Sunday 19th January 2020

Cotswold Water Park West    A first-winter LITTLE GULL briefly at Pit 56 at 1:30pm. It dropped in for a wash and preen and then went off again. Also the BLACK-NECKED GREBE still at Pit 16. Best viewed from the grassy bank off of Nightingale Way. (John & Viv Phillips). The LESSER WHITETHROAT possibly of the Eastern race blythi still at Shorncote reedbed along the stream beside the footpath, usually by the last bramble covered hawthorn just before the deepest flood on the path. Park at South Cerney playing field car park at Upper Up at SU043969 and walk W along the footpath to SU03669682. This bird is secretive and requires patience. Wellies are a must, the footpath is underwater from sewage farm run off in places. Also a Marsh Harrier and three Cetti’s Warblers. (Seb Buckton).

Daglingworth     The GREAT GREY SHRIKE at Park Corner in the old quarry at SO9667104334 still and showing well at times today. Please park carefully. Also a male MERLIN, 100 Skylarks, 400 Linnets, ten Fieldfares, nine Stock Doves and a Mistle Thrush. (Mike Trew/Roy Shilham/Rob Clipson/Jack Rogers/Ian Sherriffs). Pics by Mike.

Great Grey Shrike 190120 2

Great Grey Shrike 190120 1

Gloucester     The adult male BLACK REDSTART still on Gloucester Cathedral today. (Kev Wardlaw). At Horsebere Brook today birds included two Mute Swans, eight Teal, five Mallards, two Coot, six Moorhens, two Cormorants over, a Grey Heron, a Buzzard, three Stonechats (1m, 2f ) and 50 Redwings. (Gordon Avery).

Frampton     A male Goldeneye flying around at Splatt Bridge this  morning and a Marsh Harrier and a Peregrine over the 100-Acre. (Gordon Hodgson).

Quedgeley     A Woodcock at Clearwater Drive this morning. (Andy Chapman).

Eastleach Martin     N of Eastleach on the Hatherop Estate seven Great Black-backed Gulls on downland, a mobile flock of 100+ Skylarks, five Red Kites and two Stonechats. (Chris Furley).

Witcombe Reservoirs     Birds today included two Mute Swans, a Canada Goose, a Teal, 30 Mallards, 11 Tufted Ducks, 34 Coots, three Moorhens, six Cormorants, a Little Grebe, three Great Crested Grebes, 120 Black-headed Gulls, 14 Common Gulls, two Herring Gulls and two Buzzards. (Gordon Avery).

Woodmancote     A Barn Owl again this afternoon on the lower slopes of Nottingham Hill above Woodmancote. (Karen & Hannah Andrews per John Widgery).

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Saturday 18th January 2020

Cotswold Water Park West    The LESSER WHITETHROAT possibly of the Eastern race blythi still at Shorncote reedbed along the stream beside the footpath, usually by the last bramble covered hawthorn just before the deepest flood on the path. Park at South Cerney playing field car park at Upper Up at SU043969 and walk W along the footpath to SU03669682. This bird is secretive and requires patience. Wellies are a must, the footpath is underwater from sewage farm run off in places. (Jon Mercer/Richard Tyler).The BLACK-NECKED GREBE still on Pit 16 today best viewed from the grassy bank off of Nightingale Way. (Ian Ralphs). Pic by Richard.

Lesser Whitethroat blythi 180120

Gloucester     The male BLACK REDSTART again on the South side of Lady Chapel at Gloucester Cathedral for 10 minutes between 12:50-1pm today. (Paul Clark). 

Daglingworth     The GREAT GREY SHRIKE at Park Corner in the old quarry at SO9667104334 still and showing well at times today. Please park carefully. (Nigel Pleass/Ian Ralphs/Tom & Greg Mabbett).

Forest of Dean     The GREAT GREY SHRIKE still at Crabtree Hill today at 12:35pm. (Andrew McDermid).

WWT Slimbridge     A CATTLE EGRET and a pair of Goldeneyes on South Lake, eight Pink-footed Geese still and two Marsh Harriers hunting over reedbeds from Zeiss hide. (Slimbridge Sightings/James Kenny).

Arlingham     A Barn owl today in the village at 4pm. (Marc Freebrey). Pics by Marc.

Barn Owl 180120 2

Barn Owl 180120 1

Frampton pools     30 Linnets, 50+ Chaffinches, two Yellowhammer, 100+ Golden Plovers, 26 Lapwings, a female Stonechat, a Snipe, a Chiffchaff, three male Blackcaps and roosting Tawny Owl today. (Nick Goatman).

Sharpness     A Green Sandpiper in a ditch S of the picnic site this morning. (Andy Jordan).

Tuffley    Two Blackcaps (1m, 1f) and a female Chaffinch, infrequent here, in the garden today. (Ian Elphick).

Brockworth     A Raven calling again at Tesco this morning. (Daniel Cowl).

Sheepscombe     Along the Painswick stream this afternoon birds included seven Mandarins, three Grey Herons, four Mallards (2m, 2f), two rookeries 30 Rooks (14 nests) and 21 Rooks (9 nests), five Long-tailed Tits, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, male and female Bullfinch and four Buzzards. (John Fletcher).

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Friday 17th January 2020

Cotswold Water Park West     The BLACK-NECKED GREBE still on Pit 16 at 2pm best viewed from the grassy bank off of Nightingale Way. (Ali Brooks). At Pit 56 today, six Goosanders, a Kingfisher, two Great Crested Grebes and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. (John Grearson).

Frampton     At Denfurlong Farm 200+ Linnets, 50+ Chaffinches, c1000 Golden Plovers circling and a Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard. (Jake King/MK).

Forest of Dean     At Nagshead today six Siskins, a Bullfinch and many Nuthatches. At Cannop Ponds 12 Mandarins, a Cormorant, a Goldcrest and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. At Woorgreens and Crabtree Hill a Goosander, a Stonechat, a Mistle Thrush, three Redwings, 20+ Siskins, two Buzzards, many Nuthatches and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. (Ollie Fournier).

Saul     At 1pm 27 Little Egrets in the horse paddocks to the right of the Saul-Arlingham road approaching from Cadbury Bridge at SO7415608907. At Saul Warth just 13 Shelducks, two Mute Swans and four Linnets. (MK).

Woodmancote     A Barn Owl hunting and catching prey this afternoon between 3:30-4:15pm on the lower slopes of Nottingham Hill above Woodmancote. (Hannah Andrews per John Widgery).

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Thursday 16th January 2020

Cotswold Water Park West     The LESSER WHITETHROAT possibly of the Eastern race blythi still at Shorncote reedbed along the stream beside the footpath, usually by the last bramble covered hawthorn just before the deepest flood on the path. Park at South Cerney playing field car park at Upper Up at SU043969 and walk W along the footpath to SU03669682. This bird is secretive and requires patience. Wellies are a must, the footpath is underwater from sewage farm run off in places. (Jon Mercer/Richard Tyler).

Frampton     Four Ravens E over Frampton Green at 8am, the roosting Tawny Owl again in Court Field. At Denfurlong Farm 100+ Linnets, 50+ Chaffinches, a female Reed Bunting, a Skylark, seven Meadow Pipits, 15 Snipe, two Kestrels and a Fox. (MK). Pic by Mike.

Tawny Owl 160120

Cotswold Water Park East    At Whelford Pools Pits 111, 111a and 111b between 11am and 3pm birds included three Egyptian Geese, five Great Crested Grebes, a drake Goosander, 82 Tufted Ducks, a female Pochard, nine Wigeon over, 33 Cormorants, a Kingfisher, a Sparrowhawk, a Red Kite and a Buzzard. (John Fletcher). Pic by John.

Goosander 170120

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Wednesday 15th January 2020

Daglingworth     The GREAT GREY SHRIKE at Park Corner in the old quarry at SO9667104334 still and showing well this morning. Please park carefully. (Grahame White). A male MERLIN flew through early afternoon disturbing the c100 Skylark flock. (Paul Masters).

Forest of Dean     The GREAT GREY SHRIKE still on Crabtree Hill this morning. At Woorgreens, Goosanders, Siskins and Lesser Redpolls. (Roy Kinchin/Dave Clarke). At Nagshead today five male Bullfinches, a Song Thrush, a Goldcrest, a Goldfinch, a Jay and a Buzzard. (Martin Russell). Pics by Martin.

Goldcrest 150120

Bullfinch 150120

Cotswold Water Park West     The LESSER WHITETHROAT possibly of the Eastern race blythi still at Shorncote reedbed along the stream beside the footpath, usually by the last bramble covered hawthorn just before the deepest flood on the path. Park at South Cerney playing field car park at Upper Up at SU043969 and walk W along the footpath to SU03669682. This bird is secretive and requires patience. Wellies are a must, the footpath is underwater from sewage farm run off in places. Other birds included a Grey Wagtail, Cetti’s Warblers, Chiffchaffs, three Reed Buntings, a Little Egret and a Water Rail. (John Grearson/Neil Smart). Pic by Neil.

Lesser Whitethroat blythi 160120

Frampton     No sign of the Twite in an hour’s search in the game crop at SO 74504 06378 S of Denfurlong Farm (known locally as Cool’s Farm). The finch flock is still present so it’s likely to still be with them. The game crop is tall so the only chance of connecting is when they perch on surrounding trees or hedges occasionally. 100+ Linnets, 30+ Chaffinches, a male Brambling, a female Greenfinch and a female Bullfinch this afternoon. (MK).

WWT Slimbridge     A CATTLE EGRET still on South Lake today but mobile. Also a female Goldeneye (sometimes on the Rushy) and three Egyptian Geese. (Andy Jordan/Paul Masters).

Stone     A Barn Owl flying low up a farm drive at 7:20am. (Andrew Jones).

Gloucester     At Horsebere Flood Storage Lake today a male Teal, 12 Mallards, three Coots, a Stonechat, seven Snipe overhead, a pair of Mute Swans, two Cormorants, seven Meadow Pipits and five Redwings. (Paul Brunt).

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Tuesday 14th January 2020

Daglingworth     The GREAT GREY SHRIKE at Park Corner in the old quarry at SO9667104334 today still. Please park carefully. (Colin Greenfield/Grahame White).

Cotswold Water Park West     The BLACK-NECKED GREBE still on Pit 16 this morning best viewed from the grassy bank off of Nightingale Way. (Jon Mercer). 

Cotswold Water Park East     16 Goldeneyes (10 drakes) on Pit 114 Dudgrove, viewed from Thames/Severn Way this morning. (Jon Mercer). 

Ashleworth Ham     This afternoon birds included 95 Teal, 55 Wigeon, 35 Pintails, 13 Shovelers, 12 Tufted Duck (8m, 4f), 102 Mallards, four Gadwalls, three Canada Geese, 49 Greylags, three Mute Swans, 20 Coots, three Grey Herons, a Lapwing, a Jack Snipe, 21 Snipe and a Goldcrest. (John Fletcher).

Shurdington     A Red Kite circling fields near A46 today. (Brenda Emberson).

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Monday 13th January 2020

Cotswold Water Park West     The LESSER WHITETHROAT possibly of the Eastern race blythi still at Shorncote reedbed along the stream beside the footpath, usually by the last bramble covered hawthorn just before the deepest flood on the path. Park at South Cerney playing field car park at Upper Up at SU043969 and walk W along the footpath to SU03669682. This bird is secretive and requires patience. Wellies are a must, the footpath is underwater from sewage farm run off in places. (Jon Mercer). The BLACK-NECKED GREBE still on Pit 16 this morning best viewed from the grassy bank off of Nightingale Way. At least 26 Red Crested Pochards on Pit 44, At least 11 Goldeneyes on Pit 58 and at least nine Goosanders on Pit 48. (Paul Rich).

Daglingworth     The GREAT GREY SHRIKE at Park Corner in the old quarry at SO9667104334 today still. Please park carefully. (Paul Rich/Martine Fenn).

Saul     At the square lake W of the village, a CATTLE EGRET with four Little Egrets and two Grey Herons at 10am, but flew off W. Also a Fox nearby. (Iain Crawford).

Frampton     From Splatt Bridge towpath, 56 Shelducks, a Buzzard, a Kestrel, a Grey Heron and a Little Egret. (Iain Crawford).

Stroud     A Dipper on the River Frome near the railway bridge off of Dr Newton’s Way today. (Andy Tytherleigh).

Guscar Rocks     Eight Canada Geese, an Oystercatcher, 60 Lapwings, 100 Dunlins, four Knot and 80 Curlews at high tide. (Mike Smart/Barrie Mills).

Aylburton Warth     150 Wigeon and 300 Teal in Cone Pill, ten Mallards, a Grey Heron, a Cormorant, 182 Golden Plovers, 16 Snipe, 315 Curlews, 60 Redshanks and a Raven. (Mike Smart/Barrie Mills).

Lydney Docks/Lydney New Grounds     Birds today included 12 Canada Geese, 61 Lapwings, 71 Golden Plovers, c270 Black-headed Gulls, 20 Herring Gulls, two Shelduck, five Wigeon and several hundred Fieldfares and a few of Redwings. (Barrie Mills).

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Sunday 12th January 2020

Cotswold Water Park West     The LESSER WHITETHROAT possibly of the Eastern race blythi at Shorncote reedbed along the stream beside the footpath, usually by the last bramble covered hawthorn just before the deepest flood on the path. Park at South Cerney playing field car park at Upper Up at SU043969 and walk W along the footpath to SU03669682. This bird is secretive and requires patience. Wellies are a must, the footpath is underwater from sewage farm run off in places. Also this morning 1+ Water Rail, 1+ Cetti’s Warbler, 6+ Reed Buntings, 4+ Chiffchaffs including a singing bird, a Grey Wagtail, a female Stonechat and 150+ Lapwings. (Mark Hobson/Paul Masters/MK). Also a SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF this afternoon looking upstream from the 90 degree bend by the first hide. (Kim Milsom). Pic by Paul. Video by Mike here Twitter video

Lesser Whitethroat blythi 120120 2.jpg

Chiffchaff pic by Mike.

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The BLACK-NECKED GREBE still on Pit 16 this morning best viewed from the grassy bank off of Nightingale Way. (Paul Masters/Mark Hobson).

Daglingworth     The GREAT GREY SHRIKE at Park Corner in the old quarry at SO9667104334 today still. Please park carefully. (Dave Soons/Richard Williams).

Over     Five Whooper Swans still on the flooded field next to the River Leadon viewed from the path up to to Lassington Hill this morning. Also 19 Mute Swans. (Paul Rich/Mike Smart).

Cheltenham    At 10am this morning two Peregrines appeared and settled 10 ft apart on a spire at Christchurch. (David Norman). A Jay eating on the last apple left on the tree in the garden at Moorcourt Drive, Pittville. Two birds on the 10th. (Clare McNulty).

Jay 120120

WWT Slimbridge     A CATTLE EGRET, three Egyptian Geese and five Avocets on South Lake and eight Pink-footed Geese on the spartina island on the Severn. (Slimbridge Sightings/Ken Mihill).

Saul     At 9am a CATTLE EGRET with 31 Little Egrets to the right of the road to Arlingham near the footpath sign. (Steve Brown).

Frampton     In Court Lake roost a CATTLE EGRET,  35 Little Egrets, seven Grey Herons and 25 Cormorants, Also around the pools two Goldeneyes, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Water Rail, a Grey Wagtail, a Cetti’s Warbler and a Woodcock. (Nick Goatman/Steve Brown).

Forest of Dean    Two Dippers on the brook at Wenchford, one ringed red/yellow band over white on left leg and white over yellow on right. Another two at Parkend, one ringed grey over red/yellow on left and yellow over light blue on right. At Cannop Pond feeders a Marsh Tit again. (Paul Clark).

Tewkesbury    At Cowfield Farm birds included a Chiffchaff, 100+ Redwings and Fieldfares over, a Buzzard, two Snipe, a Water Rail calling. Also a Fox and two Roe Deer. (Les Ditchburn). At Tewkesbury N.R. at 12:45pm a Green Sandpiper on the new scrape. (Tim Cash).

Gloucester    The adult male BLACK REDSTART still on Gloucester Cathedral this afternoon high up at the E end of the S side. (Trevor & Sue Clayson). A Red Kite circling over the City Farm at 2:50pm then drifted off E. (Dean Lord).

Brockworth     A Raven at Tesco Extra at Brockworth Business Park this morning present for a few weeks. (@joolslox).

Wotton-Under-Edge     A male Blackcap in the garden today. (Mike Fisher).

Minsterworth Ham     A Shelduck, 13 Mallards, seven Grey Herons and three Lapwings. Also a Peregrine, a Sparrowhawk, five Skylarks, one singing and 20 Meadow Pipits. (Eric Palmer/Mike Smart).

Rodley     At Wilmer Common 16 Shelducks, 12 Mallards, a Great Black-backed Gull, nine Pied Wagtails feeding at the edge of the flood and 40 Fieldfares. (Eric Palmer/Mike Smart).

Walmore Common     A female MERLIN sat in a tree viewed from Chaxhill. (Eric Palmer/Mike Smart).

Leigh Meadows     From the A38 end five Mute Swans, three Little Egrets, a Snipe and three Green Sandpipers. (Eric Palmer/Mike Smart).

Mitton     On the Avon floodplain just above Tewkesbury 195 Wigeon and 67 Teal. (Eric Palmer/Mike Smart).

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Saturday 11th January 2020

Cotswold Water Park West     A LESSER WHITETHROAT possibly of the Eastern race blythi at Shorncote reedbed. Park at South Cerney playing field car park at SU043969 and walk W along the footpath to SU03669682. This bird is secretive and patience is required. Wellies are a must, the footpath is underwater from sewage farm run off in places. (Kim Milsom). The BLACK-NECKED GREBE still on Pit 16 viewed from the grassy bank off of Nightingale Way this morning. (Colin Greenfield).

Daglingworth     A GREAT GREY SHRIKE at Park Corner in the old quarry at SO9667104334 this morning. Please park carefully. (Tim Salkeld/Dave Soons).

Snowshill     The GREAT GREY SHRIKE still this morning at SP114335. Please note this bird is always distant and a scope is recommended. (Ian Hull).

Frampton     A TWITE and a male Brambling with a finch flock flushed by a Goshawk this morning also 40+Golden Plover over, a pair of Stonechats, a Shelduck, four Snipe, the roosting Tawny Owl at Court Lake and the Yellow-legged Gull on the floating hut on the Sailing Lake. (Nick Goatman).

Berkeley shore/Pill     This morning a WATER PIPIT, a Jack Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, a Turnstone and a Stonechat. (Paul Taylor).

WWT Slimbridge     A CATTLE EGRET on South Lake causeway this morning. (Dave Paynter).

Harnhill     Nine Grey Partridges at dawn. (Colin Greenfield).

Stroud     A pair of Dippers at Lodgemore Mill today. Also Goldcrests, a Grey Wagtail and a Song Thrush. (Ken Burrows).

Cobney Meadows     This morning two Canada Geese, two Shelducks, two Mallards, two Grey Herons, a Moorhen, five Pied Wagtails, 500 Jackdaws moving N from a roost. (Mike Smart).

Ashleworth & Hasfield Hams     This morning 12 Mute Swans, 110 Greylags, six Canada Geese, 250 Wigeon, ten Gadwalls, 75 Mallards, 50 Pintails, 60 Shovelers, eight Tufted Ducks, 20 Coots, two Moorhens, 14 Lapwings, ten Snipe and a Jack Snipe. Also a male Stonechat on the Hasfield side and a Reed Bunting. (Mike Smart).

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Friday 10th January 2020

Daglingworth     A GREAT GREY SHRIKE at Park Corner in the old quarry today at SO9667104334 until midday at least. Please park carefully. (Pete Grimmitt). Pic by Mike.

Great Grey Shrike 100120

Snowshill     The GREAT GREY SHRIKE still this morning at SP114335. Please note this bird is always distant and a scope is recommended. (Duncan Dine).

Forest of Dean     At Woorgreens this morning 21 Goosanders (9m, 12 f/imm), a Sparrowhawk, three Snipe, 18 Redwings, 13 Crossbills and 70+ Siskins. On Crabtree Hill two Crossbills, a female Reed Bunting, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Green Woodpecker. (MK). Later at Crabtree Hill the GREAT GREY SHRIKE favouring the short tree stump near middle path, then flew towards Woorgreens Lake. It caught a Goldcrest and then probably a pipit. Also a Song Thrush, two Jays, five Stonechats and a Jack Snipe. (Jake King/John Fletcher/Alan Waterman). At Cannop Stoneworks two Coal Tits, a Nuthatch, a Grey Wagtail, a male Bullfinch, two Siskins, two pairs of Mandarins, ten Tufted Ducks, two Mute Swans, two Little Grebes and three Cormorants. At Speech House a mating pair of Crossbills, a Goldcrest and two Nuthatches. At Parkend three Nuthatches, a Mistle Thrush, a Jay, 12 Redwings, 30+ Siskins, a Lesser Redpoll, two Marsh Tits, a Coal Tit and a Treecreeper. (Jake King/John Fletcher). At Cinderford Linear Park 19 Goosanders (8m, 11f) this afternoon. (Julia Ribbons). Four Buzzards circling high over Mitcheldean at 1:25pm today. (Chris Keeling). Shrike pic by Alan and Goosander pic by Mike. 

Great Grey Shrike 2 100120

Goosanders 100120

Gloucester     The adult male BLACK REDSTART at the east end of Gloucester Cathedral at 3:15pm. c50 Redwings at Alney Island this afternoon. (Simon Hart).

Cotswold Water Park West     The BLACK-NECKED GREBE still on Pit 16 viewed from the grassy bank off of Nightingale Way this afternoon. (Chris Snook).

Symonds Yat     In the Yat Rock area today the resident Peregrine pair and one of the Strathdon Cliff Peregrine pair on Doward Hill, a Goshawk, two Ravens, six Buzzards, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tits, a Song Thrush, a Tawny Owl calling, four Stock Doves and a Grey Heron. Other sightings included six Fallow Deer and a Bank Vole. (Chris & Phil Andrews).

WWT Slimbridge     A CATTLE EGRET on the Top New Piece viewed from Zeiss hide this morning. Also a Green Sandpiper on the Tack Piece and an Oystercatcher on the Rushy. (Ian Hull).

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