January to December 2007

OPSBirds

2010 sightings

2009 sightings

2008 sightings

2007 sightings

2006 sightings

2005 sightings

2004 sightings

Total of 136 species seen at the site in 2007 (see 2007 Site Species List for details). With my personal total for the site in 2007 at 129 species.

 

Monday 31/12/07 – A very large flock of 98 Skylark in fields to SW of lagoon 3, including an abhorrent individual which looked like a Snow Bunting (see photos below). Also c500 Lapwing and 9 Yellowhammer here. There were 7 Canada Goose and a Little Egret at the Yacht Club. Also: 5 Stonechat, 23 Snipe and 6 Shoveler.

Abhorrent Skylark, looking like a Snow Bunting (31/12/07).

 

 

Sunday 30/12/07 – A surprisingly calm day, with a few bird surprises. A pair of Siskin on alders at south end of lagoon 2, and a Redpoll on weeds at other end of lagoon 2. A pair of Pintail on the tidal lagoon. As MP found (below), there was a large flock of c800 Lapwing in fields to SW of lagoon 3, with c200 Dunlin, 3+ Skylark and 1+ Yellowhammer here. Also: 2 Raven, 34 Turnstone, 2 Stonechat, 7 Shoveler (lagoon 1), 12 Snipe and 2 Water Rail (lagoon 2 reeds; one of which was seen). (61 species seen today – a good winter total.)

AM reported: 15 Grey Plover, 37 Redshank, 336 Mallard, 195 Wigeon, 95 Teal, 9 Shoveler and 4 Raven.

 

Saturday 29/12/07 – MP reported: 2 Yellowhammer (foreshore just to north of lagoon 1), 1000+ Lapwing (with Dunlin) on flooded fields to south of lagoon 3, 200+ Wigeon, 5 Shoveler, 25 Redshank (lagoon 1) and

2 Water Rail (flushed from flooded path in SW corner of lagoon 3).

 

Friday 28/12/07 – MP reported, from lagoon 1: 213 Lapwing, 7 Shoveler, 146 Wigeon, 76 Teal, 25 Snipe (feeding in SW corner), 13 Redshank, 45 Dunlin. Also: 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Stonechat (pair) and lots of Fieldfare and Redwing.

 

Wednesday 26/12/07 – A Little Owl in old willows to SW of lagoon 3. One Little Egret and a Mute Swan by the yacht club. 7 Shoveler with the other ducks at Shepperdine. A Mistle Thrush over to west (briefly landing on overhead cables). Also: 2 Yellowhammer, 2 Stonechat, 2 Water Rail (heard), 1 Peregrine, c250 Lapwing and c500 Dunlin.

Little Owl (26/12/07).

 

Monday 24/12/07 – 4 Little Egret roosting in a field to SE of main rhyne – probably a site record. 3 Shoveler on lagoon 1, c400 Lapwing in the air, 3 Grey Plover, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2+ Yellowhammer, 2 Water Rail, 2 Stonechat and a Peregrine.

4 Little Egret (24/12/07).

 

Saturday 22/12/07 – Some new birds brought in by this week’s cold easterlies. A Treecreeper was with a tit flock in trees between the lake and the road, and a Siskin landed in a tree briefly before flying off, calling “seeoo”. There were 13 Moorhen seen; 5 by the frozen lake and another 8 along a rhyne by lagoon 3. Nearby were 7 Yellowhammer again. Number of Stonechat increased to 5 (2 each on lagoons 2 and 3, and 1 on shore), 2 Water Rail called from reeds on lagoon 2, and 5 Snipe there. Also, a Grey Wagtail (lagoon 1) and a Fox was sat by the lake.

 

Friday 21/12/907 – AM reported: 1 Peregrine, 17 Shelduck, 463 Wigeon, 48 Teal, 25 Turnstone, 54 Lapwing, 2 Water Rail, 300 Common Gull and 1000 Black-headed Gull.

 

Sunday 16/12/07 – 2 Rock Pipit on the foreshore at Shepperdine, and lots of waders there, including 13 Grey Plover and a Knot. A Raven was on a half-frozen lagoon 1, and there were 3 Stonechat about (2 on lagoon 2, 1 on lagoon 3). Also, 7 Canada Goose by the yacht club.

 

Saturday 15/12/07 – A Rock Pipit by lagoon 1 outfall. On the shore at the yacht club: 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Oystercatcher and a Mute Swan. A total of c1,000 Dunlin and 20 Shelduck along the shore. Also, a Raven.  

AM reported (WeBS count): 3 Jack Snipe and 45 Snipe (lagoon 2), 11 Yellowhammer (along shore to yacht club), 1 Chiffchaff,  8 Canada Goose, 75 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover, 71 Lapwing, 260 Mallard, 174 Wigeon and 87 Teal.  

Note – A ringtail Hen Harrier reported again by dog walkers, on Sunday 9/12/07; “slimmer than Buzzard with an owl-like face”, along the shore.

 

Monday 10/12/07 – HL reported (during U3A Group Walk): Little Egret, Mute Swan, 7 Canada Goose, 5 Shelduck, 3 Skylark, 3 StonechatJay, c700 Dunlin, 100 Curlew, c200 Wigeon and a Merlin (at Littleton).

 

Sunday 9/12/07 – A male Yellowhammer in a hedge by the small wood to SW of site. A good count of 31 Snipe on a very flooded lagoon 1, and c200 Common Gull in flooded fields at Shepperdine. Also, 2 Buzzard ‘sky-dancing’ around the towers in the NW wind, to claim territory.

HL reported: 7 Canada Goose and c1,000 Starling - at least 6 flocks flying S, possibly to roost at Littleton.

A few of the Snipe on lagoon 1 (9/12/07).

 

Saturday 8/12/07 – A miserable morning, with the only notable bird being a Black-tailed Godwit in a flooded field to SW of lagoon 3.

Black-tailed Godwit (8/12/07).

 

Sunday 2/12/07 – High winds from NW. A male Peregrine in ‘hunting mode’ flying low down-river, flushed the waders at high tide from the yacht club; c600 Lapwing and c1000 Dunlin all taking to the air at once in panic is a spectacular sight. The number of Shelduck increased to 20, and 7 Canada Goose flying upriver. Also 6 probable Grey Plover downriver.

Note – a possible ringtail Hen Harrier reported by a dog walker on Wednesday 28/11/07.

 

Saturday 1/12/07 – Heavy showers rolling up the estuary, but mainly avoiding OPS. At high tide: c500 Lapwing, c100 Teal, c140 Wigeon, c20 Redshank, c120 Dunlin and 6 Shelduck. Also, 2 Stonechat.

Lapwing (and a few Dunlin) overhead (1/12/07).

 

Sunday 25/11/07 – A lovely sunny morning, despite the cold northerly blast. A Redpoll was on weeds with c10 Linnet at north end of lagoon 2. 3 Chiffchaff were together in a tit flock. The wader roosted was spread over Lagoons 1 & 3 and at Shepperdine: 8 Grey Plover, 1 Knot, c1,000 Dunlin, c400 Lapwing, 30+ Turnstone, c20 Redshank and 1 Snipe. A Peregrine gracefully hung over the towers in the wind, and 2 Water Rail heard in the Lagoon 2 reeds.

 

Saturday 24/11/07 – 7 Canada Goose at the yacht club. The Lapwing flock were dispersed and feeding in the fields, making up for lack of feeding on the frozen ground last night. Also, c800 Dunlin. Also reported:  a Grey Wagtail.

 

Wednesday 21/11/07 – A Little Owl calling and seen perched in an old tree in field to SW of lagoon 3. Two adult Mute Swan over to west, and a Water Rail calling from reeds on lagoon 2.

 

Tuesday 20/11/07 – 4 Siskin landed on alder by the lake, and same or more went over SE later. Higher numbers of duck today: c270 Wigeon, c60 Teal and 7 Shelduck. At least one Mistle Thrush was still on a mistletoe covered tree in the small wood to SW of lagoon 3. Also: 3 Stonechat, 5 Grey Plover and c350 Lapwing.

 

Saturday 17/11/07 – Good numbers of waders: c750 Dunlin, 4 Grey Plover, 50+ Redshank, c30 Turnstone, 2 Snipe and an Oystercatcher. Also: 3 Stonechat, 10 Bullfinch, the Peregrine pair vocal on a pylon and a Red Admiral.

AM reported 2 Mistle Thrush, appropriately, on mistletoe in small wood to SW of lagoon 3.

 

Friday 16/11/07 – SK reported a ringtailed Hen Harrier ranging between lagoon 2 and the orchard in the afternoon.

 

Saturday 10/11/07 – 18 Grey Plover and 1+ Ringed Plover reported at high tide at Shepperdine. Also: 9 Oystercatcher (yacht club), c300 Dunlin, c250 Lapwing and 1 Chiffchaff. A flock of c40 Chaffinch and c20 Linnet on lagoon 3, and 2 Stonechat there.

 

Sunday 4/11/07 – AM reported a dark-bellied Brent Goose flying upriver at about 10.30am, in patchy fog. Also 2 Little Egret at Shepperdine.

Still good waders at Shepperdine this afternoon: 12 Grey Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Snipe, with another 6 Snipe on lagoon 1. Elsewhere: 7 Greylag Goose flew downriver, a Black-tailed Godwit and another Little Egret. A total of c300 Dunlin and c300 Lapwing along the shore. Also 3 Red Admiral in the late sunshine. MP reported 6 Stonechat on the seaweed dump on lagoon 3 and 4 Oystercatcher.

Some of the GreyPlover at Shepperdine (4/11/07).

 

Saturday 3/11/07 – 2 Water Rail heard this morning (lagoon 2 and ditch to SW lagoon 3) and lots of Thrushes and Blackbird. A Grey Plover and 4 Oystercatcher were at Shepperdine. Also on the shore were: 2 Black-tailed Godwit, c200 Lapwing and c200 Dunlin. Also: 1 Blackcap, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Skylark, 3 Stonechat and 4 Bullfinch.

 

Tuesday 30/10/07 – AM reported: 357 Lapwing, 46 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 16 Redshank, 7 Ringed Plover, 9 Teal, 1 Shoveler and 96 Wigeon.

MP/AP also reported 2 Canada Goose.

 

Monday 29/10/07 – MP reported: the Peregrine pair fighting with a Buzzard near the towers, 4 Redpoll (track to hide), 2 Stonechat, 2 Mute Swan (flew up river), 68 Dunlin, 28 Redshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 390 Lapwing on a bright and sunny morning.

 

Sunday 28/10/07 – MP reported: a Short-eared Owl flushed from the Yacht Club flew upriver and went down along the shore by lagoon 3; 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank (lagoon 3), 30+ Grey Plover, c200 Dunlin, 6 Canada Goose (yacht club) and 4 Stonechat.

 

Saturday 27/10/07 – The main wader roost was at the Yacht Club, where there were: (a remarkable) 26 Grey Plover, 2 Little Egret, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, c20 Redshank, c200 Dunlin, 2 juvenile Mute Swan, and 9 Canada Goose. Lagoon 1 had the Spotted Redshank, 39 Redshank and c50 Lapwing. On Lagoon 3 were: 2 Black-tailed Godwit, c200 Lapwing and a Water Rail (heard in corner by lake). Also: 6 Stonechat and 4 Siskin (over).

Spotted Redshank (right), lagoon 1 (27/10/07).

 

Friday 26/10/07 – An extremely late adult male Common Redstart showed very well along the fence between lagoon 1 and the shore, and 2 Redpoll on weeds there. Also: 7+ Stonechat around the site, 3 Grey Plover at Shepperdine and 2 Red Admiral butterflies.

Redstart still present at 2pm (26/10/07).

 

Thursday 25/10/07 – A good selection of waders at Shepperdine again: 1 Spotted Redshank, 4 Grey Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, c120 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover and c100 Lapwing. And more waders on shore by lagoon 3: 2 Black-tailed Godwit, c150 Dunlin and c100 Lapwing. Also: 2 Raven, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Little Owl (heard) and 1 Water Rail (heard). Plus a Fox.

 

Wednesday 24/10/07 – A taste of winter in the cold wind this morning, and some visible migration. 27 Siskin and 4 Redpoll low over, heading east, as were Chaffinch at a rate of 100+ per hour. There were 5 Yellowhammer in trees to SW of lagoon 3. Also: 2 Blackcap, 3 Stonechat, a Grey Wagtail and lots of thrushes about.

 

Tuesday 23/10/07 – The Spotted Redshank was on lagoon 1 this evening with 23 Redshank, c25 Dunlin, c30 Lapwing, 12 Curlew and 17 Teal. No sign of the Black Redstart, but difficult to see it among the c400 Pied Wagtail roosting ! Also a Tawny Owl hooted at dusk.

A female (or 1st-winter) Black Redstart flew from the water works to the buildings by the jetty at 11am this morning. Some good waders at Shepperdine: 1 Spotted Redshank, 7 Grey Plover, c50 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plover, c50 Lapwing,  c15 Redshank and 5 Turnstone. Also a Wheatear and a Raven there. Another Wheatear on the shore and 2 Stonechat. Also: 1 Chiffchaff singing, 3 Little Owl calling to each other, 2 Skylark over and a Red Admiral.

 

Thursday 18/10/07 – A Little Egret was seen on a brief visit at dusk, and there were 200+ Pied Wagtail in the roost on warehouse buildings.

 

Sunday 14/10/07 – A Kingfisher was the surprise find on lagoon 3 this morning, with 138 Lapwing and 15 Dunlin also there. Migrants over were: 115 Fieldfare, c100 Redwing, 6 Skylark and c30 Chaffinch. A flock of 9 Grey Plover and c40 Dunlin flew downriver at high tide.

AM/MP reported: 1 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Ringed Plover and 7 Stonechat.

 

Saturday 13/10/07 – 5 Fieldfare were the first of the autumn (13 days earlier than 2006, and the Redwing last week were 9 days earlier); and the first Water Rail heard on lagoon 2. A Common Sandpiper was on the shore, and a few migrants went over in the low cloud: c5 Siskin, 2 Skylark, c50 Chaffinch and 10 Meadow Pipit (with another c30 on lagoon 1). Unfortunately, the security patrol flushed lagoon 3 at 8:30am, at about high tide, but there were still 147 Lapwing. Also: 6 Ringed Plover, 7+ Stonechat and the Peregrine pair on pylons.

AM reported: 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Redshank, 2 Pintail, 1 Shoveler, 98 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 183 Mallard and 1 Wheatear.

 

Wednesday 10/10/07 – This evening, lagoon 3 held: 2 Green Sandpiper, 3+ Ruff, c40 Lapwing, c100 Teal and 100+ Wigeon. There were 2 Stonechat on the shore, and at dusk 2 Little Owl called. Also 2 bats.

[The 2 Bunting sp. that flew over on Sunday, I now think were most probably Corn Bunting. They went over at about 80 feet up, and were larger than Reed Bunting, with light grey-beige beneath (with no flecking visible, and also no white areas). I concentrated on the head of one, expecting to see Reed Bunting-type markings, but saw no markings at all – this confused me at the time. The shape was typical bunting, and the flight was less ‘flappy’ than Reed Bunting, and more direct. They gave two Robin-like ‘tic’ calls.]

 

Tuesday 9/10/07 - MP reported, on lagoon 3: 2 Golden Plover, 6 Ruff and 2 Stonechat.

 

Monday 8/10/07 – MP reported, on lagoon 3: 1 Golden Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 8+ Ruff, 52 Lapwing, 2 Pintail and 1 Shoveler.

 

Sunday 7/10/07 – At high tide, on lagoon 3, were: a very good count of 6 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Gadwall and 2 Pintail. Another Pintail was on the shore, with 111 Wigeon and 7 Canada Goose. (Thanks for the text, MP.)

This morning, migration was less evident, but 2 Siskin flew high upriver (and then back downriver !), and 2 Bunting sp. with ‘tic’ing call went over to SE.

 

Saturday 6/10/07 – The newly flooded lagoon 3 held loads of birds at high tide: 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Ruff, 1 Knot, 3 Pintail (reported by MP), c50 Lapwing, as well as lots of gulls and ducks.

Lots of birds around this morning in light mist and slight east wind. The best was a Treecreeper along the bridleway to the shore. The first Redwing (26 of them, mainly at back of lagoon 1) were seen plus 22 Song Thrush. There were also 2 late Wheatear and a great count of 9 Stonechat. But the main feature were flocks of Chaffinch passing upriver at a rate of c80 per hour, and 5 Siskin over. A marked increase in ducks on the estuary included 123 Wigeon (count by AM), 2 Pintail and a Shoveler. Also, 2 Little Stint with c20 Dunlin. AM also reported: 2 Little Egret, 38 Redshank and 81 Lapwing. Also 2 emperor dragonfly still.

 

Wednesday 3/10/07 - MP reported from Littleton: 1 Spotted Redshank, 14 Canada Goose, 1 Little Egret, 2 Raven and 83 Teal.

 

Tuesday 2/10/07 - MP reported from Littleton: 3 Grey Plover, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, 3 Dunlin, 1 Little Egret and 2 Wheatear.

 

Sunday 30/9/07 – A large number of House Martin around this morning, including gathering on the cooling towers (estimate c1000), but only 5 Swallow, and 1 Sand Martin identified. A Mistle Thrush, 2 Snipe and a Grey Wagtail over. There were 7 Skylark today, with 5 on lagoon 3, and also there were 29 Lapwing. (And it looks like water will be pumped into lagoon 3, as pipes being fitted today.) Also: 7 Stonechat and 8 Chiffchaff (3 singing).

MP reported from Littleton: 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 48 Redshank, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Wheatear and 1 Raven.

 

Saturday 29/9/07 – A large flock of 17 Greylag Goose over, heading south, this evening (record for the site) and 3 Grey Plover at Shepperdine. Also 1 Little Egret and 1 Raven.

Migration in evidence again this morning with heavy cloud and a light north easterly wind. House Martin and Swallow flocks passing upriver, increasing in frequency all morning, with an estimated rate of c100 every 5 minutes by 10:30am ! Also over were: 3 Mistle Thrush, 1 Snipe, 2 Skylark, 3 Reed Bunting and some Chaffinch movement. There were also: 20+ Song Thrush, 6 Stonechat (4 on lagoon 2 and 2 on lagoon 3), a Wheatear, 3 male Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler and 18 Lapwing (lagoon 3).

MP reported from Littleton: 1 Spotted Redshank and 1 Curlew Sandpiper. Also: 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Dunlin, 4 Knot, 34 Redshank, 9 Snipe, 3 Wheatear, c200 Meadow Pipit, 70 Teal (including a leucistic bird), 40 Wigeon, 1 ‘White’ Wagtail and some visible migration: steady flow of hirundines NE into breeze, including 3+ Sand Martin, and small groups of Starling and a few Song Thrush and Blackbird.

 

Friday 28/9/07 – MP reported, from Littleton this evening: 1 Little Stint, 27 Dunlin, 18 Redshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 53 Wigeon and 35 Teal.

 

Wednesday 26/9/07 – MP reported, in evening: 4 Great Black-backed Gull squabbling over a large fish.

 

Tuesday 25/9/07 – MP reported, in evening: 3 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, c2,500 Black-headed Gull, c100 Common Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull (adult and juvenile), c150 Mallard and 2 Ringed Plover.

 

Sunday 23/9/07 – This evening, a flock of c60 Black-tailed Godwit flew downriver, and 4 Wheatear were on the shore. Also, 5 Song Thrush bathing in puddles along the track to the hide.

AM reported c550 Curlew on the mudflats this morning.

Kestrel, by SD (23/9/07).

        

 

Saturday 22/9/07 – Lots of evidence of migration for first time this autumn. A Guillemot was floating slowly downriver on the tidal reservoir at 6pm, after high tide this evening. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and a Little Stint were with c15 Dunlin and 11 Ringed Plover at Shepperdine, and 22 Redshank were on shore by lagoon 2. This morning, a Spotted Flycatcher was along the hedge by the main rhine, near the metal tower. There appeared to have been a movement of Song Thrush overnight, as 3 went over, low, heading south and 8 were on lagoon 1. 2 Rock Pipit were on the shore, as was a Wheatear and a Little Egret. 3 Stonechat were on lagoon 2. c30 House Martin and 5 Swallow were around the cooling towers. (An excellent 65 species seen today.)

 

Saturday 15/9/07 – On the shore at high tide this morning were: 1 Wheatear, 10 Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Dunlin. There were c300 House Martin and c100 Swallow flying around, and landing on, the cooling towers. A Stonechat was on lagoon 2. Also: 3 Raven, c10 Chiffchaff (including 4 singing in the sun), 1 Peregrine, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Fox. Plus, a Salmon/Sea Trout leapt out of the water in the tidal reservoir.

AM reported a Grey Seal heading slowly downriver at high tide, past lagoon 1. (Repeating last year, when one appeared on 23rd September.)

 

Monday 10/9/07 – PD/HL (+ Thornbury U3A Birdwatching Group) reported: Probable juvenile Merlin preening for several minutes on top of low alder tree on lagoon 2, Raven, Peregrine, 2 Stonechat, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, and Great Black-backed Gull.

 

Sunday 9/9/07 – At high tide this evening, lagoon 1 held: 19 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Snipe, 1 Raven, 1 Grey Wagtail, c30 Teal (including a light-beige leucistic) and a Fox. On the shore were: 28 Ringed Plover and 7 Dunlin. Also: 23 Meadow Pipit low over, heading downriver.

 

Saturday 8/9/07 – A large number of House Martin this morning (AM estimated 300) and 1 Sand Martin picked out. Warblers in the trees and bushes included: Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and c10 Chiffchaff (including one singing). 26 Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Dunlin on the shore by lagoon 1 headed upriver at 8:30am. There were about 200 Goldfinch on lagoons 2 and 3. Also: 2 Raven, 5 Jay (single flock) and 1 Yellow Wagtail (over). A Weasel ran across the track by the main rhine.

AM reported: 2 Stonechat and 1 Peregrine.

 

Thursday 6/9/07 – This evening, there were 25 Black-tailed Godwit and a Yellow Wagtail on the shore. A Stonechat and a Wheatear were on lagoon 2.

 

Sunday 2/9/07 – In the evening a Knot and 19 Black-tailed Godwit were on the shore.

This morning, a Little Owl called to south of lagoon 3 (first record at site since 3rd February). There were 5 Snipe and 63 Teal on lagoon 1, where 16 Canada Goose flew in briefly, before heading downriver. A total of 10 Chiffchaff were on-site, including one still singing. Also: 4 Reed Warbler and 4 Kestrel (together by lagoon 1).

AM reported: 1 Little Egret, 2 Wheatear, 89 Ringed Plover, 21 Dunlin, 5 Black-tailed Godwit and 17 Turnstone.

 

Saturday 1/9/07 – This evening, at low tide, there were 17 Black-tailed Godwit on the shore. A Tree Pipit and a Whitethroat were with the tit flock on lagoon 2, and another Tree Pipit flew over calling. Also over were 4 Yellow Wagtail + another in the field to SW of lagoon 3. Also: 1 Wheatear, 2 Raven and the Peregrine pair on the tower. A Clouded-yellow butterfly was on lagoon 2, and a Fox was at the back of lagoon 1.

PCTV reported, this morning: 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe, 60+ Teal, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Great Black-backed Gull (adult + immature).

 

Friday 31/8/07 – MP reported: 5 Turnstone, 26 Dunlin, 34 Ringed Plover, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 300+ Curlew (in pre-roost flock on shore, before flying down-river to yacht club), 8 Snipe (lagoon 1), 1 Wheatear and c2000 Black-headed Gull.

AM reported a Bar-tailed Godwit and 40 Teal in the morning.

 

Wednesday 29/8/07 – MP reported: 41 Canada Goose, 17 Turnstone, 4 Dunlin, 15 Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Curlew, 6 Snipe (showing well on muddy edges of lagoon 1) and 2 Yellow Wagtail.

 

Monday 27/8/07 – AM reported: 1 Greenshank, 1 Little Egret, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 49 Ringed Plover, 26 Dunlin, 21 Turnstone, 2 Raven, 100 House Martin, 115 Teal and 172 Mallard.

 

Sunday 26/8/07 – AM reported: A very large flock of 72 Canada Goose, 1 Whinchat (lagoon 1), 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 45 Ringed Plover, 40 Dunlin, 16 Turnstone, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Sand Martin, 75 Teal, 2 Mute Swan, 11 Cormorant and 161 Mallard. PD also reported: 2 Reed Warbler and 20+ Pied Wagtail.

 

Saturday 25/8/07 – PCTV reported: 1 juvenile Whinchat on lagoon 1, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler and 100+ Starling.

 

Friday 24/8/07 – The Tree Pipit was still there this morning. Quite a few warblers about, including 5 Reed Warbler and 1 Whitethroat. A Little Egret and 2 Raven were out on the exposed estuary. There were 93 Teal on lagoon 1 and a Mute Swan by the yacht club.

 

Thursday 23/8/07 – A short visit at dusk on a lovely sunny evening produced a Tree Pipit in the hedge between lagoons 2 and 1, and seemingly going to roost there. Also a Greenshank with a Knot on the shore. There were 23 Teal and a pair of Mute Swan on Lagoon 1, with another Mute Swan on the shore (this species has been absent from the site since 21/4/07). Also a Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler on lagoon 2, and 200+ Swallow. The big surprise on the tidal reservoir was a boat beached on the outer wall of the reservoir ! Possibly an unmanned victim of the floods ?

For half an hour after dusk I sat in the car by the entrance (looking down the track over the road from the hide, which is lit by the road), during which: a Fox trundled along the track towards me, then a Badger came out of the hedge 10 yards from me, then it or another trundled along the track to within 5 yards, and finally a female Tawny Owl started calling, ‘Ker-wick’, loudly.

Beached Boat on the tidal reservoir wall (23/8/07).

        

 

Saturday 18/8/07 – AM reported 3 Common Sandpiper, 12 House Martin, 24 Teal, 50 Goldfinch, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Reed Warbler.

 

Friday 17/8/07 – A Black-tailed Godwit was with 6 Curlew on lagoon 1, and also 20+ Teal and a Fox there.

Juvenile Green Woodpecker, lagoon2 (17/8/07).

        

 

Wednesday 15/8/07 – MP reported: 1 Whinchat, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 3 Raven, 1 Sand Martin and a Hare (lagoon 3).

 

Tuesday 14/8/07 – MP reported: 1 Green Sandpiper (juvenile), 1 Wheatear, 3 Whimbrel and 2 Sand Martin.

 

Monday 13/8/07 – MP reported the following in the evening: 1200 Black-headed Gull, 105 Common Gull, 8 Herring Gull, 17 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Raven, 4 Teal, Peregrine pair, 11Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 6 Turnstone.

Panoramic view of the estuary towards the Severn bridge (Photos by MP),13/8/07.

        

Panoramic view of the tidal reservoir(Photo by MP),13/8/07.

 

Sunday 12/8/07 – The evening tide brought 2 Greenshank to lagoon 1. Also 26 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin and 1 Redshank. There were 1300+ Black-headed Gull roosting on lagoon 3, with c10 Common Gull and 2 Great Black-backed Gull (ad + 1st year). A Green Sandpiper flew into a small scrape in the field to SW of lagoon 3. Also: 4 Raven again, and the Peregrine pair on the tower.

 

Saturday 11/8/07 – When the fog lifted it revealed: 2 Stonechat (lagoon 2), 1 Whimbrel, 1 juvenile Dunlin, 4 Raven being very visible and vocal, and a wisp of 13 Snipe which landed on lagoon 1. Also the Peregrine pair.

 

Friday 10/8/07 – A few migrants: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Sandpiper and 10 Turnstone. Also 2 Raven and a Hare on lagoon 1.

 

Thursday 9/8/07 – 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult + moulting 2nd winter with ring on left leg) on shore this evening, as were 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Turnstone and 1 Oystercatcher. There were 26 Canada Goose on lagoon 1 (thrashing the site record of 16 from last year), with 5 Teal. 2 Peregrine were seen, including a very unusual sighting of one in a tree at Shepperdine (female, I believe).

MP also reported: 14 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin, 7 Teal and 4 Turnstone.

Peregrine sat in tree at Shepperdine, 9/8/07.

        

 

Tuesday 7/8/08 – MP reported a Stonechat on lagoon 2.

 

Saturday 4/8/08 – The Little Ringed Plover still on lagoon 3, plus 1 Green Sandpiper and 3 Sedge Warbler there. Also 14 Dunlin on the shore, including 2 juveniles.

Juvenile Sedge Warbler, Lagoon 3, 4/8/07.

        

 

Thursday 2/8/07 – On lagoon 3 this evening were: a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 4 Green Sandpiper and 9 Snipe which flew over. On the shore there were: 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult approaching winter plumage), 4 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Oystercatcher and a juvenile Peregrine which was very unprofessionally landing in the water, hidden by seaweed, as the tide came in. On lagoon 1 were: a Hare, a Fox and 56 Magpie. There were an estimated c1,200 Curlew on the distant mudflats.

Little Ringed Plover, Lagoon 3, 2/8/07.

        

 

Monday 30/7/07 – MP reported: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whimbrel,  1000+ Black-headed Gull and 57 Common Gull (all adult).

 

Sunday 29/7/07 – This evening, a Hobby was over lagoon 2, before gaining height and heading South. Lagoon 3 had 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Mediterranean Gull (adult, moulting into winter plumage), c900 Black-headed Gull, 3 Great Black-backed Gull and 11 Common Gull. Also, Green-veined White butterfly.

MP reported in morning: On lagoon 3: 1 Common Tern, 30 Shelduck (27 juveniles), 13 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, 115 Black-headed Gull, 7 Sedge Warbler, 35+ Pied Wagtail and a family group of 4 Reed Bunting. Also: 48 Mallard, 1 Common Sandpiper, 9 Turnstone, 10 Cormorant and 1 Whimbrel.

 

Saturday28/7/07 – It was raining again for the evening tide, but some waders showed: 1 Sanderling, 4 Turnstone, 7 Ringed Plover, c35 Dunlin, 1 Redshank and c50 Curlew (including 43 flying slowly down-river, in a line, into the wind). The 2 Green Sandpiper were on lagoon 3 again. The roost on lagoon 3 had: c300 Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull (adult) and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Green Sandpiper, Lagoon 3, 28/7/07.

        

  

It was like Spring had finally arrived this morning (weather-wise) ! In the first sunny morning for 2 months, a male Peregrine stooped at one of 3 Raven (which had to take avoiding action). The Peregrine pair were later on the tower with the female plucking a kill (probably Pigeon). Also: 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Oystercatcher (on shore), c500 Black-headed Gull (with a further c300 at the Yacht Club), 42 Shelduck, 1 Sedge Warbler (lagoon 2) and 1 Willow Warbler.

AM reported: 2 Green Sandpiper and 1 Sedge Warbler (lagoon 3), 2 Turnstone (on buoy), 1 Sand Martin and 1 Dunlin. Also, that the male and female Peregrine were plucking separate kills on the tower !

 

Thursday 26/7/07 – PFE reported: 2 Peregrine, c1000 Black-headed Gull and 42 Shelduck.

 

Tuesday 24/7/07 – MP reported: On lagoon 3 this morning: 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Yellow Wagtail, c30 Pied Wagtail (mostly juveniles, surprisingly) and 24 Shelduck.

 

See Scotland07 for report of birds seen on trip to west coast of Scotland and Isle of Skye.

 

Sunday 22/7/07 – 2 Common Sandpiper on lagoon 3, c15 Dunlin at the Yacht Club and 1 Oystercatcher. Also 2 well-grown Fox cubs.

MP reported: 1 Whinchat, 3 Common Sandpiper (lagoon 3) and a female Peregrine.

Common Sandpiper, Lagoon 3, 22/7/07.

        

Saturday 21/7/07 – 4 Common Scoter on the tidal reservoir this morning (3 male + 1 female) and a Hobby flying low over the river from lagoon 1, then hawking insects along the sea wall before heading off north. Waders starting to increase, with 500+ Curlew on the mudflats at low tide, c25 Dunlin by the Yacht Club, 2 Common Sandpiper (lagoon 3) and 2 Oystercatcher. There were 18 juvenile Shelduck at Shepperdine. Lagoon 1 is as high as in winter after the torrential rain yesterday (as is lagoon 3), and had 6 Sand Martin and 7 House Martin. Also: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Peregrine.

AM reported: 3 Peregrine – 2 female and a male, being very vocal. Also: c330 Black-headed Gull and a Clouded-yellow Butterfly.

 

Sunday 15/7/07 – A few waders along the shore this evening: 6 Common Sandpiper (Shepperdine), 1 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher and 20+ Curlew. c35 Swift and c20 Swallow (including some juveniles) skirting the showers. Also, 2 adult Common Gull

 

Saturday 14/7/07 – A summer plumaged Mediterranean Gull with c200 Black-headed Gull and a juvenile Common Gull on lagoon 3 and then on shore. A Raven was on lagoon 1. A Peregrine flew over the estuary before heading back to the towers. Also: 13 Curlew, 3 Green Woodpecker (juv + ad + 1) and 15 juvenile Shelduck in a single brood of varying sizes at Shepperdine.

BSK reported a Sedge Warbler.

Adult Mediterranean Gull (with silver ring on left leg) and juvenile Common Gull, 14/5/07.

        

 

Friday 13/7/07 – AM reported: 1 Little Egret (lagoon 1), 2 Tufted Duck and 1 Peregrine.

 

Thursday 12/7/07 – MP reported: 2 Little Egret on lagoon 1, the lagoon 3 roost contained 533 Black-headed Gull (including 16+ juvs.) and 1 Common Gull, the Peregrine pair were on the towers and 2 Kestrel over lagoon 2.

 

Tuesday 10/7/07 – 277 Black-headed Gull (including 8 juveniles) roosting on lagoon 3 at high tide, with 300+ seen in total. On the shore were: 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Curlew and broods of 9 (large) and 3+ (small) juvenile Shelduck. Also: 2 adult and 2 juvenile Green Woodpecker and c140 Starling.

 

Saturday 7/7/07 – AM reported: 2 adult + 4 juvenile Green Woodpecker, 4 Jay, 5 Tufted Duck and 1 Redshank.

 

Sunday 1/7/07 – Heavy showers coming up the estuary in the evening. At high tide: c120 Black-headed Gull (including 2+ juveniles), c30 Swift dodging the showers and 13 small juvenile Shelduck at Shepperdine. Also, a young (but independent) Fox by Lagoon 2 reedbed.

 

Saturday 30/6/07 – 8 Black-tailed Godwit feeding on Lagoon 3 this morning. The Peregrine pair were vocal on the pylons – both moulting outer wing feathers. A Reed Warbler in sub-song in bush by Lagoon 1 may be a migrant. Juveniles seen: Green Woodpecker, lots of Whitethroat, Moorhen, Blackcap and Robin. Also: 8 Curlew and 10+ juvenile Shelduck.

Black-tailed Godwit, Lagoon 3(30/6/07).

        

 

Sunday 24/6/07 – The first juvenile Black-headed Gull of the year on the shore. As well as the well grown Shelduck brood of 8, another of 14 small ducklings was at Shepperdine. The female Peregrine was on a pylon. A young Fox was on Lagoon 1. Also, 3 Oystercatcher and a Lesser Whitethroat still singing.

 

Saturday 23/6/07 – 126 Curlew on the mudflats at Low Tide, and 59 Black-headed Gull. Two Shelduck broods seen, of 8 and 3+ juveniles. A few Bee Orchid in the meadow near the entrance.

AM reported 2 Teal (lagoon 1) and a Peregrine.

 

Sunday 17/6/07 – 27 Black-headed Gull today (13 on shore and 14 heading down-river). Also: 2 Oystercatcher and 5 Swift. Lots (6+) of Marbled White butterfly.

PD reported a Weasel and a Fox.

 

Large Skipper(male) and Pyramidal Orchids (17/6/07).

          

 

Saturday 16/6/07 – 2 adult Great Crested Grebe floated upriver on the High Tide (same noted on 3rd June last year). The Peregrine pair were flying around the towers. There were newly-fledged Whitethroat and Great Tit. 2 juvenile Moorhen were with 2 adults on a small pond behind the security fence by lagoon 2. The Shelduck still had 8 juveniles; one of which is noticeably smaller and probably came from another duck’s brood. The first high tide gull roost on lagoon 3 for a while held: 7 (adult) Black-headed Gull, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 13 Herring Gull and 8 Lesser-Black-backed Gull. Also: 3 Swift, 1 Sedge Warbler (singing behind the hide) and 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

 

Sunday 10/6/07 – Unexpected sighting of 4 adult Arctic Tern feeding on the tidal reservoir at 11:45am, before departing high (and upriver I believe) at 12. Just before that, a Hobby flew fast and low from lagoon 2 to farm buildings to south, hunting hirundines. Also: 2 Curlew, 2 Black-headed Gull, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Sedge Warbler (singing; lagoon 2 and by hide) and 8 juvenile Shelduck still.

 

Saturday 9/6/07 – 1 Cuckoo (heard), 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Oystercatcher, 21 adult + 8 juvenile Shelduck, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 House Martin, 1 Moorhen chick. Two Fox cubs again seen on mown meadow, and a Hare again on lagoon 1. Also, lots of Cinnabar Moth and a male Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly on a small pond to SW of lagoon 3.

AM also reported a Little Egret on the tidal reservoir wall.

Broad-bodied Chaser (9/6/07)

 

 

Wednesday 6/6/07 – 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Sedge Warbler and 4 Swift.

 

Tuesday 5/6/07 – A Cuckoo heard calling, distantly. On lagoon 1 were a Grey Wagtail and a Hare. 5 pairs of Tufted Duck on the lake will hopefully nest. Also: 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Green Woodpecker and a Carrion Crow still nest-sitting. Small Skipper butterfly.

 

Monday 4/6/07 – A juvenile Grey Wagtail on the shore was probably from the pair thought to be nesting in the water works. Bee Orchids flowering on lagoon 1 and Small Heath butterfly. Also: 1 Swift, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker.

 

Sunday 3/6/07 – 8 Dunlin upriver (2 flocks of 4) on evening tide – unusual in June. 2 Peregrine on towers. A family of 4 Fox cubs with adult, playing in a newly cut grass field. Two Shelduck broods of 7 and 8.

Fox cub (3/6/07)

 

 

Saturday 2/6/07 – Birds singing in the glorious sun this morning: 1 Cuckoo, 2 Sedge Warbler, 9 Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat , 1 Goldcrest and 1 Skylark. On lagoon 3, 2 Oystercatcher were showing some territorial behaviour. An unusual sight was of 4+ Mistle Thrush heading over to SE. The 7 Shelduck duckling were still on the shore. A Raven flew over. Also a Grey Mullet in the tidal reservoir.

 

There was no sign of any pollution caused by the accident at the plant on Wednesday – see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/6705243.stm.

 

Friday 1/6/07 – AM reported: 3 Sedge Warbler, 40 Mallard, 7 Tufted Duck, 1 Peregrine, 3 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher. Also Pyramidal Orchids on lagoon 2.

 

Monday 28/5/07 – A pale phase Arctic Skua flew low upriver at 7:20am, plus 8 Dunlin into a cold wind from NE. Also: 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew, 11 Tufted Duck, 3 Great Black-backed Gull and a short-tailed field vole. (No Peregrines this weekend.)

 

Cormorant, on shore by lagoon 3 (28/5/07)

 

 

Sunday 27/5/07 – 2 Sedge Warbler (lagoon 2 and hedge by lagoon 3), 17 Whitethroat and 1 Lesser Whitethroat all singing on-site, despite the rain. Also: 4 pairs of Tufted Duck on the lake, 7 Song Thrush and a Skylark.

 

Shelduck ducklings, on shore by lagoon 3 (27/5/07)

 

 

Saturday 26/5/07 – 7 Dunlin flying upriver at high tide, and 3 Oystercatcher. The 7 Shelduck ducklings again, and 5 well-grown Mallard ducklings on lagoon 1, with 59 adults around the site. Also: 4 House Martin.

AM reported: the site police saw a Red Kite over the site ‘one day last week’; 1 Cuckoo (lagoon 2), 1 Turnstone, 3 Curlew, 3 juvenile Kestrel with an adult mobbing a Peregrine on the towers and a Lesser Whitethroat family.

 

Wednesday 23/5/07 – 7 Shelduck ducklings on shore by lagoon 3, and c70 adults along shore. A Sedge Warbler still singing on lagoon 2. 3 pairs of Tufted Duck on the lake. The Peregrine pair on the tower, but not nesting.

 

Saturday 19/5/07 – AM reported: 20 Sand Martin, 10 House Martin, 10 Swift and lots of Swallow on lagoon 1.

 

Wednesday 16/5/07 – A Cuckoo seen at the small reedbed by lagoon 2; a Ringed Plover on the shore and a Hare on lagoon 1.

 

Hare, lagoon 1 (16/5/07)

 

 

Sunday 13/5/07 – Another large passage of waders this evening, with c200 Dunlin and 5+ Ringed Plover at Oldbury Yacht Club. Plus another c125 Dunlin upriver and a Knot on lagoon 3. There were 12 Swift, c35 House Martin, 1 Sand Martin and c50 Swallow flying low between heavy showers. 3 Sedge Warbler were singing on lagoon 2. A Cormorant was sat on the shore at Shepperdine, where there were 2 Oystercatcher and c10 small Shelduck ducklings. Also: 73 adult Shelduck, 1 Peregrine, 9 Tufted Duck, a Grey Wagtail singing at the water works and 2 downed Racing Pigeon.

 

Saturday 12/5/07 – A few waders battling into a strong westerly wind: 1 Turnstone, c20 Dunlin and 3 Oystercatcher. (But no seabirds blown upriver.)

Late addition for yesterday evening, when MP had great views of a Badger foraging at the back of Lagoon 1.

 

Friday 11/5/07 – A large flock (for the time of year) of small waders flew along the shore; when they settled by Oldbury Yacht Club I counted c80 Dunlin and 8 Ringed Plover. Also a Common Sandpiper there. 2 Whimbrel, 3 Oystercatcher and a Canada Goose along the shore. There were 2 Lapwing on lagoon 1. There are 2 occupied Carrion Crow nests by lagoon 2. Also: 1 Grey Wagtail and a Sedge Warbler.

 

Thursday 10/5/07 – On a damp evening, 41 Swift moving low NE (including a flock of 25), and Swallow still constantly moving through (as they have been continually for 2 weeks now). A Sedge Warbler and a probable Garden Warbler singing on lagoon 2. A fledgling Pied Wagtail was fresh out of the nest. Also, 3 Oystercatcher, 68 Shelduck and the Peregrine pair sat, wet and bedraggled, on the tower.

 

Saturday 5/5/07 – 1 or 2 Garden Warbler singing (one seen well) along footpath to shore. There were 3+ House Sparrow in the hedge on SW side of lagoon 3 – unusual on site, and not seen here before. Only movement upriver were from 8 Black-headed Gull and an adult Common Gull. Only waders were: 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Whimbrel and 1 Curlew. 2 Sedge Warbler were singing on lagoon 2. The dried-out corpse of a Great Crested Grebe was a surprise on the footpath to SW of lagoon 3. Also: 12 Swift, 1 Raven, a Grey Wagtail singing at the water works, 3 Lesser Whitethroat and 15+ Whitethroat.

 

The Great Skua seen at 6:45pm on Sunday was seen at Severn Beach at 5:50pm,when it flew inland before heading NE. Photo by PB at Severn Beach, showing ‘tatty’ feathers (29/4/07). A Great Skua was also reported at Slimbridge in the evening.

        

 

Wednesday 2/5/07 – At 7pm on this evening’s tide, 6 Arctic Tern passed slowly upriver close to the shore. Then at 8pm an Arctic Skua was spotted pursuing what looked like 4 ‘Commic’ Tern high towards the Severn Bridge. It then came back down and speedily flew up the middle of the river. At 8.15pm, 43 ‘Commic’ Tern (almost certainly Arctic Tern) flew in a tight flock fast and low up the middle of the river. Also 19 Black-headed Gull upriver. The only waders seen were 9 Whimbrel. Also flying into the Easterly wind were 21 Swift, 9 House Martin and lots of Swallow. The female Peregrine was on the nest-ledge all evening, with the male on guard above. Also: 60 Shelduck, two broods of Mallard (8 and 4) and a Grey Wagtail.

Whimbrel on the shore (2/5/07).

        

 

Sunday 29/4/07 Evening: A Great Skua went upriver at 6.45pm; it was following the near shore, very low, and passed within 20 yards of me. It was rather ‘tatty’ with wing-feather moult. AM had an even better view, as it passed within 10 yards, whilst being attacked by the male Peregrine ! 4 Grey Plover (in summer plumage) and 67 Bar-tailed Godwit were also on the move (that’s a total of 289 in 2 days !). The male Ring Ouzel was seen by AM, still on the grass next to the footpath to the shore at 6pm. Also: 1 female Wheatear, the female Peregrine on the nest-ledge, 3 Oystercatcher, 4 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin and 12 Black-headed Gull (upriver).

(Total of 69 species seen today – my site record.)

 

Morning: The male Ring Ouzel from yesterday was still on the grass next to the footpath to the shore this morning (in same place where one stayed for a day 10 years ago). On lagoon 3 were: 4 Ringed Plover and an Oystercatcher. Hirundines, etc., moving upriver into wind: c50 House Martin, 10 Swift, 2 Sand Martin and c100 Swallow. Also: a Yellow Wagtail over, 1 Sedge Warbler, 35 Black-headed Gull upriver and 1 Common Gull.

MP reported a Cuckoo by lagoon 1 and 2 Common Sandpiper on the shore.

Ring Ouzel and Linnet by MP (29/4/07).

          

 

Saturday 28/4/07Evening: The male Ring Ouzel was still on the grass along the footpath to the shore (6:40pm). And there was another mass of Bar-tailed Godwit with a huge flock of 130+ high upriver and 29 at Shepperdine. Just to prove you can’t predict the next bird, 2 Great Crested Grebe flew upriver without stopping. Also, loads of Swallow and 3 Swift, 1 Sand Martin and a Grey Wagtail again by the water works.

 

At 3pm, PD/SK/DH reported a Red Kite drifting over Lagoon 2 upriver (only second record at site, after first 2 weeks ago !).

 

Bar-tailed Godwit, Shepperdine (28/4/07).

 

Morning: A large movement of Bar-tailed Godwit upriver early this morning with flocks of 25, 8 and 29 passed; 75% of which were in summer plumage. Also one on the shore, giving a total of 63. With the first flock were 3 Knot (one in summer plumage). There were c10 Whimbrel on the shore. Then at 8:30am AM found a male Ring Ouzel on the flood bank of lagoon 2, by the shore ! It flew to the shore-path by lagoon 1, and then on towards Shepperdine, where it flew back past me and was relocated in the hedge between lagoons 1 & 2. I then was on my way to the hide, at 9:40am, when I flushed another Ring Ouzel from the bank of lagoon 3 ! I then refound this on the lawn by the footpath from the entrance to the shore; a male. It is most likely that this was a different bird, as it was over half a mile away from first and appeared to have a ‘less adult’ plumage; throat not as white, and wings not as silvery. Also: 1 Swift, 5 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin, lots of Swallow, 2 Wheatear, 8 Reed Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Whitethroat singing, 2 Peregrine and a Grey Wagtail. (That brings my personal total to over 100 species at the site this year.)

Ring Ouzel on lawn by footpath near lagoon 3 (28/4/07).

 

Friday 27/4/07 – MP reported: 3 Swift, 1 Whinchat, 1 Common Sandpiper , 1 White Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 6 Whimbrel, 10 Black-headed Gull (up-river), a steady flow of Swallow into the wind, 2 Sand Martin, 8+ House Martin, 1 Grey Wagtail (carrying food into sewage works area) and the female Peregrine on nest-platform. Also 2 Brimstone butterfly.

 

Wednesday 25/4/07 – MP reported a Wood Warbler singing in trees in the north-east corner of lagoon 1 (by ruins of old building) at 7:15am. Also: 1 Whinchat, 1 female Wheatear (lagoon 2), female Peregrine on the nest platform and 5 Canada Goose (lagoon 1).

In the evening were: 11+ Whimbrel, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Grey Wagtail, 20 Swallow, 2 Peregrine, 3 Teal and 1 Oystercatcher.

 

Sunday22/4/07 – 2 Whinchat by the pond, on lagoon 2. There was a passage of Reed/Sedge Warbler last night, with 3+ Sedge Warbler and c10 Reed Warbler (AM counted) on site. Also: 1 Wheatear, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Green Woodpecker (including a pair together in a tree) and 4 Lapwing on lagoon 1.

MP reported: 1 Tree Pipit (lagoon 2, singing), 1 Yellow Wagtail (over), 12 Whitethroat, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler and 1 Teal.

(The Wood Warbler yesterday was the 100th species reported at the site this year.)

Whinchat  on lagoon 2 (22/4/07).

Whitethroat and Tree Pipit (lagoon2) – photos by MP (22/4/07).

          

 

Saturday 21/4/07 – A Wood Warbler was singing (and seen well) for 20 minutes until 9:25am in the trees by the entrance and down the bridleway to the shore (first at site for 10 years). The number of Lesser Whitethroat (4) and Whitethroat (7) has increased. There were c280 large gulls on the estuary this morning; mainly sub-adult Herring Gull, with some Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 Great Black-backed Gull. Lagoon 1 had 5 Canada Goose and 2 Mute Swan (including  ‘AAAU’). Also: 2 female Wheatear, 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Raven and 3 Lapwing.

 

Wednesday 18/4/07 – An evening visit produced: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Dunlin, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Common Gull, 10 Swallow, 8 Tufted Duck (lake) and the Peregrine pair on the towers.

MP/AM reported: 3 ‘White’ Wagtail, 7 Pied Wagtail, 6 Whimbrel, 1 Ringed Plover, 6 Sand Martin, 1 Lapwing, 3 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Comma butterfly.

                             

Late News: A Red Kite was reported on a field trip by 9 members of the Bath Natural History Society (including RC) at 10:30 on Saturday morning, over fields just inland of the Power Station car park. It drifted North. (First record for the site.)

 

Sunday 15/4/07 – We joined in the local Ring Ouzel fest with a superb male giving good views (but very flighty) between lagoons 1 and 2 this morning (staying until 10am at least). Also a Grasshopper Warbler reeling intermittently on lagoon 2. Other birds thin on the ground: 1 Wheatear, 1 Whitethroat, 5 Swallow, c20 Black-headed Gull upriver, 2 Pintail and 2 Shoveler. Late addition - 1 Whimbrel on the evening high tide.

AM/MP reported: 1 Sedge Warbler (lagoon 2) and 1 Common Sandpiper (lake).

Ring Ouzel on lagoons 1 & 2 (15/4/07).

          

 

Saturday 14/4/07 – 14 Blackcap (including 4 in one bush !) and 5 Willow Warbler singing this morning. A constant flow of Swallows. The Peregrine pair put on a flying display over the towers. Lagoon 1 had: 2 Pintail, 4 Shoveler, 1 Grey Wagtail and 35 Teal. The Black-tailed Godwit was on the shore. 5 Canada Goose disputing control of the lake. MP reported a Tree Pipit over.

The pair of Peregrines together, with female on left (14/4/07). Showing size difference, and also plumage difference of this pair. The female has a more heavily barred front, especially darker on upper breast and much less of a ‘moustache’ on the hood.

 

 

Friday 13/4/07 -  A Lesser Whitethroat singing in the hedge by lagoon 3 this evening. A constant stream of Swallows, with 23 counted. On lagoon 1: 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Pintail, 4 Shoveler, 24 Teal and 2 Mute Swan (‘AAAU’ + Mate).

Black-tailed Godwit on lagoon 1 (13/4/07).

        

Thursday12/4/07  - AM reported: a Greenshank on lagoon 1, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Peregrine, Mallard with 9 duckling (lagoon 1), 37 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 12 Tufted duck, 2 Canada Goose, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Pintail, 1 Swallow, 51 Shelduck. Also 5 Brimstone and 1 Orange Tip butterflies.

 

Monday 9/4/07 – A Raven was on the shore. A Willow Warbler and 3 Blackcap singing. Lagoon 1 still has 2 Pintail and 4 Shoveler. One Swallow over.

In the evening: 225 Curlew on mudflats and female Mute Swan ‘AAAU’ on lagoon 1 with mate.

 

Sunday 8/4/07 – The only new birds from yesterday were: 6 Canada Goose, 6 Mute Swan (‘H97’ and her mate nest-building on the lake), 18 Black-headed Gull (heading downriver) and a brood of Mallard ducklings on the lake.

(LR Plover not seen on lagoon 1 today.)

 

Saturday 7/4/07 – A Little Ringed Plover was on lagoon 1 this morning, with the Pintail pair, 4 Shoveler, 35 Teal, 2 Wigeon and 3 Redshank. Singing migrants were: 1 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler and 3 Blackcap. 3 Black-headed Gull were the first seen since 18th March (another remarkable absence - see ‘small waders’ comment below). Also: 1 Wheatear, 4 Oystercatcher and 4 Jay. Butterflies: Speckled Wood, Tortoiseshell and Peacock.

MP reported 2 Wheatear.

Late addition: 10 Mallard ducklings on lagoon 1.

Little Ringed Plover on lagoon 1 (7/4/07).

          

Wheatear and female Peregrine (7/4/07).

          

 

Friday 6/4/07 – Definite taste of Spring today, with some singing migrants: 1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Whitethroat (AM reported latter). Other birds moving through: 9 Greylag Goose heading upriver, plus small numbers of Meadow Pipit, Greenfinch, Linnet and Goldfinch, and a steady flow of Wood Pigeon. Also 1 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin; incredibly, these are the first small waders reported at OPS since 3rd March ! Lagoon 1 had a pair of Pintail, 6 Shoveler and c35 Teal. A Shelduck was perched in a tree – presumably nest-prospecting. The female Peregrine was on the nest-ledge, then attacked 3 Shoveler over the river, with one narrowly escaping by crash-landing into the water, with the male Peregrine also joining in.

MP also reported: 1 or 2 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wagtail (water works) and a 7th Shoveler on the river.

AM also reported: 1 Swallow and 6 Wigeon.

Pintail, lagoon1 (6/4/07).

 

Monday 2/4/07 – A lovely sunny evening, but with cold NE wind, saw a Swallow over the lake. Lagoon 1 attracted a pair of Pintail, 7 Shoveler, 40 Teal, c40 Wigeon and 15 Shelduck. Another 54 Shelduck were on the flooded lagoon 3 (with 10 along the shore, giving a total of 79). About 70 Pied Wagtail went to roost in the reeds on lagoon 2. A Fieldfare and 5 Redwing roosted in the hedges along the main rhine.

 

Sunday 1/4/07 – A male Gadwall on the lake, with 2 Canada Goose, 9 Tufted Duck and 2 Mute Swan (inc. ‘H97’). Lagoon 1 had 65 Teal, 2 Mute Swan and 8 Shoveler. Along the shore were: 59 Shelduck, 40+ Wigeon, 7 Cormorant (including a flock of 6 upriver), 9 Oystercatcher and 15 Curlew. The Peregrine pair were on the cooling towers.

AM reported: 6 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 13 Chiffchaff and a Redwing.

 

Saturday 31/3/07 – A small movement upriver into a cold NE wind, under this morning’s low cloud: c35 Meadow Pipit, 12 Linnet, 3 Goldfinch and c50 Herring/Lesser Black-backed Gull. A Fieldfare still on lagoon 1. Also 6 Shoveler and 6 Redshank there. 4 Mute Swan on lagoon 3 (including female with orange darvic ‘H97’ on left leg). Also: 14 Chiffchaff, 2 Peregrine, 9 Tufted Duck and 2 Oystercatcher.

PC/TV reported: 2 Grey Wagtail, plus Brimstone and 2 Peacock butterflies.

 

Thursday 29/3/07 – A Sand Martin was over lagoon 1 this evening, where there were also 58 Teal and c20 Pied Wagtail. A tight flock of c120 Common Gull were migrating upriver at 7pm. On the shore were 67 Wigeon and 8 Shelduck. Water has been pumped into lagoon 3 all week, and attracted 50 Shelduck. The Peregrine pair were on the cooling towers, but appeared to have had a tiff, as one sat at each end ! Also: 9 Chiffchaff singing and 7 Tufted Duck.

 

[See Pictures from other locations for a photo of a white Coot that has been at Coate Water (nr. Swindon) for some time.]

 

Wednesday 28/3/07 – HL reported: 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Green Woodpecker, c25 Fieldfare, 4 Oystercatcher, 4 Shoveler, 16 Teal, 34 Wigeon, 4 Common Gull, 8 Shelduck, 2 Mute Swan (over), 7 Tufted duck.

 

Sunday 25/3/07 – Not a lot to report, despite a lovely sunny evening. On the lake there were: 11 Tufted Duck, the Mute Swan pair and a single Canada Goose – with the corpse of its mate on the island, sadly. The female Peregrine flew to a pylon and the male was on the nesting ledge for a while. On lagoon 1 were: another 4 Mute Swan (a pair + 2 juveniles), 3 Shoveler (lagoon 1), 68 Wigeon and 7 Teal. Also: 5 Chiffchaff, 31 Shelduck, and 136 Curlew on the mudflats.

 

Saturday 24/3/07 – AM reported: 2 Peregrine (pylons), 9 Tufted Duck, 9+ Chiffchaff, 4 Mute Swan (lagoon 3), 4 Raven, 25 Teal, 59 Wigeon and a Redshank.

 

Wednesday 21/3/07 – HL reported: 28 Teal, 40 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck (lagoon 1), 2 Canada Goose (lagoon 3), 6 Tufted Duck (lake) and 6 Chiffchaff. Also 1 Comma and 1 Tortoiseshell butterflies.

 

Sunday 18/3/07 – AM reported: 77 Wigeon, 14 Teal and 4 Canada Goose.

 

Saturday 17/3/07 – 8+ Chiffchaff singing in the Spring-like sunshine; also 4 Brimstone butterflies and the first hoverfly. But still 4 Fieldfare and 2 Redwing present. The Peregrine pair were on the pylons, but later one hunting over river. Also: c130 Curlew on mudflats, 12 Oystercatcher, 7 Great Black-backed Gull (but only about c25 other gulls in total), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 10 Tufted Duck.

 

Sunday 11/3/07 – 6 Chiffchaff this morning. The female Mute Swan with orange darvic ring ‘H97’ on left leg was with a mate on the lake, while the female with orange darvic ring ‘AAAU’ on right leg was with a mate on lagoon 1. Also 2 Canada Goose and 10 Tufted Duck on the lake. 2 Peregrine on the pylons. Also: 8 Oystercatcher and 22 Redshank.

MP also reported: 2 Raven, 2 Stonechat, 3 Water Rail, 238 Wigeon and 49 Teal.

HL reported 2 Little Egret from Whale Wharf, Littleton, just downriver from OPS. Also: 3 Canada Goose, 2 Mute Swan, 3 Skylark and c30 Wigeon.

 

Saturday 10/3/07 – A Bar-headed Goose flew around lagoon 3, before flying off upriver with a Canada Goose (+ another 5 Canada Goose seen). The Peregrine pair put on a great flying display around the cooling towers between 9.30 and 10am, with the male on the nest-ledge twice. They then flew off south to the pylons. There were 6 Mute Swan around (4 adult + 2 juvenile), including a female (I think) on lagoon 1 with orange darvic ring on RIGHT leg, ‘AAAU’ (i.e. different to ‘H97’ on left leg). Also: 3 Chiffchaff singing again, 235 Wigeon, 28 Teal, 25 Mallard, c20 Shelduck, 10 Tufted Duck, 4 Oystercatcher, c65 Curlew, 3 Redshank, c20 Fieldfare and 3 Redwing.

 

Thursday 8/3/07 – MP reported: 1 female Peregrine, 13 Tufted Duck on lake and 2 pairs of Mute Swan (Lagoon 1 and lake).

 

Tuesday 6/3/07 – MP/HL reported: 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Stonechat, 121 Wigeon, 71 Turnstone, 5 Shoveler, 2 Mute Swan (lagoon 1), 12 Tufted Duck, 2 singing Chiffchaff, the Peregrine pair active around reactor towers, with male in display flight. (The male has much darker and complete hood with less defined moustache, also whiter upper breast. Heavier barring on female with paler hood, Plus obvious size difference.) Also, no gulls in evening roost, strangely.

 

Sunday 4/3/07 – 14 Tufted Duck and the Mute Swan pair on the lake. Also 9 Oystercatcher.

 

Saturday 3/3/07 – 3 Chiffchaff singing in the sun this morning are the earliest I have heard (by 5 days). The female Mute Swan with orange darvic ring ‘H97’ on left leg was displaying with a mate on lagoon 3, and they were aggressive to 2 juveniles there. A fifth Mute Swan flew upriver. There were 300+ Curlew and 4 Oystercatcher roosting at high tide on the shore by the yacht club. The Peregrine pair were on the cooling tower (with one briefly on nest-ledge), while a third was sat on a pylon. There were 2 Canada Goose and 11 Tufted Duck on the lake. 3 Water Rail heard on lagoon 2, and a Grey Wagtail over. (Also, a stolen red Toyota Supra abandoned along the main bridleway track !)

AM reported: 7 Water Rail heard on lagoon 2 ! c200 Wigeon, 45 Teal and 5 Shoveler.

 

The Teal with red nasal tag ‘F5’ seen at OPS on 15/10/06 was resighted on 17/2/07 at Trimley Marshes, near Felixstowe, Suffolk. (It was originally tagged in Portugal during the winter of 05/06, but there has only been a quarter of the Teal numbers there this winter, due to mild temperatures.)

 

Wednesday 28/2/07 – Very strong westerly winds didn’t produce any seabirds in a 30 minute seawatch over the evening’s high tide. Two short-tailed field vole running around on the path were unusual.

 

Sunday 25/2/07 – The Peregrine pair were in the air, over the cooling towers. 2 Raven were on the shore at Shepperdine. The Knot was on lagoon 1 again with 9 Redshank.

Also, MP reported: c350 Wigeon, c100 Teal and c100 Turnstone.

Turnstone at Shepperdine (Photo by MP)  (25/2/07).

        

 

Saturday 24/2/07 – A Knot, a Mediterranean Gull and 5 Shoveler were on lagoon 1 at high tide.

AM reported: 367 Wigeon, 14 Shoveler, 7 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 25 Lapwing (only) and 5 Oystercatcher.

 

Knot and Mediterranean Gull on lagoon 1 (24/2/07).

          

 

Wednesday 21/2/07 – MP reported: 1 Knot, c100 Turnstone, c350 Wigeon, c200 Teal and 4 Jay.

 

Tuesday 20/2/07 – MP reported: 1 Knot, 21 Redshank, 17 Curlew, 448 Lapwing, 4 Shoveler, 155 Wigeon, 203 Teal, 15 Dunlin, 9 Bullfinch (together on bridleway track), 1 Water Rail (seen by lagoon 2 reeds) and the Peregrine pair active around the nest-platform.

 

Sunday 18/2/07 – It was perfect conditions for the evening gull roost on the tidal reservoir; high tide about 2 hours after sunset and no wind. A Mediterranean Gull (adult moulting into summer plumage) was with c1000 Common Gull and c1000 Black-headed Gull, along with some distant large gulls. There were 4 Stonechat on the shore by lagoon 3 and the Peregrine pair were together on the nesting ledge (fingers crossed!). Also 120+ Pied Wagtail on the shore, pre-roost. A Water Rail was again seen by the reeds on lagoon 2 (with 3 others heard).

 

Saturday 17/2/07 – Lagoon 1 had: c 100 Teal, c100 Wigeon, 6 Tufted Duck (with another on the lake), 7 Shoveler, c100 Lapwing and c100 Dunlin. On lagoon 2, 4 Water Rail were calling from the reeds. Also: 5 Canada Goose (on lake), 10 Oystercatcher, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 6 Bullfinch (including one singing).

MP reported: 19 Golden Plover over.

A late report of an escaped Bateleur Eagle over OPS on about the 8/2/07 (correction). Also reported on http://www.gwentbirds.org.uk/ (go to Photo Gallery then Mystery Birds for photos). It escaped on 1/10/06 in West Sussex.

 

Sunday 11/02/07 – 2 Raven and a Water Rail seen again on edge of lagoon 2 reedbed.

AM reported: 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Buzzard, 5 Water Rail (heard) and c800 Lapwing.

 

Sparrowhawk on lagoon 2 outfall railings (11/2/07)

 

Saturday 10/2/07 – 2 Water Rail were on snow covered grass next to the reedbed on lagoon 2. Lagoon 1 had: c200 Wigeon, c250 Dunlin, c200 Lapwing, 11 Shoveler, 2 Mute Swan and 2 Curlew. Another c100 Wigeon were at Shepperdine, as were c135 Turnstone and 9 Oystercatcher. The Peregrine pair were on a pylon. Chaffinch song was heard in several places.

 

Stonechat on the shore by the jetty (10/2/07)

 

Thursday 8/2/07 – HL reported 3 Little Egret a mile from the site along the rhine at the Lower Severn Drainage offices.

 

Wednesday 7/2/07 – HL reported: 2 adult and 2 Juvenile Mute Swan on the pond, a pair of Pintail, several Shoveler, and 2 Snipe on lagoon 2. Also, a Barn Owl half a mile from the site, along the main road at 5pm.

 

Monday 5/2/07 – HL reported: 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Raven, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Snipe and 2 Mute Swan on the lake.

 

Sunday 4/2/07 – Sunny and frosty (-2 degrees C) this morning. A very good count of 103 Turnstone at Shepperdine, and 3 Canada Goose there. 83 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 77 Herring Gull and 4 Great Black-backed Gull moving upriver in small flocks. A Sparrowhawk demonstrated its ‘butterfly’ and undulating display flights. Skylark singing and Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming. Also: 6 Bullfinch.

 

Saturday 3/2/07 – Glorious sunshine elsewhere; dense fog on the Severn ! When it began to lift at 11am, it revealed flocks of Golden Plover: 7 on the shore by lagoon 3, 34 at Shepperdine and 16, 25 and 40 overhead, upriver – a total of 122. This is easily the highest count at the site (previous best 65 in 1991, from AM’s records). Another record count was of 18 Pintail (previous 15 in ’91 & ’85), with a flock of 12 flying onto the tidal reservoir and 6 at Shepperdine. A flock of geese could be heard calling from the fog, out on the estuary. When eventually found, they were disappointingly 6 Canada Goose. Also: 2 Little Egret (field over road from hide), 30+ Shelduck, c250 Dunlin, c300 Lapwing, 2 Stonechat and 1 Peregrine. A Bumblebee was flying by lagoon 2.

 

Pintail on tidal reservoir(3/2/07)                                                                         Golden Plover with Dunlin and Lapwing, Shepperdine (3/2/07)

          

 

Friday 2/2/07 – 4 Tufted Duck reported.

 

Sunday 28/1/07 – 16 Shoveler and 3 Raven were the only birds of note this afternoon. (Dog walker on lagoon 1 at high tide.)

A flock of  17 Brent Goose was seen flying upriver yesterday by the Dursley Birders (inc. HL) – reported on the Gloster Birder site http://www.birder.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/.

 

Ringing details for the Mute Swan with orange darvic ring ‘H97’ (which nested at OPS last year and has been a regular since) – Ringed as a cygnet 16/3/03 at River Avon, Strensham Lock, Worcestershire by Edward Bird. Sightings: 29/3/04 – R. Severn, Bewdley, Worcs.; 7/8/04 – Sharpness canal, Slimbridge; 1/2/05, 11/3/05, 21/4/05 – WWT Slimbridge; 20/5/05 – canal, Slimbridge. (Any more sightings in the area gladly received.)

 

Saturday 27/1/07 – A female Goldeneye was on lagoon 1 this morning (until 11am at least). It was diving repeatedly, so presumably found something to eat there. The tidal reservoir was flat as a mill-pond in the windless conditions, and 4 Raven flew over it heading upriver. On lagoon 2 were 3 Stonechat and 3 Water Rail (heard), with another in the rhine along the shore (by the small wood) to SW of lagoon 3. There were 5 Canada Goose and 2 Tufted Duck on the lake. Also: 1 Peregrine and c40 Redshank. The first flowers of Blackthorn (about a week earlier than last three years).

AM reported: 234 Mallard, 190 Wigeon, 249 Teal, 3 Snipe, 10 Shelduck, 50 Oystercatcher, c400 Lapwing, 100 Turnstone, 2 Dunlin and 1 Little Owl. Also, MP reported 14 Shoveler.

 

Goldeneye on lagoon 1 (27/1/07)

         

 

Wednesday 24/1/07 – HL reported: 14 Canada Goose (lake behind hide), 1 Green Woodpecker and lots of Redwing/Fieldfare.

 

Tuesday 23/1/07 - HL reported: 14 Canada Goose (flushed from lagoon 1 by dogs and walker), 6 Redshank, 10 Curlew, 25 Common Gull and 10 Turnstone. (No Mute Swan.)

 

Sunday 21/1/07 – PD reported the Peregrine pair soaring together over the cooling towers at midday.

 

Saturday 20/1/07 – A possible Shag was fishing on lagoon 1 (unusual for a Cormorant sp. as it is just a flooded field). It flew to the estuary before I had a good look at it, giving only rear views in flight, but it partially turned its head once to show what appeared to be a thin bill. Distant views on the river were inconclusive. It then flew strongly upriver at about 10am. There were a remarkable flock of c700 Common Gull on the river again. On the lake were: 14 Canada Goose, 2 Mute Swan and 3 Coot. Also: 1-2 Yellowhammer, 2 Shoveler, 36 Redshank, 2 Raven and the female Peregrine.

AM/MP reported: up to500 Lapwing, c250 Dunlin (distant) in flooded fields by yacht club, and a very good count of 86 Turnstone. Also: 230 Mallard, 62 Curlew, 25 Shelduck, 113 Teal, 370 Wigeon, 60 Stock Dove and a Water Rail.

 

Sunday 14/1/07 – A Lesser Redpoll was alone on alder along the footpath to SW of lagoon 3. The lake had 5 Canada Goose and a male Tufted Duck. 15 Oystercatcher is a high count. The flooded fields to SW of lagoon 3 had c250 Lapwing, c100 Dunlin, 2 Stonechat, 5 Skylark, 4 Reed Bunting, c20 Meadow Pipit and c100 Redwing. Also a fox in fields to South of lagoon 2.

AM reported: 4 Water Rail on lagoon 2, including 2 seen on the small reedbed.

 

Saturday 13/1/07 – 2 Yellowhammer in the hedges to SW of lagoon 3. A pair of Mute Swan on lagoon 1 included the female (I think) ‘H97’ (orange darvic ring on left leg). Also: 300+ Redwing, 9 Oystercatcher, 17 Redshank and 9 Shelduck.

 

Wednesday 10/1/07 – A gull-fest this morning started with a Little Gull flying around the tidal reservoir in a strong westerly wind. It then went to roost on lagoon 3, and trying to relocate it I found an adult winter Mediterranean Gull roosting. At around midday there were 500+ Common Gull on the river. The only other birds of any note were a Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Little Gull on lagoon 3 (10/1/07)

         

 

Mediterranean Gull on lagoon 3 (10/1/07)

         

 

Sunday 7/1/07 – 2 Rock Pipit at Shepperdine on a very wet morning.

 

Saturday 6/1/07 – 2 Little Egret in fields to south of lagoon 2. A Water Rail was on the grass near the lake and another 3 heard (by AM) on lagoon 2. Lagoon 1 held 14 Canada Goose, 72 Turnstone and 3 Shoveler. There were 25 Fieldfare in hedges to SW of lagoon 3. AM counted c600 Lapwing and c200 Dunlin on lagoon 3.

 

2 Little Egrets and a WaterRail (6/1/07)

         

 

What’s that coming over the hill . . .? It’s AM ! (6/1/07)

         

 

Tuesday 2/1/07 – A strong W/NW wind didn’t produce any seabirds. The Mute Swan pair were nest prospecting on the island in the lake, and now 2 Coot there. Plenty of Redwing around. Also: 8 Oystercatcher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Stonechat.

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