JANUARY 2010
31st - A Short-eared Owl was the highlight of a visit to Portbury Wharf this morning. A Woodcock was flushed from Plantation lakes. At the Clevedon-Yeo there were 65 Shelduck, 180 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 7 Goosander, 2 Little Grebes, a Little Egret, a Buzzard, 23 Oystercatchers, 6 Ringed Plover, 33 Grey Plover, 170 Lapwing, 6 Knot, 1800 Dunlin, a Snipe, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 155 Curlew, a Spotted Redshank, 180 Redshank, 20 Turnstones, 300 Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull, 12 Skylarks, 4 Rock Pipits, 30+ Redwings and 2 Ravens. The Black Redstart and 4 Purple Sandpipers remain at Battery Point where there was also a Rock Pipit.
30th - A Merlin and a Yellow Legged Gull were at the Clevedon-Yeo today.
29th - At Clapton Moor today there were 101 Snipe, 3 Herons, 8 Lapwing, a Kingfisher, 2 Little Grebes, 150+ Mallard and 100+ Teal. A Merlin was seen at Battery Point and the Black Redstart is still there.
27th - A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen in the Swiss Valley area of Clevedon today, a real local rarity these days.
26th - An adult Med Gull was on the Boating Lake at Portishead.
25th - Four Purple Sandpipers and the Black Redstart remain at Battery Point.
24th - The Red Kite remains in the Gordano Valley around the Weston Moor area (thanks to Pete Evans for the pics). At the Clevedon-Yeo there were 30 Shelduck, 40 Wigeon, 110 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 15 Goosander, 2 Oystercatchers, a Golden Plover, 18 Grey Plover, 110 Lapwing, 900 Dunlin, 10 Knot, 20 Snipe, c20 Curlew, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Spotted Redshank, 100+ Redshank, 18+ Turnstones, a Yellow Legged Gull (3rd winter) and 2 GBB Gulls. Four Purple Sandpipers were at Battery Point along with the Black Redstart.
23rd- The key sightings from a trawl around the patch were a Red Kite continuing it's stay at Weston Moor (now at least 7 days), also here was a Peregrine, 30+ Siskins and c10 Redpoll. At the Clevedon-Yeo there was a Greylag Goose, c10 Shoveler, a Golden Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, c15 Turnstones, 5 Linnet. A Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler were heard at Blakes Pools. A Little Owl was a Dowlais Farm. Ten Goosander and 2 Oystercatchers were at Blackstone rocks. A Jack Snipe was in Wains Hill marsh. The Black Redstart is still at Battery Point. At Portbury Wharf there were c20 Tufted Ducks, c5 Pochard, a pair of Gadwall and a pair of Stonechats.
21st - At the Clevedon-Yeo today there were 6 Canada Goose, 55 Shelduck, 140 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 11 Shoveler, 8 Goosander, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Oystercatchers, 24 Grey Plover, a Golden Plover, 80 Lapwing, 1200 Dunlin, 18 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, 85 Curlew, 120 Redshank, a Spotted Redshank, 26 Turnstones and 2 Fieldfares. No sign of the Brent Geese at Portbury Wharf where there were 14 Canada Geese, 8 Pochard, 11 Tufted Duck and a few Snipe on the saltmarsh.
19th - A good showing of Brent Goose at Portbury Wharf with a group of 41 there today, also here were 16 Canada Geese, 80 Wigeon, 140 Teal, 11 Shoveler, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 65 Lapwing, 300 Dunlin, a Stonechat and a Cettis Warbler (so at least one survived the cold spell!). The Black Redstart remains at Battery Point along with 4 Purple Sandpipers and 32 Turnstones. The Red Kite seen again at Weston-in-Gordano. At Kingston Seymour (Middle Lane) there were approx 50 Redwing, 50 Fieldfare, 30 Starlings, 50 Carrion Crows, 20 Rooks and 5 Pied Wagtails. Thanks to Steve Kitchen for this cracking series of shots of the Black Redstart at Battery Point.
18th - Late news from
Saturday. At Battery Point this suspected Caspian Gull was found by Bill Dixon.
Comments and thoughts welcome. p.s It's the bird on the left! 20:30
update - latest thoughts are that we have an
argenteus
Herring Gull alongside a possible argentatus
Herring Gull. More advise being sought........
18th cont... Two Chiffchaffs and another Black Redstart reported from a Portishead coastal garden.
17th - A good day for raptors with a Red Kite in the Weston-in-Gordano area all day and a Hen Harrier in off the sea at the Clevedon-Yeo. Otherwise on the coast at Clevedon there were 59 Canada Goose, a Greylag, 85 Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 8 Mallard, 3 Shoveler, 8 Goosander, 2 Little Egret, 20 Oystercatchers, 7 Ringed Plover, 26 Grey Plover, 20 Lapwing, a Knot, 1,400 Dunlin, 4 Snipe, a Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Curlew, a Spotted Redshank, 140 Redshank, 24 Turnstones, 200 Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull, 35 Herring Gulls, 3 LBB Gulls, 8 Skylarks and 2 Ravens. Two Marsh Tits were in the Gordano Valley where a Siskin, a Redpoll, c80 Goldfinch and a Woodcock were seen.
16th - A visit to Weston Moor was amply rewarded today with a Corn Bunting being seen and heard well. The Black Redstart remains at Battery Point, 4 Purple Sandpipers, a Chiffchaff, but the Brent Goose flipped from here to the marina. At Portbury Wharf there was a Water Pipit c200 Wigeon, c280 Teal, 350 Dunlin and a few Curlew and Redshank. Two Stonechats were on the salt-marsh. Highlights on the pools were 14 Shoveler and 8 Tufted Ducks. An evening visit produced a Barn Owl and 3 Woodcock. At Dowlais there were2 Peregrines, 50+ Canada Goose, a Greylag, a Greylag x Canada hybrid, a female Shoveler, 14 golden Plover and 3 Ringed Plover. At Weston Drove there were 14 Shoveler, 100+ Teal, 7 Snipe. Three Sparrowhawk's were over Weston Big Wood and the one below was in a back garden.
15th - A quick visit to Battery Point in drizzly, dull weather this morning showed that the Black Redstart was still present on the rocky foreshore, also unusual for here was a Brent Goose. Also seen 3 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck, a Pochard, a Tufted Duck and 2 Rock Pipits.
14th - A Goshawk was a great find hunting at Portbury Wharf today. Also here were 150 Wigeon, 2 Water Rails, 2 Jack Snipe and 38 Snipe. The Black Redstart remains at Portishead Swimming pool. Thanks to Steve Kitchen for this picture of one of the Goosander on the Blind Yeo.
12th - At Clevedon (Blind Yeo to Kenn) there were 7 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, a Kingfisher, A Gadwall, 14 Goosanders, 2 Grey Wagtails, 3 Buzzards, Redwings, Fieldfares, Little Grebes, a Raven, 2 Redshank, Wigeon and 2 Green Woodpeckers.
11th - Three Purple Sandpipers at Battery Point and the Black Redstart re-appeared near the swimming pool. Two Yellowhammers again seen at Portbury Wharf.
10th - A slight let up in the weather today with some thaw (looks like it will be short lived though). Plenty of reports received, thanks to all who are sending them in. Four Purple Sandpipers, 20 Wigeon, 2 Rock Pipits, several Lapwing, a Redshank and a Curlew at Battery Point. A Med Gull in the Marina at Portishead. On the Blind Yeo at Clevedon there was a Little Grebe, 10 Goosander, 5 Teal, 10 Wigeon, a Gadwall, 20 Snipe and a Little Egret. The Greylag remained with the Canada Goose at Dowlais and a Woodcock was seen near here. Wains Hill marsh held a Snipe and 2 Jack Snipe. On the coast at Clevedon 3 Grey Plovers, 2 Peregrines, many Redshank and Dunlin and a single Knot, usual ducks. At Weston Drove there were 7 Wigeon, 100+ Teal, a Water Rail, a Woodcock, a Little Grebe and 5 Snipe. Finally, at Portbury Wharf there was a Green Woodpecker, 30 Fieldfares, 3 Bullfinch and a Grey Wagtail. Quite a few gardens have a Fieldfare holding territory.
9th - Ten Bewick's Swans found this morning near Walton-in-Gordano. A Tree Sparrow was a reported visitor to a Portishead garden which also hosted a Grey Wagtail, Mistle Thrush, a Fieldfare and 2 Blackcaps amongst others. At the Royal Portbury Docks there were 13 Wigeon, 9 Tufted Ducks and 44 Redshank. . Greylag Goose at Clevedon, 14 Goosander, a Little Egret, 12 Snipe, 5 Teal, 3 Gadwall and 10 Wigeon. Two Med Gulls at Portishead. Three Woodcock seen around Kingston Seymour, three at Weston Big Wood and one at the Sheepway.
8th - Three Purple Sandpipers at Battery Point. At Portbury Wharf there were 12 Shoveler and a Black-tailed Godwit of note but the best bird was a Woodcock flushed from one of the ditches. Two Woodcock on the Sheepway Portishead and 1 at Weston Big Wood.
7th - The severe cold weather continues with no let up in sight. Two Yellowhammers were a great find at Portbury Wharf today, also here were 90 Wigeon, 180 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 1 Golden Plover, 125 Lapwing, 550 Dunlin, 23 Snipe and 10 Redshank. On the salt-marsh were: c10 Skylarks, c20 Meadow Pipits, 2 Stonechats and 16 Reed Buntings. The freshwater pools are completely frozen, lingering were 5 Mute Swans, 2 Shoveler and 20+ Coot. One Cetti's Warbler heard around the pool bushes. At Weston Drove (Gordano Valley) there were 4 Water Rails, 7 Little Grebes and 100+ Teal. Thanks to Melvin Hedges for the pics. Keep an eye out for Waxwings!
6th - Twelve Goosander were on the Blind Yeo at Clevedon but effectively snow stops play. Two Brambling reported from the Blind Yeo. Remember to feed the birds!
5th - A Red Kite reported over the old Kwik Save at Clevedon this morning. The Black Redstart still present at Battery Point.
4th - There were 4 Purple Sandpipers at Battery Point today and 30 Turnstones nearby on the beach. An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen in the marina. The Black Redstart was also present around the outdoor swimming pool.
3rd- Three Purple Sandpipers remain at Battery Point where a Black Redstart was also seen by the swimming pool. On the coast at Clevedon there were c150 Lapwing, c1500 Dunlin, c100 Curlew, only 15 Redshank, 10 Oystercatchers, a Golden Plover, 2 Turnstones, 14 Grey Plover, 17 Knot, 75 Wigeon, c60 Shelduck, c40 Teal, 10 Skylark, a Rock Pipit and a Grey Wagtail. Three Goosander were on the Blind Yeo along with 3 Little Grebes. A late afternoon visit to the Gordano Valley produced a Woodcock and a couple of Lesser Redpoll.
2nd - A Black Redstart was inside Royal Portbury Docks. The cold weather is moving the duck to coast and at Clevedon there were 44+ Shoveler, 2 pairs of Pintail, a Brent Goose, a single Ringed Plover, an Oystercatcher, 3 Golden Plover, 2 Knot and a Grey Plover. At the Perfect Bite pools there were 3 Bullfinch, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a Goldcrest. A drake Goosander was on the Blind Yeo along with 3 Little Grebes. The Gordano Valley had 2 Marsh Tits and a Coal Tit.
1st - Happy New Year. The traditional thrash about the patch was conducted in cold but bright conditions today. Nothing spectacular but 83 species seen by various observers. The usual suspects at Clevedon with 4 Knot, 3 Golden Plover, several Little Egrets, 2 Water Rails, a Grey Wagtail, Blackcap and a female Goosander of note. A Kingfisher was at Plantation Lakes. The Gordano Valley held 2 Marsh Tits, Treecreeper and Nuthatch. Portbury Wharf added a more duck with Gadwall, Shoveler and Tufted, a Great Crested Grebe, a Chiffchaff and a Peregrine to finish with.
