The Gloster Birder

Due to the Corona virus crisis and present restrictions I have decided to pause the website because I don’t want to encourage anyone to travel to a bird against Government advice. Records will be mainly birds seen on daily walks and garden birds at the moment.

Some of you are luckier than others with where you live but remember to follow the Government guidelines.

I will collate all the records that do get sent to me and will update when we are allowed to bird freely again. It will also be nice for me to take a break.

Stay safe, keep well and I look forward to seeing you in the field soon. Mike.

Cleeve Hill     A RING OUZEL this afternoon. (Duncan & Becky Dine). Pic by Dunc.

Ashleworth Ham     Two pairs of Buzzards, a Peregrine, a pair of Reed Buntings, a pair of Oystercatchers, six Curlews, a Great Crested Grebe, a large mixed flock of Thrushes, a Stock Dove, Wrens, a Grey Heron, Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Pintail and 27 Mute Swans. Other sightings included Peacock and Brimstone butterflies and Dark-edged Bee-flies. (Chris & Phil Andrews). Pic by Phil.

Cheltenham     A Sparrowhawk plucking a dove in an alleyway off Alma Road today, it was disturbed by a dog and flew off. (Dave Tomlin).

Winchcombe     A Buzzard overhead being mobbed by at least 12 gulls and two Comma butterflies in the garden. (Gill Worthington).

Stroud     A FIRECREST on the old railway line between Rodborough Hill and Kwik Fit. (Eric Palmer). Pic by Eric.

Frampton pools     Early morning a pair of Whooper Swans over heading NE also 16 Fieldfares also NE. (Nick Goatman).

Forest of Dean     The GREAT GREY SHRIKE still at Crabtree Hill today. (Duncan Dine/Nick Robinson).

Stinchcombe Hill     A female Wheatear, four Fieldfares, a Linnet, 22 Meadow Pipits, 40 Woodpigeons heading N and a flyover Collared Dove, a patch tick. (James Robinson).

Selsley Common     At dawn three Ravens, four Redwings, two Chiffchaffs, a Nuthatch calling, 38 Chaffinches through, 10+ Skylarks and 10+ Meadow Pipits. (MK).

Cleeve Hill     A Red Kite and a solitary Fieldfare the best between the masts and West Down this afternoon. (Peter Rodgers). Pic by Peter.

Coombe Hill Meadows     A GREAT WHITE EGRET flew in and circled Coombe Hill then drifted off to the S at 9:15am. (Ian Ralphs).

Nailsworth     In the Nailsworth area today at Tetbury Lane a singing Chiffchaff, a singing Blackcap, two Jays and a singing Greenfinch. At Longlength Lane 97 Common Gulls in horse paddock. At Ledgemore 24 Meadow Pipits, a Grey Wagtail and a Coal Tit and a Teal flushed from Ledgemore Pond. At Vale Farm pools seven Greylags, a male Tufted Duck, a Little Grebe and two Chiffchaffs. At Avening a Coal Tit, at Gatcombe Water 12 Tufted Ducks. Also a Red Kite and ten Buzzards in the area. (Jake King).

Edge     This afternoon ten Chiffchaffs, 16 Redwings, four Buzzards, a Green Woodpecker heard and two Long-tailed Tits. (John Fletcher). Pic by John.

Cheltenham     At Naunton Park, a Red Kite and four Sparrowhawks up at the same time, a Raven, singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff and Long-tailed Tits heard. (Steve Brown).

Tewkesbury     In the garden male and female Blackcaps and a pair of Sparrowhawks circling above. (Les Ditchburn).

Selsley     An adult male RING OUZEL on the SW flank of the common this morning at 6:40am, but no sign later. (Hugh Manistre).

Frampton    On the flashes N of Splatt Bridge early morning a CATTLE EGRET, 15+ Little Egrets, 70 Curlews, five Oystercatchers, seven Redshanks, a Ruff, a Dunlin, three Mandarins, six Sand Martin and many Chiffchaffs. (Gordon Hodgson). Also Brimstone and Peacock butterflies. (Mark Dowie). A MEDITERRANEAN GULL over the flashes and two MEDITERRANEAN GULLS and a male Goldeneye on the Sailing Lake today. (Seb Buckton). This evening at the pools a GREAT WHITE EGRET, a CATTLE EGRET, 14 Little Egrets, a Goshawk, five Fieldfares, 19 Chiffchaffs, 50+ Sand Martins, two Teal, 73 Tufted Ducks and three Little Grebes. (Nick Goatman).

Nailsworth     Three White Wagtails on plough near Tiltups End today. (Francis Steuck).

Cirencester     A Peregrine on and around the Parish Church, flying and calling this morning over the marketplace at 10:30am. (Joss Elphick).

Tetbury     The wandering reintroduced Isle of Wight immature WHITE-TAILED EAGLE flew E at 11:15am. (per RBA).

Forest of Dean     The GREAT GREY SHRIKE still at Crabtree Hill today. (Dot Jones/Simon Ashley/Jonathan Bull). Today at Forge Hill, Lydbrook a Chiffchaff singing and two Blackcaps singing. Also a male Brimstone and a Small Tortoiseshell. (Chris Sullivan).

Leckhampton Hill     15 Golden Plovers, some coming into breeding plumage. (Tom Mabbett).

Highnam Woods      A LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER (or maybe two) drumming at 12:15pm and 13:19pm in two different areas. Also Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker calling, four Marsh Tits singing and two Redwings. (Ken Heron).

Caudle Green/Brimpsfield     A Kestrel, a Red Kite at very close range, and many Buzzards very actively displaying and calling. (Nikki Smith).

Winchcombe     A Chiffchaff singing just above Lower Langley Farm on Langley Road this morning. (Stuart Galey).

Forest of Dean     A immature WHITE-TAILED EAGLE circled very low over the house in Hawkwell just before 3pm and with Buzzards in toe headed towards Drybrook. (Ed Drewitt). It was then seen over Symonds Yat at 3:20pm and flew on into Herefordshire. (Steve Watson/Rob Husbands/Toby Fountain). The GREAT GREY SHRIKE still at Crabtree Hill this morning. (Martin Vaisey). Pic by Martin.

Overley Wood     A GREAT GREY SHRIKE perched on a monkey puzzle tree at the entrance to Overley Wood this afternoon, presumably the Park Corner bird. (Anna Field).

Aylburton     A Red Kite at Upper Common at 4:30pm, also a singing Chiffchaff on Lower Common. (Martin Vaisey).

Cricklade     A CATTLE EGRET with eight Little Egrets in a field by the Thames Path N of Hailstone Hill at SU078948. (Mark Gurney).

Frampton     On the flashes N of Splatt Bridge a CATTLE EGRET, 20 Little Egrets, two Mandarins, two Pintails, 50 Curlews, 30 Chiffchaffs, 50+ Sand Martins through, a Red-legged Partridge in the field by the carpark, unusual here, five Snipe, three pairs of Teal, a pair of Gadwalls, five Fieldfares flew N and a Cetti’s Warbler calling. (Gordon Hodgson/MK). Also a male Marsh Harrier S of Splatt Bridge and two Common Cranes behind the 100-Acre. (Paul Sutton). At the pools 150+ Sand Martins, a male Red Crested Pochard, a drake Goldeneye, a Pochard, 84 Tufted Ducks, 19 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, 24 Fieldfares, 12 Redwings, two Lapwings, two Oystercatchers, two Shelducks, a Peregrine and a Snipe. (Nick Goatman/Neil Smart). Also a WHITE WAGTAIL and a Kingfisher. (Neil Smart).

Gloucester    Two Peregrines around the Cathedral today, one went into a stoop over
Kingsholm. (Gareth Jones).

Berkeley     At Berkeley Deer Park a Red Kite, two Green Woodpeckers and a Green Sandpiper today. (Kane Brides/Scott Petrek).

Leighterton     200+ Golden Plovers wheeling over fields this afternoon. (Seb Buckton).

Sharpness     In the Basin at least 20 Chiffchaffs moving through trees and bushes this morning. Also Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Peacock butterflies on the wing. (Roger Wasley).

Ashleworth Ham     Two Buzzards, a female Sparrowhawk, a pair of Shelducks, four Lapwings, a distant large flock of winter Thrushes, ten Curlews, a Wren, Chaffinches, and three Chiffchaffs singing. (Chris & Phil Andrews). Pic by Phil.

Wotton-Under-Edge     In the garden this morning a Marsh Tit, a Goldcrest, a Nuthatch, a Bullfinch and a Chiffchaff. Also a flyover Red Kite and a Raven. (Paul Rich).

Highnam Woods     This afternoon birds included five Marsh Tits, three Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Long-tailed Tit, three Nuthatches, two Treecreepers, a Goldcrest, a Coal Tit, two Song Thrushes, two Pied Wagtails, a Green Woodpecker, two Buzzards and a Kestrel. (John Fletcher). Pic by John.

Cheltenham     At 8:30am a male Yellowhammer on the hedgerow along Chargrove Lane, Up Hatherley. (Gareth Richards).

Coombe Hill Meadows     This evening four Mute Swans, two Shelducks, 250 Wigeon, ten Gadwalls, 100 Teals, ten Mallards, 34 Pintails, 40 Shovelers, 33 Tufted Ducks, a Pochard, three Great Crested Grebes, 20 Coots, four Oystercatchers and two Chiffchaffs singing. (Mike Smart).

Walmore Common    A pair of GARGANEYS this morning. Also a Red Kite flying over. (John & Viv Phillips).

WWT Slimbridge     The SPOONBILL on the Dumbles today. Also the unringed Common Crane. (Paul Masters). Also 544 Black-tailed Godwits and 91 Avocets on South Lake. (Dave Paynter). Record shot by Mike.

Frampton     On the flashes N of Splatt Bridge early morning a CATTLE EGRET, 15 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, 100+ Shelducks, two pairs of Gadwalls, 24 Curlews, six Redshanks, two Oystercatchers, 80+ Sand Martins, a Peregrine, a female Marsh Harrier, four Buzzards, 30 Golden Plovers flew S and five Fieldfares flew N. (Gordon Hodgson). A MERLIN at midday on a post near the 100-Acre then it flew off over the canal, viewed from Splatt Bridge. (Vic Polley). On the pools 200+Sand Martins, a male Pochard, 50 Tufted Ducks, three Gadwalls, four Chiffchaffs and a steady flow of Meadow Pipits going N early morning. (Nick Goatman).

Lydney     Between Lydney Station and Harbour six Sand Martins, a Chiffchaff heard and 80+ Starlings. At the harbour two Oystercatchers. (Bernie Dumbleton).

Edge     At Rudge Hill this morning a Barn Owl and two Stonechats. (Sam Walker).

Cotswold Water Park East     Nine Goosanders (3m, 6f) on Pit 104 this morning. (Duncan Dine).

Berkeley shore     Seven Wheatears  today between the power station and Severn House Farm copse. (Paul Taylor).

Hawling     A Wheatear at 11am. (Martin Harrison).

Selsley Common     A female Wheatear this evening. (Rich Hearn).

Leckhampton   On stony ploughed fields along Hartley Lane at the back of Leckhampton Hill SO953177, c200 Golden Plovers, a Red Kite, also c20 Fieldfares and a few Redwings nearby. (Rob & Petra Crofton).

Cheltenham     A Kingfisher on the River Chelt between Brooklyn Gardens and Moors Avenue from the bridge. Also a pair of Jays and a Chiffchaff. (Vanda Owen).

Combe     A male Kestrel, two Buzzards and a Red Kite today. (Mike Fisher).

Tuffley     A Sparrowhawk on a pigeon kill in a neighbouring garden late morning. (John Fletcher).

Frampton     On the flashes late afternoon a SPOONBILL, a CATTLE EGRET, 19+ Little Egrets, a Barn Owl and 52 Sand Martins. (Gordon Hodgson).

Saul Warth     Two Wheatears along the rocks at 2:10pm, still there at 4pm, also 75 Shelducks, a pair of Mandarins, a pair of Gadwalls, 10+ Mallards, four Canada Geese, two Greylags, five Oystercatchers, a Grey Heron, two Little Egrets, three Stock Doves, 18 Skylarks, six Meadow Pipits, a female Stonechat, a male Reed Bunting, a Cetti’s Warbler and a Chiffchaff heard. (MK). Pics by Mike.

Huntley     Seven Siskins in the garden at 3pm. (Richard Smart). Pic by Richard.

WWT Slimbridge     Three Sand Martins over South Lake this afternoon and 92 Avocets. (Paul Masters).

Nailsworth area     A garden Chiffchaff at The Poplars. At Ruskin Mill ponds six Chiffchaffs, four Grey Wagtails, four Nuthatches, two Marsh Tits, two Song Thrushes, three Tufted Ducks, four Mallards, five Moorhens and a Coot. At Hill Barn eight Chaffinches (2 males). At Kingscote five Redwings and a Mistle Thrush. At Conygre pond 24 Mallards and in Hay Lane a pair of Treecreepers. (Jake King).

Stonehouse     Along the Stroudwater canal at 5:30pm a Kingfisher around Ocean bridge at SO798050 and 20+ Goldfinches at Nutshell bridge at SO800049. (Paul Sutton).

Painswick Beacon    This morning a Marsh Tit calling, first since the autumn, a Green Woodpecker, a male Bullfinch and plenty of Meadow Pipits. (Sam Walker).

Purton    27 Chiffchaffs, four Goldcrests and plenty of Robins. Vismig included three Sand Martin and 170 Meadow Pipits. (Francis Steuck). Also between Purton and Sharpness two Snipe, a male Mandarin, a Grey Heron, a Buzzard and a Great Crested Grebe on SARA pool. (Mike Davis).

Coombe Hill Meadows     Accessible only in waders. Seven Shelducks, 25 Shovelers, 20 Gadwalls, two Pintails, 34 Tufted Ducks, two Goldeneyes, a Little Grebe, a Great Crested Grebe, 42 Coots, three Oystercatchers, two Redshanks and 100 Sand Martins. (Andy Jayne).