Saturday 17th November 2018

Twyning     At midday at Upham Meadow a Greenland White-fronted Goose (fitted with a radio transmitter) with 128 Canada Geese and six Greylags at the southern end opposite the caravan park. The bird roosted across the river in Worcestershire. (Mike Smart). Pics by Andy Warr.

Greenland White-fronted Goose 171118 1

Greenland White-fronted Goose 171118 2

From Tony Fox:

This bird is an adult female Greenland White-fronted Goose caught in Hvanneyri, W Iceland on 23 September 2017, after several days at Hvanneyri, it shifted westwards within Iceland to spend the remaining time staging in Myrar. That autumn it overshot Wexford, hit the Brittany coast and looped round back over Cornwall to arrive finally at Wexford where it wintered.

In autumn of 2018, it left Iceland on 24 October sometime after 2:37pm and was midway across the sea 2am on 25 October, but was clearly drifting very far E, ending up in mid North Sea arriving off Texel 5pm. She clipped Goeree S of Rotterdam 8pm, and a little later left the Belgian coast off Zeebrugge reaching the English coast 0:30am 26 October at the mouth of the Deben Estuary. It looped SW and departed the southern English coast between Newhaven and Seaford, heading for the French coast, which it reached about 7am same day, just N of Le Havre. Then it headed NE and just inland of Calais at midday swung NW and crossed the Channel again, coming into NE Kent mid-afternoon on 26 October. She headed for the N coast and seem to rest on the sea. It seemed to land in a field just inland from there, but at midnight set off W, following the N coast of Kent, continuing over just S of Heathrow at 3pm on 27 October. She stopped briefly for a few hours 7-9pm in fields near Aynho, at southern end of Northamptonshire before heading on, and probably roosted in N Gloucestershire before heading onwards. By 5:50pm on 28 October reached gravel pits at Great Comberton and has been on the Glos/Worcs border ever since.

GWF map

Coombe Hill Meadows    Four Mute Swans, 30 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 25 Mallards, six Shovelers, three Grey Herons, 21 Snipe, two JACK SNIPE, 12 Meadow Pipits, a pair of Stonechats and c150 Fieldfares and c50 Redwings. (Mike Smart).

Daglingworth     A BLACK REDSTART for at least an hour at Manor Farm, Lower End this morning. Also two Stonechats and a Reed Bunting. (Andrew Morrison).

Frampton     A GREATER SCAUP on Court Lake and two Goldeneyes and a Chiffchaff at the Sailing Lake. (Nick Goatman).

Cotswold Water Park East     The adult GREAT NORTHERN DIVER moulting into winter plumage still on Pit 125 today. (Merv Carlyon). Pic by Merv. A Green Sandpiper on the new pit Pit 112 on the W side of CWP(E). Also a small party of Siskins and a Peregrine at Pit 126. (Ian Ralphs).

Great Northern Diver 171118

WWT Slimbridge     Two JACK SNIPE from Martin Smith hide and the two unringed adult Common Cranes on the Dumbles again. (Paul Masters/Jon Mercer).

Little Barrington    150 Lapwings and 200 Golden Plovers in autumn sown cereal at Leys Farm. (Ian Ralphs).

Symonds Yat     From Yat Rock viewpoint today the resident Peregrine pair and a female Peregrine intruder, three Red Kites, two Goshawks, three Sparrowhawks, a Jay, Ravens, Redwings, Lapwings, four Wild Boar and two Fallow Deer. (Chris & Phil Andrews). Pic by Phil.

Peregrine 181118

Forest of Dean     Around Nagshead a flock of Bramblings, very skittish along the top track, a Redwing, a Goldcrest, a Nuthatch, several Jays and a Great Spotted Woodpecker today. (Chris Snook). Pic by Chris.

Nuthatch 171118.jpg

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Friday 16th November 2019

Frampton     A RED-BREASTED MERGANSER on the Sailing Lake today until 11am at least. (Martin McGill).

Cotswold Water Park East     The adult GREAT NORTHERN DIVER moulting into winter plumage still on Pit 125 today. (Jon Mercer).

WWT Slimbridge     A Water Rail under feeders, the BITTERN still from Zeiss hide, 18 White-fronted Geese from Holden Tower, a Grey Wagtail over and a Stoat from Kingfisher hide. (Philip Collins).

Whitehall     Along the road from Whittington to Whitehall farm a Brambling
feeding with six Chaffinches, 20 Goldfinches, a Yellowhammer, two Coal
Tits, a Nuthatch, a Buzzard and a Kestrel and mixed flocks of Fieldfares
and Redwings moving around the area. (Steve Brown).

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Thursday 15th November 2018

Cam Green     A YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER heard calling from the oak tree behind the workshop at the top of the lane but not seen. (Neil Smart).

Forest of Dean    150+ Bramblings feeding on beech mast along the ridge between Campbell Hide and Bixslade, most (100+) on the Long Trail above Bixslade Quarry SO60220983, also six Hawfinches, eight Crossbills and c25 Siskins. (Lewis Thomson).

Cotswold Water Park East     The adult GREAT NORTHERN DIVER moulting into winter plumage still on Pit 125 this morning. (Richard Tyler). Pic by Richard.

Great Northern Diver 151118

WWT Slimbridge     A CATTLE EGRET from Kingfisher hide this morning, a Great White Egret on the Rushy this afternoon, the BITTERN again from Zeiss hide and 100’s of Golden Plovers, c50 Snipe, 15 Ruff, two Peregrines, Black-tailed Godwits and a few Dunlin and a Little Egret over Kingfisher hide. (Philip Collins).

Tewkesbury     At Lower Lode brickpits today three pairs of Mute Swans, 20 Wigeon, five Gadwalls, 25 Mallards, two male Tufted Ducks, two Grey Herons, five Cormorants, ten Coots, 60 Black-headed Gulls and 200 Fieldfares. (Mike Smart).

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Wednesday 14th November 2018

Cotswold Water Park East     The adult GREAT NORTHERN DIVER moulting into winter plumage still on Pit 125 today. (Bob Webb).

Cotswold Water Park West     At Pit 41 a Great White Egret, a Kingfisher, 13 Goldeneye and ten Goosanders. Also at least 34 Red Crested Pochards on Pit 44. (Paul Rich).

Leckhampton     A BLACK REDSTART on a stone wall in the garden today, a garden tick. (Chris Furley).

Saul    A CATTLE EGRET with two Little Egrets amongst cattle in fields between Saul and Fretherne this afternoon. (Roy Widgery).

Forest of Dean     An unconfirmed of the Great Grey Shrike having returned to Crabtree Hill. (per Terry Grant).

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Tuesday 13th November 2018

Cotswold Water Park East     The adult GREAT NORTHERN DIVER moulting into winter plumage still on Pit 125 today. (Duncan Dine/Jon Mercer/Tony Perry). Pic by Duncan.

Great Northern Diver 131118

Saul    A CATTLE EGRET in the fields past Cadbury Bridge along the road to Fretherne this morning. (Roy Widgery).

Frampton     A SHORT-EARED OWL from Splatt Bridge at dusk. (Phil Pope). At Court Lake at first light a Brambling over with 12 Redwings, eight Little Egrets and 23 Cormorants roosting. (Nick Goatman).

Selsley     A SHORT-EARED OWL low over the Common at 4:15pm. (Colin Greenfield).

WWT Slimbridge     The WATER PIPIT again flew low W over the South Finger path to the Top New Piece this morning. (Slimbridge Sightings).

Symonds Yat     At Yat Rock area today the resident Peregrine pair and another adult Peregrine nearby, six Buzzards, two Goshawks, two Red Kites, a male Sparrowhawk, a Grey Heron, Fieldfares and Redwings, a Song Thrush, three Jays, Ravens and two Stock Doves. Also two Fallow Deer. (Chris & Phil Andrews).

Whitminster     Two Bewick’s Swans flying over Whitminster heading south. A mixed flock of 200+ Song Thrushes, Redwings and Mistle Thrushes in the orchard next to Whitminster Garden Centre. (James Barradine).

Framilode     A Cormorant, 200+ Lapwings and 100+mixed gulls today. (James Barradine).

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Monday 12th November 2018

Cotswold Water Park East     The adult GREAT NORTHERN DIVER moulting into winter plumage still on Pit 125 today. Also a Red Kite over. (Nigel Pleass). Pic by Nigel.

Great Northern Diver 121118

WWT Slimbridge    Early afternoon from the Zeiss hide a BITTERN showing on and off, 23 Snipe, 500+ Golden Plovers, 100+ Black-tailed Godwits, two unringed adult Common Cranes and a Peregrine. (Ian Hull/John Fletcher/MK). Also today a Great White Egret and a CATTLE EGRET on the Rushy and a WATER PIPIT flew over Big Pen from South Lake towards the Long Ground/Dumbles. (Slimbridge Sightings) and a Chiffchaff singing in the car park. (MK). Pic by John.

Bittern 121118

Minsterworth     Six adult Whooper Swans still at Upper Moorcroft Farm today. (John Sanders).

Wibdon Warth     Four Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin, a Redshank and eight Curlews this morning. (John Sanders).

Beachley Point     A wintering Whimbrel, two Curlews, two Oystercatchers, three Redshanks and 14 Lapwings today. (John Sanders). Pic by John.

Whimbrel 121118

Stonehouse     Along the canal a Kingfisher and two Grey Wagtails today. (Keith & Lyn Perkins).

Thrupp     At Ham Mill today two Dippers and a Kingfisher. (Keith & Lyn Perkins).

Netheridge Farm    A Crossbill over the Barn Owl Centre, an elusive Brambling calling (1 present last week), a Green Sandpiper and Chaffinches and Meadow Pipits moving. (Mark Hobson).

Witcombe Reservoirs     A pair of Gadwalls, a Teal, eight Mallards, two Tufted Ducks, eight Little Grebes, four Cormorants, 11 Moorhens, 30 Coots, 60 Black-headed Gulls, two Common Gulls, four Herring Gulls and a Grey Wagtail today. (Gordon Avery).

Aylburton/Guscar Rocks     22 Canada Geese, 69 Wigeon, 104 Teal, two Grey Herons, 180 Lapwings, 95 Golden Plovers, 120 Dunlin, three Snipe, 43 Curlews (another 200 disturbed by ramblers went to Lydney New Grounds), 45 Redshanks and 12 Black-headed Gulls. Also at least 20 Skylarks, 20 Meadow Pipits, five Fieldfares, eight Ravens and at least 200 Starlings with a Lapwing flock. (Mervyn Greening/Barrie Mills/Mike Smart).

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Sunday 11th November 2018

Poppies

Cotswold Water Park East     The adult GREAT NORTHERN DIVER moulting into winter plumage still on Pit 125 at 1:30pm today. (Roy Shilham).

Tresham     In the Tresham area early morning a juvenile Peregrine flushed a SHORT-EARED OWL which was chased off in northerly direction before the falcon returned. Also 30+ Golden Plovers and five Snipe. (Paul Rich).

Minsterworth     Six adult Whooper Swans with two Mute Swans in a crop field near Upper Moorcroft Farm this afternoon. (Andy Jayne).

Batsford    1+ Crossbill and four Siskins at the Arboretum today. (Michael Hunt).

Bourton-on-the-Water     A juvenile Peregrine at the south pits today then flew off towards the town. (Andy Lewis).

Winchcombe     A Red Kite over the centre of Winchcombe this morning. (Gill Worthington).

Halmore     A Marsh Tit in the garden today, a garden tick. (Chris Newton). Pic by Chris.

Marsh Tit 111118

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Saturday 10th November 2018

Cotswold Water Park East     An adult GREAT NORTHERN DIVER moulting into winter plumage on Pit 125 today. Also five Goldeneyes, a Cetti’s Warbler, two Chiffchaffs, a Water Rail, Snipe and plenty of Fieldfares, Redwings and Song Thrushes. (Ian Ralphs).

Cotswold Water Park West     An adult Yellow-legged Gull in the Pit 16 roost this evening. (Graham Lawlor).

WWT Slimbridge     The BITTERN flew towards Kingfisher hide from Zeiss hide at midday. (Dot Jones).

Sharpness     A Great White Egret over SE heading for Berkeley at 6:52am. (Andy Jordan).

Frampton     At the pools two Great White Egrets, three Green Sandpipers, a Yellow-legged Gull, two Chiffchaffs, one singing, 48 Fieldfares, 34 Redwings, a Water Rail, a Raven and a Grey Wagtail. (Nick Goatman). Two Ring-necked Parakeets flew across the Sailing Lake at 3pm. Also a SHORT-EARED OWL and two Stonechats at Splatt Bridge at dusk. (Colin Greenfield).

Woodchester     A Woodcock seen in flight across a path at Woodchester Park this afternoon. (Sam Walker).

Coombe Hill Meadows   143 Canada Geese, 190 Greylags, 11 Mute Swans, 122 Mallards, 230 Teal, 220 Wigeon, three Shovelers, seven Grey Herons, four Moorhens, two Coots, a Snipe and 61 Black-headed Gulls today. (David Anderson/Andrew Godden).

Cobney Meadows     Four Wigeon, two Teal, two Mallards, a Grey Heron, a Cormorant, 15 Canada Geese flew SW, a Skylark, at least 150 Fieldfares and 20 Redwings today. (Mike Smart).

Leigh Meadows     A Grey Heron, a Snipe, three Skylarks over, a Grey Wagtail, 250 Fieldfares and 20 Redwings and a Reed Bunting. (Mike Smart).

Ashleworth Ham     20 Teal, 40 Mallards, two Grey Herons, five Snipe, 40 Fieldfares, 30 Chaffinches and three Roe Deer. (Mike Smart).

Bussage     First thing this morning in Frithwood two Nuthatches and a Treecreeper, 12 Long-tailed Tits and a Goldcrest in the Firs near the Church. 11 Collared Doves bathing in a pool near the Ridge. This afternoon two Sparrowhawks high over the Toadsmoor valley and three male and five female Bramblings with Chaffinches in the the top of a Birch tree near the Ridge. (Michael Cook).

Stroud     Two Dippers and a flock of 50 Siskins today along the River Frome in central Stroud. (Martin Wright/Nigel Birch).

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Friday 9th November 2018

WWT Slimbridge     The BITTERN showing well today from Zeiss hide. (Les Ditchburn). Also a Great White Egret on South Lake at 2:30pm today. (nigecob).

Saul Warth    A MERLIN hunting at Hock Ditch this morning. (Roy Widgery).

Frampton     A CATTLE EGRET with a Great White Egret on Court Lake and another Great White Egret on the Sailing Lake early morning. (Roy Widgery).

Cirencester     This afternoon at 1:20pm a Red Kite circled low over the S end of the Forum car park for two minutes before drifting away towards the centre of the town. (David Norman).

Cotswold Water Park West     Few birds at Shorncote Reedbed in strong winds but a nice male Reed Bunting today. (Chris Snook). Pic by Chris.

Reed Bunting 091118

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Thursday 8th November 2018

WWT Slimbridge     The BITTERN showing well occasionally today from Kingfisher, Van de Bovenkamp and Zeiss hide. (James Robinson/Slimbridge Sightings). Also a Great White Egret reported today. (Arron Roberts).

Ashleworth Ham     This afternoon birds included 56 Teal, 84 Mallards, a Snipe, three Grey Herons, a Canada Goose, 150 Fieldfares, three Redwings, 37 Goldfinches, five Chaffinches, a male Bullfinch, 35 Carrion Crows and 100 Starlings. (John Fletcher).

Forest of Dean     A  juvenile Sparrowhawk made a failed attempt at a flock of 40+ Goldfinches and Siskins in the garden this afternoon at Blaize Bailey. (Peter Boorman & Lynne Mayers).

Sparrowhawk 081118

Cheltenham     This morning a Treecreeper seen climbing a silver birch tree and this afternoon a Goldcrest heard in a Yew at Pittville Lawn. (Howard Taylor).

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