Monday 5th May 2025

Cleeve Hill     A Dotterel heard calling three times in flight over the Washpool Valley at midday but no further sight or sound in a subsequent search, but the area very disturbed. No sign in a further search of the golf course this evening. (Mark Dowie).

Frampton      At Splatt Bridge early morning a pair of Common Cranes flying around, a Red Kite flew N and small passage of Swallows. At the sailing lake an ARCTIC TERN with 12 Common Terns. Also 30+ Swifts, two Red Kites, a distant Cuckoo heard, 20+ House Martins, 4+ Sand Martins and 6+ Swallows. (Nick Goatman/MK). This evening five Hobbies between the lakes. (Nick Goatman).

WWT Slimbridge     The male WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT showing on and off in the reedbeds at Middle Point from the Shepherds Hut today. The GLOSSY IBIS, a WOOD SANDPIPER, a summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank, four Greenshanks and three GARGANEYS from Zeiss hide. (Slimbridge Sightings).

Forest of Dean     A Wood Warbler in the woods adjoining the top of Crabtree Hill today. (Geoff Fawcett). Nightjar churring at a traditional site last night and a Woodcock over. (Frank Williams).

Fairford     At Totterdown Lane this afternoon 4+ Hobbies hunting dragonflies and a Garden Warbler. (Duncan Dine).

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Sunday 4th May 2025

WWT Slimbridge     The TEMMINCK’S STINT on the Top New Piece island viewed from Zeiss hide today. Also the GLOSSY IBIS, two WOOD SANDPIPERS, a summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank and 3+ GARGANEYS. The male WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT showing on and off in the reedbeds at Middle Point from the Shepherds Hut today. (Slimbridge Sightings/Les Ditchburn/Mark Hobson/Jeremy Holland/Steve Pullen/MK).

Temminck’s Stint by Mike King

Tetbury     Two Spotted Flycatchers (at least) in woodland at Elmestree Lodge, on the edge of the Highgrove Estate on the outskirts of Tetbury this evening. (John Mahon).

Cotswold Water Park West     A Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Shorncote Reedbeds this morning. (David Creber).

Newent     Two Swifts over this morning. (Barry Nicholson).

Tewkesbury     Six Swifts screaming around the Abbey at 11:30am. (Steve Pullen).

Whittington     Near the Village Hall, a singing Reed Bunting and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. (Steve Brown).

Cleeve Hill     From Wardens Wood to Wontley farm, a Lesser Whitethroat, four Stonechats (3 males), several small groups of Linnets and two Song Thrushes feeding together. (Steve Brown).

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Saturday 3rd May 2025

WWT Slimbridge     A TEMMINCK’S STINT (first reported via BirdGuides) on the Top New Piece island viewed from Zeiss hide until mid afternoon at least. Also the GLOSSY IBIS, a WOOD SANDPIPER, a summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank, three GARGANEYS and a BITTERN seen in flight at 2:30pm. Access to Zeiss hide from 9:30am. The male WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT showing on and off in the reedbeds at Middle Point from the Shepherds Hut today. Also six Great White Egrets here. The SPOONBILL still on the Tack Piece. A Bar-tailed Godwit remains on the Rushy. (Slimbridge Sightings/Roberta Goodall/Mark Dowie). Two Swifts over the Rushy this morning. (Jon Dexter).

Record video grab by Roberta Goodall

Cleeve Hill     Early morning Skylarks, singing Stonechats, Yellowhammers, Linnets, Meadow Pipits, Tree Pipit, a Wheatear, a Kestrel running about on the 9th green eating insects, a Red Kite and 100s of Early Purple Orchids. (Tom Mabbett).

Tresham     Early morning a Little Owl, four Corn Buntings, a Yellow Wagtail, a Wheatear and three Red Kites. (Paul Rich).

Frampton pools     Four Common Terns, five Oystercatchers, a Hobby, 12 Swifts, six Sand Martins, eight House Martins, ten Swallows, a Cuckoo, two Lesser Whitethroats, 13 Whitethroats, 17 Reed Warblers, 51 Chiffchaffs, 39 Blackcaps, a Red Kite and two Mandarins. (Nick Goatman). Two Great White Egrets this evening on Court Lake. (Tan Grigg).

Cotswolds     In the Calmsden area four Grey Partridges on the narrow road W of the Fosse Way near Ampney Downs Farm. At Barnsley Warren SSSI on the Fosse Way spur, six Red Kites and a Buzzard up together, a female Kestrel, two Ravens, a singing Corn Bunting and a Yellowhammer. Also several Small Heath butterflies and singles of Grizzled Skipper, Common Blue and Orange Tip. Two Kestrels low and fast across fields W of Northleach and another took prey at Kilkenny Viewpoint. (Steve Brown).

Chedworth     Three Swifts over Middle Chedworth today. (Harvey Sherwood).

Cheltenham     A drake Mandarin seen on both lakes at Pittville Park between 10am and 7pm. (Steve Money).

Mandarin by Steve Money
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Friday 2nd May 2025

WWT Slimbridge     The male WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT showing on and off in the reedbeds at Middle Point from the Shepherds Hut today. Also a SHORT-EARED OWL at Middle Point at 10:15am and a Red Kite. From Zeiss hide the GLOSSY IBIS, a WOOD SANDPIPER and three GARGANEYS (2m, 1f). (Ian Sherriffs/Tim Jukes/Julian & Michael Long).

Stanton     A HOOPOE seen flying and heard calling for 10 minutes near the village this morning. (Sheila Wasley & Anne Boneham).

Highnam Wood     A Nightingale singing from 4:30am to 7am at least. (Roberta Goodall/David Creber/Ian Sherriffs/MK).

Nightingale by Mike King

Saul Warth     Two Knot, 13 Grey Plovers, six Dunlins, 27 Ringed Plovers, a Sanderling, two Whimbrels, a Red Kite over and a calling Hobby over the horse paddock late morning. Also a Common Blue butterfly. (Steve Pullen/Steve Rickard).

Frampton    On Court Lake at 2pm a Common Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, a distant Cuckoo calling, a Bullfinch, a big hatch of Common Blue Damselflies and a Scarce Chaser. (MK). Three Hobbies and a Common Tern at the sailing lake. (Steve Rickard/Owen E).

Scarce Chaser by Mike King

Forest of Dean     In the Woorgreens/Kensley area today 18 Crossbills, four Garden Warblers, two Whitethroats, five Tree Pipits, and two possibly three Grasshopper Warblers reeling against each other. (Rob Husbands). At 11:50am three Swifts briefly over the Joys Green sawmill, near Lydbrook. (Chris Sullivan). A Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail and a Pied Wagtail at Greenacres Campsite, Adsett near Westbury-on-Severn. (Martin & Jenny Green).

Aylburton Common     Six Red Kites over the house at 12:17pm. Also a Swift around a usual nesting area in Aylburton High Street. (Martin Vaisey).

Dymock    A Cuckoo calling in the Queenswood part of Dymock woods this morning, between the M50 bridge and the main car park towards Kempley. (Steve Watts).

Gloucester     A Reed Warbler singing in bushes between platform 1 of Gloucester station and the A4302. (Dan Fletcher). At Horsebere Brook this afternoon a Yellow Wagtail still on the muck pile. Also a Blackcap, a Whitethroat and two Buzzards. (Simon Hart).

Cotswold Water Park East     At Whelford pools this afternoon 13 Red Crested Pochards, two Pochards, 34 Tufted Ducks, five Moorhens, seven Mallards, ten Great Crested Grebes, including three juveniles, 15 Coots, four Grey Herons, a Canada Goose, five Greylags, 47 Cormorants, 13 Black-headed Gulls, four Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, four Chiffchaffs, two Cetti’s Warblers, two Sedge Warblers, a Treecreeper carrying food and two Mute Swans nesting. (John Fletcher).

Moreton Valence     Two Red Kites at 9:22am today. (Julian & Michael Long).

Coombe Hill Meadows     Birds today included Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Coot, Moorhen, Great White Egret, Oystercatcher, Greenshank, Ruff, Redshank, Avocet, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Grey Heron, Sedge Warbler and Greenfinch. (Alan McIlquham).

Greenshank by Alan McIlquham
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Thursday 1st May 2025

WWT Slimbridge     The male WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT showing very well in the reedbeds at Middle Point from the Shepherds Hut today. At Zeiss hide the GLOSSY IBIS, a WOOD SANDPIPER, a summer-plumaged Spotted Redshank, two Common Sandpipers and three GARGANEYS (2m, 1f). (Martin McGill/Neil Smart/Mark Dowie/MK/David Hughes).

White-spotted Bluethroat by David Hughes

White-spotted Bluethroat by Mike King

White-spotted Bluethroat by Mike King

Cotswold Water Park East     A BLACK TERN on Pit 125 today, until 5:50pm at least. Also a calling Cuckoo and two Greenshanks a Pit 132 this morning. (Duncan Dine).

Saul Warth     This morning 20 Bar-tailed Godwits, 14 Grey Plovers, 20 Curlews, eight Oystercatchers, two Whimbrels, two Redshanks, five Turnstones, 29 Ringed Plovers, 17 Dunlins and two Sanderlings. (Gordon Hodgson).

Saul     At Saul junction 50+ Swallows, two Reed Warblers seen singing and a Moorhen nest, two adults and five very young chicks. (Alan Hooper).

Swallow by Alan Hooper

Uley     Five Swifts at 7pm this evening. (Nigel Hewston).

Winchcombe     Seven Swifts over this evening. (John Kime).

Newent     Six Swifts over the garden at 7pm. (Alan Hooper).

Berkeley     Three Swifts over the garden at 1pm. (Paddy Doyle).

Cobney Meadows/Lower Combe Hill Canal     At 7am 10+ Whitethroats, 5+ Chiffchaffs, 5+ Blackcaps, 5+ Sedge Warblers, a Cetti’s Warbler, a Garden Warbler. two Reed Buntings, a Bullfinch, a Greenfinch, two Goldfinches, two Linnets, a Yellow Wagtail, two Skylarks and a Redstart. (Shaun Curtis).

Cam     At Cam & Dursley station a Lesser Whitethroat singing in the car park today. (Dan Fletcher).

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Wednesday 30th April 2025

WWT Slimbridge     The male WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT again in the reed bed at Middle Point viewed distantly from the Estuary Tower. The Summer Walkway opens on Thursday 1st May, when viewing will be possible from the Shepherd’s Hut. The GLOSSY IBIS on the Top New Piece and four GARGANEYS. (Geoff Moyser/Jeremy Holland/Tim McGrath). Ten Grey Plovers on the Tack Piece. (Tom Blay). The SPOONBILL still from Estuary Tower and two Cuckoos around the site. (Steve Pullen).

Saul Warth     Between 6:15-9:45am 140 Shelducks, three Little Egrets, a Common Crane flew S, 12 Bar-tailed Godwits, ten Curlews, three Whimbrels, nine Grey Plovers, four in summer plumage, 34 Ringed Plovers, 28 Dunlins, a Sanderling, six Oystercatchers, a Marsh Harrier, six Swallows, a House Martin, a Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat. (MK).

Cleeve Hill    Near Wontley Farm this morning a Whinchat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Corn Bunting. (Richard Cawsey).

Whinchat by Richard Cawsey

Corn Bunting by Richard Cawsey

Witcombe Reservoirs     This morning three Common Sandpipers, five Great Crested Grebes, 250+ Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, four Little Grebes, a Swallow and a singing Lesser Whitethroat. (John Casswell).

Coombe Hill Meadows     Early morning a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a Redstart, three Sedge Warblers, five Avocets, a Greenshank, two Redshanks, a Great White Egret, a Little Egret, a Grey Heron, three Lapwings, two Greylags and two Canada Geese. (John Casswell).

Dymock    At least eight Red Kites circling a freshly cut grass field at New Rock, between Dymock and Kempley and a further five resting on a cleared grass field between Haind Park wood and Hillfield Farm, also off the Dymock to Kempley road. (Steve Watts).

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Tuesday 29th April 2025

WWT Slimbridge     The male WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT has returned for a 5th year to the reed bed at Middle Point. Currently only viewable from the Estuary Tower. The Summer Walkway opens on Thursday 1st May, when viewing will be possible from the Shepherd’s Hut. Also two Grey Plovers on the Dumbles scrape, a Great White Egret and the GLOSSY IBIS on the Top New Piece and a three drake GARGANEYS on site (Andy Chapman/Paul Masters). A BITTERN flew into the reeds at Zeiss hide at 2pm. (Les Ditchburn).

Saul Warth     Three Whimbrels at Hock Ditch this morning. (Les Ditchburn).

Cam     Five Swifts this evening. (Mike Davis).

Dursley    Three Swifts over the A4135 at Woodmancote today. (Kay Moyser).

Highnam     A Marsh Tit at Lassington Hill this afternoon, also a Lesser Whitethroat, a Raven and a Stock Dove. (Paul Masters).

Forest of Dean     A Cuckoo calling for over an hour from 3am today. (Dominic Godfrey).

Gloucester     At Horsebere Brook a Lesser Whitethroat near the car park this afternoon. (Simon Hart).

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Monday 28th April 2025

Saul Warth     At high tide 94 Shelducks, two Little Egrets, 14 Curlews, five Whimbrels, seven Bar-tailed Godwits, two Ringed Plovers, seven Dunlins, six Oystercatchers, a Common Sandpiper, a Marsh Harrier chased N by an Oystercatcher, a Cuckoo calling, two Swallows and a Raven. (MK).

Whimbrels by Mike King

Chavenage Lane area     A male Whinchat and at least 17 Whitethroats, four Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, two female Wheatears, six Mistle Thrushes and a Red Kite. (Terry Grant).

Whinchat & Whitethroat by Terry Grant

Whinchat by Terry Grant

WWT Slimbridge     Two drake GARGANEYS and a SPOONBILL on the Tack Piece. The GLOSSY IBIS on the Top New Piece again. The wild drake Goldeneye in the Eider pen. (Oliver Paisey).

Whittington Woods     A Cuckoo calling, 1+ fledgling Ravens attended by both parents, a Coal Tit and a Marsh Tit. (Steve Brown).

Cotswold Water Park West    Between 6:45-8:15pm this evening at Shorncote Reedbeds birds included a Greenfinch, Blackcaps, a Lesser Whitethroat. Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Chiffchaffs, two Garden Warblers, Cetti’s Warblers, Gadwalls, a Common Tern and a Green Woodpecker. (Bruce Kettle).

Chedworth     On the airfield, a male Kestrel, two Wheatears and 25 Linnets. (Steve Brown).

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Sunday 27th April 2025

WWT Slimbridge     The GLOSSY IBIS from Zeiss hide at 8:30am, also viewable from the Estuary Tower. (Geoff Moyser).

Saul Warth     At high tide a pair of Mandarins, 98 Shelducks, two Little Egrets, four Bar-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, five Curlews, seven Whimbrels, a Common Sandpiper, a summer plumaged Grey Plover, two Ringed Plovers, 18 Dunlins and a Marsh Harrier flew N. (MK/David Lawrence/Mike Davis).

Common Sandpiper by Mike King

Mandarins by Mike King

Forest of Dean     Mid morning today at Crabtree Hill a female Pied Flycatcher, two Wood Warblers, a Garden Warbler, a Tree Pipit, a Redstart, a Siskin, 20 Willow Warblers, ten Blackcaps and three Buzzards. At Cannop ponds a Mandarin, a Nuthatch and a Red Kite. (Karle Burford). At 3:30pm for 5 minutes, a Cuckoo heard distantly from Forge Hill, Lydbrook, from the direction of English Bicknor. (Chris Sullivan). Four Swifts over Coleford this morning. (Geoff Fawcett).

Rodley    A Grasshopper Warbler today, also Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Cetti’s Warblers, Blackcaps, numerous Chiffchaffs, a Cuckoo heard, a Lapwing and a pair of Buzzards. (Rachel Thomas).

Grasshopper Warbler by Rachel Thomas

Naunton     In the quarries today two Wheatears, six Corn Buntings, two Yellow Wagtails and eight Whitethroats. (Jamie Brown).

Elmore Court     Three Common Cranes flew over the rewilding area at 7:20pm. (Nicki Barker).

Coombe Hill Meadows     Two Red Kites, two Buzzards, two Great White Egrets, a Little Egret, four Grey Herons, two Curlews, two Oystercatchers, six Avocets, two Shelducks, four Gadwalls, 6+ Skylarks, 4+ Redstarts, 10+ Chiffchaffs, three Reed Buntings, many three Whitethroats, two Lesser Whitethroats and 5+ Sedge Warblers. Also an Azure Damselfly. (Paul Clark). Also today five Greylags, two Canada Geese, 25 Mallards, a Red Kite, five Coots, ten Lapwings, a Ringed Plover, two Redshanks, a Common Sandpiper, a Pied Wagtail, a Reed Warbler, two Blackcaps and two Chiffchaffs. (DBPWS/Mike Smart).

Halmore     A Cuckoo calling in the Slimbridge Lane area, a male Goshawk and three Buzzards circling high, a Sparrowhawk over, also many Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, two Goldcrests, eight Swallows, a male Bullfinch and a Treecreeper. (Chris Newton).

Hinchwick area     Two Wheatears, three Redstarts and three Corn Buntings today. (Andy Lewis).

Sharpness     Between Sanigar Pill and Berkeley Pill a Buzzard, a minimum of four pairs of Meadow Pipits, a pair of Skylarks, a female Wheatear, a male Reed Warbler and a pair of Shelducks. (Gord Avery).

Frampton    On Court Lake five Oystercatchers and a Common Tern. From Splatt Bridge a Common Sandpiper flew along the canal, a Peregrine through low and fast, a distant Hobby and a Little Grebe. (Paul Sutton).

Oystercatcher by Paul Sutton
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Saturday 26th April 2025

WWT Slimbridge     A WOOD SANDPIPER on the Tack Piece at 11:15am. (Paul Rich). Two drake GARGANEYS, a SPOONBILL and two Egyptian Geese also on the Tack Piece this morning. (Helen Bojaniwska).

Coombe Hill Meadows     A WOOD SANDPIPER late morning but flushed by a crow. (Ian Ralphs). Also today two Greylags, 25 Mallards, two Great White Egrets, two Little Egrets, two Grey Herons, a Buzzard, five Coots, two Oystercatchers, six Avocets, ten Lapwings, a Ringed Plover, a Dunlin, a Curlew, two Redshanks, four Swifts, three Skylarks, two House Martins, a male Yellow Wagtail, three Redstarts, a Reed Warbler, five Sedge Warblers, two Blackcaps, five Whitethroats, two Lesser Whitethroats, five Chiffchaffs and three Reed Buntings. (Mike Smart).

Saul Warth     This morning 43 Bar-tailed Godwits, six Whimbrels, seven Oystercatchers, 34 Dunlins, seven Ringed Plovers, a Greenshank, four Arctic Terns, two Wheatears, two Yellow Wagtails, 10+ Swifts and the GLOSSY IBIS. (Gordon Hodgson).

Cleeve Hill     From 6:15-8am four Wheatears, seven Stonechats (6m, 1f), a Yellow Wagtail over, a Lesser Whitethroat heard, a Buzzard, a Red Kite, c4 Whitethroats, endless song of Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Linnets, a few Yellowhammers and a Tree Pipit below the masts. (Tom & Greg Mabbett).

Halmore     Three male Cuckoos calling today intermittently in the woods. Also five Swallows, a Garden Warbler, a Nuthatch, two Treecreepers, many Chiffchaffs, two Willow Warblers, three Song Thrushes, a Mistle Thrush, three Blackcaps, two Green Woodpeckers and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers. (Chris Newton).

Cheltenham     In the early hours a Tawny Owl heard in Eldorado Road near the railway station and a female Sparrowhawk seen in the Griffiths Avenue Nature Reserve. (Keith White).

Hampen     Two Grey Partridges beside the A436 just before the Hampen turn off, on the left side if coming from Cheltenham. (MK).

Elmore Court     A SHORT-EARED OWL hunting in the rewilding area this evening. (Mark Hobson).

Nailsworth     A pair of Dippers at Dunkirk Mills. On local streams: a Common Sandpiper and four pairs of Grey Wagtail, one pair of which carrying food and a pair of Robins were feeding recently fledged young. (Terry Grant).

Chedworth     A Peregrine over the Chedworth valley at midday today. (Harvey Sherwood).

May Hill     On the Hill this afternoon, Meadow Pipits, Linnets, a Blackcap, a Garden Warbler and a Roe Deer. (Eden Tanner).

Roe Deer by Eden Tanner

Meadow Pipit by Eden Tanner

Eastington     Along the River Frome a two very flighty Common Sandpipers, Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, a Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk and two Grey Wagtails. (Paul Sutton).

Grey Wagtail by Paul Sutton
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