Total of 119 species recorded at the
site in 2005 (see 2005 Site Species
List for details). With my personal total for
the site in 2005 at 110 species.
Saturday 31/12/05 – 18 Black-tailed Godwit
with 333 Wigeon
(AM counted), a Snipe
(+ 1 over), 22 Shoveler
and 2 Raven
on Lagoon 1. AM also counted: 251 Teal,
13 Redshank,
6 Shelduck
and a Ringed Plover
on the estuary. Lagoon 3 had c100 Chaffinch,
c100 Linnet,
26 Skylark,
1 Chiffchaff
and 12 Stock Dove.
Also, 2 Stonechat
(Lagoons 2 + 3), c800 Lapwing
and c800 Dunlin.
My personal tally for the year was 110 species at OPS.
Thursday 29/12/05 – MP
reported: 200 Dunlin
(+359 at
Tuesday 27/12/05
– MP reported: Lagoon 1 – 1 Ruff, 17 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Shoveler,
367 Wigeon,
242 Teal,
500 Dunlin,
20 Redshank.
Lagoon 3 – 2 Stonechat,
25 Skylark,
c100 Chaffinch,
c100 Linnet,
100 Black-headed Gull,
50 Dunlin.
Estuary – 1 Rock Pipit,
11 Oystercatcher,
30 Turnstone,
36 Redshank,
16 Shelduck.
Monday 26/12/05
– The mobile ‘finch’ flock between Lagoon 3 and the shore
today had: 1 Yellowhammer
(male), 2 Redpoll,
100+ Chaffinch,
6+ Reed Bunting,
c100 Linnet,
12 Skylark
and 6 Stock Dove.
The Treecreeper
is still present, with 2 Goldcrest.
The Water Rail
was again by the seaweed dump, and a Stonechat there. At Shepperdine
(low tide) were: 11 Black-tailed
Godwit, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Ringed Plover,
21 Shoveler,
20 Redshank,
20 Shelduck
and 2 Raven.
Also: 1 Peregrine,
1 Jay,
6 Bullfinch,
1 Mute Swan
(juv.) and a Fox on Lagoon 1 – which (probably) won’t have to worry
about The Hunt in the area this afternoon ! That all gave me a personal best
OPS total of 63 species today.
Saturday 24/12/05 – MG
reported c750 Lapwing
and c400 Dunlin
on Lagoon 3.
Thursday 22/12/05
– The flock on Lagoon 3 held: 2 Brambling, c100 Chaffinch,
c100 Linnet,
20 Skylark
and 5 Reed Bunting.
A male Kestrel
ate one of the linnets, whole ! On the lagoon at HT were: c600 Lapwing,
c800 Dunlin,
110 Black-headed Gull
and 10 Common Gull.
Lagoon 1 had 3 Black-tailed
Godwit, 19 Shoveler and 20 Redshank
among the Teal
and Wigeon.
Also 30 Magpie
there (+ 10 elsewhere). A Treecreeper
appeared along the path to the shore (seen here last year at this time). A Chiffchaff
was along the rhyne. Also: 3 Snipe
(over), 2 Raven,
2 Bullfinch
and the juvenile Mute Swan
is back on the pond.
Tuesday 20/12/05 – MG
reported the Water Rail
on the pond behind the hide, again.
Saturday 17/12/05
– A Grey Plover
and a Bar-tailed Godwit
were blown in on a cold wind from NE. The mixed flock on Lagoon 3 had: 10 Reed Bunting
(a good number), c50 Chaffinch,
20 Skylark
and c100 Linnet.
3 Raven
flew down-river, calling. Also down-river were c100 each of Herring Gull
and Lesser Black-backed Gull.
A male Tufted Duck
was on the river at Shepperdine, with 10 Shoveler, c200 Teal
and c100 Wigeon.
Pairs of Stonechat
were on Lagoons 2 & 3. An adult Mute Swan was on Lagoon 3. A fresh
Grey Heron
corpse was by the lake. Also: 1 Peregrine,
1 Jay,
1 Green Woodpecker,
4 Bullfinch,
2 Ringed Plover
and c200 Dunlin.
Grey Plover,17/12/05.
I saw a Red Admiral butterfly on the wing in the sun on Sunday 11/12/05,
at
Saturday 10/12/05
– A Golden Plover
was with the c950 Lapwing
and c60 Dunlin
on Lagoon 3 at HT. (Not many of the c900 GP at Slimbridge make it here !) Mixed
flock on Lagoon 3 had: c150 Linnet,
c30 Chaffinch,
16 Stock Dove,
c10 Skylark
and 5 Meadow Pipit.
2 Stonechat
on the shore. A Water Rail
was on the edge of the pond behind the hide at dusk (+ 1 heard on Lagoon 2),
the Mute Swan
is still there, and a Chiffchaff
was nearby. Also: c45 Turnstone,
11 Redshank,
1 Peregrine,
lots of Fieldfare
+ Redwing,
and 2 Snipe
(over).
HL also reported: 7 Oystercatcher,
20 Common Gull
(Lagoon 3) and a Pheasant
on top of the hide ! (Also 5 Foxhounds on Lagoon 1).
Golden Plover with Lapwing on lagoon 3, 10/12/05.
Sunday 4/12/05
– AM reported: 1 Pintail
(male), 1 Kingfisher
(flying out of pipe taking the rhyne under the road !), 14 Snipe,
7 Shoveler,
5 Stonechat,
9 Oystercatcher,
53 Turnstone,
45 Dunlin,
144 Mallard,
153 Wigeon,
360 Teal
and 3 Mute Swan.
Saturday 3/12/05
– The mixed flock on Lagoon 3 remains: 48 Skylark, c150 Linnet,
c30 Chaffinch,
5 Meadow Pipit,
2 Reed Bunting,
11 Stock Dove
and 1 male Brambling
picked out. A Kingfisher
on the rhyne was a site-first for me. 4 Redpoll on Lagoon 2 today, with
2 Stonechat
(+ 1 at Lagoon 3). Another Water
Rail seen on pond behind hide (+ 2 heard on Lagoon
2), where the juvenile Mute
Swan is getting whiter. c1000 Lapwing
is impressive at high tide on Lagoon 3, with c200 Dunlin
and 10 Shelduck.
Also: 1 Peregrine,
6 Shoveler,
4 Great Black-backed Gull,
20 Redshank,
10 Turnstone
and 7 Ringed Plover.
A male Kestrel
having a go at a Grey Squirrel was amusing.
Teal ignoring Fox on lagoon 1, 3/12/05.
Sunday 27/11/05 –
Great views of a Water Rail
in the open at Lagoon 3, and 2 more heard on lagoon 2. Also on lagoon 3 is a
very large mixed flock of birds feeding on weeds: 50 Skylark,
150 Linnet,
30 Chaffinch,
2 Meadow Pipit
and 4 Reed Bunting.
On lagoon 2 weeds were 6 Redpoll.
Also seen: 3 Grey Wagtail,
2 Stonechat,
1 Peregrine,
2 Shoveler,
150 Teal,
100 Wigeon
and 250 Curlew
on the mud-flats.
Water Rail on lagoon 3, 27/11/05.
Saturday 19/11/05
– Freezing fog, with only 75 yards visibility. A Rock Pipit
on the shore at Shepperdine, where there were 20 Redshank. A Little Owl
heard by lagoon 3. A Redpoll
feeding on Alder to south of lagoon 2, where 2 Water Rail heard and a Snipe
over. Lots of Redwing,
6 Song Thrush
and a few Fieldfare.
Also seemed to be more Robin
than usual.
AM reported 1 Jack Snipe and 350 Dunlin.
Video of Grey Phalarope at
(They usually spin in a clockwise
direction, as this one did (according to BoWP). The video is real-time, not
speeded up !)
Thursday 17/11/05
– 2 Bewick’s Swan
reported in BOC Bird News.
Saturday 12/11/05
– At evening roost on lagoon 3: c520 Lapwing, c500 Dunlin,
c300 Black-headed Gull
and 12 Redshank.
On lagoon 1: 2 Black-tailed
Godwit, c100 Teal, c100 Wigeon, c75 Lapwing and 8 Redshank.
1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Fieldfare and 100’s Redwing in fields to south of lagoon 2.
Estimated 5 Water Rail calling from
various places in reeds on lagoon 2, and 2 Stonechat
there. A female Peregrine on pylon.
Also: 2 Shoveler 3 Oystercatcher, 20 Turnstone and 2 Mute Swan
(one on river).
Photo of Grey Phalarope at Ashton Court in Pictures from other locations.
Saturday 5/11/05
– Lagoons 3 and 1 both looking good, with standing water. At lagoon
1: 4 Shoveler, c130 Teal,
c80 Wigeon,
c75 Lapwing,
8 Redshank.
At Lagoon 3: 1 Pintail
(flew to river), 32 Stock Dove,
c75 Lapwing,
c50 Black-headed Gull
and 2 Great Black-backed Gull. Some
migration evidenced by 20
Skylark,
20 Fieldfare,
c500 Redwing
and an increase in Blackbird
numbers. 2 Chiffchaff
with tit flock. On the lake behind the hide were: 1 Snipe,
1 Tufted Duck
and the juvenile Mute Swan.
A Water Rail
was vocal from lagoon 2 reedbed. Also: 2 Peregrine and a Raven.
MP also reported: A total of 445 Lapwing,
10 Curlew,
77 Dunlin
(Lagoon 3), 1 Ringed Plover
and 3 Mute Swan
(on river)
Thursday 3/11/05 – MP reported: 2 Pintail , 36 Redshank, 385 Lapwing, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Dunlin, 187 Wigeon, 265 Teal, 65 Mallard (inc. 1 Aylesbury Duck), 29 Stock Dove, c70 Linnet, 3 Stonechat, 1 Snipe.
Friday 28/10/05
– 4 Redpoll
on weeds at south end of lagoon 2 (+ 1 over), and also there: 2 Fieldfare,
3 Stonechat
and 2 Raven.
Waders seen: 3 Oystercatcher,
9 Ringed Plover,
c20 Dunlin,
2 Redshank,
c20 Lapwing.
Also: 1 Peregrine,
4 Bullfinch,
2 Jay.
Dragonflies on the wing still.
First Fieldfare of the autumn, 28/10/05.
Tuesday 25/10/05
– Anon. reported: c400 Lapwing,
amongst other things.
Friday 21/10/05
– 10 Golden Plover
over. Lagoon 3 is looking good: c250 Lapwing, c200 Teal,
c50 Wigeon,
c80 Black-headed Gull,
3 Great Black-backed Gull,
c30 Linnet.
2 Raven
low over lagoon 2, where there were 3 Stonechat. c10 Redwing
and 4 Song Thrush.
c50 Pied Wagtail
on-site. 3 silent Chiffchaff
with tit flocks. 3 Skylark
included one singing.
Sunday 16/10/05
– A huge visible migration this morning, with birds heading
upriver into wind, and fog pushing them low overhead: c500 Chaffinch,
c20 Brambling,
c150 Redwing,
1 Mistle Thrush,
c20 Song Thrush,
3 Siskin,
c20 Skylark,
7 Bullfinch,
100’s Starling.
(Most of the positively id’d birds were in the half hour after the sun
broke through the fog, and the birds were still low enough.) On the ground
were: 2 Redpoll,
7 Song Thrush,
3 Redwing,
c20 Meadow Pipit,
c50 Pied Wagtail,
1 Wheatear,
2 Blackcap
and 1 Grey Wagtail.
The Water Rail
was again at reed-edge of lake behind the hide. Only waders were: 6 Dunlin,
c20 Turnstone,
5 Lapwing,
3 Curlew.
Butterflies: Clouded Yellow, Tortoishell, Peacock, Large White.
AM reported: c1000 Chaffinch per hour
early morning in fog, 1 Stonechat,
c130 Wigeon,
c60 Teal,
c50 Lapwing.
Sparrowhawk bathing in rhyne, 16/10/05.
Sunday9/10/05
– AM + MP reported: 1 Kingfisher,
1 Little Egret,
2 Whinchat,
1 Stonechat,
2 Wheatear,.
Saturday 8/10/05
– A Water Rail
was at the reed-edge of the lake behind the hide. A Mistle Thrush
on lagoon 1 is sadly a rarity. A few Song Thrush have arrived also.
Lagoon 1 is getting wet and muddy and attracted: 28 Lapwing,
c150 Starling,
c30 Pied Wagtail and
c30 Linnet.
Another 26 Lapwing
on lagoon 3. Only 1 Stonechat
seen on lagoon 2, where 3 Raven
flew low over. Pair of Peregrine
on the pylons. Also: a pair of Green
Woodpecker, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 3 Jay.
4 each of Ringed Plover and
Dunlin.
c250 Mallard,
9 Wigeon
and a Shoveler.
6 Chiffchaff
(inc. 1 singing). 15 Meadow
Pipit by the water works and a Skylark
over. c20 House Sparrow
in hedge to South of lagoon 2. (52 species seen this morning.)
Photo of Red-necked Phalarope at Slimbridge in Pictures from other locations.
Sunday 2/10/05
– AM reported: 2 Whinchat,
1 Stonechat,
3 Bar-tailed Godwit,
2 Shoveler,
1 Pintail.
Saturday 1/10/05
– 4+ Stonechat
still on lagoon 2. 2 Swallow
through. 4 Oystercatcher
and c200 Curlew
on the shore. Only 2 Redshank,
1 Great Black-backed Gull,
3 Common Gull
and c50 Black-headed Gull
on lagoon 3, where water still being pumped. 3 Chiffchaff included 2 singing. 2 Skylark
flying over the river. Also 3 Jay
and a Grey Wagtail.
A juvenile Mute Swan
on the lake. The white Aylesbury Duck back with Mallard at Shepperdine.
Thursday 29/9/05
– MG reported: 2 Little
Egret on lagoon 3.
Sunday 25/9/05 –
AM and MG reported: A Kingfisher
along the rhyme. The Whinchat
and 3 Stonechat
on lagoon 2, a Wheatear,
6 Lapwing,
4 Ringed Plover,
6 Dunlin,
7 Wigeon,
3 Teal,
270 Mallard.
Saturday24/9/05
– A Whinchat
was with 6 Stonechat
at the north end of lagoon 2, and a Wheatear was on lagoon 3, by the
hide. 500+ House Martin
and a few Swallow
were over lagoon 3, where water is being pumped in. c50 Turnstone,
6 Lapwing
and 6 Dunlin
were the only waders. The pair of Peregrine
are still being vocal on the pylons. Wigeon increased to 5. A Raven
was over lagoon 3, where there were 2 Grey Wagtail. A Chiffchaff
singing still in sun. 10 Meadow
Pipit through.
Turnstones on green buoy, 24/9/05.
Whinchat on lagoon 2, 24/9/05.
Saturday 17/9/05
– A Yellow Wagtail
called continuously as it headed over downriver. Waders seen were c110 Dunlin,
10 Ringed Plover,
c35 Turnstone
and 2 Lapwing.
Two Peregrine
were very vocal on the pylons. 3 Jay
seen on-site – less elusive during autumn. 6 Chiffchaff
were with a tit flock. A Blackcap
was singing its sub-song and another (male) seen. A Wigeon
and 2 Teal
were on the shore. A juvenile Mute
Swan, a Little Grebe and only 1 Tufted Duck
were on the pond. House Martin
and Swallow
are still passing through. Also a Great
Spotted Woodpecker.
A picture of the juvenile Sabine’s Gull on
the water at Chew is at Pictures from other locations.
Saturday 10/9/05 – AM
reported: 1 Jay,
c40 Chiffchaff,
1 Blackcap,
40 Ringed Plover,
135 Dunlin,
16 Cormorant,
177 Mallard,
2 Wigeon,
60 Turnstone,
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker,
350 House Martin,
500 Swallow,
1 Tufted duck.
Sunday 4/9/05
– 2 juvenile Little Stint
on sea-wall by lagoon 2 at High Tide, with 73 Dunlin, 21 Ringed Plover
and an Oystercatcher.
c50 Turnstone
on the green buoy. 2 Whinchat
in NE corner of Lagoon 2. Hirundines pushed low in misty conditions included: 1
Sand Martin,
c100 Swallow
and c300 House Martin
(landing on the cooling towers). A Raven on Lagoon 1. At least 15
Chiffchaff,
including 3 still singing. Two Great
Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Green Woodpecker.
High tide gull roost on lagoon 3 included: 267 Black-headed Gull and 2 Great Black-backed Gull.
MP also reported: 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Lesser Whitethroat.
Little Stint (taken by MP), 3/9/05.
Saturday 3/9/05 – MP reported: 1 Little Stint (juv.), 1 Curlew Sandpiper (ad winter), 88 Dunlin, 66 Ringed Plover, c.45 Turnstone (on buoy), c.150 hirundines inc. 2+ Sand Martin,1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal.
Friday 2/9/05
– MP reported: 3 Curlew
Sandpiper, 7 Knot, c100 Ringed Plover and c150 Dunlin.
Sunday28/8/05
– 2 Little Egret
roosting on Lagoon 3. 3 Whinchat
were elusive in the tall weeds at the NE corner of Lagoon 2. 2 Yellow Wagtail
with the cows on lagoon 1. On the shore towards Shepperdine were c70 Ringed Plover,
c50 Dunlin
2 Turnstone
and an Oystercatcher.
The high tide gull roost on lagoon 3 had 374 Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 8 Herring Gull and c10 Lesser
Black-backed Gull. 8 Chiffchaff,
with Long-tailed Tit flock, included
one still singing. Plenty of Swallow
and a few House Martin still around.
Also BK reported: 32 Pied Wagtail,
5 Linnet,
3 Stock Dove,
1 Jay.
Saturday27/8/05 -
PC/TV reported: 1 Whinchat,
1 Wheatear,
1 Little Owl,
1 Green Woodpecker,
40 Turnstone
(on the green buoy), 60 Mallard.
Sunday 21/8/05
– MP reported: An adult Yellow-legged
Gull, 1500+ Black-headed Gull, 49 Common Gull, 1 Peregrine and c70 Dunlin.
Saturday 20/8/05
– An adult (winter plumaged)
Mediterranean Gull, 20/8/05.
Note: Wednesday 3/8/05 –
MP reported a Pectoral
Sandpiper.
Friday 19/8/05 - MP reported: A large evening gull roost; 3000+ Black-headed Gull, 1 juv. Mediterranean Gull, 98 Common Gull, 19 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Herring Gull. Also 72 Mallard and 1 Tufted Duck on pond.
Wednesday 17/8/05 – AM
reported: 300 Swallow
roosting in reeds, 5 House
Martin, 2 Sand Martin, 12 Dunlin,
46 Ringed Plover,
35 Turnstone,
29 Common Gull.
Sunday 14/8/05 – AM
reported: 139 Mallard,
1500 Black-headed Gull,
12 Dunlin,
1 Redshank,
10 Ringed Plover,
35 Turnstone.
The Canada Goose
family have left – probably to moult.
Sunday 7/8/05 – An
Adder reported outside the hide.
Wednesday 3/8/05 –
MP reported: A Pectoral
Sandpiper seen in flight heading north.
Sunday 31/7/05 – AM reported: 2 Common Sandpiper, 20
Turnstone
(on buoy), 1 Oystercatcher,
3 Ringed Plover,
9 Dunlin,
1 Little Grebe
(juv.), 3 Redshank,
Chiffchaff,
Whitethroat,
Lesser Whitethroat,
2 Peregrine
and a Clouded-yellow butterfly.
Sunday 24/7/05
– 4 Common Sandpiper
were on the shore at High Tide, with another on the lake behind the hide. A Peregrine
was on a pylon and the 4 Canada
Goose are still present on the lake. A shrew was
watched on the path around Lagoon 2, accompanied by 3 Dunnock
and a Reed Bunting.
Sunday 17/7/05
- An adult and juvenile Green
Woodpecker were on the grass by the entrance. A Peregrine
was heard – sounded like a juvenile calling for food, but not located. On
the lake were 10 Tufted Duck
and 4 Canada Goose,
with the 2 juveniles well-grown now. On the shore were 2 Oystercatcher
and c200 Curlew
on the sandbanks. A shoal of mullet were in the shallows of the marine lagoon.
Sunday 10/7/05
– AM reported: 20 Shelduck
(including 18 juvenile), 1 Oystercatcher,
8 Tufted Duck
(no juveniles left – probably predated by Gulls, as witnessed last year),
1 Whimbrel
(heard), 2 Common Gull,
600 Black-headed Gull,
and a Ferret carrying a young in its mouth !
Sunday 3/7/05
– AM reported: 5 Canada
Goose, 37 Shelduck (including broods of 18
+ 9), 11 Tufted Duck
(only one juvenile left). 425 Black-headed
Gull, 3 Common Sandpiper.
Tuesday 28/6/05 – HL reported: A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling on the path to the hide, near Lagoon 3. Also 11 Tufted Duck, including 5 juveniles, on the lake.
Saturday 18/6/05 – Late update – AM reported: A Grasshopper Warbler was also reeling from Lagoon 3 in the evening.
Apologies for lack of updates in recent weeks, but I have been on holiday to
Rhodes (
Saturday 18/6/05
– A Grasshopper Warbler
was reeling loudly in the SW corner of Lagoon 2 at 7.30am. A Cetti’s Warbler
has been long-awaited, and one finally called from the reeds at the lake behind
the hide. On the shore were: 1 Oystercatcher,
5 Curlew
and Shelduck
crčches of 18 (Shepperdine) and 9 (Oldbury yacht club) ducklings. Two Peregrine
on the pylons, and later one carried a still-flapping pigeon up. The adult Canada Goose
pair now have 3 big goslings. 13 Whitethroat
were singing, and 2 Lesser
Whitethroat (ad + juv) were in the hedge at Lagoon 2. A Collared Dove
again by Lagoon 2. Also Small Skipper butterfly.
Grasshopper Warbler, 18/6/05.
Saturday 11/6/05
– AM reported: Blackcap,
Whitethroat
and Reed Warbler
all feeding young. 1 Oystercatcher
and 8 Coot.
Also 113 Bee Orchid and 85+ Pyramidal Orchid flower spikes.
Sunday 5/6/05
– HL reported: Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker and
c10 House Martin.
Saturday 4/6/05
– AM reported: 35 Shelduck,
including a crčche of 17 ducklings. 1 Oystercatcher, 12 Tufted Duck,
and a Kestrel
nest in the south cooling tower.
Saturday 21/5/05
– Large numbers of Hirundines flying low in showery weather: c500 House Martin,
c50 Swift,
c20 Swallow
and a Sand Martin.
2 Collared Dove
on-site are unusual. A single Teal
and 2 Lesser Whitethroat
on Lagoon 1. The Canada
Goose
pair still have 3 gosling. AM reported 2 Grey Plover (including a summer
plumaged male) and a Great
Spotted Woodpecker.
Saturday 14/5/05
– The Peregrine
pair put on an exciting display, attacking a flock of Racing Pigeon flying low
up-river. They worked together to single out one bird and then took it in turns
for one to chase from behind, while the other gained a bit of height and dived
at it. The pigeon managed to escape by landing on the jetty. A Sedge Warbler
was again at the south end of Lagoon 2 – in the small triangular reedbed,
and the Lesser Whitethroat
sung from Lagoon 1. The Canada
Goose pair have three goslings. Also 9+ Tufted Duck
on the pond. 3 Swift
were over Lagoon 3 and 8 Swallow
were flying round and collecting mud from river. Also a Jay and
2 Great Black-backed Gull
(ad + juv). No Teal
seen. AM found 2 Spotted
Flycatcher and 3 Whimbrel.
Thursday 12/5/05
– A dog-walker heard a Cuckoo.
They also heard one ‘ a couple of weeks ago’.
Saturday 7/5/05
– In the bushes at the south end of Lagoon 2 were: 1 Sedge Warbler,
1 Reed Warbler,
1 Lesser Whitethroat
and 3 House Sparrow
(unusual on-site). The Canada
Goose pair now have 2 young. 35+ House Martin
and 30+ Swallow
passed through. 12 Tufted Duck and
2 Coot
chicks were on the pond. 5 Great
Black-backed Gull flew up-river.
Saturday 30/4/05
– 1 Lesser Whitethroat
singing at Lagoon 1. 12 Whitethroat
singing on-site. c10 Reed
Warbler now at Lagoon 2. 1 Whimbrel,
5 Dunlin
and 3 Ringed Plover
on the shore. Swallows
and House Martins
through. 15 Tufted Duck
on the pond, with the Canada
Goose still nest-sitting.
Friday 29/4/05 – MP reported 110+ Whimbrel
between
Monday 25/4/05 – MP reported: 600+ Swallow per hour moving North, with a few Sand Martin and Swift. 150 House Martin around the towers. On Lagoon 1 were: 2 Common Sandpiper, 6 Shoveler, 32 Teal and 12 Shelduck. Also 1 Hobby, 1 Peregrine and 15 Goldfinch.
Saturday 23/4/05 – House
Martins
have arrived, with about 50 heading up-river into wind, with 9 Swallow.
4 Whitethroat
and a Reed Warbler
singing. A pair of Mute Swan
on the river. Also a Green
Woodpecker and the Canada Goose pair. 3 Coot
chicks on the pond, but no sign of the Mallard ducklings on Lagoon 1
(prone to Gull predation, and not helped by disturbance from dogs off leads).
Green Woodpecker on telegraph pole, 23/4/05.
Sunday 17/4/05 – A Tree Pipit
in an old oak at SE corner of Lagoon 2. The first Whitethroat
was on Lagoon 2. The Garganey
was still on Lagoon 1. Also a Wheatear
and a Mute Swan
flying up-river.
Saturday 16/4/05 – The Garganey
is still on Lagoon 1, with the pair of Pintail. A Reed Warbler
was singing (and seen well) from bushes to the south of Lagoon 2 (ignoring the
perfectly reasonable-looking reedbed 25 yards away !). 3 Swallow
flew through. There are two early broods of young: 4 Coot
chicks and 8 Mallard
ducklings. 5 Ringed Plover,
6 Dunlin
and 12 Shoveler
on the shore. The Canada Goose
pair are still nest-sitting on the pond, with 12 Tufted Duck. Numbers of singing Blackcap
increased to 8. Also 2 Jay,
2 male Pheasant
and 2 Orange-Tip butterflies. AM reported 2 Whimbrel and a Wheatear.
Garganey at Lagoon 1, on 13/4/05. (Photo by MP)
Wednesday 13/4/05 – A Garganey
and 56 Teal
(MP).
Saturday 9/4/05 – AM
reported: 1 Garganey,
7 Blackcap,
66 Teal,
2 Raven,
2 Pintail,
c40 Turnstone,
11 Tufted Duck.
Friday 8/4/05 – The male Garganey
is still around – on lagoon 1, with c25 Teal, 2 Pintail, 16 Shoveler
and 10 Shelduck.
4 Blackcap
singing now. A Peregrine
on a pylon. 10 Tufted Duck and
nesting Canada Goose
on the pond behind the hide – also a Little Grebe heard there, recently.
Tuesday 5/4/05 – A male Garganey
was on the shore at Shepperdine (at 11am) – found earlier by MP on Lagoon
3. Also a pair of Pintail,
10 Shoveler
and 4 Oystercatcher
on the shore. A large count of c500 Curlew on the mud-flats. A Stonechat
from the hide, a pair of Canada
Goose nesting on the island and 10 Tufted Duck.
Also 2 Linnet
(not seen for a while), 4
Male Garganey asleep with Teal, on 5/4/05.
Sunday 3/4/05 – MP reported: 30 Swallow,
10 Sand Martin,
7 Ringed Plover,
3 Dunlin,
2 Pintail,
11 Shoveler,
84 Teal
and 29 Wigeon.
Saturday 2/4/05 – MP
watched an Osprey
over the marine reservoir at 7pm. Also 3 White Wagtail with c25 Pied Wagtail
on Lagoon 1.
[See Pictures
from other locations for photos of the Common Scoters at Cheddar
Reservoir on 31/3.]
Thursday 31/3/05 – 4 Sand Martin
flew over Lagoon 1, heading NE, in the mist. 5 Pintail (inc. 2 male), 10 Shoveler
and 10 Redshank
also on Lagoon 1, until all flushed by dog-walkers. 2 Blackcap
now singing. A pair of Canada
Goose are nest-building on the island behind the
hide. 7 Tufted Duck
on the pond. AM saw a Swallow
over Lagoon 1 later on.
Pintail at Lagoon 1, on 31/3/05.
Saturday 26/3/05 – A walk
round with AM produced: 5 Willow
Warbler, 1 Blackcap and lots of Chiffchaff
all singing; a Water Rail
on Lagoon 1 (unusual on this lagoon); a Collared Dove (also unusual on-site);
c40 Turnstone
roosting on the green buoy at High Tide (the only other wader seen was a Redshank);
13 Shoveler,
1 Pintail,
10 Tufted Duck,
1 Little Owl, 1 Peregrine, 2 Great Black-backed Gull,
3 Skylark
and 2 Reed Bunting.
2 Brimstone and 3 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies. Also, 2 Hares on the mud of
lagoon 3.
Wednesday 23/3/05 – A Willow Warbler
singing was my earliest ever. A Blackcap
and 14 Chiffchaff
were also singing. A juvenile Mute
Swan sitting on the mud along the shore was unusual.
3 Oystercatcher
there. A Water Rail
flew across a gap in the reeds on Lagoon 2 and skulked among the stems. 6 Buzzard
circled and ‘mewed’ together, including one which flew over the
river from the Welsh side. 6 Tufted
Duck were on the pond. Cowslips flowering. [Water
still being pumped into Lagoon 3.]
Monday 21/3/05- 14 Chiffchaff
singing this morning. A flock of 35 Fieldfare were bathing in puddles.
A Raven
and a Peregrine
flew over. A female Pintail
was on the shore with 15 Shoveler.
The numbers of ducks and gulls are increasing due to continued pumping of water
into Lagoon 3. Also: 8 Oystercatcher,
4 Stock Dove,
1 Green Woodpecker
and 7 Tufted Duck.
Fieldfare preening, on 21/3/05.
Sunday 20/3/05 – AM reported: 5 Golden Plover,
10 Oystercatcher,
6 Ringed Plover,
15 Dunlin,
40 Turnstone,
7 Chiffchaff,
2 Pintail,
5 Shoveler,
149 Wigeon,
93 Teal,
46 Shelduck,
49 Mallard,
8 Tufted Duck
and 2 Little Owl.
Friday 18/3/05 – A Saker-type
Falcon flew across the river to the Welsh side. I also saw this bird at
Frampton 100-acre on Wednesday. It is a large, light-coloured, falcon. The back
is mid-brown, with a greyer upper-tail. Underneath is creamish, and it has a
light head, with a hint of a brown mask and moustache (crossed with a Lanner or
Peregrine ?). It looks Buzzard-like when perched. No jessies seen. (A similar
bird was in the area last year.) Spring truly sprung today with 2 Chiffchaff
singing, 2 Brimstone butterflies, bees and hoverflies. 7 Stonechat
together on lagoon 2. A Little
Grebe was on the pond, with 7 Tufted Duck
(4 male) and 2 Canada Goose.
Also 18 Shoveler,
4 Oystercatcher,
a Peregrine
and a Jay.
[NB. Water is being pumped into lagoon 3, which usually attracts some birds.]
Wednesday 16/3/05 – 5
Pintail
(2 male) and 18 Shoveler
were flushed from Lagoon 1 by dog walkers. An Oystercatcher, 10 Redshank
and c40 Common Gull
were along the shore. Also Great
Spotted Woodpecker, Peregrine
and 4 Bullfinch.
TL reported: 3 Stonechat,
a Little Grebe,
5 Tufted Duck
and Rooks
nest-building.
Monday 14/3/05 – TL reported: 2 Little Owl,
1 Snipe
and 1 Stonechat.
Saturday 12/3/05 – AM
reported: 6 Jack Snipe,
26 Snipe,
9 Turnstone,
10 Redshank,
1 Pintail
(fem), 8 Tufted Duck,
13 Shoveler,
88 Wigeon,
31 Teal,
53 Mallard
and 2 Great Black-backed Gull.
Wednesday 9/3/05 – Blackcap,
Reed
Bunting
and Skylark
all singing at Lagoon 2 in the Spring-like weather. A pair of Little Owl
in oak tree to North of site. Plenty of Redwing still around. 423 Curlew
on the mudflats; 10 Redshank
and 13 Shoveler
on the shore. 2 Water Rail
heard on Lagoon 2, and a Snipe
flushed. 5 Bullfinch
eating tree buds and blossom. Also 2 Bumblebees on the wing.
[NB. The possible exotic Starling species was identified as
a ‘partial albino’ (i.e. leucistic) Blackbird when seen in good
light.]
Saturday 5/3/05 – AM
reported: A Little Egret,
16 Shoveler,
2 Stonechat,
258 Wigeon,
50 Teal,
21 Redshank,
95 Dunlin.
Thursday 3/3/05 – A Short-eared Owl
was flying along the coast by Lagoon 3 at 3:15pm, before going to roost in
reeds just to the south of the Power Station (by the large yellow boating signs
with a black diagonal stripe). Now 15 Shoveler on Lagoon 1. Also 1 Stonechat,
2 Snipe
and a Green Woodpecker.
Wednesday 2/3/05 – MP
reported 13 Shoveler
on Lagoon 1 with c250 Wigeon.
Also on Sunday: 2 Rock Pipit,
2 Stonechat,
c1500 Common Gull
roosting on the marine reservoir, and a Peregrine. Also, a possible exotic Starling species
roosting in the hedge (with Starlings) between the farm and the Water Treatment
Works about a mile inland of the Power Station – white head with glossy
body.
Monday 28/2/05 – Another cold day. The male
Peregrine was eating a Feral Pigeon on a pylon, with the female watching (see
photos). Also pairs of Grey Wagtail and Great Spotted Woodpecker
at
Lagoon 2, and 9 Snipe flushed from there. Lagoon 1 held 11 Shoveler (7 male) with numbers of Teal and Wigeon, plus 48 Redwing and 23 Fieldfare. On the shore were c140 Curlew (on exposed sand-banks),
c110 Dunlin, 15 Redshank and 1 Oystercatcher. Only 1 Tufted
Duck
(male) on half frozen pond.
Male
Peregrine on Feral Pigeon kill, with female watching nearby, 28/2/05.
Saturday 26/2/05
– AM reported: 2 Little Owl,
2 Stonechat,
87 Wigeon,
65 Teal,
52 Mallard,
5 Shoveler,
3 Shelduck,
9 Tufted
Duck
(5 male), 1 Mute
Swan,
1 Peregrine,
2 Turnstone,
14 Redshank,
4 Curlew
and 2 Dunlin.
Wednesday 23/2/05 – A cold
East wind swept a snow shower down the estuary. 2 Stonechat
(ad + juv) on the seaweed
dump at Lagoon 2, and a Mute
Swan with 11 Tufted Duck on the pond. The shore
held 3 Oystercatcher,
118 Lapwing,
c25 Dunlin
and 6 Shoveler.
5 Robin
together on grass may have been migrants. 2 male Bullfinch were singing in the sun.
Also a Green
Woodpecker
and 2 Jay.
[See Latest Site Species List for a NEW list of the species seen at Oldbury Power Station during 2004.]
Saturday 19/2/05 – In a
bitter North wind, 2 Raven
headed upriver, as did regular groups of 5-10 large gulls (c25 Herring
and c25 Lesser Black-Backed).
3 Water Rail
‘sharmed’ from the reeds on Lagoon 2. A Peregrine
was on a pylon. 2 Mute Swan
were on Lagoon 1 and 10 Tufted
Duck (6 male) reappeared on the pond. Also: 2 Great Black-backed Gull
(ads), 2 Song Thrush,
2 Bullfinch,
4 Shoveler,
15 Shelduck,
1 Oystercatcher
and 1 Green
Woodpecker
(heard).
[See Pictures from other locations for a
photo of the Glaucous Gull at Nether Stowey. The gull is quite tame and tends
to stay in the field behind the Farm Shop. Also a photo of the male Black
Redstart at Brean Down. At least 2 other female/juvs were with it, in the cove
behind the Café.]
Sunday 13/2/05 – The
weather gave four seasons in one day; hail, sleet, snow, rain and sunshine! The
Peregrine
pair performed well in the wind, around the cooling towers. Also, 2 Great Black-backed Gull
(ads), 4 Shoveler
(Lagoon 1), 1 Green
Woodpecker
and a Jay.
A Skylark
was on Lagoon 2.
Saturday12/2/05 – AM counted:
24 Snipe,
161 Wigeon,
98 Teal,
47 Mallard,
19 Shelduck
and 4 Shoveler.
Thursday 10/2/05 - 1 Knot,
c25 Turnstone,
c20 Redshank,
6 Shoveler
(4 male) on Lagoon 1, 2 Tufted
Duck, c55 Fieldfare, c25 Redwing,
c20 Blackbird
and 2 Song Thrush
(2 singing). Blackthorn in blossom.
Saturday5/2/05 – A grey
day, but with some variety – A Rock Pipit was on the breakwater;
waders on the shore included: a Knot,
28 Redshank,
7 Oystercatcher,
c100 Lapwing
and c50 Dunlin.
Also 71 Common Gull
and 3 Great Black-backed Gull
(ads). 4 Shoveler
(3 male) on Lagoon 1. Green
and Great Spotted Woodpecker
over Lagoon 2. Also, 3 Tufted
Duck, a Jay, 13 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Stock Dove
and 2 Song Thrush
singing. Blackthorn in flower indicates spring is round the corner.
Knot
on shore, 5/2/05.
Sunday 30/1/05 – AM reported: 2 Stonechat,
1 Water Rail,
4 Shoveler,
377 Teal,
142 Wigeon,
160 Mallard,
11 Shelduck
and a Goldcrest.
Saturday 29/1/05 – 5 male Pintail
circled the tower before heading up-river. 4 Shoveler were on Lagoon 1. A Skylark
going over was the first since the autumn. 2 Stonechat (ad + juv) were on the
shore. 2 Peregrine
and 2 Raven
again. Also seen: 1 Oystercatcher,
3 Tufted Duck,
1 Green Woodpecker,
2 Jay,
c10 Fieldfare
and c50 Redwing.
A Water
Rail
heard on Lagoon 2 again.
Saturday 22/1/05 –A Mistle Thrush
in the old orchard to South of Lagoon 2, is a bit of a rarity these days ! The Peregrine
pair were on pylons again, with 2 Raven
close-by. The number of Shoveler
increased to 6 (4 male) on the shore at Low Tide; with 11 Shelduck,
20 Dunlin,
9 Redshank,
a Stonechat
(juv.) and a 1w Great
Black-backed Gull. 9 Bullfinch
included a flock of 6 by the wildflower meadow, with c50 Redwing
and a Great-spotted Woodpecker.
2 Jay and
a Sparrowhawk by
the pond, where 2 Tufted Duck
(pair) have arrived. 2 Water
Rail heard in reeds on Lagoon 2. Also 8 Stock Dove
(Lagoon 3) and I photographed a Little
Owl in the hedge at the NE boundary of OPS:
Monday 17/1/05 – D.B.P.S (led by
HL) recorded 40 species, including: Gadwall, Oystercatcher,
Snipe,
Mute Swan
and c300 Dunlin.
Sunday 16/1/05 – A pair of Peregrine
on the pylon over the road from the hide. At HT on Lagoon 3: c500 Lapwing,
c200 Dunlin
and c100 Black-headed Gull.
3 Shoveler
(inc. 2 male), a Black-tailed
Godwit and 15 Redshank on the shore. 4 Stock Dove on
Lagoon 1. Also Raven,
Jay,
Reed Bunting
and Great-spotted Woodpecker.
AM recorded: A Pintail (fem), 2 Stonechat,
a large count of 83 Redshank,
20 Snipe,
1 Jack Snipe,
10 Turnstone,
137 Wigeon,
255 Teal
and 271 Mallard.
Thursday 13/1/05 – TL reported:
1 Little Owl,
c300 Teal
and c150 Wigeon.
Also 10 Bullfinch
nearby in The Anchor carpark.
Saturday 8/1/05 – The Little Egret
was seen again; in flight over pond behind hide. Along the shore were: 1 Knot,
2 Black-tailed Godwit,
10 Curlew
and a Great Black-backed Gull
(ad). The Water Rail
was heard in the reeds on Lagoon 2. Also 4 Bullfinch and 15 Long-tailed Tit.
Monday 3/1/05 - AM recorded: 1600 Lapwing,
130 Mallard,
320 Teal,
150 Wigeon,
20 Turnstone,
23 Redshank,
14 Shelduck
and a Jay.
Sunday 2/1/05 – The High Tide
roost on Lagoon 3 was large again, with c1700 Lapwing, c150 Dunlin
and c150 Black-headed Gull.
These were all flushed by a Peregrine.
Along the shore, towards Shepperdine, were: 4 Knot, 8 Oystercatcher, 2 Black-tailed Godwit,
1 Turnstone,
6 Redshank
and a Raven.
Lagoon 2 held 2 Stonechat
and a Water Rail
(‘sharming’). Two Jay
and a Little Egret were by the pond behind
the hide:-
The sightings page was accessed 1860 times during 2005 – thanks for the visits !!
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