TBOSG     S. Glos News 2008

The S. Glos year list for 2008 was 209!

DECEMBER:

31st:

Two Short-eared Owls were seen over the salt marsh on Aust Warth early afternoon and a Firecrest was reported from Orchard Pools at Severn Beach.

30th:

A possible Scandinavian Rock Pipit was seen at Aust Warth and a pair of Dipper were present on Siston Brook at Willsbridge Mill.

29th:

Two Short-eared Owls were on show at Aust Warth from 14:40 and by late afternoon the tally had increased to three.

28th:

After the excitement of yesterday... Just one Short-eared Owl put in an appearance this evening at around 16:45 at Aust Warth.

27th:

In a large gull passage off New Passage this morning an adult Ring-billed Gull was seen close inshore heading north-east at around 10:15. It represents the fifth S. Glos record and the second this year. The first record also comes from New Passage when a 1st winter was seen on February 28th 1987.

Also today, four Bewick’s Swans were seen briefly early this morning on Northwick Warth before heading north and three White-fronted Geese were noted before heading north-east. A Jack Snipe was flushed from around Grebe Pond and this afternoon and one Short-eared Owl showed at 16:35.

26th:

The salt marsh on the south side of Severn Beach produced a Water Pipit and at Aust Warth two Short-eared Owls were on show from around 16:00.

25th:

Two Short-eared Owls were reported from Aust Warth this afternoon.

24th:

A Woodcock was flushed at Bodkin Wood near Petty France this morning. A Firecrest was still present at Orchard Pools, Severn Beach and at least two Short-eared Owls were present at Aust Warth this afternoon.

23rd:

Four Short-eared Owls were seen over the salt marsh at Aust Warth with one drifting down to Northwick Warth.

22nd:

At least two Short-eared Owls were present at Aust Warth this afternoon.

21st:

Two Short-eared Owls were on show from around 15:15 over the salt marsh at Aust Warth.

20th:

Two Firecrests were present again at Orchard Pools near Severn Beach and at least three Short-eared Owls were present at Aust Warth.

18th:

A Water Pipit was seen on Northwick Warth and three Jack Snipe were flushed from Grebe Pond. Another Jack Snipe was seen at Orchard Pools at Severn Beach.

17th:

Four Short-eared Owls were all showing together over the salt marsh at Aust Warth this afternoon from around 14:30.

16th:

Three Short-eared Owls were showing over the salt marsh at Aust Warth this afternoon.

15th:

The drake Wood Duck of unknown origin was still on the R. Avon near the Chequers Public House in Hanham this morning. Three Short-eared Owls were present at Aust Warth from 12:35.

14th:

A Wood Duck of unknown origins was seen on the R. Avon near the Chequers Public House in Hanham this morning. A possible Yellow-browed Warbler was at Bradley Stoke behind Ormonds Close at 15:45 at ST: 626 814. On Severnside a Water Pipit was on the salt marsh at Severn Beach at 09:20, a Jack Snipe was at Orchard Pools and three Short-eared Owls were reported from Aust Warth.

13th:

A family party of Bewick’s Swan flew low overhead and upriver at 14:50 at Oldbury Power Station (two adults with three juveniles). A Hawfinch was still present at Kingsgate Park at Yate in trees and bushes running parallel to Scot Way behind the lake. A Jack Snipe was reported from the Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth, at least three Short-eared Owls continued to show well on Aust Warth this afternoon and at Orchard Pools near Severn Beach there were two Firecrests.

12th:

A Hawfinch was still present at Kingsgate Park at Yate from 08:30 until at least 14:00. An adult Yellow-legged Gull remained at New Passage nearby a Jack Snipe was seen around the Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth and at least two Short-eared Owls were seen on Aust Warth this afternoon.

11th:

Two Quail were an unseasonal find today at around 11:00 in the Down Road area at Marshfield on private land with no general access. A Hawfinch was present in Kingsgate Park at Yate at 13:00 in trees behind the lake. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was at New Passage and at least two Short-eared Owls were reported from Aust Warth.

10th:

A Hawfinch was still showing on Ringswell Common south of Marshfield in the Doncombe Valley mid morning and three Short-eared Owls were present at Aust Warth mid afternoon.

9th:

Two Waxwing were seen in a garden near the Young Offenders Institute in Pucklechurch this morning, a Black Redstart was seen on the jetty at Oldbury Power Station and four Short-eared Owls were present at Aust Warth.

8th:

Two Hawfinch were seen on Ringswell Common at Marshfield, an adult Yellow-legged Gull was on the foreshore south of Severn Beach and four Short-eared Owls were on show from 13:10 at Aust Warth.

7th:

At Motcombe Farm in St Catherine's valley this morning a Hawfinch was seen at ST: 784 713 at 11:00 at the top of a tall tree at the back of the alpaca fields for two minutes before flying north. Also at the same site a male Goshawk (the tenth S. Glos record) went over low at 11:30. Two Jack Snipe were reported from Northwick Warth and a Water Pipit was at Severn Beach. A record equalling five Short-eared Owls were seen over Aust Warth this afternoon with a Barn Owl appearing at dusk.

6th:

A probable male Marsh Harrier (the nineteenth for S. Glos, fourth this year and latest ever record) was seen in flight at Oldbury Power Station over the R. Severn being mobbed by gulls before drifting over Lagoon III then off towards the south. Three Short-eared Owls were on show over the salt marsh at Aust Warth from around 14:00.

5th:

At Severn Beach a Water Pipit was seen on the salt marsh. A Jack Snipe was reported from Northwick Warth and nearby three Short-eared Owls were on Aust Warth over the salt marsh this afternoon plus Jack Snipe flushed by one of the owls.

4th:

At Marshfield today a Hawfinch was seen again briefly in flight over Ringswell Common.

3rd:

A Hawfinch was still present this afternoon on Ringswell Common on the south side of Marshfield at ST: 793 732. Please park in the village and walk into the valley. Three Short-eared Owls were reported on the salt marsh at Aust Warth from 13:30.

2nd:

The Hawfinch was mainly 200 metres east of the Sewage Treatment Works at ST: 788 731 but then flew up into the tall trees along the path that leads up to the Withymead Playing Fields. There were good numbers of Brambling, around twenty near Rushmead Farm. An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen at New Passage and three Short-eared Owls were over the salt marsh at Aust Warth from around 13:00.

1st:

A Hawfinch was showing well on Ringswell Common on the south side of Marshfield this morning. It was spending long periods in the sun feeding on hawthorn four hundred metres west of Marshfield Sewage Treatment Works at ST: 790 734. Three Short-eared Owls continued to show at Aust Warth this afternoon.

At Oldbury Power Station a dog-walker reported what was probably a male Hen Harrier flushed from the long grass around Lagoon II early in the month.

NOVEMBER:

30th:

A Hawfinch was seen in Thornbury today in the Streamside Walk/ Hyde Avenue area. A Jack Snipe was seen near Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth and at least two Short-eared Owls were seen on Aust Warth mid afternoon.

29th:

A female Black Redstart was noted on the foreshore at Oldbury Power Station and three Short-eared Owls were seen again this afternoon over Aust Warth salt marsh from around 14:00.

28th:

Three Short-eared Owls were hunting over Aust Warth salt marsh from around 13:45 this afternoon.

26th:

The first record of Hawfinch for the Marshfield patch was found this morning at around 11:15 300 metres east of Marshfield Sewage Treatment Works in the Ringswell Valley. This adult winter male was followed by a second bird around fifteen minutes later which appeared to be a winter female. Additionally this morning the second S. Glos record of Nordic Jackdaw was found in fields north-west of Avon Valley Country Park on the north side of the R. Avon between Keynsham and Swineford. Also a Short-eared Owl was showing at Aust Warth.

25th:

One Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Warth over the salt marsh from around 15:30 this afternoon.

24th:

Just one of the Aust Warth Short-eared Owls was on show this evening at dusk.

22nd:

The 1st winter male Black Redstart remained near Lagoon II and the Water Works at Oldbury Power Station today but was mobile. Four Short-eared Owls were showing well over Aust Warth from around 15.30.

21st:

Two Jack Snipe were seen on Northwick Warth at Grebe Pond with Common Snipe. A 1st winter male Black Redstart near Lagoon II and the Water Works at Oldbury Power Station. And a wholly unconfirmed report of a possible Great Bustard in fields north of the Cross Hands Pub on the A46 on the left just before the service station this morning.

20th:

A near record equalling count for S. Glos of four Short-eared Owls were putting on quite show at Aust Warth late afternoon.

19th:

Three Short-eared Owls were actively hunting at Aust Warth over the salt marsh from around 14.15 this afternoon.

18th:

Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were present at Severn Beach with three Short-eared Owls on show from Aust Warth this afternoon.

17th:

An adult Mediterranean Gull was logged at Severn Beach and a Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust this afternoon.

16th:

A Short-eared Owl was flushed by dog walkers from Aust Warth at around 14:00 and an immature male Black Redstart was present at Oldbury Power Station Water Works late afternoon.

15th:

The tenth record of Great Northern Diver for S. Glos, and first for two years flew upriver past Severn Beach at 08:00 this morning. The first record for S. Glos was in December 1983 off Aust Warth and the earliest so far was on November 4th 1989 also from Aust Warth. A Goosander was seen off New Passage, and a male and 'redhead' Red-breasted Merganser were seen in flight down river over Lagoon III at Oldbury Power Station. Back to Aust Warth where two Short-eared Owls were on show from around 17:00.

14th:

3 SEO's @ AW pm...!

12th:

News of a Water Pipit at New Passage and two Short-eared Owls from Aust Warth on Severnside today. Even hotter news of the reappearance of the adult Dartford Warbler at Marshfield!

11th:

The first documented reference to Short-eared Owls at Aust specifically comes from as recently as 1974 with one in May. The highest count for the region was of five on February 25th 1989 at Oldbury Power Station. The three on show at Auth Warth this evening then is significant in that its now the only real site in S. Glos where these stunning birds can regularly be encountered!

10th:

Late afternoon found three Short-eared Owls hunting over the salt marsh at Aust Warth.

9th:

Good numbers of Kittiwake on the coast at Severn Beach with over two hundred noted in a stiff breeze! Also seen there today was an adult Yellow-legged Gull just the fourth for S. Glos this year. No news on the Aust Short-eared Owls this evening. An inland Merlin was flushed at Three Brooks LNR from the orchard at 16:45.

8th:

Just one of the Aust Warth Short-eared Owls showed itself today with a late appearance at dusk.

7th:

Finch flocks at Marshfield remain high with well over a thousand birds with at least three Brambling on show around Northfield Lane. The now resident Short-eared Owls continued to delight at Aust Warth.

6th:

Sightings from Severnside today of an adult Mediterranean Gull at New Passage and the regular pair of Short-eared Owls from Aust Warth. At Marshfield finch numbers are building to well over a thousand including several Brambling.

5th:

Good movements of finches around the recording area especially at Marshfield with a couple of Brambling noted on the coast at Severnside and Oldbury. At Aust two Short-eared Owls were being seen this afternoon.

4th:

From the coast, two Short-eared Owls were on show on the salt marsh at Aust Warth from around 14:00. Over 800 Chaffinch were noted moving at OPS.

3rd:

The 200th bird for S. Glos this year turned up today with a 2nd winter Iceland Gull (the fifteenth for S. Glos) present off Severn Beach this morning. It represents the first for S. Glos for four years following another 2nd winter at Oldbury Power Station in December 2004. Also today the Water Pipit was still at Severn Beach and at least one Short-eared Owl was hunting at Aust Warth. And an adult winter Mediterranean Gull was present at Marshfield near Orchid Lane.

2nd:

A Water Pipit was seen on the shore at Severn Beach and three Short-eared Owls were on show at Aust Warth.

1st:

Lots of visible migration across S. Glos especially on the coast at Oldbury Power Station and Severnside with birds generally moving north-east into the wind. Highlights included a Short-eared Owl flushed near the sea wall at Severn Beach before departing north-east and a Water Pipit on the salt marsh this morning. This afternoon one of the Aust Warth Short-eared Owls put in an appearance at around 16:40.

OCTOBER:

30th:

At least one of the recent two Short-eared Owls was seen at Aust Warth again this evening from around 17:00 onwards.

29th:

Two Short-eared Owls remained at Aust Warth this evening.

28th:

Two Short-eared Owls were on show again this afternoon at Aust Warth from 16:00.

27th:

Two Short-eared Owls were on show again this afternoon at Aust Warth from 16:10.

26th:

A Quail was flushed from fields near Down Track off Down Road at Marshfield this afternoon. A Red-breasted Merganser was in the tidal reservoir at Oldbury Power Station and two Short-eared Owls were on show again this evening at Aust Warth.

25th:

The two Short-eared Owls were on show again this evening at Aust Warth from 17:30.

24th:

Two Short-eared Owls were on show at Aust Warth this evening from 18:00.

23rd:

Lurking in a flock of around a thousand gulls most of which were Common Gulls was this unexpected but most welcome adult winter Mediterranean Gull. It was showing well in ploughed fields near the cemetery on the Tormarton Road at Marshfield.

22nd:

Noteworthy news of a flock of between 500 and 600 Golden Plover just west of the A46 off Dyrham/ Doynton Lane opposite Marshfield Bakery. The flock were in fields north of the lane.

21st:

At Aust Warth a Short-eared Owl was seen hunting from 18: 20 this evening and a Barn Owl was heard. At Marshfield two Quail were flushed from an area with no general access.

19th:

A Short-eared Owl was seen on Aust Warth. This evening at Aust Warth there was a Short-eared Owl and Barn Owl from 18:40.

18th:

A migrant Short-eared Owl flew high north-east over New Passage this morning before dropping onto the old Northwick Warth landfill site. A Jack Snipe was reported from Aust Warth this evening.

17th:

At Aust Warth there was a Barn Owl from 18:30 and a single Short-eared Owl in the fading light.

16th:

A Short-eared Owl was seen at Severn Beach at 09:45 before flying high south-east. Aust Warth provided two Short-eared Owls at 18:45.

14th:

Two Red Kites were reported early morning at Hawksbury Upton.

12th:

The first Tree Sparrow of the year was found on the Northwick Warth target mound briefly before heading south towards New Passage.

11th:

The adult, probably male, Dartford Warbler was showing well on and off from around 07:30 this morning along Northfield Lane at ST: 777 744.

10th:

A Dartford Warbler was seen briefly along Northfield Lane late afternoon. This occurrence constitutes the first record for Marshfield and the fifth for S. Glos. Also today a Quail was flushed from fields to the north of Down Track off Down Road at 14:00.

5th:

Two adult winter Mediterranean Gulls were on Lagoon III at Oldbury Power Station this morning.

4th:

Four Quail were flushed from fields north of Down Track off Down Road north of Marshfield at around 09:00.

3rd:

Two Hen Harriers seen from Rushmead Lane over Rushmead Farm this morning and Moto X bushes this afternoon.

2nd:

At Marshfield there were two ringtail Hen Harriers on show from Rushmead Lane. Also seen from Rushmead Lane was a possible Greenland Wheatear.

1st:

The ringtail Hen Harrier was seen again this afternoon at Marshfield quartering fields to the south of Rushmead Farm/ Lane at 13:30. The surprise of the day though was Quail flushed from Down Track off Down Road and making a trilling 'reeeee' alarm call in flight. This evening; 9 Grey Partridge in the stubble field where West Littleton Road turns sharp left by the paddock near the main A420.

SEPTEMBER:

28th:

A Short-eared Owl was flushed several times this afternoon from Down Track off Down Road at Marshfield.

27th:

The female Hen Harrier was seen again at Marshfield at around 15:00 quartering the fields around Northfield Lane.

26th:

The female Hen Harrier was seen again this afternoon at around 17:00 in the Rushmead Farm area at Marshfield.

25th:

A female Hen Harrier was watched for over five minutes around Rushmead Farm at Marshfield today, just the third this year and the 18th S. Glos record.

24th:

A Honey Buzzard was seen over the M32 to the north-east of Bristol at around 10:30.This record represents the seventh record for S. Glos and the first this year.

23rd:

The juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was still present on Northwick Warth this evening for its sixth day equalling the six day 1st winter from 1998 also on Northwick Warth.

22nd:

The juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was still present on Northwick Warth until at least 17:00 for its fifth day. And a Honey Buzzard seen off Beachley Point might just have strayed into S. Glos waters at around 14:00.

21st:

The juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was still present on Northwick Warth for its fourth day but has been elusive at times.

20th:

The juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was still present on Northwick Warth for its third day. This is the sixth 'Pec Sand' to be recorded in S. Glos, the first for two years. The first record was in September 1989 with the earliest in August 2005 at OPS.

19th:

The juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper remained on the Northwick Warth salt marsh and an adult Mediterranean Gull was at New Passage.

18th:

A juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was found on Northwick Warth and was seen well before disappearing into the salt marsh at around 13:30. An adult Mediterranean Gull was present at New Passage.

17th:

An adult Mediterranean Gull was still present at New Passage and a Cetti’s Warbler, the first for two years, was seen on Northwick Warth near the old landfill site.

16th:

At New Passage there were two adult and one 1st. winter Mediterranean Gulls.

15th:

An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen at New Passage today. A male Marsh Harrier was seen south of Shirehill Lane at ST: 795 759 perched on a haystack before flying off.

14th:

Three Mediterranean Gulls, an adult and two 1st. winters were present at New Passage today.

13th:

An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen at New Passage.

12th:

A Turtle Dove flew south over Rushmead Lane near Marshfield at 14:54.

8th:

A Shag was present today at New Passage.

7th:

The purple patch continued for OPS today with another first for the site this morning; A Firecrest was seen in the hedge along the bridleway from the entrance to the shore, by the large oak tree (halfway along) and was still present at 12:30. An Osprey (the third this year) flew south over New Passage at around 10:40 then seen a few minutes later from Severn Beach heading of south west.

6th:

At Oldbury Power Station at around 10:30 a Spoonbill (the sixth for S. Glos) was watched flying across and up river. It circled and landed on Lagoon III. It was present for just 5 minutes then headed downriver. It was relocated flying southwest over Aust and then above the shoreline at Northwick Warth at around 11:00. Also at OPS at 11:45 an Arctic Skua (dark phase) and a juvenile Long-tailed Skua (just the seventh record for S. Glos and first since 1994) flew downriver. This was the first record of Long-tailed Skua at OPS. The Arctic Skua and  juvenile Long-tailed Skua were also seen off New Passage just after mid-day.

3rd:

A pale phase Arctic Skua was seen off Severn Beach at 11:00 and was seen to fly off high up river. This bird brings the total this year to fifteen. And just the second Great Skua for the year was also seen off Severn Beach this evening. An exhausted juvenile Shag was noted at Oldbury Power Station this evening.

2nd:

Two Grasshopper Warblers were noted on Severnside today; one was seen at Severn Beach the other was flushed from Northwick Warth. There are also signs today of a visible migration.

AUGUST:

30th:

The adult Mediterranean Gull was still present at New Passage.

26th:

A dark phase Arctic Skua was present of Severn Beach.

25th:

An adult Mediterranean Gull was present at New Passage.

24th:

Two Mediterranean Gulls, an adult and a juvenile/ 1st winter were present at New Passage.

20th:

There were two Little Terns reported flying downriver around 08:00 at Oldbury Power Station and a Storm Petrel off Severn Beach at 10:35.

19th:

There were three Strom Petrels present off Severn Beach prior to 08:00 this morning plus a Shag and another Storm Petrel at the same site this evening. Also to day an eclipse male Garganey was present at Oldbury Power Station on Lagoon I.

15th:

The juvenile Mediterranean Gull was present at New Passage again today.

13th:

At least four Storm Petrels were seen at Severn Beach late on this evening one of which was picked up moribund. Another was found dead near Awkley Flood Pools beside the M4 near the M48 junction.

12th:

A single Storm Petrel was seen off the sea wall at Severn Beach at around 18:00.

10th:

This morning at Marshfield a Quail was heard calling briefly at ST: 784 763. At least three Storm Petrels were seen at 13:30 of Severn Beach with two lingering until late afternoon and the juvenile Mediterranean Gull was still at New Passage.

9th:

An winter adult and juvenile Mediterranean Gulls were seen on Northwick Warth, north of New Passage today.

8th:

After an absence of several days an adult Mediterranean Gull reappeared at New Passage.

7th:

The juvenile Mediterranean Gull had moved a little further down the coast and was seen today at Severn Beach.

5th:

An immature Mediterranean Gull was seen at New Passage today. The photograph below shows well the plumage tending towards 1st winter.

3rd:

An adult Mediterranean Gull was on show at New Passage again today.

1st:

A different and on this occasion near winter adult Mediterranean Gull was seen at New Passage today.

JULY:

31st:

The adult moulting adult Mediterranean Gull reappeared at New Passage this evening.

30th:

An adult Mediterranean Gull and juvenile Yellow-legged Gull were present at Oldbury Power Station today.

27th:

The adult Mediterranean Gull was hawking insects high above the Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth and a Red Kite was seen circling high over Fishpool Hill at Brentry near Cribbs Causeway this afternoon before drifting south over the city.

26th:

The moulting adult Mediterranean Gull continued its stay at New Passage today.

25th:

The moulting adult Mediterranean Gull was seen again at New Passage today.

23rd:

The adult Mediterranean Gull was still on show at New Passage today.

22nd:

The adult Mediterranean Gull reported from New Passage yesterday was still present today. At Marshfield there were at least three Quail singing well in the clover fields north-west of Downthorns Farm.

21st:

An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen from New Passage this morning.

19th:

The Yellow-legged Gull was reported again today from OPS on Lagoon I this morning. It appears to be a 3rd year moulting to adult (or a ‘worn’ adult moulting). In the large high tide gull roosts were an adult and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull.

17th:

A 3rd year Yellow-legged Gull and a Mediterranean Gull were on Lagoon III in the evening at Oldbury Power Station.

16th:

Down Road at Marshfield provide just one Quail heard calling this morning. This afternoon at Marshfield at least 17 Whinchat were counted from Rushmead Lane plus 3 Grey Partridge flushed near Northfield Lane. A moulting adult Mediterranean Gull on Lagoon III at OPS in evening roost.

15th:

Three Quail were still present at Marshfield today in fields north of Down Track off Down Road. A Mediterranean Gull moulting from summer plumage was on Lagoon III at OPS in evening roost.

13th:

Three Quail were present at Marshfield today in fields north of Down Track off Down Road. And another Quail was heard this afternoon in the top fields east of Shirehill Farm.

12th:

Two Mediterranean Gulls were reported from Oldbury Power Station this morning with an adult still present on Lagoon III later in the day. Three Quail were present at Marshfield today; one heard in fields north of Down Track off Down Road and two in fields opposite Newhouse Farm two hundred metres north of Rushmead Farm.

11th:

A Red Kite was seen near the M32 at junction 1 over the ring road traffic light at Frenchay at around 16:00 this afternoon.

8th:

An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen roosting with Black-headed Gulls on Lagoon III at Oldbury Power Station.

6th:

An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen distantly at New Passage this afternoon.

4th:

This afternoon at Marshfield Quail was heard in the field east of Tormarton Rd, at the double bend near Rushmead Farm.

3rd:

At Marshfield a Quail was heard singing along Down Lane west of Down Road. An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen at New Passage.

2nd:

An adult Mediterranean Gull among c150 Black-headed Gull flying downriver at high tide at Oldbury Power Station and then roosting at the yacht club, this evening. The same bird or another adult was roosting on Northwick Warth at around 19:00. Two Quail calling from the fields east of the Tormarton Road 200 metre south of Rushmead Farm audible from the Road.

1st:

An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen over the evening tide at Severn Beach at 19:00.

JUNE:

30th:

A Red Kite was seen today drifting low over Doynton and heading south.

29th:

A Red Kite was seen at Frampton Cotterell in flight north-east over the Rising Sun pub at 11:30 around ST: 671 816.

28th:

Two Quail were heard calling from fields to the west of Down Road at Marshfield this morning and at least two Storm Petrel's were seen at Severn Beach around 13:00 this afternoon.

22nd:

At Severn Beach today there  was Storm Petrel, a pale phase Arctic Skua and 160 Manx Shearwaters.

21st:

A single Quail was heard singing in Rushmead Flash field at 16:40 this afternoon at ST: 785 753 on the corner of Rushmead Lane and Tormarton Road.

20th:

Two Grey Partridge in the field at the east end of Rushmead Lane this morning, also Quail calling there.

18th:

There were 60 Manx Shearwaters off Severn Beach this morning and an adult Little Tern there this evening.

17th:

A Red Kite was seen along the ring road between Keynsham and Longwell Green at 11:00 and another drifted over Lagoon III at Oldbury Power Station at 15:30, it then flew north-east along the shore to Lagoon II before being lost to view.

16th:

A Grasshopper Warbler was heard at Severn Beach today.

14th:

A Short-eared Owl was present again at Aust Warth around 21:00 this evening.

13th:

A Red Kite was seen flying towards Abbey Wood at 10:30 low at Hambrook Roundabout. It was travelling along the edge of the ring road from the Pucklechurch direction.

12th:

At least one Short-eared Owl was showing well at Aust Warth this evening.

11th:

At Broadmead Brook on West Littleton Road a Red Kite appeared above the hill from the south, drifted for a minute before rising high into the upper clouds and disappeared.

10th:

A moulting adult Red Kite was circling over Kingswood in Bristol this morning at 08:20 at ST: 655 735, it was last seen at 08:22 drifting south towards Longwell Green. A Quail was calling in the field opposite the house 200 metres north of Rushmead Farm at Marshfield.

8th:

A single Quail was heard singing this afternoon around 16:00 between Plough Farm and Shirehill Farm at ST: 792 763.

1st:

A Grasshopper Warbler was again 'reeling' from Lagoon II at Oldbury Power Station this morning. A summer male Black Redstart was heard singing from Culverslade Chicken Farm buildings this evening at around 20:30 from the Tormarton Road.

MAY:

31st:

An Osprey with a fish in its talons flew low upriver at Oldbury Power Station at around 14:55. It flew over the tidal reservoir near Lagoon III, gained height and headed north-north-east across the river. This report represent the second bird this year and just the seventeenth for S. Glos!

30th:

A Grasshopper Warbler was heard 'reeling' on Lagoon II at Oldbury Power Station this evening.

26th:

At least two Little Terns were present at Severn Beach this morning, one north-east past the Second Severn Crossing at 11:10 and a grounded bird on the beach at 11:50.

22nd:

An unconfirmed report of a Red-rumped Swallow this morning on overhead wires at 10:15 in Rangeworthy. This potentially represents S. Glos' third record and the first for twenty years. The previous two were at New Passage in September 1977 and April 1988.

21st:

One Quail calling from west of Northfield Lane at Marshfield with at least two calling from the Tormarton Road site (see below) with one either side of the road.

20th:

Early afternoon at Marshfield: At least three Quail calling from the loosely sown Charlock 200 metres south of Rushmead Farm plus Hobby and Red Kite.

17th:

An adult Shag was present on the river off Severn Beach this morning. Not that common in our area it represents just the twenty-sixth documented record! A dark phase Arctic Skua flew east past Severn Beach at 17:50.

16th:

A Red Kite was reported from Warmley this afternoon cruising over Cock Road Open Space running parallel with the Ring Road.

12th:

A female Montagu's Harrier (the sixth and earliest ever S. Glos record) was seen in flight just north of Tormarton at around 11:00. It was watched in a tree, then in flight heading south towards Marshfield before returning north to be watched north of the B4040 near Lyegrove House, east of the A46.

11th:

Two Greenland Wheatears were present at Littleton-on-Severn and the 1st summer Mediterranean Gull returned to Severn Beach this morning.

10th:

The 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull was again at Severn Beach today.

9th:

A drake Mandarin was present on Kingsgate Pond at Yate this morning.

7th:

A male Hen Harrier (and 17th S. G. record) was seen at 09:05 flying upriver at Severn Beach.

6th:

Two Mediterranean Gulls, single 1st and 2nd summer birds were present at Severn Beach.

4th:

At Oldbury Power Station a Red Kite flew in off the estuary at the yacht club at about 16:00 then drifted east over pylons being mobbed by corvids. And remarkably whilst searching for the kite a presumed Common Crane (S. Glos' eight record) was seen flying north-east before being lost to view just seconds later. Also on Severnside a Wood Warbler was reported from Aust Warth.

3rd:

A female Marsh Harrier was seen in flight over Lagoon II at OPS around 08:05 this morning and was noted heading upriver. The Short-eared Owl was still present at the yacht club.

2nd:

A Short-eared Owl was reported at Oldbury Power Station again near the yacht club.

APRIL:

29th:

The Grasshopper Warbler was still present at Severn Beach this morning. A Red Kite was at Marshfield at 14:20 in flight over the junction of High Street and the A420 near Green Lane. Heading south-west it was then seen over Cold Ashton drifting towards Swainswick Valley.

28th:

A Grasshopper Warbler was still present at Severn Beach and was heard 'reeling' this evening.

27th:

One, possibly two Hoopoe's were seen on Severnside this morning. The first was seen in flight leaving sheep fields at Aust Warth onto the Warth subsequently returning to the sheep fields at 08:15. The same or another was reported 400 metres south of Severn Beach on the track between the sea wall and railway at around 08:45. Also at Severn Beach a Grasshopper Warbler was seen, heard and photographed this morning.

26th:

A male Bearded Tit, the second S. Glos record was located at Oldbury Power Station in the main reed bed at Lagoon II at 08:30. It was present for forty-five minutes until 09:15  when it flew high and circled for five minutes before heading off high to the north-east.

25th:

Another Grasshopper Warbler today, this time one was heard 'reeling' at New Passage.

23rd:

A Grasshopper Warbler was heard 'reeling' at Oldbury Power Station this morning around Lagoon II and was still present in the evening. Another Grasshopper Warbler was noted at Northwick Warth. There was also an unconfirmed report of a Red Kite in the Tormarton area.

22nd:

A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen flying low north-east over Aust Warth this morning with several Greenland Wheatear and a male Pied Flycatcher was 'bagged' in Motocross Bushes at Marshfield ST: 775 755.

20th:

A Short-eared Owl (considered lighter in colour than the recent one) was on the shore at Oldbury Power Station and a male Pied Flycatcher was in trees at south end of lagoon II. A female Pied Flycatcher was seen along Broadmead Brook at Marshfield this afternoon. On Severnside a male Blue-headed Wagtail (the eighth for S. Glos) was seen at Severn Beach with an impressive nearly 100 Yellow Wagtails.

19th:

A 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull was seen at Severn Beach this morning.

18th:

A male Ring Ouzel was seen at Severn Beach between the sea wall & railway on the track in fields c.300 metres south of Riverside Park at 18:30.

17th:

A Red Kite was seen in flight heading south at around 12:45 just south of Severn Beach over the Terra Nitrogen Works. At Shepperdine there were four Avocets and a Male Black Redstart by the Water Works Oldbury Power Station.

16th:

A Ring-necked Parakeet the fifth record for S. Glos was seen at New Passage at around 10:15 and remarkably the same or another was seen at Oldbury Power Station along with Short-eared Owl.

15th:

A Short-eared Owl was hunting along the sea wall at Riverside Park, Severn Beach this evening.

13th:

Still present today the Hoopoe was showing on and off all day at Sands Farm, Dyrham and was last reported at 15:35, 250 yards along the track from the manure heap. One, possibly two Grasshopper Warblers were also at Sands Farm today. At OPS the Short-eared Owl was again hunting near the yacht club between 09:40 and at least 10:00.

12th:

Still present today the Hoopoe was relocated at 08:30 back in the original spot at Sands Farm, feeding by the manure heap and on the farm track. Also present on the farm buildings was a male Black Redstart. At Oldbury Power Station a Short-eared Owl was seen near the Yacht Club.

11th:

At 11:30 today a Hoopoe (the fifteenth S. Glos record) was found at Dyrham on Sands Farm (by the farmer) feeding on a manure heap. It was present throughout the afternoon and was last seen at around 17:10 when it flushed to a near by copse and was not seen again by dusk. Also today a Grasshopper Warbler was singing early morning at Northwick Warth and a female Black Redstart was seen around the water works at Oldbury Power Station.

10th:

An Osprey was seen flying very high, being mobbed by gulls over Mangotsfield at 10:40 this morning and was last seen heading north-east.

9th:

Still four Mandarins, three drakes & a female at Heneage Court Ponds near Falfield.

6th:

A Short-eared Owl was seen at the yacht club at Oldbury this morning and there were four Mandarin at Heneage Court Ponds near Falfield this afternoon including three males. A Jack Snipe was seen again on Northwick Warth and a Short-eared Owl put in an appearance at Aust Warth.

5th:

An immature male Marsh Harrier, and the earliest record for S. Glos was seen heading south at 07:15 at Oldbury Power Station and a Short-eared Owl was showing at Aust Warth at around 07:10 this morning.

4th:

A Short-eared Owl was showing well again at Aust Warth at around 11:30.

3rd:

A Short-eared Owl was seen in flight over Rushmead Lane and then east of Orchid Lane at Marshfield at around 18:30. Two more Short-eared Owls were continuing to show at Aust Warth around 17:25.

MARCH:

30th:

Three Jack Snipe continued to show at Northwick Warth.

29th:

S. Gloucestershire's twelfth and Severnside's third Whooper Swan, and adult, was seen in flight low south over Severn Beach this morning.

28th:

At least five Jack Snipe were reported from around Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth today.

27th:

The female Lapland Bunting was still present at Marshfield this morning and was seen until around 11:20 but not subsequently. At Aust the Short-eared Owl was showing at 18:50.

26th:

The female Lapland Bunting was present at Marshfield on and off all day today and was last seen at 17:00. At Aust Warth a Short-eared Owl put in an appearance and was showing very well at 18:05.

25th:

The female Lapland Bunting was still on show in the same ploughed field at Marshfield until at least 14:00 this afternoon. At Severn Beach a migrant Short-eared Owl was flushed from driftwood on the beach and a Jack Snipe was reported from Northwick Warth.

24th:

A Lapland Bunting - the first for Marshfield and tenth for S. Glos - was found at around 10:00 this morning in ploughed fields at the junction of West Littleton Lane and Northfield Lane at Marshfield (ST: 776 742). An early male Garganey was seen at Oldbury Power Station between 08:00 - 08:30 this morning when it visited Lagoon III and was last seen flying low to the south-west. Three Jack Snipe were still present on the salt marsh at Northwick Warth & a Short-eared Owl was on show at Aust Warth at 18:30.

23rd:

Up to seven Jack Snipe were seen on Severnside when they were flushed from the fresh marsh at Northwick Warth today.

22nd:

Five Jack Snipe were still present on Northwick Warth today.

21st:

At Severn Beach there was an adult Mediterranean Gull, on Northwick Warth at least 5 possibly 7 Jack Snipe and a Short-eared Owl was seen on Aust Warth at 18:10.

20th:

A male Firecrest was present and heard singing around Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth at 10:30 this morning. (ST: 552 864)

18th:

A 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull was seen in flight by the R. Avon just north of Keynsham from the public footpath towards Swineford this afternoon.

16th:

A Jack Snipe was still present at Northwick Warth today. Also today an unconfirmed report of Tree Sparrows in the Rownham/ Ebbdown Farms area at Marshfield recently.

15th:

The first Wheatears of the spring arrived today with up to seven on Severnside at Severn Beach & New Passage. There were also two Water Pipits at Severn Beach & Jack Snipe on Northwick Warth.

13th:

A Short-eared Owl was still on show at Aust Warth.

12th:

A Great Skua flew north-east past Severn Beach at mid-day.

11th:

Five Jack Snipe were flushed from around Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth this morning & a Water Pipit was seen again at New Passage.

10th:

A Jack Snipe & Short-eared Owl were both still on show at Aust Warth at 10:00 along with the first Sand Martins of the year & a Water Pipit was at New Passage.

9th:

A Jack Snipe & Short-eared Owl were noted at Aust Warth at 10:50. Another Short-eared Owl flew along the shore and then to roost on Lagoon III at 09:00 at Oldbury Power Station. It was first seen hunting along the shore and fields south-west of Lagoon III then circling near the yacht club.

8th:

A Jack Snipe was flushed from around Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth.

4th:

A Short-eared Owl was again available at Aust Warth this evening.

3rd:

There were four Mandarin on Stanshaw's Lake at Yate today, two males & two females & the Short-eared Owl was seen over the salt marsh at Aust Warth again at 18:25.

2nd:

A Short-eared Owl was seen over the salt marsh at Aust Warth at 18:25. Two Goosander, a male & female were seen on the southern S. Glos boundary on the River Avon at ST: 661 697.

1st:

On the coast an elusive Water Pipit was still frequenting the salt marsh at Severn Beach and inland a possible 'Nordic' Jackdaw was in ploughed fields off Lark Lane at Marshfield. A Short-eared Owl showed at Aust Warth from 18:20.

FEBRUARY:

29th:

The photo provided by Paul shows four of the five Avocets present at New Passage from 09:30 today. They were still present at 15:30. A Water Pipit was still on the salt marsh at Severn Beach.

28th:

The winter adult Ring-billed Gull was still present at Shortwood Landfill Site near Emerson's Green today.

27th:

South Gloucestershire's third Yellow-browed Warbler was reported today at 10:30 and again at lunch time in the grounds of the Abbeywood complex at Filton. Remarkably this is the second record of Yellow-browed Warbler for this site! And...! S. Glos' fourth Ring-billed Gull was photographed at Shortwood Landfill Site. Also today a Water Pipit was noted on the salt marsh at Severn Beach.

24th:

There were two Short-eared Owls on show at the southern end of Aust Warth this afternoon from around 16:30.

23rd:

Short-eared Owl was mobbed by corvids at Aust Warth at 08:45 this morning. Two Jack Snipe were at Northwick Warth & a Water Pipit was seen from the shore at Severn Beach. Another Short-eared Owl was flushed from the path around Lagoon III at OPS. It was then seen perched on a log along the shore at 09:00.

22nd:

Three Mandarin, two males and a female were on show at Stanshaw's Lake at Yate.

21st:

Two Jack Snipe were flushed from Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth.

20th:

S. Glos' fifth and OPS first Red-crested Pochard, a male, was found at 13:00 on the lake behind the hide. A Short-eared Owl was showing well at Aust Warth from 17:15.

19th:

A Water Pipit was on show at Severn Beach, two Jack Snipe were at Northwick Warth & a Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Warth this afternoon.

18th:

A Jack Snipe was noted at Aust Warth this morning.

17th:

Still at Aust Warth a Short-eared Owl appeared exactly an hour later than yesterday at 17:35.

16th:

A Short-eared Owl continued to show at Aust Wart from 16:35 this afternoon.

15th:

One Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Warth from 17:05.

14th:

A Short-eared Owl was available & showing well at Aust Warth from 16:20.

12th:

One of the two Short-eared Owls put in an appearance from 16:50 at Aust Warth.

11th:

At Northwick Warth there were 7 Jack Snipe at 09:30 and a Water Pipit was seen on the salt marsh at Severn Beach.

10th:

A Nordic Jackdaw was on show briefly with around 300 Jackdaws along Down track off Down Road at Marshfield this afternoon. A Jack Snipe was seen at Severn Beach salt marsh & two Short-eared Owls were seen at Aust Warth from 17:50.

9th:

A Long-eared Owl was still present roosting in a hedge at Aust Warth. Also there were two Short-eared Owls showing from 17:50. Additionally this afternoon, a probable male Goshawk was seen over Davis's Farm Machinery Yard and subsequently Marshfield School on the A420.

8th:

Two Short-eared Owls were seen at Aust Warth at 16:10.

6th:

There were at least 5 Jack Snipe around Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth and a Long-eared Owl on a post at Aust Warth at 17:40 for a few minutes before it flew back towards the sheep field hedge. Also at Aust Warth there were two Short-eared Owls.

3rd:

Four Jack Snipe were flushed with at least 45 Common Snipe from around Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth today.

2nd:

A Short-eared Owl was flushed from the path around Lagoon III this morning & another was seen hunting at Aust Warth at 17:20.

29th:

A Short-eared Owl was showing at Aust Warth this afternoon from 17:00 onwards.

27th:

An unidentified Harrier flew west over the M4 junction 20 near Patchway at 13:35. A Short-eared Owl was seen this morning at Aust Warth & again this afternoon.

26th:

The Great Bustard (Orange 15) was relocated at Oldbury Power Station in flooded fields by the yacht club (ST: 601 933). Later it was seen in flight north east, upriver, over the power station at 15:20. A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Wart at dusk.

25th:

A Jackdaw (showing characteristics of the Nordic race, distinct grey head and whitish collar) was seen in horse paddocks along George Lane at Marshfield. A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Wart at dusk.

24th:

The two Short-eared Owls were continuing to show at Aust Warth today from 16:10 onwards.

23rd:

There were two Short-eared Owls available at Aust Warth from 17:05 this afternoon.

22nd:

A Short-eared Owl showed briefly at Aust Warth at 17:00.

19th:

Two Jack Snipe were seen with Common Snipe at Northwick Warth.

16th:

A Short-eared Owl was noted at Aust Warth from 16:55.

12th:

The reintroduced Great Bustard was still present in fields in the R. Avon area just north of Keynsham at ST: 675 693. A winter adult Mediterranean Gull was on show at New Passage and a Short-eared Owl was seen over the reed bed at Aust Warth at 16:30.

10th:

A Great Bustard was found just inside the S. Glos boundary at ST: 674 699 north of the R. Avon just north of Keynsham.

8th:

An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen in flooded fields at Western Approaches near Severn Beach.

7th:

Just one Short-eared Owl was on show at Aust Warth from 16:30 onwards.

4th:

An unconfirmed report of a possible Rough-legged Buzzard was noted early afternoon from the Cromhall area.

2nd:

A Water Pipit was seen at Severn Beach on the salt marsh. Two Short-eared Owls were at Aust Warth this afternoon from 15:50.

1st:

Two Short-eared Owls were still present & showing well at Aust Warth this afternoon.

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