous locally. A Cattle Egret was seen in the fields near Rectory Farm, Slimbridge.

7 March 2008 See the special report on diary page but image of the White-Crowned Sparrow below.

6 March 2008 The Dark-bellied Brent Goose was still present as was the 12 European Greylags in the road fields.

5 March 2008 The Dark-bellied Brent was among 100 Wigeon from Holden Tower, no White-fronted Geese left, 1 Bewick's Swan. 2 Water Rail at the feeding station and a female Brambling. 12-14 European Greylags were in the road field. I noted 4 Siskin over the Decoy this afternoon.

Water Rail at WWT Slimbridge all images MJMcGill

Adult Dark-bellied Brent from the Holden Tower

4 March 2008 At WWT an adult Dark-bellied Brent was with 30 E White-fronted Geese. 1 Bewick's Swan remained (Hosta a yearling, first to arrive on 18 October 2007). A Cetti's Warbler was in full song at the Zeiss Hide. Further clearouts of duck occured but 900 Wigeon remain. Water Rail showed very well at the Willow Plantation feeding station. 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Ruff and up to 6 Redshank remain on the South Lake. At least 12-14 European/continental Greylags remain on the road fields or Top New Piece.

3 March 2008 At WWT I noted a Chiffchaff at the South Finger with 3 singing Cetti's Warblers. Only 80 E White-fronted Geese were left after an overnight departure.

2 March 2008 At least 307 E Whitefronted Geese left on the WWT reserve today, the Tundra Bean Goose with them. Only 1 Bewick's Swan left. A grey female Merlin (has wintered for three years at least) was on a Dunlin kill in the 100 Acre. Only saw the 1 Peregrine today. 5 Little Stints were on the Top New Piece with 30 Dunlin. 2 Kingfishers were in a territorial/mating chase. a male Brambling was on the South Finger feeders. Reed Bunting was in song at the Robbie Garnett Hide. 2 Little Egret were in the 100 Acre.

1 March 2008 See the Wallcreeper trip report.

Wallcreeper and Northern France with Anser Birding 1 March 2008

Wallcreeper between Wimereux and Boulogne MJMcGill

Gloucestershire's celebrity birder Mike King (right) with MJM (left) and England in the distance, he is in a rather good mood after seeing one of his most sought after birds ever.
Snow Buntings, Grand Fort Phillipe Beach

1 March 2008 We set off at 0300 from Whitminster calling in at Swindon on the way. We arrived at Folkestone at 0600 and boarded our train arriving in France soonafter. A thirty minute drive and we were at our first stop of the day Pont de le Creche and thirty minutes of sarching and we were watching a Wallcreeper. The bird showed brilliantly for then on until we left, often in sunshine and at times very close as it fed. Fulmar were also seen here on the nest. We celebrated with a brunch in Boulogne and then searched the harbour for gulls, Kittiwakes were nesting and 3 Mediterranean Gulls were seen, a stunning adult in breeding plumage, a scruffier one and a second summer. A couple of Great Crested Grebe were also fishing but we could not locate any northern gulls despite them being present. A short drive south to the Hardelot Forest and we located Short-toed Treecreeper, Willow Tits, Crested Tits, Firecrests, heard Black Woodpecker, saw and heard male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. We tried for the Rough-legged Buzzard but the strong winds and rest part of the day did not help. Brown Hare, 7 and 3 deer sp and a female Hen Harrier were all seen. We headed north to Grand Fort Phillipe beach where 33 Snow Buntings and at least 5 Shore Lark were rather delightful and a female Hen Harrier hunted the saltmarsh. A few Gannet headed west and Little Egret was also noted.

1-29 February 2008

Probable female American Wigeon, 27 February 2008 MJMcGill

29 February 2008 No birding today but a number of Redwing/Fieldfare around Whitminster.

28 February 2008 Apparently 14 continental Greylags in the flock today, they were on the Top New Piece and I assume the six were still on the river. A brief view of the probable American Wigeon was had today. It is worth checking all the flocks from the hides (only c500 left) but do not forget that this is a tricky challenge and there are variable Eurasian Wigeon, good views and all features must be noted to confirm. I got JSL to video it while I waited and watched the wing flaps (5 times) and if you visit the WWT Slimbridge wildlife sightings page it shows a still of a wing flap.13 Bewick's Swans, 377 White-fronted Geese and the Tundra Bean Goose remain. I saw a small, long-winged wader in flight, heading south down the reserve which I thought to be the Temminck's Stint. A Chiffchaff was in full song near the Decoy.

27 February 2008 I spent lunchtime on the reserve where I discovered a female Wigeon showing all the characters of American Wigeon. My attention was immediately taken by this bird and intense studying showed all the features including white axillaries. I would like to get closer to it for images etc but this is not really possible due to the nervousness of the Wigeon flocks. This is a repeat of a bird of a few years ago but unsatisfactory views of the underwing were had in that case. A Small Tortoisehell was on the wing and JSL reported a Peacock.

26 February 2008 I escorted a BBC film crew to the estuary at 0900 and discovered a flock of 12 Greylag Geese (don't really know what to call them, Continental/European) feeding in rough grass in the 50 Acre. They took flight from here and dropped onto the estuary off Middle Point before I called JSL who relocated them soo after (tide had moved them) in the Tack Piece scrape where he got some images. I also noted the six that have wintered with us were still on the spartina island where they have fed since arrival. The rather wary 12 were seen flying in at dusk to the Tack Piece again. Little Stints, 408 E White-fronted Geese, 90 Bewick's Swans, Tundra Bean Goose, Spotted Redshank, 12 Redshank, 2 Little Egret, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and at least 5 Ruff remained on the WWT reserve. The Water Rail was showing at the willow plantation feeding station and I was particularly pleased to finally catch up with a female Brambling here, two have been seen in recent days.

25 February 2008 At least 340 E.White-fronted Geese, the Tundra Bean Goose, 90 Bewick's Swans, 900 Golden Plover, 1 Little Stint, 9 Ruff and Temminck's Stint still at WWT Slimbridge today. Sand Martins, House Martin Garganeys and Swallows have all been recorded in Britain this week/weekend. The Pink-footed Goose departed a week ago from WWT.

24 February 2008 Highlight of the day was a flock of 9 large, pale Greylags on the Tack Piece and 2 Little Stint on the Dumbles.

First-winter King Eider, Appledore, Devon Len Ingram

23 February 2008 A day trip to Devon and calling in at Cheddar Reservoir on the way home produced a great selection of birds. Arriving at Dawlish Warren NR and looking from the seawall the following speceis were recorded; 1;2 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 1st-winter female Surf Scoter, 8 Razorbill, 10+ Gannet, 10+ Shag, Cormorants and 15+ Great Crested Grebe. A flock of 50+ Grey Plover were flying over the sea heading west, a Red-breasted Merganser flew east and a Shelduck came in off the sea. A stonechat was around the car park. Below are the images of 2 Slavonian Grebe at Dawlish Warren and King Eider at Appledore.

A short drive away and the flock of Dark-bellied Brent at Cockwood numbered 200+, Powderham Park had 8 Greenshank and 20+ Little Egret, one group of 4 had a Cattle Egret with them and gave great views. At Bowling Green Marsh RSPB and the Clyst Estuary a first-winter Long-billed Dowitcher was of note among hordes of waders that included Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Bar and Black tailed Godwits, Avocets, Knot, Grey Plover and Dunlin. On the estuary a pair of Goldeneye and 8 Red-breasted Merganser were seen. The freshwater pools and scrapes held more waders and Pintail, Shoveler, Wigeon and Teal. The next stop was Appledore in N. Devon where the target was first-winter male King Eider (an English tick for me after seeing 2 in Scotland and 1 in Wales). The duck was busy munching mussles as well as preening on shingle and seen in flight as some boys landed their boat near it. Among the gulls and waders were Turnstone. Calling in at Cheddar Reservoir on the way home and a close Red-necked Grebe, 4;4 Goosander, 4 distant Scaup and adult Mediterranean Gull were added. The Great Northern Diver was present but I could not locate it as the light faded. A great day packed with quality birds!

Red-necked Grebe centre with G.C.Grebes at Cheddar Res

22 February 2008 My birding continued this afternoon with a visit to the Cotswold Water Park (Glos section). I managed to record 56+ Red-crested Pochard with 49+ on P75 at least. A few Goldeneye, 2 pairs of Goosander Pit 44/17, 8 Little Egret, plenty of sinensis Cormorant and pick of the bunch an adult winter (moulting into breeding hood) Mediterranean Gull in the gull roost. A visit to Harnill/Driffield produced Tree Sparrows, a showy Grey Partridge and 150 Golden Plover. I noted three Kestrels (two near Aston Down) one over P17.

Northern Grey Shrike near Speech House Too slow to get a decent image of Hawfinch, too busy watching it....

21 February 2008 I took a day off and spent a bit of time this afternoon birding in the Forest of Dean where highlights were 3 Bullfinch at Brierley, 8 Mandarin at Cannop Ponds, 200 Siskin, 100 Redpoll, 1 Crossbill, 14 Goosander at Woorgreens, Northern Grey Shrike at Speech House, 2 Raven, 1 showy Hawfinch, singing Crossbill, 80 Brambling, 2 Great Spotted and 1 Green Woodpecker at New Fancy View. I also had lots of Coal Tits, Siskins and Redwing alll over the forest, Boar activity in many places and Fallow Deer. Greylag and Canada Geese were on territory on a few of the ponds.

20 February 2008 A few Redpoll and Siskin were present around the WWT centre, the Water Rail continued to show on/off all day at the Willow Plantation feeding station. Two Water Vole were showing from the entrance bridge at 16.15.

19 February 2008 The Tundra Bean Goose was still present at WWT.

Siskin at WWT Slimbridge MJM

18 February 2008 A Siskin showed well around the entrance Alders, Water Rail at the F Station, my highlight was seeing Snipe flying low over my garden at dusk, a garden lifer.

17 February 2008 At WWT, the Tundra Bean Goose was still with 320+ E.White-fronted Geese, the Water Rail was at the WP feeding station, I saw one in the 100 Acre and another showed in the Decoy from the Gulf Hide. The highlight was seeing a Bittern in flight, the first since the Top New Piece bird stopped showing last year. The Pink-footed Goose was in the Rushy. A min of 10 Little Grebe are back on the reserve. 2 Spotted Redshank (adult and 1st winter) were on the Tack Piece.

16 February 2008 As Bristol Rovers made the last 8 of the FA Cup with a win against Southampton I was distracted for the afternoon. A short pre-match walk at Frampton produced a couple of sinensis Cormorant and a few other waterbirds.

15 February 2008 No birding today.

14 February 2008 A very cold day, the usual birds at WWT, a Water Rail was showing well under the new bird table at the Willow plantation feeding station. A Jackdaw showing a pale collar/neck markings and not like the typical birds that can number 1000 at WWT was at the Willow Plantation feeding station. It was interesting but not like the birds I have seen in Finland and Sweden (someringii).

13 February 2008 A foggy start to the day, we caught over 20 duck including Pintail, Gadwall, Pintail and Mallard plus 2 Woodpigeon for ringing etc. The Water Vole was showing to dozens of visitors by the entrance bridge.
12 February 2008 Not much birding today. I did see a Siskin over the centre.
11 February 2008 A morning of counting at WWT as it was the WeBS survey and an afternoon escorting Gwent WT staff around, a record count of 252 Snipe, all on show at the same time and very impressive. We actually saw over 270. The cold nights were the likely cause as they are unable to feed when it is frozen. We also noted 5 Jack Snipe, a Rock Pipit and hybrid Shelduck x Ruddy Shelduck (presumed). The leucistic Egyptian Goose, like many before it and other goose sp has taken to visiting the grounds. The Tundra Bean Goose was still with what E. Whitefronted Geese that were left on the reserve. Highlights from the count included 6 Little Egret, a high number of Shoveler, the return of up to 6 Little Grebe, 11 Oystercatcher and 2 singing Reed Bunting indicating spring and the weather. The Bewick's Swans were spectacular when they came in during the early evening, the light and landing pattern was unusual so they gave excellent views.

Parting shot? The Tundra Bean Goose among friends, see it while you can, they will leave soon.

Leucistic Egyptian Goose
Shelduck on a Severn estuary creek
Shelduck x Ruddy Shelduck ( it has been visting us for 4+ years)

Water Vole at the WWT Slimbridge entrance pond. MJM

10 Februay 2008 The Tundra Bean Goose was still with the E.White-fronts, they left the roost late today and flew out of South Lake at 0805. During the day I saw at least 1 Little Stint, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Ruff, 1 leucistic Egyptian Goose, 650 Golden Plover, 3 Cetti's Warblers and many other birds but it appears that a clear out of wintering birds is in evidence. A showy Water Vole was a nice end to the day.

8-9 February 2008 No meaningful birding possible due to refitting the bath again thanks to manufacturing fault with the old one.

7 February 2008 At WWT I was around the hides today from 1030 to 1600 and saw the Pink-footed Goose with the Greylags, the Tundra Bean Goose and 400+ European White-fronted Geese, 3 Spotted Redshank, 14 Ruff and 40+ Redshank on the Tack Piece, the Temminck's Stint was seen from Holden Tower and I saw at least 2 Little Stint as well as thousands of other wetland birds. My first Chiffchaff of the year was a calling silouhette near the Martin Smith Hide. I took great pleasure in watching and listening to the subtle displays of Pochard at the Robbie Garnett hide. The leucistic Egyptian Goose is still on the road fields, have a look at the image on the WWT website.

6 February 2008 No birding today.

5 February 2008 No catch and frustratingly abandoned for good.

Common Buzzard on the Tack Piece, WWT Slimbridge.

4 February 2008 First thing in the morning at WWT we took a catch in the swan pipe which probably numbered c100 wildfowl of nine species. As ever it was a pleasure to handle and ring Tufted Duck and Pochard, Pintail, Bewick's Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, Greylag and Canada Goose were also caught. A large catch of Shelduck was taken. I also spent two hours showing 90 schoolchildren our bird counting techniques and talking about migration in the Robbie Garnett hide, the usual gathering of Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Redshank, Dunlin, Golden Plover and Lapwing were on show. The Buzzard tearing a Canada Goose apart was apparently more interesting though. After a quick post catch de-brief we then headed out onto the reserve to set a cannon net, we shall see if we catch any duck tommorow.......

3 February 2008 No real birding during the day but I was out on the reserve from 0630-0930 with a group and during the 2.00pm Decoy Demo there were two pairs of Mandarin in the Decoy. An interesting oddity was a leucistic Egyptian Goose on the roadside field. A gathering of gulls on South Lake in the afternoon included a 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull.

2 February 2008 Fitting bathroom, so nice to have a full size bath again!

1 February 2008 A bit of local birding produced a Redshank on Townfield Lake (scarce here).

A bit of late news was of Egyptian Geese that flew over the Rushy last week on the 29 January Hearn).

1-31 January 2008

A rather interesting Goldie on 31st January on the WWT Tack Piece, dark-capped, clear cream not-yellow supercilium, greyish upperparts rather than the warmer golden of it's companions and no warm tones at all, long primaries, long thin bill, large spots on tertials, clear isolated ear covert spot and long trousers (the feathering where the body meets the legs), ability to stand in the deeper water without body getting wet, diffuse smoky breast band, open face with cream base colour. Despite watching it for a long perid we both (JSL and MJM) missed it's underwing when it flew! We had to go back to work as our lunch break had ended. This is not the bird that was seen last year.

31 January 2008 A Merlin and four Little Stints were the highlight for me. Getting soaked to the skin was not. The plovers were interesting today, the partial breeding plumage bird was on the Dumbles and the above bird was very interesting.

30 January 2008 Two Little Stint were on the Tack Piece.

Red-throated Diver in the mist and distance! WWT Slimbridge

28 January 2008 A foggy start to the day but it soon brightened with a reserve lifer for both myself and JSL after midday. A Red-throated Diver was on the estuary over high tide and was the same bird that Paul Taylor had found further downriver yesterday. This was an excellent find for the estuary and thanks go to Paul for the find and for giving me a call. A few Siskin were around us where we worked (Decoy/Willow plantation) but other than that no other birding was had. At least 168 Bewick's Swans were on the reserve including a bird that was ringed in Russia in 2006.

27 January 2008 What a brilliant day, the weather was amazing and watching birds was a real pleasure with such quality light. The Tack Piece at WWT Slimbridge was still highly productive and the Tundra Bean Goose showed all day among 508 E.White-fronted Geese. The waders were particularly excellent to watch with 50+ Redshank, 5 Spotted Redshank and 16 Ruff all showing close to the hides.

Common Redshank looking for something....

Golden Plover on the Tack Piece, one or two in this image are moulting into breeding plumage. The individual back left is of a lighter build.

25 January 2008 I had another quick look at the Cattle Egret at Fretherne, it was in the company of 8 Little Egrets. Some recycling at Hempsted gave me the chance to look at few gulls in the public areas, nothing of note and a long walk around Frampton on Severn was great as I have not been out birding locally for a while. 11 Pochard, c80 Tufted Duck, c30 Gadwall, 10 G.C Grebe, 150 Coot and a selection of the usual gulls.

24 January 2008 A female Merlin around the Northern end of the reserve was a highlight. Two Spotted Redshank were also at the north end with 2 on the Tack Piece.

22 January 2008 I made a count of 8620 Lapwing around the reserve and 60 Redshank were on the Tack Piece. At least 79 Snipe and 2 Jack Snipe were on one field which is not viewable from the hides.

20 January 2008 As has been the pattern at WWT recently, a bird packed reserve with the Holden Tower being productive. I picked up a first winter Glaucous Gull flying over the estuary at 0830, it landed and rested among the GBBGulls in a variety of places and was present to 1000. The Tundra Bean Goose was on the Dumbles and also of note the Ferruginous x Pochard was still on the Tack Piece scrape. Single Oystercatcher and Black-tailed Godwit were joined by 50 Redshank, 14 Ruff and 2 Spotted Redshank. At the end of the day I saw a Lesser Redpoll on the weeds around the entrance pond. Cetti's Warbler were singing at the Zeiss and Loke hides.

Bewick's Swan flying down the estuary at WWT Slimbridge

The first winter Glaucous Gull on the estuary

Blue-billed Mallard WWT Slimbridge

Lesser Redpoll on the WWT Slimbridge entrance pond

Northern Grey Shrike in a darkened Forest of Dean, Boy's Grave

19 January 2008 I took advantage of being in the Forest to do a little birding (I was there to collect a piece of sandstone from a friend, it is for my hearth). A walk from Boy's Grave to Speech House produced the hoped for N.G Shrike and a few Siskins, I also heard a Hawfinch. The floods around Gloucester were very spectacular and a few fields near Westbury/The Strand held large numbers of gulls. Graham Clarkson was down with a group from Lancashire today and he had a good days birding seeing the WWT Slimbridge wintering birds such as Tundra Bean Goose and Spotted Redshanks.

15-18 January 2008 Very little birding this week but I did count 712 Teal on the Top New Piece and 71 Shoveler on the same flood. I did see a male Goshawk head over the Rushy on the fine and sunny Wednesday 16th. Late news for last week included a Green Sandpiper on a roadside puddle along the A38 at Hardwicke ( a much reported bird).

The Ferruginous x Pochard hybrid (we ringed this bird a couple of years back) and the female Pochard with albanistic markings which has also been at WWT for a few winters at least.

14 January 2008 We completed the Wetland Bird Survey today and it totalled over 24,000 wetland birds on the 800 acre WWT Slimbridge Reserve. See WWT website for count details, a female Merlin was seen, as was Jack Snipe and the E White-fronted Geese were up to 520 and the Tundra Bean Goose were from the Holden Tower. Oystercatcher was a welcome sign of spring.

10-13 January 2008 The birding is quite simply outsatnding from the main WWT hides. The Temminck's Stint was still showing from the Holden Tower. Two large Greylag Geese were on the Top New Piece and the six regulars were on the edge of the estuary on the latter date.

Male Blackcap in my garden 5 January 2008

9 January 2008 A good half hour at work from the Holden Tower....I discovered a/the Temminck's Stint on the pool in front of the Holden Tower before it flew off to the Tack Piece. I saw it take flight twice before it eventually settled among the 500 Dunlin. I saw 2 Little Stints on the Dumbles along with 2 Grey Plover, 150+ GBBGulls, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, the 491 E White-fronted Geese and Tundra Bean Goose. The Tack Piece also had 1 Snipe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Grey Plover,2-3 Spotted Redshank and Ruff among the commoner waders, I thought I heard Oystercatcher today. A Redpoll sp was near the Robbie Garnett Hide.

Temminck's Stint 9 January 2008

8 January 2008 During the day at WWT my personal highlights were a female Merlin and possibly 3 Peregrines in the 50 Acre/Bull Gound and the Turkey Oaks, 4 male and 1 female Stonechats in the 50/100 Acre/Bull Ground and good numbers of wildfowl.


7 January 2008 Plenty of birds at WWT Slimbridge, I counted 256 Great Black-backed Gulls on the Dumbles (a record I think).


6 January 2008 A Great Spotted Woodpecker in the garden again.


5 January 2008 Still a male and female Blackcap in my garden.


3-4 January 2008 A visit to Lancashire to stay with Graham Clarkson was good fun for the kids, we had a look for an interesting aythya at Ainsdale that Gra had seen in the week but could not relocate it. Marshside RSPB was busy as ever with American Green-winged Teal present. We noted 20 Common Scoter and Sanderling and Dunlin whilst dragging the childred around on plastic barrels on the beach.


1-2 January 2008 See WWT website for bird details.

Birding diary 1 - 31 December 2007

16-31 December 2007 I saw out the rest of the year at home/work where the highlights were the arrival of more wildfowl particularly Bewick's Swans at WWT and a now resident male Blackcap and a one day female in the garden.

14-16 December 2007 A rather good birding trip to Dorset and Hampshire in fairly trying weather conditions, we still recorded over 100 species with highlights being the very tame Purple Sandpipers at Sandbanks, Long-tailed Ducks from the Poole bird boat and Bearded Tits at Radipole. A trip report will appear on the trip reports page soon.

13 December 2007 The Tundra Bean Goose and 234 E.White-fronted Geese were still on the Tack Piece at WWT. I had great views of the Bittern on the ice this morning. A party of 5 Siskin were feeding in the Holden Tower path Alders and a Redpoll was around the South Finger. At least 107 Bewick's Swans were on the reserve. A quick visit to Fretherne on the way home and I saw the Cattle Egret easily with a number of Little Egrets.

Bittern at WWT Slimbridge 13 December 2007 image by M.J.McGill

Cattle Egret at Fretherne 13 December 2007

12 December 2007 I made a quick check from the Holden Tower this morning and the E.White-fronts had risen from 107 yesterday to 234 today and had the decency to bring a Tundra Bean Goose with them. 2 Spotted Redshank were on the Long Ground Pool. 103 Bewick's Swans were in.

The Bittern is still showing most days from the Zeiss Hide, WWT Slimbridge image by MJMcGill, taken on 13 and 10 November 2007 with Nikon Coolpix 4500 and Swarovski 65 scope with 30 WA lens, hand held.

4-10 December 2007 No birding away from work, all sightings at work (WWT Slimbridge) are well represented on the WWT website). A Cattle Egret was discovered at Fretherne on the 9th but I did not get a chance to to see it. At least 63 Bewick's Swans were on the Rushy at 6.30pm.

3 December 2007 On the way to work a male Merlin flew over the A38 at 0750 heading east. The American Golden Plover was again on the Dumbles.

2 December 2007 I saw the American Golden Plover was again on the Dumbles this afternoon.

Birding diary from 1-30 November 2007

30 November 2007 No birding for me but I was told of a Red-breasted Merganser heading upriver past Sharpness over the high tide.

29 November 2007 Nothing to report from me but the Otter and Bittern were still in front of the Zeiss Hide at WWT.

28 November 2007 At WWT I again saw the six Greylag Geese which were now in the Bottom New Piece feeding amongst the flooded grasses. A large number of waders were present during the day which fortunately led to the refinding of the first-winter American Golden Plover (well done to Bruce Pendlebury for putting in the scopework and for getting the news out, also for reaching 200 for the Glos year with Siberian Chiffchaff). Where has it been since the 1st? The Siberian Chiffchaff showed again as I was finishing up in the South Lake late afternoon and was with a collybitta type.

Some of my intial images of the American Golden Plover below.

27 November 2007 A short search from the Holden Tower between 0800-0900 produced the 6 Greylag Geese that were now feeding on the saltmarsh (the unwanted individual was still present to make 7) and again looking very wary. They are doing the right thing to convince me of their continental origin?. A pair of Peregrine, 90+ E White-fronted Geese and a female Merlin on Dunlin kill were also notable, a single Little Stint was also on the pool in front of the Tower. The Dunlin numbered 400 and included a white-headed individual. Later in the morning around midday a Kingfisher was being very tame at the South Lake and two Chiffchaff were discovered one showing all the characters of Siberian Chiffchaff see my images below or those from JSL and his SLR Nikon on the WWT website.

26 November 2007 At WWT, a pair of Stonechat, 2 Wren, Water Rail and 2 Blue Tits were all vocal in trying to mob a rather showy Bittern on the Top New Piece. The Bittern flew from the left part of the reed-bed to the centre calling as it went. It dropped into the reeds, scrambled rapidly over the top of them before climbing the tallest stems and perching on top to front up a Grey Heron in it's territory. It was encouraging to see a pre-roost gathering of c30 Greenfinch as they are rather scarce lately, a party of 35 Goldfinch are around the entrance and a Redpoll flew over the Zeiss Hide. See images below.

25 November 2007A party of six Greylag Geese that attracted my attention on the Dumbles were heavier billed and bodied, had broader fringes to upperparts and wary. They took flight after a group of Canada Geese landed nearby and approached them. A single but obvious unwanted tag -on individual was trying to keep company, this was a standard W. Greylag that we see around the reserve/grounds in the winter. Worth keeping an eye out for them and study their behaviour. The Bittern was again showing but JSL had the pick of the month with a sighting of one of our resident Otter, the third sighting in a year and using a pool created for them. Will it be the start of showy Otters at WWT Slimbridge? I did see 2 Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Snipe from the hides as well as thousands of wildfowl. The E.White-fronted Geese have reached 99 with 58 Bewick's Swans on site as well as 2 Chiffchaff. Two Peregrine grappled over the car aprk at 0810 and were very vocal.

The Great Bittern is back and settling in at WWT Slimbridge all images taken on 26 November 2007 from the Zeiss Hide MJMcGill

24 November 2007 Some birding possible today but unable to comment.

20-23 November 2007 Again little birding on my days off or at work.

Lapland and Snow Buntings at Salthouse, Norfolk, 17 November 2007 MJM

Double winter bunt day!

19 November 2007 The E White-fronted Geese numbered 80 and Bewick's Swans 66 with increases in most wildfowl and waders also apparent at WWT Slimbridge today.

15-18 November 2007 The trip report section has details and images from the Norfolk trip.

13-14 November 2007 Little coverage or any time for birding.

12 November 2007 The E. White-fronted Geese goose flock numbered 60 with an attendant Western Greylag, Bewick's Swans increased again to 34 on the Rushy. 4 Redpoll were in the Alders near the Holden Tower (at new feeding station), on the 50 Acre feeding station a flock of 20 Linnet and 8 Skylark were present.

11 November 2007 I did the WeBS count with Neil Smart, we logged 8,100 wetland birds, many wildfowl and waders numbers had dropped from last week! A Bittern was seen in front of the Zeiss Hide around 1200-1300.

10 November 2007 A garden tick arrived on the peanut feeder, Great Spotted Woodpecker.

9 November 2007 A walk to the river along the Severn Way at Saul Warth produced 7 Common Darters. About 200 Dunlin and 4 Redshank were on the estuary and around 500 Fieldfare in the hedges, best bird was a Chiffchaff.

8 November 2007 Due to a succesful duck catch no coverage was possible today but we took 84 duck and 30 Greylag plus the Pink-footed Goose.

7 November 2007 49 E White-fronted Geese, 252 Canada and 114 Barnacle were on the Tack Piece, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Redshank and 6 Ruff were also noted this morning.

6 November 2007 53 E.White-fronted Geese on the Tack Piece.

5 November 2007 A Bittern was in the 100 Acre, the first of the winter period. Over 1000 Fieldfare and 250 Redwing were joined by Blackbirds and a few Song Thrushes around the WWT reserve. On the estuary at least 1200 Golden Plover, 1000 Dunlin, 1 Spotted Redshank, 9 Redshank, 2 Knot, 4+ Little Stint, a Snipe (trying to hide among them) and 103 Shelduck.

4 November 2007 A foggy day where very few birds were noted. At least 4 Cetti's Warblers and 5 Jack Snipe were in the 100 Acre and the highlight was a pair of Red-crested Pochard that flew upriver and into dense fog at 1050. I looked through 500 Golden Plover and DBP checked 2600 during the day but we could not locate anything with them. Migrant Hawker and Common Darter on the wing at WWT.

3 November 2007 No birding.

Bittern at the 100 Acre

Eurasian Wigeon near the Knott Pool, there were 1200 on the Tack Piece
Mallard image by MJMcGill

Northern Grey Shrike, Ashleworth Ham GWT 2 November 2007

Water Pipit, Ashleworth Ham GWT 2 November 2007

2 November 2007 Comma and Red Admiral at home plus Redpoll over low, the Starlings were singing in the sun. I had to recycle a number of things at Hempsted so I decided to visit Ashleworth Ham GWT. On arrival in met Duncan Dine who was already watching one of the Northern Grey Shrikes which was showing atop a dead tree. 6 Reed Bunting, 6 Snipe and 10 Teal were also present and we eventually found one of the Water Pipits. This individual was very buff and lacking the cold base tones on the breast.

1 November 2007 The Holden Tower at WWT Slimbridge was productive for common birds, it was nice to see five species of thrush with most of them being migrants. 15+ Blackbird, 4+ Song Thrush, 20 each of Fieldfare and Redwing and a Mistle Thush must have been a fall or moving together locally to strip out the berries. At least 200 Fieldfare are on the reserve. Two adult Peregrine were on the Dumbles with 49 E.White-fronted Geese.

A visiting birder reported a juvenile American Golden Plover on the Dumbles this afternoon but did not leave a name or further details. Hopefully it will be seen again and stay for the weekend. I was busy at the time and could not go to the hides but Dave Paynter had a look at dusk and saw no plovers at all. They are likely to be on the estuary, please report the bird if you see it to staff so that news can be put out.

Late news for yesterday (31st) concerns a Migrant Hawker still flying in the Decoy and a Common Darter on 30th near the Holden Tower.

Birding Diary update 23 to 29 October 2007

Male Eurasian Teal close up image by M.J.McGill

European White-fronted Goose, Tack Piece, WWT Slimbridge image by M.J McGill

Highlights in what has been a busy period at work since returning from Scilly are as follows..

29 October 2007 At WWT, 25 Bewick's Swan, 45+ E.White-fronted Geese, Water Rail, 2 Redpoll, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Jack Snipe, 3 Ruff and a Little Stint were the pick of my personal sightings. A few Common Darters were still in tandem and egg laying.

28 October 2007 Migrant Hawker on the wing and an immature female Goshawk were the highlights, 2 Redpoll, lots of Redwing/Fieldfare, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Grey Plover, 350 Golden Plover, 300 Dunlin and 2 Ruff were also noted.

26 and 27 October 2007 No birding.

25 October 2007 A Rock Pipit, 13 Siskin, 150 Fieldfare, Brambling in the Decoy and Redpoll over south.

23 and 24 October 2007 No or very little birding.

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly trip report 16-22 October 2007 on the trip report section also the Finland Anser trip in June 2007 now live...

Apparent Wilson's Snipe, Lower Moors, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly 21 October 2007

Apparent Wilson's Snipe at Lower Moors, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.

All images taken on 21st October 2007 by Martin J McGill.

With hand held Nikon Coolpix 995, Swarovski HD 65 with 30x WA.

Whilst guiding on a Birding holiday to the Isles of Scilly, my group and I were fortunate enough to gain great views of this bird and got some images to help with i.d on return home. I got back late on the 22nd and did not sit down to look at them until this evening (23rd). I had intially avoided Lowers Moors as the sightings of the probable Wilson's Snipe was intermittent and I had heard that it had not been seen for a couple of days to 20th at least. As there is little space in the hides I thought I would wait until the island was quieter (many birders had left for home), there were other avian distractions and that we had cleaned up for want of a better term on the birds that were available before trying for this bird and Jack Snipe. I had heard that it was seen again on 21st so decided to give it a go after Pallas's Warbler at Porthellick, a walk around the coast and a stop for coffee at Tolman Cafe.
On entering the ISBG hide we were very lucky to have seats although Len and I had to kneel at one end of the hide. A couple of birders were quite animated as they had seen a very interesting Snipe and got a couple of shots before it dissapeared. Shortly after Len and I located a Snipe that immediately looked interesting but was face on with it's bill tucked into its back. It jumped out as being different instantly, like the bird I saw in 1998?, along with 100's of other birders, at the same location. Not sure who id'd that one but they were sharp to pick up on it and certainly got everyone else thinking about these birds. I watched it for 10-15 minutes before it woke up, stretched it's wings briefly showing a fully barred underwing and began to feed in the open before dissapearing again. It showed many of the right features for Wilson's. It came out with a Common Snipe and the contrast between the two was very obvious. From what I could gather the other two birders in the hide had seen other features and had images and were discussing it. A few other birders joined us including Ash Fisher who put us onto the original Wilson's Snipe, which initially was not showing well, the bird we had been watching was even more contrasting than this one. Whilst everyone was studying this bird I picked up the second bird again alongside a Common Snipe. It fed in the open and I drew the attention of the other birders in the hide to the bird where the two guys said it was the one they had been watching earlier. I gave up my seat to allow Ash to video it and left soon after to study the original Wilson's from the screen and to stand up straight again!

It kind of reminded me of a Stilt Sandpiper (except for it being a Snipe!) not least due to the chestnut patch behind the eye, just a thought as well as other features; less of a bulbous facial appearance and open faced, cold tones having whitish rather than buff tones, the darker parts were blacker, heavily barred flanks with white base colour not buff, the tertial barring was narrow and faded (ghosting toward base) and narrow loral stripe which was even in width. I did not see it fan it's tail. A selection of images follow below.

To Bettie, Len, Chris and Eve, glad you enjoyed the Snipe on offer from this hide, lovely to see you enjoying all of them, I hope these images highlight what we were talking about.

Sightings and diary for 9 to 14 October 2007

14 October 2007 At WWT Slimbridge a quiet day with the E White-fronted Geese showing themselves better on the Dumbles (4 adults and 2 juvenile). A few waders were seen on the estuary but the scrapes are much quieter for this group of birds at present. Wildfowl continue to increase and moult into better plumage. A female Goldeneye was a good find for a regular Sunday birder and I don't think I have seen one at this site before, a good bird for the reserve as we only see a few each year. Siskin and Redpoll were in evidence flying over, Redwing also with some Fieldfare. A Reed Bunting was in full song as the South Finger Reedbed which was unusual, c10 Goldcrest, 7 Cetti's Warbler and lots of Robin and Wren were noted today. A male Stonechat was on the Top New Piece. I also saw five Water Rail around the reserve, 1 in the Decoy, 2 in front of Zeiss Hide and 2 at the Knott Hide in the crake rides.

9-13 October 2007 Little or no birding.

4 to 8 October 2007 Local sightings and diary update.

Dark bellied Brent Goose at WWT Slimbridge 7 October 2007

8 October 2007 Regular WWT visitors had another good day with the discovery of 9 (eight more) Dark-bellied Brent late morning. I did see the six European White-fronted Geese at 0750 but they were elusive for most of the day. Passage was much in evidence with 22, 3, 1 and Redwing, 3 and 1 Redpoll, 3, 1 and 2 Siskin over, 4 Goldcrest, 8 Chiffchaff and a male Blackcap in the Decoy but no sign or sound of the Firecrest. At least 5 Spotted Redshank were around the reserve. Migrant Hawkers are still on the wing with 8+ seen today.

7 October 2007 Despite what folk think I actually missed out on the bird of the day which would have been a reserve tick for me, a Firecrest was seen around the Holden Tower late morning. The Dark-bellied Brent was still on the Dumbles and six European White-fronted Geese arrived late morning. I did pick up 7 Common Scoter through the murk on the estuary which looked to have 5 males and 2 females on the morning tide. A flock of 11 Siskin were in the alders along the Holden pathway.

6 October 2007 A Dark-bellied Brent was among the Barnacle Geese. On the estuary 11 Little Egret, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Stint, 68 Dunlin, 2 Grey Plover, 4 Golden Plover and 2 Wheatear , 13 Siskin and 12 Stonechat were the passerine highlights.

5 October 2007 No birding or news.

4 October 2007 A Painted Lady was a garden tick for me.

Sightings and diary from 21 September to 3 October 2007

Meadow Pipit at WWT Slimbridge image by M.J.McGill

21-26 September 2007 The highlights during this period for me was seeing a juvenile Marsh Harrier on the Tack Piece on 23rd (so many sightings this autumn) and a female Hen Harrier over the Tack Piece (initially found by Phil Shepherd) on 26th.





26-30 September 2007 A busy period with an Anser/English Holiday Cruises four night break which was based in Gloucestershire for a change. This trip also involved WWT Slimbridge.



27 September 2007 A visit to the Forest of Dean for the morning and early afternoon was followed by a visit to GWT Coombe Hill Canal and meadows. Despite the cold Northerly wind we still managed some highlights in the Forest, quite a few Siskin were around, a single Lesser Redpoll, juvenile Dipper, 6 Redwing, displaying Mandarins and a fly past Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at New Fancy View. At Coombe Hill a late Common Sandpiper and single Snipe were notable birds but the low flying helicopter that circled the site did not help matters.



28 September 2007 A relaxed cruise from Gloucester to the Patch at Slimbridge where we moored up for the night. During our cruise we noted a number of commoner birds but also Peregrine, 4 Green Sandpiper, a couple of Kingfishers, a very close male Kestrel and juvenile Grey Heron, 1 Teal and flocks of 40, 3 and 2 Redwing. The stretch from Frampton on Severn to WWT produced views from the deck of first-winter Arctic Tern, 5 Little Egret, lots of Swallows and House Martins, Curlews and a calling Cetti's Warbler.



A quick pre-lunch session at WWT was productive for most of the duck species, Little and Great Crested Grebe and 6 Spotted and 5 Common Redshank. The afternoon was spent on safari at WWT with Dave Paynter where a variety of wildlife was seen.



29 September 2007 Another morning visit to WWT to see what was a probable White-rumped Sandpiper was succesful but the bird turned out to be a Temminck's Stint. Also on the floooded Dumbles were 2 Little Stint, 80 Dunlin, two 1st winter Arctic Terns, 1 Ringed Plover, 100+ Wigeon, 100+ Shelduck, 2 Peregrine and 7 Little Egrets. The scrapes held 1 Knot, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwing, 10 Dunlin and Spotted and Common Redshanks. Back onboard to cruise to Sharpness and back up to Frampton where a very confiding Kingfisher sat for us on a barge tiller as we cruised past. A Southern and Brown Hawker were on the wing at Sharpness Marina, these are late records. Three Redwing flew over and we noted 14 Redshank and 35 Wigeon at Sharpness and Cetti's Warbler at Splatt Bridge.



30 September 2007 Neil Smart escorted the group to Cleeve Hill where the highlight for them was a Woodlark.
I was back at WWT Slimbridge where the waders were similar in number but no sign of any of the scarcer ones. The morning rounds and afternoon safari were great with Yellow Wagtail and 2 Siskin over, 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, Garganey, 1180 Teal, Hobby, 1st-winter Arctic Tern, 1 Knot, 3 Little Stint, 1 Grey Plover, 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls, pair of Stonechat, 2 Wheatear and 30+ Migrant Hawker in the 100 Acre. A Pink-footed Goose was with the Greylag flock.



1 October 2007 A wet, grey day but I still saw a Southern Hawker! at WWT.



2 October 2007 A Wheatear was at Middle Point, 28 Grey Plover, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Sanderling, 140 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 1 Ruff, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Little Stint, 1 Spotted Redshank and Arctic Tern were all on the river at 1630. A flock of 5 Common Scoter were seen over the tide.



3 October 2007 At WWT Slimbridge a misty, grey and foggy morning turned into a warm sunny afternoon. The Greylag flock which numbered 344 had a Pink-footed Goose with them on the Dumbles. On the estuary over high tide a Phalarope which was likely to be Grey (the observers think it was this species), whilst unsucessfully looking for this (but grateful for the tip off) I enjoyed a Brent Goose which headed downriver, 2 ,1st-winter Arctic Terns and 2 male Common Scoter. Only 5-8 Dunlin and a Ruff were present but 40 Golden Plover were also seen. Two Whinchat were seen at Middle Point. Migrant Hawkers and Common Darters were mating and on the wing at Middle Point and the Rushy. At least 5 Ruff and 3 Spotted Redshank were on the scrapes.

15-20 September 2007 Not a lot to report

15-20 September 2007 Nothing really to report, I have been in bed or on the sofa in a fevered sweat with tonsulittus for days and am only just picking up now as the penicillin kicks in. This is the second September in a row during peak migration time that I have been taken out!, granted that last year had more to do with an opposition defender who really did not want me to score but it is rotten luck, all those juvenile waders on the river and tales of Manx Shearwaters in the estuary. I have had a small lift with my first three Common Darters for the garden, sunning themselves on the fence on 19th and the House Martins and Swallows were still here yesterday at least.

7-14 September diary update WWT Slimbridge sightings

Adult Spotted Redshank from the Robbie Garnett Hide M.J.McGill

13 September 2007 Despite being the peak season for migration I think the clear nights and N/NW airflow is not helping us at the moment. Great weather though! I did a transect along some of the uncovered 100 Acre ditches and seawall scrape whilst a schoool group were conducting plant transects and noted 150 Migrant Hawker 3 Common Blue Damselflies and 40 Common Darter. Also in the 100 Acre/50 Acre a Little Egret, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Sedge Warbler, 4 Hobby and a juvenile Marsh Harrier that headed off to Saul Warth. In the morning 8 Wigeon were on the Tack Piece.

Mating Migrant Hawkers

12 September 2007 Very little birding possible as we were concreting the hides from 0900-1500 without stopping. I did note Southern Hawker x1, Banded Demoiselle x1 and plenty of Migrant Hawker and Common Darter. 6 Pintail were on the estuary off Middle Point.


11 September 2007 4 Whinchat were on the Top New Piece and 95 Tufted Duck on South Lake.


9 and 10 September 2007 See WWT website for detailed records.

Juvenile Red Knot near Middle Point

8 September 2007 Got a call from JSL to have a look at a gull on the estuary which showed the structure and characters of Baltic Gull see WWT website.

7 September 2007 Two Yellow Wagtail over my house in Whitminster.

WWT Slimbridge and local sightings 5 and 6 September 2007

6 September 2007 The four Sedge Warblers were still present in the Top New Piece along with an adult Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail, single Ruff and Greenshank flew over and three male Black-tailed Skimmer were on the wing.

5 September 2007 This well marked Sedge Warbler was in the company of three other standard looking Sedge Warblers, two Whinchats, 1 Yellow Wagtail, seven Pied Wagtail and two Reed Buntings this afternoon from the cab of our tractor whilst cutting hard rush and the back bank on the Top New Piece. I saw it through bins and then set up the scope and camera whilst turning the mower/tractor engine off where it remained for a while before dropping down into cover. I did not see the mantle, rump or tail but noted bubblegum pink legs. I radioed Dave and James and headed in to the centre as I had to go home, James and Neil Smart went out to search for it but only saw the three Sedge Warblers. They searched until 1930 hrs but did not relocate it. A thorough search will be made tommorow to see if we can get more views. A Brown Hawker, 40 Migrant Hawker, 10 Common Darter and two Blue-tailed Damselfly were also present.

On the morning reserve rounds to the 100 Acre I noted 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, 3 Ruff, 2 Pochard, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 1 Hobby and a 2 Kestrel. At the Tin Shed I saw a Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and a Reed Warbler. I also saw (26) 13 juvenile and 13 adult Little Grebe around the pools and flashes. A further 7 were on the South Lake/Top New Piece/Long Ground making it a reserve record count of 33.

Gloucestershire sightings 31 August to 2 September 2007

Spotted Redshank on the Tack Piece scrape, WWT Slimbridge, 2 September 2007 Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper on the Dumbles, WWT Slimbridge, 2 September 2007

2 September 2007 Another great day with a variety of birds at WWT Slimbridge, we logged 14 species of wader on the walk this morning and the safari's were also productive. See the WWT website for a full list of todays sightings, click on the link. www.wwt.org.uk/news/213/sightings.html.

1 September 2007 No birding as I was busy on a home fencing project which allowed me to add Grey Wagtail, 1 over E, Speckled Wood and Smooth Newt to the garden list. A flock of 5 Yellow Wagtail also went over South. A pair of mating Migrant Hawker were of note.

31 August 2007 No birding today but Little Owl calling during the day near the garden.

WWT Slimbridge 28 and 29 August 2007

29 August 2007 A great late summer day on the reserve, although most of the day was spent digging out concrete and concreting in new gate and fenceposts I saw a great variety of species flying over or on my travels. Up to three Hobby were feeding over the 100 Acre along with 4 Little Egret, 1 Little-ringed Plover over, 1 Yellow Wagtail over, 2 Greenshank, 2 Whinchat, a Kingfisher and 3 Sedge Warbler were also noted. At Middle Point a further 3 Whinchat were showing on the reeds. The estuary edge over high tide had 1 Wheatear, 50 Curlew, 4 juvenile Knot, 20 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plover, a Little Stint, a juvenile White Wagtail with three Pieds and juvenile Yellow and assorted gulls. The most bizarre thing was juvenile Sedge Warbler that landed at my feet and then sought cover amongst the feet of the cattle, this was more reminiscent of a Blakeney Point fall than anything I have ever seen on the edge of the Dumbles. It caused me to initially think it was a Grasshopper Warbler as the grass is very short here with no cover and not what the Sedgies go for. I think the South Lake and scrapes held the same range of birds as over the weekend but I did note a Little-ringed Plover over the car park at 0800. In the afternoon I noted a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler in the hedge at the back of the hedge that can be seen from the Knott Hide.

Juvenile Whinchat in the WWT 100 Acre image by M.J.McGill

Adult Little Stint along the foreshore image by M.J.McGill
Juvenile Spotted Flycatcher near the Holden Tower

28 August 2007 The highlight was seeing six Greenshank arrive over the car park from the east.

WWT Slimbridge and local sightings 25-27 August 2007

I have now returned from a succesful WWT expedition to Iceland where we have fitted 7 satellite transmitters to Whooper Swans and and managed to catch 376 birds in total. I will add a trip report with images to the relevant section when I get the chance.

27 August 2007 At WWT the South Lake held 7 Ruff (4 juveniles, 3 adults), 3 adult Spotted Redshank, 20 Redshank, 75 Black-tailed Godwit, 100 Lapwing, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Greenshank. A Wheatear was on the Dumbles and the 100 Acre had a Whinchat and 2 Hobby, one of which was colour ringed. 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and 24 Great Black-backed Gulls were notable on the high tide, 8 Ringed Plover and 12 Dunlin joined 60 Curlew. At the end of the day 2 Golden Plover were off Middle Point.

26 August 2007 At WWT the South Lake is stilll the magnet for most waders, a Common Sandpiper, 99 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Spotted Redshank, 20 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 4 Ruff, 150 Lapwing and plenty of wildfowl were all showing well all day. I did have a juvenile (unringed) Mediterranean Gull arrive at 1605. Also on site were an adult non-breeding Mediterranean Gull (river am), Yellow Wagtail (over the Rushy), 7 Green Sandpiper and at least 4 Yellow-legged Gulls. Southern Hawker was at the South Finger and at least 30 Migrant Hawker were noted.

25 August 2007 I added three new species to my Whitminster garden list today, Yellow Wagtail, Common Tern and Migrant Hawker.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 5 August 2007

5 August 2007 A few new birds in at WWT, whilst inpsecting the state of the fields for potential tractor work (impossible still due to the wet) I put up a juvenile Marsh Harrier in the 100 Acre. A couple of adult Whinchat were also on the hedge here and a Yellow Wagtail flew over. The South Lake was very busy with a variety of waders and were joined by an adult Spoonbill (initially discovered on the Rushy by Rich Hearn). Images of some of these birds can be found on the WWT website.

www.wwt.org.uk/news/213/sightings.html

Nick Goatman showed me an image taken at Nebrow hill this morning of a dragonfly that he wanted identified and it was a male Scarce Chaser!. It was near the car park resting in the hedge and showed mating scars. This is a significant local discovery.

I will be in Iceland until from 7-22nd August as part of an BBC Autumnwatch/WWT Super Whooper research team. You can follow this project on the WWT website and it will feature diary updates, images and short movies. Click on the link below to follow what is happening.

http://www.wwt.org.uk/superwhooper/573/super_whooper.html

I will update images on my return so for local news see the WWT website or The Gloster Birder plus links to keep up with what is going on.

Martin J McGill

WWT Slimbridge 30 July and Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 31 July, 1-2 August 2007

30 July 2007 A first day at WWT Slimbridge for a while and 100 Dunlin, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank including a juvenile, Black-tailed Godwits and 5+ Green Sandpiper amongst other waders. The waders on the estuary included 3 Sanderling and a Whimbrel. I did the gulls with McGill event in the evening and logged 30+ Yellow-legged and 4 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adult breeding, 1st summer and a white darvic ringed juvenile, JSL had a red darviced juvenile the day before on South Lake). A few Sanderling and 2 Red Knot were on the river with 3 Whimbrel and the Curlew flock.

31 July 2007 I traveled to WWT Welney with JSL for a three day Reserve Managers meeting. We had a look around the flooded Welney reserve where most species have failed due to high water levels. We still saw Hobby, 30 Common Terns, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper and plenty of Snipe. Turtle Doves are to be found along the bank hedges. 10 Yellow Wagtail were around the centre and dragonflies were much in evidence particularly lots of Brown Hawker. We also had a tour with RSPB Welches Dam warden to view the wader breeding areas.

Turtle Dove at WWT Welney M.J.McGill This reserve is the best place I know to see this species in numbers and in the open.

1 August 2007 Lots of Turtle Doves around Welney followed by a very interesting visit to Chippenham Fen NNR which was productive, highlights aprt from the Water Buffalo were Emerald and Azure Damselfies, the habitat itself and a Fen Fragrant Orchid. The afternoon/evening was spent at RSPB Lakenheath which was quiet for birds but good for drags and we did see a Golden Oriole whilst looking closely at the development of this site.

Water Buffalo wetland management at Chippenham Fen NNR These animals are amazing, huge beasts but very placid.

Fen or Bog Fragrant Orchid Gymnadenia densiflora, Chippenham Fen NNR

2 August 2007 A female Marsh Harrier was quartering the fields next to the WWT Welney visitor centre 0830.

Gloucestershire sightings 27 July 2007

Emerald Damselfy-I found at least four locally today

Common Darter

27 July 2007 No birds but 4+ plus Black-tailed Skimmer, 15 Ruddy Darter, 10 Common Darter, a hawker sp, 100 Blue-tailed Damselfly, 50 Common Blue 1 Banded Demoiselle and 4 Emerald Damslefly near to home.

Portugal, Western Algarve 18-26 July 2007

The Algarve, Portugal 18-26 July 2007 Just over a week based in the Western Algarve was a much needed relaxing family break but I did go out a few times to go birding although most of any allocated 'my time' was spent searching for dragonflies. A full report will appear on the dragonflies in due course but here are a few bird images from the area with bird list and other sightings. I did very little birding really but there is plenty to see and do here.

Bee-Eater in the Northern Part of the Alvor Estuary. Many were in the area but at least four pairs were still feeding young in holes out of flocks of 30 plus.

Occupied Bee Eater holes were in the sand quarry on the western penisula of the Alvor estuary mouth and the entrance to the northern part of the Alvor marshes. The parents were trying to coax the young out of the holes by landing with insects at the entrance and then flying to a nearby perch.

Zitting Cisticola, Alvor Estuary

Juvenile Black-winged Stilt, Armacao de Pera lagoon

Greater Flamingos, Armacao de Pera

White Storks resting in a field en-route to Silves
Glossy Ibis at Quinta de Lago

Bird list with my personal highlights in bold.

Little Grebe- seen at Armacao de Pera lagoon and Quinta de Lago Golf course lake. 20th and 26th.

G C Grebe- nesting at Quinto de Lago 26th.

Cory's Shearwater- at least 20 seen in a 20 minute seawatch from Cabo de Sao Vicente 23rd.

Mediterranean Shearwater- 2 seen from the above site 23rd.

Gannet- five off Cabo de Sao Vicente

Cormorant- one past the above site.

Little Bittern- 2 juveniles at Quinta de Lago lake seen taking Scarlet Darters from rushes.

Cattle Egret-commonly seen daily.

Little Egret-common around all wetlands.

Grey Heron- as above.

White Stork- common, gatherings of 200 on the minor road to Silves from theMonchique road and 50 at the Abicada lagoon.

Glossy Ibis- 2 at Quinta de Lago lake 26 July (Harriet spotted them first!) Not sure of the status in Portugal, I have never seen them in 4 visits.

Spoonbill- 8 at the Abicada lagoon, 24 July.

Greater Flamingo- 350 at Armacao de Pera lagoon, 2 in the Alvor saltmashes on 24th.

Mallard-common.

Gadwall- many at Quinta de Lago

Pochard- 30 at Quinta de Lago

Red-crested Pochard- 20 at Quinta de Lago.

Short-toed Eagle- a low flying individual at the Abicada lagoon on 24th July.

Black Kite- one near Faro Airport on 18th.

Black-winged Kite- a single seen on 20 and 24 July and a pair on 25th on territory at the same site. Due to the very nervous behaviour of these birds and apparent sensitivity I will withold the site.
Kestrel- seen on a few occaisions.

Lesser Kestrel- one probable at Alvor.

Red-legged Partridge-15 near Caldas de Monchique on 2 dates.

Quail-one heard calling at the Abicada lagoon on 24th from the other side of the estuary creek.

Water Rail-one in the Alvor saltmash on 22nd.

Coot-common.

Moorhen-common.

Purple Swamp-Hen- one seen very well and heard at Quinta de Lago lake 26th.

Oystercatcher- 3 Alvor estuary-22nd.

Avocet-many with young at Armacao de Pera lagoon.

Black-winged Stilt- many with young at Armacoa de Pera and Alvor.

Ringed Plover- 2 at the Abicad lagoon on 25th.

Kentish Plover- 20+ Alvor estuary and Armacao de Pera.

Dunlin-50 Alvor saltmarsh, 100 Abicada lagoon and 30 Armacao de Pera.

Green Sandpiper- one flushed from a stream near Caldas de Monchique.

Common Sandpiper- 20+ around Alvor and 15 at Armacao de Pera. Singles seen at a few other sites.

Redshank- Aramcao de Pera lagoon, Alvor and the Abicada marsh (100+ at latter site).

Greenshank- 10 at the Abicada lagoon.

Black-tailed Godwit- only 7 at Aramcao de Pera lagoon 21st and 1 at the Abicada lagoon on 25th.

Whimbrel- up to 10 in the Alvor estuary.

Arctic Skua-one off Cabo de Sao Vicente hassling Cory's Shearwater on 23rd.

Black-headed Gull-common.

Mediterranean Gull- a few seen around the Alvor estuary as well as a few other sites.

Yellow-legged Gull-common.

LBBGull-common.

Audouins Gull- a third summer at the Armacoa de Pera lagoon on 21st.

Little Tern- up to 60 in the Alvor estuary and seen at Ria Formosa and Armacao de Pera.

Sandwich Tern- 2 in the Alvor estaury and one at Quinta de Lago.

Turtle Dove-seen at many locations.

Swift- common

Pallid Swift- seen very well over saltmarsh in the Alvor estaury as well as a few other places.

Hoopoe-common.

Kingfisher-seen in three different locations, Alvor, Silves and Quinta de Lago.

Bee Eater-common.

GS Woodpecker- heard.

Crested Lark-common.

Short-toed Lark- Armacao de Pera lagoon.

Sand Martin

Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow-seen in many locations with one over the apartment swimming pool a treat.

House Martin

Spanish Wagtail-one Rio Formosa

Grey Wagtail-near Caldas de Monchique

Stonechat

Blue-rock Thrush-a female at Cabo de Sao Vicente

Blackbird

Blackcap

Sardinian Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Great Tit

Crested Tit-singles near Caldas de Monchique

Woodchat Shrike- seen around Alvor

Azure-winged Magpie- common around Alvor and very common at Quinta de Lago

Jay

Goldfinch

Greenfinch

Serin-common

Common Waxbill- a flock of 20-30 at the Abicada on 20th and 4 at the Alvor salinas on 25th.

I also saw a Water Vole downstream of Caldas de Monchique, my most southerly record ever.

About 30+ dolphin sp off Cabo de Sao Vicente on 23rd.

Gloucestershire sightings 10-15 July 2007

First-summer Mediterranean Gull, WWT Slimbridge, South Lake

15 July 2007 At WWT a total of 15 species of wader were noted today with some high counts this week of note. 20 Oystercatcher, 30 Lapwing, 2 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 130+ Redshank, 100+ Black-tailed Godwit, 130+ Dunlin (100 on Top New Piece, 2 Little-ringed Plover (adult and juvenile), 14 Green Sandpiper, 9 Common Sandpiper (7 on the river) , 1 Red Knot, 1 Turnstone, 130 Curlew 1 Whimbrel and 3 Ringed Plover (latter 5 species on the estuary). At least 4 Yellow-legged Gull, 14 GBB Gull, 112 Shelduck and a very wet Hobby were along the edge of the Dumbles. A dark-phase Arctic Skua flew over the grounds and was relocated on the estuary later (John Budd). The Top and Bottom New Piece and South Lake has all the wader action with a first summer Mediterranean Gull also at the latter site this afternoon.

10-14 July 2007 A number of new arrivals this week with significant large scale arrivals of some wader species. Weather and work have not helped in getting any birding or general wildlife watching time. We did catch and ring/re-process 127 Mallard on the Rushy on 11th.

9 July 2007 A much more interesting week so far. I noted a number of good birds today with 3 Avocet on the river off the Dumbles from 1200-1530 at least. A few Curlew and a Whimbrel were also here as well as 45 Shelduck and 9 roosting Little Egret. Further up river an adult and second and third summer Yellow-legged Gull, Common Sandpiper and 2 more Little Egrets were present. The 100 Acre had a moulting adult Whinchat, 1 Hobby, 2 Kestrel, 2 Buzzard, 6 Little Egret and amongst the hundreds of dragonflies the first Brown Hawker of the year. JSL was fortunate to add another species to the WWT scaffolding list, a Goshawk that was busy eating a Rabbit along near the Holden Tower. The committee need to decide if you have to be on the scaffolding for it to count. The South Lake and Top/Bottom New Piece shared 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 70+ Redshank, 2+ Dunlin, a couple of Green Sandpiper, 220 Lapwing, 120 Black-headed Gull, 20 Teal and Oystercatcher. A Southern Hawker was near the centre reedbed.

Grasshopper Warbler WWT Slimbridge 100 Acre image by Nick Goatman

First-summer Mediterranean Gull, WWT Slimbridge, South Lake

image by Nick Goatman

Black-tailed Godwit islandica race
Colour-ringed islandica Black-tailed Godwit

8 July 2007 On the safari's and hide rounds today in the 100 Acre a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling, 3 Hobby feeding on insects and 9 Little Egret. A Southern Hawker was in the Bull Ground. The scrapes held a new first-summer Mediterranean Gull (South Lake) 6 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank, 23 Black-tailed Godwit, 80 Redshank and 200 Lapwing. Two Lesser Whitethroats and perhaps scarcest bird of the day was the Spotted Flycatcher along the summer walkway. A Tawny Owl was a surprise along the South Finger path at 0930 in the morning.

6 and 7 July 2007 I did not get any birding done at all but DBP had 3 Yellow-legged Gull on 6th.

5 July 2007 Belated news of an eclipse drake Red-breasted Merganser off Middle Point

WWT and Gloucestershire sightings 1 to 5 July 2007

Immature Falcon sp on the Dumbles, WWT Slimbridge It appears to have a wire and ring

5 July 2007 A Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 205 Lapwing, 60+ Redshank, 9+ Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Shoveler and 13 Teal were around the scrapes. The falcon sp was on the Dumbles once again.

4 July 2007 At WWT the juvenile falcon sp still on the Dumbles, the first-summer Mediterranean Gull, 60 Black-headed Gull, 19 Black-tailed Godwit, 60+ Redshank and 9 Shoveler on South Lake. A dark phase Arctic Skua was around the estuary before and during the morning tide and showed well off Middle Point. A Hawker sp was near the Decoy this morning.


3 July 2007 A Goshawk that was discovered by Dave Paynter was present around the Tack Piece and Decoy this morning. A juvenile falcon sp was on the Dumbles.


2 July 2007 A Fulmar was present in the estuary in the evening (A Jayne). At the 100 Acre viewing platform the pair of Broad-bodied Chasers were still present along with a number of small dragonfly species. A Yellow-legged Gull was on the Dumbles along with other large gull species. A Whimbrel was among 193 Curlew and 80+ Redshank , 1 Green Sandpiper and 13 Black-tailed Godwit were on the New Piece wetlands.

1 July 2007 An adult Yellow-legged Gull was on the estuary and the first-summer Mediterranean Gull on South Lake.

WWT Slimbridge sightings 28 and 30 June 2007

Emperor Dragonfly devouring a Black-tailed Skimmer

The killer Emperor Dragonfly
The remains of a Black-tailed Skimmer

30 June 2007 The only thing of note was a first-summer Mediterrranean Gull on South Lake, the same bird that has been present since early Spring.

28 June 2007 A good lunch hour dragonfly session recorded six species at the 100 Acre viewing platform. The most remarkable thing I have seen for a while was watching an Emperor take out two mating Black-tailed Skimmer in mid-air, drag them to the ground and eat them rapidly. A Four-spotted Chaser, 10 Ruddy Darter, 5 Common Darter, 6 Emperor and one male and two female Broad-bodied Chaser were also present.