Thursday 3rd November 2022

Chapman’s Cross    A Barn Owl hunting over the road verge at SO932018 at 9:30pm. (Richard & Cerys Lansdown).

Saul Warth     This afternoon two Common Cranes flew from Awre to WWT, 23 Shelducks, a Mute Swan, unusual on the river, four Little Egrets, three Kestrels, 43 Grey Plovers, three Bar-tailed Godwits, five Redshanks, 20+ Curlews, 100+ Dunlins, a Ringed Plover, a Mistle Thrush, three Redwings, 40+ Goldfinches, 10+ Linnets, 80+ Starlings, three Stonechats, a Chiffchaff and a late Red Admiral. (MK).

Wren by Mike King

Linnet by Mike King

Forest of Dean     A late SWALLOW at Littledean this morning. (Ted Harris).

Frampton     On Court Lake a Spotted Redshank, three Great White Egrets and a Green Sandpiper. On the Sailing Lake an adult Yellow-legged Gull, five Chiffchaffs, a Cetti’s Warbler and two Mistle Thrushes. (Nick Goatman).

Brockhampton     Two Bramblings, a Nuthatch, a Coal Tit and 50 Chaffinches
feeding on crushed Beech mast on the narrow road W of Oxleaze SP047224, two Buzzards, a Raven, a Bullfinch and a singing Redwing. (Steve Brown).

Syreford     A Muntjac near the junction for Whitehall. Numerous Fieldfares and Redwings between Brockhampton and Syreford. A Brambling near the junction at the start of the approach road to the Cleeve Hill masts. (Steve Brown).

Cheltenham     At Park Campus, two Ravens, a small flock of Redwings and a Coal
Tit. (Steve Brown).

Longney Crib     This afternoon a Stonechat, seven Linnets, three Grey Herons, four Little Egrets, two Stonechats, 75+ mixed Redwings and Fieldfares, six Pied Wagtails, a Kestrel, 200+ Starlings and 300+ Rooks. (John Fletcher).

Nailsworth     A fall of migrant Blackbirds, with more than 20 in and around the garden, mainly first year birds. (Terry Grant).

Tresham     At least 9, probably 11 Red Kites today. (Terry Grant).

Bourton-on-the-Water     A Red Kite flying low over the rooftops of Kings Meadow early afternoon. (Howard Taylor).

Notgrove     A Red Kite flying over a ploughed field this morning. (Howard Taylor).

Coombe Hill Meadows     The scrapes now full of water. Teal and Wigeon numbers building slowly. A juvenile female Goshawk today. Wellies essential. (Ian Hull).

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Wednesday 2nd November 2022

Beachley Point     A BLACK-THROATED DIVER briefly at 12:20pm. It was under the first road crossing and dived three times, travelling long distances underwater. After about 5 minutes it took off and attempted to fly downstream, but the wind was so strong that it veered off, gained height and flew inland into South Glos over Aust Warth where it was lost to view. Also eight Wigeon and six Oystercatchers on Chapel Rock. (John Sanders).

Frampton    On the Sailing Lake an adult KITTIWAKE up the far end of the lake. On Court Lake three Great White Egrets sheltering from the wind. (Nick Goatman).

Stroud     A Kingfisher on Painswick Stream behind Tesco near Stratford Park. (Richard Williams).

Rodley     Along the river this morning 300 Lapwings,150 Golden Plovers, 45 Curlews, 11 Little Egrets and eight Stonechats. (David Smith).

Elmore     This morning hundreds of Fieldfares and Redwings, 15 Skylarks, eight Meadow Pipits, eight Common Gulls, three Kestrels, two Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk and two Jays. (Steve Pullen).

Forest of Dean     At Crabtree Hill a Goshawk being harried by a Carrion Crow, two pairs of Stonechats and large numbers of Woodpigeons. (Alan Waterman).

Painswick Beacon     Migration highlights from today were 7400 Woodpigeons, 814 Redwings, 141 Fieldfares, 86 Chaffinches and two Hawfinches. (John Fleming).

Stonehouse     A female Kingfisher at Bond’s Mill, a Little Grebe near the bridge, a Little Egret in the field opposite St Cyr’s church, at least two Goldcrest with Long-tailed Tits at Beard’s Mill. (Paul Sutton).

Little Grebe by Paul Sutton

Kingfisher by Paul Sutton

Purton (West side of the Severn)     A first-winter Mediterranean Gull and 15 Grey Plovers on the east side of the river. (Andy Jayne).

Saul Warth     33 Grey Plovers, 20+ Curlews, five Cormorants, three adult Common Gulls, a Rock Pipit, three Meadow Pipits, three Mistle Thrushes and three Stock Doves at high tide early afternoon. (MK). This morning 22 Grey Plovers, 15 Dunlins, six Curlews and 11 Cattle Egrets with the cattle next to Hock Ditch. (Steve Pullen).

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Tuesday 1st November 2022

WWT Slimbridge     A LEACH’S PETREL lingering on the River Severn over high tide, early afternoon. It flew upriver towards Saul Warth but was lost to view. c45 KITTIWAKES flew downriver.  (Scott Petrek/Martin McGill).

Frampton pools     At lunchtime two Great White Egrets, four Chiffchaffs, two Blackcap, two adult Yellow-legged Gulls, a Common Sandpiper, two Green Sandpipers, ten Great Crested Grebes and 6+ Goldcrests. (Nick Goatman).

Saul Warth    A Cattle Egret, a Little Egret, two Grey Herons, a Dark-bellied Brent Goose on the Awre bank, a Great Crested Grebe, 30+ Curlews and eight Grey Plovers. (MK).

Cattle Egret by Mike King

Berkeley shore     At high tide 26 Mallards, eight Redshanks, two Curlews, eight Pied Wagtails, five Meadow Pipits, a Rock Pipit and a Bar-tailed Godwit. In the fields two Stock Doves and small numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings. (Neil Smart).

Nailsworth     A late HOBBY circling overhead for a while during the afternoon. A steady southerly movement of at least 800 Redwings and 120+ Fieldfares along the Valley throughout the day (3 brief counts). (Terry Grant).

Painswick Beacon     Early migration watch 1565 Redwings, 360 Fieldfares, 1350 Woodpigeons, 40 Stock Doves, 376 Starlings, 178 Chaffinches, 58 Goldfinches, 11 Siskins and 20 Skylarks. (John Fleming).

Forest of Dean    1000+ Woodpigeons S over Crabtree Hill by 8:40am. (Frank Williams).

Stonehouse     This morning a Jay over Bridgend. Four Goldcrests with a mixed tit flock, two Redwings, two Song Thrushes. a lot of Blackbirds and a Kingfisher along the canal at Ryeford. A small mixed tit flock and three Chiffchaffs near Hoffmann’s dam on the canal near Bond’s Mill. (Paul Sutton).

Jay by Paul Sutton

Chiffchaff by Paul Sutton
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Monday 31st October 2022 🎃

WWT Slimbridge     The COLLARED PRATINCOLE still today on South Lake. (Slimbridge Sightings). Also a BITTERN on South Lake today. (Lisa Presland).

Lydney New Grounds     The SNOW BUNTING again today at SO 63750 00690. Park at the end of Harbour Road, cross the swing bridge and follow the footpath S to New Grounds. (Roy Kinchin/Neil Smart). Also a late Swallow over Lydney harbour. (Roy Kinchin).

Coombe Hill Meadows     Late morning a Sparrowhawk, three Buzzards, six Stonechats, five Linnets, 15 Meadow Pipits, 30+ Redwings, two Red Admirals, Migrant Hawker and Common Darter mating still. (Paul Clark).

Forest of Dean     At Cannop Stoneworks a Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail today. (Bettie Sloane).

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Sunday 30th October 2022

WWT Slimbridge     The COLLARED PRATINCOLE still today and seen at various hides around the grounds. (Slimbridge Sightings).

Lydney New Grounds     The SNOW BUNTING again today at SO 63750 00690. Park at the end of Harbour Road, cross the swing bridge and follow the footpath S to New Grounds. (Martin Vaisey/Mike Davis/Frank Williams).

Snow Bunting by Martin Vaisey

Sharpness     A male BLACK REDSTART today around the tallest building. (Andy Jordan).

Cotswold Water Park East     At Pit 126 a Goldeneye, 83 Tufted Ducks, 40 Coots, 58 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 45 Black-headed Gulls, five Pochards, two Teal, two Gadwalls, a Cetti’s Warbler and a late Swallow. (Ian Sherriffs).

Frampton    A late Common Sandpiper on Court Lake with two Green Sandpipers. Also a Great White Egret, a Little Egret, a Raven, a Curlew and a Cetti’s Warbler heard, four Fieldfares, 20+ Redwings, a Grey Wagtail and six Siskins. (MK). Nine Cattle Egrets came in to roost, seven Pochards, 138 Wigeon, 117 Gadwalls, 36 Teal, 18 Shovelers, 26 Tufted Ducks, 25 Cormorants, three Chiffchaffs and 55 Pied Wagtails. (Nick Goatman).

Common Sandpiper by Mike King

Painswick Beacon      Migration watch this morning four Hawfinches, 471 Redwings, 96 Fieldfares, 122 Chaffinches, 111 Starlings and 437 Woodpigeons this morning. (John Fleming/Francis Steuck).

Nailsworth     At Barton End a male MERLIN flushed a flock of 230+ Golden Plovers late this afternoon. (Terry Grant).

Saul Warth    This afternoon a Redshank, a Kestrel, a male Reed Bunting, eight Meadow Pipits, a Grey Wagtail and six Pied Wagtails, eight Fieldfares and six Mistle Thrushes. At Hock Ditch nine Cattle Egrets and a Little Egret amongst the cattle, also a Jay, two Stonechats and 35 Common Gulls. (Steve Pullen).

Epney     Two Lapwings and a Cormorant this afternoon. (Steve Pullen).

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Saturday 29th October 2022

Lydney New Grounds     The SNOW BUNTING again today at SO 63750 00690. Park at the end of Harbour Road, cross the swing bridge and follow the footpath S to New Grounds. (Mark Hobson/Ken Hurcombe/Beth Dobbs/Angela Carswell/Jon Mercer).

WWT Slimbridge     The COLLARED PRATINCOLE still today on South Lake. (Martin McGill). A BITTERN showing well from Martin Smith hide today. (David Dunn). Also a Great White Egret and three Water Rails here. (Mike Davis).

Frampton     A YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER in pines on the N side of Court Lake with Goldcrests at 9am. No sign this afternoon. (Nick Goatman).

Awre     This afternoon a Marsh Harrier, 13 Grey Plovers, eight Cranes, six Stonechats, a Rock Pipit, two Chiffchaffs, two Reed Buntings, 100+ Fieldfares and 65+ Redwings. (Lewis Thomson).

Gloucester     A SHORT-EARED OWL over Linden being harried by three Crows. 400+ Jackdaws flew over the garden in Linden. (Mo Croose-Johnson).

Cleeve Hill     44 Stonechats today, 5 on the approach road, 12 in the masts area, 14 in the heather enclosure, 6 in the middle of  Washpool valley and 7 at the very top of Washpool valley. (Tom Mabbett).

Halmore     c250 Canada Geese over first thing this morning heading SW, c30 Redwings and Fieldfares and a hunting Kestrel. In the garden, birds included six Greenfinches and two Marsh Tits. (Chris Newton).

Marsh Tit by Chris Newton

Coombe Hill Meadows     This morning 90 Greylags, 180 Canada Geese, 100 Wigeon, 400 Teal, 50 Mallards, five Shovelers, a Grey Heron, ten Moorhens, five Snipe, ten Skylarks over SW, 1 or 2 Meadow Pipits, 300+ mixed Redwings and Fieldfares in the hedges, at least one Stonechat heard, a Cetti’s Warbler heard, a Chiffchaff calling, small flocks of Goldfinches, Linnets, Goldfinches, Bullfinches and a Reed Bunting. (Mike Smart). Early this afternoon nine Grey Herons gathered near the scrape viewed from Grundon hide. (Michael Barwick).

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Friday 28th October 2022

Lydney New Grounds     The SNOW BUNTING again today at SO 63750 00690. Also at least two Rock Pipits there. Park at the end of Harbour Road, cross the swing bridge and follow the footpath S to New Grounds. (Roberta Goodall/Simon Ashley/Les Ditchburn/Martin Vaisey). A TREE SPARROW on Severn side bushes by the standing stones, calling and giving close views. Then it flew away over the canal and no further sign. Also a male Blackcap. (Les Ditchburn).

Snow Bunting by Steve Young

WWT Slimbridge     The COLLARED PRATINCOLE still today on South Lake. (Tim Jukes). Also a Mediterranean Gull on South Lake. (Dot Jones).

Elmore     A SHORT-EARED OWL flew high SW over Elmore Court at 12:45pm. (Andy Jayne).

Forest of Dean     A Goshawk flew over Mallards Pike this morning, it did two circuits over the trees then flew off. (Sharon Croome).

Saul Warth     Late morning 25 Grey Plovers and ten Lapwings flew S. Also three Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel, 20+ Meadow Pipits, a Grey Wagtail, two Skylarks and a late egg-laying pair of Common Darters. (MK).

Berkeley shore     From Severn House Farm over the high tide a late Wheatear, 12 Redshanks and two Rock Pipits. (Paul Rich).

Nailsworth     A party of 16 Ravens flew S down the Nailsworth Valley this morning. (Terry Grant).

Avening     At Star Farm 37 Golden Plovers, 80+ Yellowhammers, a male Stonechat, 110+ Linnets, 230+ Fieldfares, 40+ Redwings and several hundred Skylarks. (Terry Grant).

Broadoak     108 Lapwings on the Severn sands off Broadoak this evening. (Lewis Thomson).

Gloucester     Two Stock Doves at Gloucester Royal Hospital grounds today. (Beth Dobbs).

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Thursday 27th October 2022

Lydney New Grounds     The SNOW BUNTING again today at SO 63750 00690. Also a Brambling, 100+ Fieldfares, 200+ Starlings, 40+ Meadow Pipits, a Reed Bunting, two Grey Wagtails, a Snipe heard, 161 Canada Geese and nine Greylags and a Cetti’s Warbler calling by the harbour. (Paul Rich/MK).

Snow Bunting by Mike King

Snow Bunting by Mike King

WWT Slimbridge     The COLLARED PRATINCOLE still today on South Lake for most of the day and showing well. (Slimbridge Sightings). Two Water Rails from the Martin Smith hide this afternoon. (Terry Stevenson).

Selsley Common     Late afternoon one probably two juvenile RING OUZELS, four Stonechats, 30+ Fieldfares, two Redwings, a Jay and two Goldcrests. (Colin Greenfield).

Painswick Beacon     Migration watch from 10am to 1pm, 1900 Redwings, 290 Fieldfares, eight Swallows and two male RING OUZELS. (John Fleming).

Tewkesbury     A garden FIRECREST today, a garden tick. (Les Ditchburn).

Epney     A Barn Owl on the village sign at 1:30am. (Jeremy Squire).

Cleeve Hill     From the Golf Clubhouse to the top of  Washpool valley and down to the Washpool birds included ten Stonechats and three Goldcrests in the Clubhouse car park. Five RING OUZELS, two flying out of a bushy area near the top of Washpool valley at 3pm and three males at the Washpool at 3:17pm. (Ken Heron & Jenny Jones). A decent sized finch flock just before the Radio Masts with a few Bramblings including some smart males. (Duncan Dine).

Prestbury     A Yellow Wagtail flew over calling at 10:07 am. (Ken Heron & Jenny Jones).

Forest of Dean     A Dipper at Cannop ponds today. (Tom Berry).

Stonehouse     A Kingfisher near Bond’s Mill bridge today. (Paul Sutton).

Kingfisher by Paul Sutton
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Wednesday 26th October 2022

WWT Slimbridge     The COLLARED PRATINCOLE still today on South Lake for most of the day and showing well. (Gordon Youdale). From Zeiss hide, birds included four Common Cranes close to the hide, one unringed, several Barnacle Geese, at least three White-Fronted Geese and two Spotted Redshanks. (Chris Newton). A female Marsh Harrier over the Tack Piece this afternoon and 29 White-fronted Geese on the Top New Piece. (Thomas Weston/Charlotte Foote). A Snow Goose with the Barnacle Geese and four Ravens from Zeiss hide and a pair of Stonechats at Middle Point. Two Peregrines hunting the Dumbles together and one over South Lake later.  (Paul Sutton).

Collared Pratincole by Steve Young

Collared Pratincole by Steve Young

Collared Pratincole by Steve Young

Collared Pratincole by Chris Newton

Collared Pratincole by Michael Colquhoun

Collared Pratincole by Paul Sutton

Lydney      A SNOW BUNTING on the rocks along the foreshore at New Grounds again this afternoon. W3W bathtubs.nylon.carefully. (Owen Follis).

Snow Bunting by Owen Follis

Saul Warth     Early morning at high tide, W of Hock Ditch along the rocks a Rock Pipit, a Wheatear, a male Reed Bunting and a Stonechat. Also 15 Grey Plovers, 59+ Dunlins, a Common Sandpiper, a Lapwing, 45 Curlews, 26 Shelducks, a Little Egret, a Raven, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel and a Mistle Thrush. (MK).

Wheatear by Mike King

Rock Pipit by Mike King

Frampton     Around the pools this evening six Cattle Egrets, two Great White Egrets, nine Little Egrets, two Grey Herons, a Kingfisher, nine Greylags, 33 Tufted Ducks and a Yellow-legged Gull. (Nick Goatman). From Splatt Bridge at 4pm a Kestrel, four Mistle Thrushes, c5 Fieldfares, a Kingfisher on the canal and later in a ditch by the church a Cormorant and a Little Egret over. (Paul Sutton).

Hawling area     Two Red Kites, a Buzzard, a Kestrel, a Raven and seven Red-legged Partridges today. (Eric Harris).

Tewkesbury     This evening at Lower Lode brickpits seven Mute Swans, a male Mandarin, a Wigeon, 90 Mallards, two Shovelers, 45 Cormorants, eight Coots, a Kingfisher, 15 Fieldfares going to roost. Also 53 Greylags coming down the Severn from the N on the way to roost. (Mike Smart).

Cheltenham    This morning in Benhall a Raven drifted low overhead moving S. At midday a Peregrine on one of the spires at Christchurch. (David Norman).

Peregrine by David Norman

Highnam     Along the Highnam/Over Cycle path this morning two Buzzards, two Wrens, a hunting Kestrel, c10 Long-tailed Tits, Goldfinches, a Grey Heron, numerous Blue Tits and Great Tits and three Red Kites, being harassed by a corvid, following the River Leadon towards Over. (Clare McLeod).

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Tuesday 25th October 2022

Lydney      A SNOW BUNTING on the rocks along the foreshore at New Grounds at 9:50am but no sign later. (Andy Jayne).

Snow Bunting by Andy Jayne

WWT Slimbridge     The COLLARED PRATINCOLE still today on South Lake for most of the day and showing well until 4:40pm at least. (Slimbridge Sightings). From Robbie Garnett hide 50+ Dunlins, a Little Stint, two Snipe, four Spotted Redshanks and a Ruff. From Estuary Tower 20+ White Fronted Geese, a Great White Egret, two Chiffchaffs singing nearby and two Cetti’s Warblers. On the estuary and along the Summer Walkway 100 + Golden Plovers high overhead, four Stonechats, 15 Skylarks, 40+ Linnets, 10+ Meadow Pipits, 45 Curlews, 25 Dunlins, four Grey Plovers, two Redshanks, four Grey Herons and eight Little Egrets. From Zeiss hide a female Marsh Harrier feeding on a dead Canada Goose, a Buzzard, a Great White Egret and six Ruff. (Steve Pullen).

Collared Pratincole by Peter Rodgers

Collared Pratincole by Peter Rodgers

Marsh Harrier by Steve Pullen

Saul Warth     At high tide early morning four Grey Herons, six Little Egrets, 35 Shelducks, 89 Curlews, two Common Sandpipers, 50+ Meadow Pipits, a Wheatear, 62 Goldfinches, seven Linnets, six Skylarks, a Raven, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, three Stonechats (1m, 2f), a Redwing, a Fieldfare, two Mistle Thrushes and a Grey Wagtail. (MK).

Wheatear by Mike King

Kestrel by Mike King

Awre     This evening a SHORT-EARED OWL, a female/immature MERLIN hunting Skylarks unsuccessfully, a Whinchat, six Stonechats, c50 Fieldfares and 13 Redwings. (Lewis Thomson).

Cleeve Hill     A Wheatear this afternoon. (Greg Mabbett).

Chedworth     Seven Grey Partridges in the garden this afternoon. (Chris Berens).

Chavenage Lane     450+ Fieldfares, 270+ Redwings, 33 Golden Plovers, a Red Kite, a male Brambling and at least ten Stonechats, seven of which were feeding in a field of Sweetcorn. (Terry Grant).

Stroud     Two Kingfishers near Chestnut Lane canal bridge today. (Paul Sutton).

Stonehouse     c40 Redwings around Beard’s Mill. A large mixed flock of Blue Tits, Great Tits and Long-tailed Tits with c10 Chaffinches and a Goldcrest near the Sewage works, Stanley Downton. Also a Chiffchaff calling, a few Pied Wagtails and small flocks of Goldfinches. A Kingfisher at Bond’s Mill bridge, a Buzzard, a Raven, a Kestrel and a Grey Heron nearby and a Grey Wagtail at the Ocean. (Paul Sutton).

Cheltenham     At Pittville Lawn a Tawny Owl calling at 2am this morning and maybe a second bird. (Howard Taylor).

Hawling     20 Red Kites, six Buzzards, Linnet and Goldfinch flocks, Stonechats, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, Redwing and Fieldfare flocks, a female MERLIN with prey and Jays stashing acorns. (Chris & Phil Andrews).

Merlin by Phil Andrews

Jay by Phil Andrews

Red Kite by Phil Andrews
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