2024

JANUARY

Monday 1st

Tormarton Road; Three Common Stonechat. Shire Valley; Three Grey Heron, Common Buzzard, four Red Kite, Stock Dove and Song Thrush. West Littleton Down; c.80 Chaffinch. West Littleton; Two Red Kite, Goldfinch, Linnet and Bullfinch. West Littleton Dam; Fourteen Mallard. Middledown Lane; Common Snipe. Withymead; Tawny Owl. Also across the patch; Moorhen, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Lesser Black-backed, Herring and Common Gull, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, 25 Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, House Sparrow, Starling, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting.

Wednesday 3rd

Coal Tit, Jay, Goldcrest and two Mute Swan on Church's Pool.

Saturday 6th

Rushmead Lane: Three Red Kite, 21 Corn Bunting, six Yellowhammer, 19 Fieldfare, three Common Stonechat, two Raven and Kestrel.

Monday 8th

Two Common and one Jack Snipe in fields from West Littleton Road plus 20+ Grey Partridge in fields from Rushmead Lane. A Red Kite flushed c.150 Common Gull and c.1000 Jackdaw from fields around Rushmead Farm.

Tuesday 9th

Down Road: Red Kite, Common Buzzard, two Raven, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 200+ Jackdaw. Rushmead Lane: Two Mistle Thrush, 150+ Fieldfare and Common Stonechat.

Wednesday 10th

This morning: Common Buzzard, Kestrel and two Lapwing south-west over Northfield lane, 50+ Fieldfare, 30+ Starling, four Common Stonechat, 20+ Linnet, 10+ Skylark, 100+ Corn Bunting near Rushmead Farm and Raven. Also Wren, Robin, two Dunnock, Blackbird, 5+ Goldfinch and 22 Common Gull.

Sunday 14th

Combined reports across the patch today: Five Mallard (three males West Littleton Dam), at least eight Red Kite, several Common Buzzard, Kestrel, c.35 Lapwing, c.50 Common Gull, 34 Stock Dove, 15 Skylark, c.10 Meadow Pipit, six Common Stonechat, c.30 Fieldfare, a few Redwing, c.1000 Jackdaw, at least seven Raven, c.50 Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, c.80 mixed flock of Chaffinch and Yellowhammer from the Tormarton Road, three Siskin with a few Goldfinch from West Littleton Road.

Tuesday 16th

This morning south of the village: Two Bullfinch and three Jay and in Cherry Wood, Treecreeper and two Marsh Tit.

Wednesday 17th

Three Little Egret, four Red Kite and Common Chiffchaff in the Shire Valley, 33 Lapwing and 12 Golden Plover on Rushmead Farm. Also 40+ Stock Dove, Kestrel, 50 Fieldfare, two Common Stonechat, c.100 Chaffinch/ Linnet and 300+ Corn Bunting.

Thursday 18th

Two Kestrel, Common Snipe and Mistle Thrush from Dunsdown Lane, two Lapwing and two Common Stonechat from Northfield Lane.

Friday 19th

Rushmead Farm area: Common Buzzard, ten Corn Bunting, c.50 Fieldfare, Kestrel, two Lapwing, Linnet, ten Long-tailed Tit, eight Pied Wagtail, five Redwing, two Skylark, c.30 Starling, two Yellowhammer and Wren.

Saturday 20th

A Barn Owl over the Tormarton Road near Harcombe Farm at 17:30.

Saturday 27th

Tormarton Road/ Shirehill Bridge: 25 Lapwing, Grey Heron, three Red Kite, two Common Buzzard, Kestrel and Grey Wagtail. Rushmead Lane Triangle: Stock Dove, Collared Dove, c.75 Common Gull, five Common Buzzard, three Kestrel, 12 Skylark, five Redwing, c.100 Fieldfare, four Common Stonechat, two Pied Wagtail, eight Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, 12 Linnet, seven Goldfinch, 30 Corn Bunting and six Yellowhammer.

Sunday 28th

Around the patch in the afternoon and early evening: Hundreds of Redwing and Fieldfare, at least six Common Stonechat, c.30 Common Gull, two Little Egret and c.25 Red Kite.

Common Stonechat and Red Kite | Chris Teague

Tuesday 30th

Five Red Kite, Little Egret and two Grey Heron around Shirehill Bridge.

FEBRUARY

Thursday 1st

Woodcock, Sparrowhawk, Merlin and c.30 Corn Bunting were reported today.

Friday 2nd

A Sparrowhawk and one Woodcock on the Cherry Wood loop. Also; In wet and windy conditions this afternoon, four Red Kite, Common Stonechat, c.100 Fieldfare, small numbers of Common Gull but large numbers of Corvids.

Sunday 4th

The Shire Valley and Down Road: Twelve Red Kite, four Common Buzzard, six Corn Buntings, Common Stonechat, Grey Heron and a mixed flock of 50+ Goldfinch/ Chaffinch.

Red Kite | Mike Prior

Wednesday 7th

Shire Valley: Seven Mallard, three Common Gull, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, seven Red Kite, Common Buzzard, three Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kestrel, 200+ Jackdaw, 400+ Rook, Raven, Coal Tit, five Blue Tit, nine Great Tit, three Skylark, Wren, four Nuthatch, Song and Mistle Thrush, twelve Redwing, c.60 Fieldfare, House Sparrow, 100+ Chaffinch and 15 Yellowhammer. Down Road: Raven, Skylark, 45 Fieldfare, a male and female Common Stonechat and Corn Bunting.

Common Stonechat | Pete Coslett

Tuesday 8th

This afternoon across the patch: Six Lesser Black-backed Gulls over. Rushmead Lane/ Farm: Two Common Stonechat, 14 Grey Partridge, 25 Stock Dove, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk. A flock of c.80 mainly Yellowhammer/ Chaffinch, 350+ Linnet and two Kestrel from Down Track.

Monday 12th

Two Red Kite from the A420 between Marshfield and The Folly at 12:40.

Tuesday 13th

Reported today: C.150 Linnet, c.40 Chaffinch, c.40 Corn Bunting, good numbers of Skylark and four Yellowhammer.

Sunday 18th

A male Blackcap in full song at Withymead Playing Fields this morning

Friday 23rd

A Merlin was on show from Northfield Lane and c.250 Fieldfare from Down Road. Along Down Track 50+ Fieldfare, c.50 Chaffinch and c.40 Yellowhammer.

Sunday 25th

Two Red Kite to the west of Shirehill Bridge this morning.

Monday 26th

A 'ringtail' Hen Harrier was reported in the Northfield Lane area this morning also four Red Kite, four Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and c.100 Golden Plover.

Wednesday 28th

Seven Red Kite were counted in the Shire Valley this afternoon.

Thursday 29th

At Marshfield around 21:30: Surveying noted both Short-eared and Little Owl flying around, five Golden Plover, five Woodcock, four Common Snipe and c.40 Fieldfare.

MARCH

Saturday 2nd

Two Great Black-backed Gull present on Rushmead Farm.

Sunday 3rd

A Kestrel from Northfield Lane, lots of singing Skylark, a small passage of Meadow Pipit near West Littleton plus several Greenfinch.

Wednesday 6th

A male Bullfinch south of the village.

Thursday 7th

From the Down Road area; Four Black-headed Gull, c.390 Common Gull, two Herring Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, also five Stock Dove, Red Kite, three Common Buzzard, two Raven and many singing Skylark. Two Canada Geese on each pond in the Shire Valley and two on West Littleton Dam also two Grey Heron and three Red Kite in the Shire Valley.

Friday 8th

North of the A420 this evening; Thermal imaging and lamping produced 17 Golden Plover, eight Woodcock, Common Snipe and three Fieldfare.

Monday 11th

West Littleton Road; Two Jack Snipe and a Common Chiffchaff. West Littleton; Several Greenfinch. Shire Valley; Little Egret, Reed Bunting, three Red Kite. Tormarton Road; Four Common Stonechat. Rushmead Lane; c.220 Fieldfare.

Sunday 24th

A male Northern Wheatear (the first of the year) and two Grey Partridge from Rushmead Lane. Red Kite, Common Buzzard and Little Egret from the Shire Valley and four Corn Bunting from Down Road.

This year's first! | Mike Prior

Monday 25th

Four Red Kite and three Common Buzzard were all on show in St. Catherine's Valley south-west of the village this morning.

Tuesday 26th

A Red Kite and nine Common Buzzards together over West Littleton Down, Yellowhammer singing and a Reed Bunting from Wallsend Lane, two Northern Wheatear from Middledown Lane plus lots of Common Chiffchaff.  This evening a  couple of Common Scoter were heard in flight over Marshfield village around 22:10.

Friday 29th

A female Merlin was seen in flight to the south over Shirehill Bridge.

Saturday 30th

Nuthatch, Grey Wagtail and Corn Bunting were all reported from the patch today.

APRIL

Thursday 4th

A Red Kite was watched over the Withymead end of the village and this year's first Willow Warbler was found around Ringswell Dew Pond. (John Barnett)

Sunday 7th

Today in the Shire Valley: Red Kite, two Grey Heron, Mistle Thrush and two Canada Geese. A Willow Warbler at Ringswell plus good numbers of Common Chiffchaff and Blackcap. (John Barnett)

Monday 8th

This afternoon south of the village; Lots of Common Chiffchaff, Mistle Thrush and a male Common Redstart! (John Barnett)

Tuesday 9th

Shire Valley: Two Swallow (the first of the year), two Canada Geese, two Jay and two Red Kite. (John Barnett)

Wednesday 10th

Three Little Egret by Shirehill Bridge this morning. (Pete Coslett)

Friday 12th

This morning: A Red Kite in the Shire Valley and a Grasshopper Warbler around Shirehill Bridge. (John Barnett)

Tuesday 16th

A cracking male Hen Harrier north-east over the Shire Valley at 17:24. Nearby two Grey Partridge from the parking area on Shirehill Bridge. (Chris Trott)

Saturday 20th

West Littleton this morning: Moorhen with three chicks, Mallard with at least ten chicks, two Red Kite, two Canada Geese, two Common Stonechat and three Common Whitethroat plus Grey Partridge from Rushmead Lane and two Common Buzzard, Northern Wheatear and at least 30 Corn Bunting from Down Road. (John Barnett, Chris Teague)

Northern Wheatear | Chris Teague

Sunday 21st

Two House Martin the first of the year over the Withymead area. (John Barnett)

Tuesday 23rd

Marshfield area this morning: Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gull, Red Kite, five Common Buzzard, Kestrel, 22 Skylark, five Swallow, four Pied Wagtail, 30 Linnet, ten Goldfinch, five Corn Bunting and six Yellowhammer. (Alan Daniells)

MAY

Sunday 12th

Cloud Wood and Garston Farm area: Common Pheasant - six, Common Buzzard, Woodpigeon - 26, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker - two, Skylark - nine, Swallow - three, Pied Wagtail, Wren - 22, Dunnock - two, Robin - two, Blackbird - ten, Song Thrush - six, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap - five, Common Chiffchaff - four, Goldcrest - two, Long-tailed Tit - two, Coal Tit - six, Blue Tit - 20, Great Tit - eight, Treecreeper - three, House Sparrow - two, Magpie, Jackdaw - 18, Rook - 47, Carrion Crow - four, Chaffinch - two, Goldfinch - four, Linnet - four, Yellowhammer - three and Corn Bunting - two. (John Barnett)

Monday 13th

South and southwest of the village: Common Pheasant - two, Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Woodpigeon - 26, Collared Dove - three, Feral Pigeon - four, Green Woodpecker - two, Skylark - three, Swallow - five, Wren - 18, Dunnock - four, Robin - 11, Blackbird - 16, Song Thrush - five, Common Whitethroat - three, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap - five, Common Chiffchaff - nine, Blue Tit - eight, Great Tit - three, House Sparrow - eight, Starling - 11, Magpie - three, Jackdaw - 63, Rook - five, Carrion Crow - three, Linnet - four and Yellowhammer - two. (John Barnett)

Tuesday 14th

Across the patch today: At least two Grey Heron, Red Kite, several Common Buzzard, Peregrine, two Red-legged and two Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, at least two Moorhen, Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, half a dozen Common Swift, good numbers of Skylark, several Swallow, Grey and Pied Wagtail, Wren, several Robin, numerous Blackbird, Song and Mistle Thrush, eight Blackcap, a couple of Common Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tit, good numbers of Jackdaw, Carrion Crow and Rook, two Raven, lots of Starling, one or two House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch, small numbers of Linnet and a handful of Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting.

Grey Partridge from Down Road | South Glos Birds

Monday 20th

West Littleton area; A Common Cuckoo heard twice. Shire Valley; Little Grebe on the 2nd pond, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Red Kite, six Mistle Thrush and Willow Warbler. Several House Martin on Ebbdown Farm. Generally; Still only four Common Swift in the village, Swallows are slightly up on last year and plenty of Common Whitethroat. (John Barnett)

Saturday 25th

A Little Owl was seen from the West Littleton Road also twelve Common Swift and a noted influx of House Martin across the patch. (John Barnett)

Monday 27th

Three Red-legged Partridge, Red Kite, Kestrel, 50+ Skylark, five Swallow, two House Martin, two Common Whitethroat, c.40 Starling, eight House Sparrow, Chaffinch, eight Linnet, eight Corn Bunting and seven Yellowhammer.

Wednesday 29th

At least three Spotted Flycatcher (the first of the year) were noted in the Shire Valley today. (John Barnett)

JUNE

Sunday 2nd

Across the patch today; C.50 Corn Bunting, 25 Yellowhammer, four Red-legged Partridge and one potential Grey Partridge at distance. (Karle Burford)

Wednesday 12th

BBS Square 7973; Two Common Pheasant, Lesser Black-backed Gull, fifty-seven Woodpigeon, two Collared Dove, Little Owl, two Skylark, two Swallow, eighteen Wren, four Blackbird, five Song Thrush, two Common Whitethroat, four Blackcap, six Common Chiffchaff, six Goldcrest, two Long-tailed, two Coal Tit, seven Blue Tit, three Great Tit, two Treecreeper, four House Sparrow, eight Jackdaw, sixty-six Rook, four Carrion Crow, two Chaffinch, two Goldfinch, Linnet, four Yellowhammer and six Corn Bunting. (John Barnett)

Thursday 13th

BBS Square 7773; Common Pheasant, Common Buzzard, three Lesser Black-backed Gull, thirty-eight Woodpigeon, eight Collared Dove, seventeen Swift, four Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Swallow, three House Martin, two Pied Wagtail, ten Wren, eight Dunnock, eleven Robin, twenty-seven Blackbird, three Song Thrush, three Common Whitethroat, two Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, seven Common Chiffchaff, eleven Blue Tit, five Great Tit, twenty-three House Sparrow, twenty-eight Starling, Magpie, twenty-four Jackdaw, five Rook, four Carrion Crow, eight Chaffinch, two Greenfinch, five Goldfinch, four Linnet and two Yellowhammer. (John Barnett)

Sunday 16th

Two Spotted Flycatcher in the Shire Valley with a further individual around the tennis courts in the village at Withymead. (John Barnett)

Tuesday 18th

Two Red Kite over the Shire Valley/ bridge also still at least one Spotted Flycatcher in tree's just east of Shirehill Bridge. (Pete Coslett)

Thursday 20th

Across the patch today: Four Lesser Black-backed Gull, ten Jackdaw, c.120 Rook, 20+ Skylark, three Swallow, two Common Whitethroat, 30 Starling, two Blackbird, 20+ House Sparrow, three Pied Wagtail, two Chaffinch, six Linnet, 3+ Goldfinch, 13 Corn Bunting and eight Yellowhammer.

Saturday 22nd

BOC walk - Top Fields; Two Red-legged Partridge, tw0 Swift, Woodpigeon, two Collared Dove, Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, two Little Owl, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, eight Skylark, eleven Swallow, House Martin, 15 Starling, eight Blackbird, House Sparrow, Dunnock, two Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, 14 Linnet, five Goldfinch, 14 Corn Bunting and four Yellowhammer. Also Barn Owl and a possible Quail from Down Road. (Alan Daniells)

Little Owl | Alan Daniells

Sunday 23rd

A Red Kite was seen to cross over the A420 west of Marshfield. (Pete Coslett)

Monday 24th

Two Grey Partridge from Down Track. Skylark - definitely increased numbers this year  also Corn Bunting. Three Yellowhammer heard singing and Linnet were noted at a couple of locations on Rushmead Farm. Little Owls still present. (Chris Teague, John Barnett)

Thursday 27th

The first Curlew for six years was seen briefly in fields from Rushmead Lane mid-afternoon. (John Barnett)

Friday 28th

A Yellow Wagtail was present on Garston Farm just east of the Village this afternoon. (John Barnett)

Saturday 29th

Two Spotted Flycatcher in the Shire Valley east of Shirehill Bridge. (John Barnett)

JULY

Monday 8th

Shire Valley Bridge to West Littleton: Red-legged Partridge, three Stock Dove, Little Egret, two Red Kite, two Common Buzzard, two Great Spotted Woodpecker, c.40 Jackdaw, eleven Rook, Raven, Blue Tit, 15+ Skylark, 14 Swallow, 14 House Martin, two Common Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Nuthatch, 16 Starling, Blackbird, two Song Thrush, two Mistle Thrush, two House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, 15+ Linnet, two Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer. (Avon Birds)

Sunday 14th

At least two Yellow Wagtail from the Tormarton Road by the entrance to Harcombe Farm. (John Barnett)

Sunday 21st

At least two Spotted Flycatcher from Down Road by the fork in the road. Also Peregrine over the Tormarton Road. (John Barnett)

Tuesday 23rd

Fairly quiet in Shire Valley Marshfield this morning. Grey Heron, Little Grebe, five Mallard, two Common Buzzard, Green and Great .Spotted Woodpecker, three Nuthatch, three Common Chiffchaff, Spotted Flycatcher, the usual Tits and two Raven. (Pete Coslett)

Nuthatch | Pete Coslett

Sunday 28th

A Spotted Flycatcher was present at Middledown Farm also two Red Kite. (John Barnett)

Wednesday 31st

Around 80 Linnet and c.50 Corn Bunting from Down Road/ Track.... Still no Quail! (Nick Page)

AUGUST

A juvenile Yellow Wagtail was noted from Down Road on the 8th; Two Common Swift from Withymead, 15 Red-legged Partridge and Kestrel from Northfield Lane on the 11th; A Common Redstart was seen from Shirehill Lane on the 12th; A female Northern Wheatear was seen from Rushmead Lane 13th; A Red Kite west of Shirehill Bridge over Harcombe Farm on the 15th. (John Barnett, Pete Coslett)

Northern Wheatear | Pete Coslett

Friday 16th

From the Shire Valley this morning; Five Spotted Flycatcher, a male Common Redstart, four Swallow, Swift, Green Woodpecker and Red Kite. (Paul Sawyer)

Sunday 18th

From the Shire Valley this morning; Five Red Kite, three Raven, Common Buzzard, two Grey Heron, a male Common Redstart, Willow Warbler, three Common Swift, five Swallow, four Long-tailed Tit, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker. (Nigel Kempson)

Sunday 25th

Shire Valley; Three Red Kite, at least six Spotted Flycatcher including juveniles, at least six Common Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch all by the second gate, four Grey Heron, two Kingfisher, two Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. From the Tormarton Road; Two Red-legged Partridge and a Yellow Wagtail. (John Barnett)

SEPTEMBER

Sunday 8th

30 Swallow over Rushmead Lane, Yellow Wagtail and Northern Wheatear from the Tormarton Road. (John Barnett)

Tuesday 10th

I had a fruitful visit to the Shire Valley on this afternoon between 14:00 and 15:30: Goshawk (possible juvenile female), Red Kite, three Common Buzzard, two Raven, three Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, four Grey Heron, six Goldfinch, 20+ Woodpigeon, 10+ Stock Dove, 20+ Carrion Crow, twelve Common Gull, eight House Martin and six Swallow. (Stewart Dobson)

Wednesday 11th

Several Meadow Pipit from Down Track. In the Shire Valley; Two Red Kite, two Grey Heron, Kestrel, two Common Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. A Common Stonechat from Rushmead Lane. (John Barnett)

Saturday 14th

Reported from the patch today was two Red-legged Partridge, two Whinchat and two Common Stonechat. (Avon Birds)

Sunday 15th

A Red Kite was seen west of Shirehill Bridge along with three Raven. (Pete Coslett)

Tuesday 24th

Shire Valley; Four Red Kite, two Kestrel plus another from the Tormarton Road, Also Northern Wheatear and Sparrowhawk from the Tormarton Road. A few Meadow Pipit and Common Chiffchaff around. A Barn Owl from Rushmead Farm after dusk. (John Barnett)

Wednesday 25th

Little Grebe on Church's Pond. (John Barnett)

Thursday 26th

Two Red Kite and several Common Chiffchaff around West Littleton. A Common Stonechat from Wallsend Lane. Also Meadow Pipit are increasing in numbers and a light passage of Swallow. (John Barnett)

Sunday 29th

In the Shire Valley: At least six Common Buzzard, Kestrel and two Red Kite. Three more Red Kite from the Tormarton Road plus another Kestrel and a Peregrine from the West Littleton Road. Several Common Chiffchaff in the Shire Valley and elsewhere. (John Barnett)

OCTOBER

Sunday 6th

Seven Red Kite were on show west of Shirehill Bridge, Marshfield this morning. (Pete Coslett)

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