October 2008

 

Back to latest sightings

 

29th - There was a Ruff at the mouth of the Clevedon- Yeo today as well as 9 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plover and about 30 Dunlin. There was also an odd brown falcon that is most likely a Peregrine.  Another observer at Clevedon had 80 Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 6 Little Egrets, 32 Oystercatchers, 7 Grey Plover, 30+ Lapwing, 2+ Knot, 140 Dunlin, 120 Curlew, 95 Redshank, a Spotted Redshank, 38 Turnstones, 500+ Bk-headed Gulls, 4 Rock Pipits, a Wheatear, 5 Fieldfares, 80+ Redwing, a Cetti's Warbler and 850 Starlings.  An adult Med Gull was at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve.  A large grey Seal was seen close to Battery Point today.
 

27th - At the Clevedon-Yeo there were 80+ Shelduck, 25 Wigeon, 12 Teal, a Peregrine (male), 22 Oystercatchers, a Ringed Plover, 35 Lapwing, 7 Knot (on the Dowlais Farm scrape! - believe me this is a major event!), 40 Dunlin, 50+ Curlew, 80 Redshank, a Turnstone and a Raven.

 

25th - Vis mig from Clevedon included 2000+ Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 10 Siskins, 1 Redpoll, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 9 Ravens, 2 Skylarks and 3 Peregrines hunting Woodpigeons together. Plus a few odds and ends of other finches, reed buntings etc but no winter Thrushes.

 

24th - A Merlin was seen at the Clevedon-Yeo today.  Thanks to Martin Parsons for the pic.

 

19th -A male Black Redstart was on the sea wall at Clevedon this morning, also seen then was an unidentified Reed type warbler.  Also here were 70 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 4 Little Egrets, 25 Oystercatchers, 10 Ringed Plover, 30+ Lapwing, 90 Dunlin, a Snipe, 50+ Curlew, 120 Redshank, a Greenshank, 37 Turnstones, 4 Stonechats, 40 Redwing, 8 Fieldfare (first of the winter) and a Raven.  The female Goldeneye returned to Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve for her 4th winter, also here were 2 Little Egrets, 11 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, 7 Cettis Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs around the pools today, plus usual Little Grebes and Coots.  It now looks almost certain the long staying Ringed-necked Duck has met it's demise sometime during the year which is a pity.  Has anyone looked for the Purple Sandpipers at Battery Point yet?

 

16th - Today at the Clevedon-Yeo there were 55 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 7 Little Egret, 27 Oystercatchers, 2 Lapwing, a Knot, 12 Dunlin, a Snipe, 175 Shelduck, 55 Curlew, 75 Redshank, 11 Turnstones, a Wheatear, 3 Stonechats and a Cetti's Warbler.
 

12th - The annual BOC migration watch was slow going today compared to previous years.  We normally record between 3000 - 5000 birds, so most birds were obviously enjoying the late warmth.

 

 

 

Also reported were 22 Lapwing from Clevedon Pill.

 

11th - No sign of the GG Shrike or Tawny Pipit today at Clevedon.  A Merlin, a Black-Wit and c5 Little Egrets were seen whilst we waited to see if either bird turned up.

 

10th - Two great finds at the Clevedon-Yeo this evening (from the sea wall at Channel View Farm), first with a Great Grey Shrike which showed well, if distant until dusk.  Whilst this bird was being enjoyed a large Pipit was seen briefly, later this gave a better view and was identified as a Tawny Pipit.  Lets hope they stay for the weekend.  If you do go down, please park sensibly. (Thanks to Howard for finding the bird and the pic below)

 

8th - At Portbury Wharf there was a small influx of Stonechats with 7 seen, also here were 10 Reed Buntings, Gadwall, Little Grebes and a male Pocahrd were on the main pools and up to 6 Cettis Warblers were dotted around.

 

6th - At Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve there was a male Pochard, 7 Tufted Ducks, 90 Teal (on the estuary) 7 Little Grebes, 2 Blackcaps, 6 Cettis Warblers and 5 Chiffchaffs.  At the Clevedon-Yeo there were 85 Shelduck, 15 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 6 Little Egret, 13 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Plover, 25 Lapwing, 6 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, a Jack Snipe, 60+ Curlew, 130 Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, 3 Stonechats, 5 Wheatears and a Cetti's Warbler.
 

4th - POTENTIAL MEGA - Little Shearwater Clevedon. Description from one of the finders as follows;  "Almost certainly a little shearwater was seen passing slowly south of ladye bay at 4 pm. Though some way out it was flying like a common sandpiper close to the water with just occasional shears upwards showing off its white underside. After urgent texts were sent the same bird was then watched passing Weston super Mare an hour later where further features supporting it's identification were noted until it dropped onto the water and was lost to view. Hopefully it can be refound further down the estuary tomorrow unless it returns upstream overnight"

 

3rd - A Hobby was seen flying south this evening over Dowlas Farm, Clevedon.

 

2nd - A Leachs Petrel put on a good show at the mouth of the Yeo today at one stage flying within a few metres of the observer.

 

1st - At the Clevedon-Yeo today there were c15 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 12 Little Egrets, 2 Peregrines, 29 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plover, a Curlew Sandpiper, 60 Dunlin, a Jack Snipe, a Black-tailed Godwit, 120+ Curlew, a Spotted Redshank, 170 Redshank, 1/2 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 26 Turnstones and 8 Wheatears.