MARCH 2008
31st - The first Redstart of the year was seen today at Portbury Wharf Nature reserve, also here were 4 each of Wheatear, Sand Martin and Chiffchaff, c14 Tufted Ducks, 2 Shoveler, and the long staying female Goldeneye. Eleven Wheatears and a Spotted Redshank were seen at the Clevedon-Yeo.
27th - A Firecrest was a good find on Wains Hill this morning. At the Clevedon-Yeo today there were 90 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 3 Little Egrets, a Merlin (probably a male, v small), 14 Oystercatchers, 5 Grey Plover, c8 Lapwing, 38 Knot, 60 Dunlin, 25 Curlew, a Spotted Redshank, 85 Redshank, 18 Turnstones, 2 GBB Gulls, a White Wagtail, a Wheatear, a Cetti's Warbler and a Chiffchaff.
24th - The strong northerly wind of the past few days has eased, however little migration of note today. At Clevedon there were 82 Shelduck, 23 Teal, 20 Wigeon, 22 Mute Swans, 15 Oystercatchers, 7 Redshank, 12 Grey Plover, 11 Lapwing, 66 Curlew, a Knot, a single Dunlin, 36 Turnstones, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Ravens, 12 Fieldfare, 2 Redwings and 6 Wheatears.
22nd - A cold, near gale force northerly wind made any birding very difficult today and all migration has come to a halt. Two Purple Sandpipers were are Battery Point along with a Turnstone (unusual here) and a Rock Pipit. At Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve there were c15 Tufted Ducks, the long staying female Goldenye, 5 Shoveler, c10 Shelduck, a female Pochard, 3 Little Grebes and 8 Curlew. In defiance of the weather a pair of Peregrines were seen copulating at a known nesting area (site withheld for obvious reasons).
20th - This morning at the Clevedon-Yeo there were 40 Wigeon, 35 Teal, 4 Little Egrets, 28 Oystercatchers, 19 Grey Plover, c8 Lapwing, 32 Knot, 190 Dunlin, 30+ Curlew, 90 Redshank, 6 Turnstones, 4 Wheatears and a Cetti's Warbler.
17th - No sign of the Franklins Gull today.
16th - The whole day was spent by many people searching in and around Portishead for the Franklins Gull without any success, it was however re-found late this afternoon inside Portbury Docks in a gull roost. THERE IS NO PUBLIC ACCESS TO THIS SITE. Also seen today at Portishead were 2 Wheatears, 6-10 Sand Martins, 5 Purple Sandpipers (highest count this winter) and a male Peregrine. At Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve there was a Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler. Inside Portbury Docks there was a Great Crested Grebe which unfortunately appears to have some fishing tackle attached to it's breast. The drake Madarin duck was seen on the land yeo at Clevedon today.
15th - Spring has well and truely sprung! An adult Franklins Gull was found at Portishead Boating Lake this afternoon (sighting confirmed by experienced birder), a fantastic record - lets hope it is re-found tomorrow. Wheatears have appeared all along the coast from Clevedon to Portishead and many Sand Martins were present along with a few Swallows and a House Martin.
14th - A Short-eared Owl was seen at Dowlais Farm, Clevedon and 7 Stonechats between here and Channel View Farm indicated some movement.
13th - This morning at the Clevedon-Yeo there were 60 Shelduck, 35 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 4 Little Egrets, 28 Oystercatchers, c35 Grey Plover, 6+ Lapwing, 4 Knot, 400 Dunlin, 3+ Common Snipe, 30 Curlew, a Spotted Redshank, 125 Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 28 Turnstones, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Rock Pipits, 3 Stonechats, a Cetti's Warbler, 4 Ravens, and 15+ Linnet.
12th - The first Great Skua of the year was seen from Portishead today.
11th - Windy again, the only report today was of a Fulmar seen from Portishead.
10th - A stormy day however 4hrs of seawatching from Clevedon only produced 9 Gannets, 80 Kittiwakes and 2 Great Northern Divers.
9th - At the Clevedon-Yeo today there were 65 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 6 Little Egrets (4 more inland), 2 Buzzard, 26 Oystercatchers, 42 Grey Plover, 8 Lapwing, a Knot, 300 Dunlin, 5+ Snipe, 35 Curlew, 130 Redshank, 52 Turnstone, 2 Stonechats, 5+ Fieldfares and a Cetti's Warbler.
6th - Little change at Clevedon today with 45 Shelduck, 55 Wigeon, 30 Teal, a Little Egret, 2 Peregrines, 28 Oystercathers, a single Ringed Plover, 44 Grey Plover, 3 Lapwing, 9 Knot, 700 Dunlin, 60 Curlew, a Spotted Redshank, 125 Redshank, 22 Turnstones, 2 Stonechats, 2 Ravens, a Chiffchaff and a Cetti's Warbler.
3rd - An adult Med Gull was in with the Black-heads in fields near Portbury today.
2nd - A low tide visit to the Clevedon-Yeo this morning produced 40+ Shelduck, 18 Wigeon (big drop on last week), 60 Teal, 2 Little Egrets, a male Peregrine, 4 Lapwing, 14 Knot, 1800 Dunlin, 12 Snipe, 60+ Curlew, c60 Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, 34 Turnstones, 4 GBB Gulls, a Short-eared Owl (a finely marked individual on Wain's Hill Marsh), 3 Stonechats, a Cetti's Warbler and 3 Reed Buntings.
1st - The overnight strong winds gave some hope of a good sea watch this morning, however the only report was of two probale Great Northern Divers from Ladye Bay.