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Severn Hams (27 February, contributed by Mike Smart, Les Brown and David Anderson)

The River Severn level continues to drop, but very slowly, so that water cannot flow off the meadows. So, with recent rain, flood levels at both Coombe Hill and Ashleworth have risen slightly since last weekend. No sign of Bewick’s today.

Great Hay Meadow, Twyning on Sunday 25 February: a very early Wheatear seen by Les Brown.

The main interest today was an influx of waders, presumably moving up the Severn towards breeding sites further north.

Coombe Hill: both hides totally inaccessible, birds visible from canal towpath: 2 Shelducks, 300+ Teal, other surface feeding ducks less numerous and probably spread widely; 30 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 120 Lapwing, 19 Curlew, 4 Ruff, 2 Dunlin.

Leigh Meadows: extensive flooding, can be viewed from Wainlodes Hill: 3 Whooper Swans, 26 Mute Swans, 26 Shelduck, 50 Pintail.

Ashleworth: floods extensive on meadows but roads free of water, hides easily accessible. 75 Pintail, 1 Oystercatcher, 5 Black-tailed Godwits (only one showing any sign of summer plumage).

Sudmeadow (24 February, contributed by Gordon Avery)

There were 3 Stonechats by the Lower Parting today, 1m & 2f. All but one of the Snipe have moved on.

Severn Hams (24 February, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

The River Severn remains high, and water levels have not dropped at all in the riverside meadows.

The main feature was movement of Bewick’s Swans presumably departing migrants: flock of 35 flew north over Coombe Hill, very high at 07.40am, in V formation and calling, going north east following the line of A38 and M5; then four birds, three adults and a cygnet, flew in at about 08.30am, landed on floodwater at Coombe Hill, fed for a while, then flew off to west at 09.45am, and not seen again. There were another four, all adults found on floodwater on Cobney Meadows, south of canal, feeding and not moving.

Coombe Hill: flooding is still extensive, and both hides are still completely inaccessible. Viewing still possible from canal bank however: 2 Little Grebes whinnying, 2 Great Crested Grebes on floodwater, 2 Shelducks, 350+ Teal, 350+ Wigeon, 6 Curlews (calling and bubbling) and at least 5 Reed Buntings singing.

Leigh Meadows (from the hill at Wainlodes, flooding extensive): 3 adult Whooper Swans, 9 Shelducks, 50+ Pintail.

Ashleworth: flooding very extensive, hides along roadside easily accessible. 60+ Pintail, 7 Snipe, 1 Stonechat.

Severn Hams (20 February, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

The Severn level has dropped by a metre since Sunday, but tides are high (9.8m tide at Sharpness this morning and one of the biggest bores of the year), so the water keeps getting pushed back upriver. In any case the river level still hasn’t dropped enough to let water flow off the meadows at Coombe Hill and Ashleworth yet, so floods remain extensive.

At Coombe Hill, the hides are still inaccessible, but you can see birds from the canal bank: at least 1,000 ducks this morning, with about 500 Wigeon, an absolute minimum of 300 Teal and probably many more, all hidden in the Long Pool as the air was full of their calls; Little Grebe still whinnying, and a couple of Curlew were taking up territory and doing their bubbling display call.

At Walmore, no Bewick’s, though there are reports of up to 20 in the last few days. About 425 Teal on light flooding, 160 Lapwing, 1 Little Egret.

At Rodley (Wilmer Common) however, 19 Bewick’s (6 cygnets – two families of three) probably the ones missing from Walmore; three of them had darvic rings, in all cases birds that have been about all winter and not birds that have wintered further west on their return migration. Also 37 Shelducks on farmland.

On the Leigh Meadows, three adult Whoopers and a Stonechat.

Winchcombe (19 February, contributed by Thelma Mallard)

This spectacularly marked Blackbird has been recorded in a Winchcombe garden for well over a year. The photograph was in part a response to a recent article in a national paper concerning a similarly marked individual in South Devon said to be “one of a kind.”

Blackbird, Winchcombe, February 2007 (T Mallard)

Sudmeadow (19 February, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A good total of 22 Snipe this afternoon in the marsh, the largest number for many years.

Severn Hams (18 February, contributed by Mike Smart)

The Severn is still high, so smaller streams such as the Chelt continue back-flooding. At Coombe Hill, the hides remain inaccessible, but birds can be observed from the canal bank: still a fair number of ducks on the floodwater, with at least 300 Teal, several hundred Wigeon, 20 Shoveler and 30 Pintail: there were some signs of spring with at least two Little Grebes whinnying, at least two Curlews bubbling (very early for this) and at least three Reed Buntings singing.

There was fairly widespread flooding on Leigh Meadows as well: one Shelduck, three Stonechats, 8 Gadwall, 60 Lapwings and a flock of 15 Pied Wagtails and 25 Meadow Pipits with a couple of Reed Buntings, probably migrants, feeding in flooded fields.

The floods were also extensive at Ashleworth, but the hide is easily accessible; about 12 Tufted Ducks, usual Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pintail.

No sign of the Whooper Swans, though they have been seen in the last week and no Bewick’s.

Cheltenham (17 and 18 February, contributed by Robert Homan)

A male Blackcap in full song in Swindon Lane on both mornings.

Sudmeadow (12 February, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Woodcock was in the osier bed this afternoon, the first here since January 2004.

Cheltenham (12 February, contributed by Robert Homan)

The bright floodlights around the Prince of Wales Stadium induced 6 Robins and a male Blackbird to sing this evening at 6.45 along the Honeybourne Cyclepath.

Standish (8 February, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

Today brought the first snow of the winter to the Vale. Many birds were feeding on the grassland of old air field, including Golden Plover (flock of 80 seen overhead), Lapwing, Common and Black headed gulls, Fieldfare and Redwing.

Sudmeadow (6 February, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Water Rail was seen in the marsh today.

Cheltenham (5 February, contributed by Robert Homan)

A Great Crested Grebe in breeding plumage was an unlikely visitor to the River Chelt in the Royal Well area of Cheltenham town centre this morning.

Sudmeadow (5 February, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Green Sandpiper was seen in flight over Sudmeadow this afternoon.

Gloucester Hospital (3 and 5 February, contributed by Rob Purveur)

A female Peregrine Falcon was present on the 3rd February and a male bird was there on the 5th.

Sudmeadow (4 February, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A pair of Stonechats were by Lower Parting today.

Woorgreens, Forest of Dean (4 February, contributed by Robert Homan)

5 Goosanders, including 4 males, on the lake today. A male Brambling feeding in the larch plantation to the north of the lake.

Severn Hams (2 February, contributed by Mike Smart)

On World Wetland Day (36th anniversary of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetland of international importance): water levels are dropping everywhere and are nearly back down to normal, non-flooded winter levels.

Ashleworth at first light: about 60 Canada Geese roosting and a total of about 1200-1500 ducks, many over on Hasfield side, the majority Wigeon, but a couple of hundred Teal, 70 Shoveler, 50 Pintail, 13 Tufted duck, 2 Shelduck. Six (!) Whoopers flew off from Hasfield early, heading northwest: a group of six Whooper Swans were seen later on Hasfild Ham, all apparently adults and all definitely not ringed. They may have been the same six, but it is just possible there is a total of twelve in the area; the six Hasfield birds flew off towards Coombe Hill at 09.00.

Walmore Common 11.00-12.00: the floods have almost disappeared. There were no Bewick’s Swans, about 500 Teal, 2 Shelduck, 1 Pintail, 1 Stonechat and about 25 Meadow Pipits.

Standish (31 January, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

I heard the first blackbird song of the year today at dusk at the end of a fine warm day. He was perched on the apex of the roof overlooking the garden, and though possibly not at full belt, this was not sub-song and it was audible from some distance away above the sound of the rush-hour traffic. Last year (which was much colder) the earliest date I heard a blackbird singing in the garden was 1 March. According to ‘The Blackbird’ by A F Hillstead (1944) “although from time to time there are reports that it has been heard in January and December, I have no full song recorded before February or after August.”

Severn Hams (30 January, contributed by Les Brown)

The flooding in the Coombe Hill and Ashleworth areas has continued for most of the month of January, and has only just begun to drop. The Ham Road at Ashleworth is now open and the hide accessible; at Coombe Hill, the Grundon hide is still inaccessible today, but the road past the Red Lion at Wainlodes is now open.

The four Whooper Swans have been difficult to find, because of the vast extent of open water; all four were rediscovered in the Haw Bridge area on 23 January, where they had probably been lurking all the time. Today they were visible from the Ashleworth hide, though a long way off and quite difficult to see behind lines of flooded hedgerow and vegetation. No sign of Bewick’s Swans at either Ashleworth or Coombe Hill for the last two weeks. Still just over 1,000 ducks at Coombe Hill today, with 800 Wigeon and at least 220 Pintail.

Rodley and Walmore (28 January, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Two Jack Snipe, 15 Snipe and four Stonechats at Rodley near Longney Crib. Plenty of wildfowl at Walmore, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Gloucester (26 January, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Short-eared Owl being mobbed by corvids and gulls over Hucclecote Meadows NR, Gloucester at 11.47am and a single Stonechat seen on Port Ham this afternoon.

Sherbourne (21 January, contributed by Robert Homan)

Wildfowl on Sherbourne Brook included Mallard, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Wigeon (c.100) and Little Grebe. In Sherbourne Park naturalised Snowdrops, Winter Aconites and even 1 Daffodil were in flower. Signs of winter were 24 7-spot Ladybirds (Coccinella 7-punctata) hibernating in clusters of 2-4 in the junctions of branches on elder bushes and 103 Orange Ladybirds (Halyzia 16-guttata) hibernating in clusters of upto 12 on a beech tree.

Hibernating Orange Ladybirds, Sherbourne Park, January 2007 (R Homan)

Sharpness Docks (21 January, contributed by Gordon Avery)

Early in the afternoon there was a adult male Peregrine on the silo box and a Rock Pipit on the grass near the Post Office. However, there was no sign of any Black Redstarts.

Frampton and Fretherne (20 January, contributed by Robert Homan)

A Red Admiral was flying in early afternoon sunshine along the Severn Way near Fretherne canal bridge. In the woods above Hock Cliff, Dog’s Mercury (Mercurialis perennis) and Spurge-laurel (Daphne laureola) were in the flower. (The latter is noted at this site in the Supplement to the Flora of Gloucestershire). About mid-way between Fretherne Church and the canal swing bridge there was a flock of c.20 Little Egrets.

Spurge-laurel, Hock Cliff, January 2007 (R Homan)

Cheltenham (16 January, contributed by Robert Homan)

More effects of the mild January weather, so far, were evident today with a Peacock butterfly in flight over the Winston Churchill Memorial Gardens in the Lower High Street at lunchtime. More Lesser Celandines in flower – these along the Honeybourne Cyclepath and a very early record of the adventive micro-moth Epiphyas postvittana on the kitchen window at home this evening.

Walmore (15 January, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Walmore Common today: 12 (3imm) Bewick’s Swan, 43 Canada Goose, four Shelduck, 80 Wigeon, 12 Gadwall, 200 Teal, 16 Pintail, six Shoveler, three Little Egrets, a Peregrine and six Stonechats.

Severn Hams (14 January, contributed by Mike Smart)

The Severn continues to rise and to overtop its banks, and so the flood levels in the meadows have risen sharply even since yesterday, and are much deeper than in December. The floodbank on the Coombe Hill side is slightly lower, so that water comes over more easily, and the Severn and floodwater on Coombe Hill meadows are now at the same level; at the Grundon Hide at Coombe Hill, which can be viewed from overlooking high ground at Deerhurst Walton, the water now comes nearly half way up the hide, nearly to the lowest window slit; it will be a long time before this hide is accessible on foot again, as the floods on the meadows will drop more slowly than the river level. On the Ashleworth side, the water on the meadows is slightly lower than the river level, but still covers nearly all land in the area.

At Walmore (where water levels are also high, but not as high as in December) between 13h00 and 14h00, 5 Grey Herons, 12 Bewick’s Swans (notes on rings read below), 17 Mutes, 300 Wigeon, 1 Stonechat.

A walk along the Severn riverbank south of Haw Bridge in the late afternoon produced two Short-eared Owls, flushed from about the only unflooded bit of setaside / rough ground left; one flew across the Severn and landed in an oak; sharing the patch of rough ground were 25 Meadow Pipits, 10 Skylarks and 40 Pied Wagtails, no doubt preparing to roost.

Bewick’s at Walmore: the 12 birds were first seen sitting on floodwater on field E; they then flew over to field D, which is slightly higher and has been reseeded, and was the only field of reseeded grass still emergent; they fed happily there. There were three cygnets, keeping close company with two adults, both ringed, presumably their parents. None of the other nine were ringed; at least one was a yearling.

Cheltenham (14 January, contributed by Robert Homan)

A female Blackcap in Swindon Lane this morning – the first for this winter and a rather late date. Are there fewer over-wintering Blackcaps around?

Severn Hams (13 January, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

The rivers continue to rise and the floods to extend across the Severn and Avon Vales, and the water is now deeper than it was in December. The Severn is still rising and overtopping its banks in several places, both above and below Haw Bridge. As a result there has been a rapid rise in levels in the and several roads closed: Red Lion to Wainlodes, Tirley to Ashleworth, Tirley to Chaceley all impassable. Water is pouring under the causeways leading to Haw Bridge on the meadows side.

The hides at Coombe Hill are totally inaccessible, and the Ashleworth hide is only accessible by coming in from the high ground at the back.

This extensive deep flooding is not really attractive to waterbirds and the ducks and geese are very widespread: a couple of hundred Wigeon on the floods at Ashleworth, a few Pintail, about 100 Canada Geese, no sign of Whoopers or Bewick’s Swans.

Most of the ducks seem to have crossed the county boundary into Worcestershire; about 1,100 ducks at Longdon Marsh, five miles north of Ashleworth, including nearly 800 Wigeon and about 250 Pintail, plus 700 Lapwings, all sitting round the grassy edges of a little hump emerging from the floodwater; (no such humps left in the Ashleworth/Coombe Hill area or the Avon valley). This is probably typical of what happens in high flood conditions.

Severn Hams (11 January, contributed by Mike Smart)

A day for hydrology rather than ornithology, with appalling conditions of strong wind and rain. The Severn is rising fast (up a metre since Tuesday), so that local streams were unable to discharge and have flooded the meadows even more. The analogy of a motorway occurred to me: the Severn should go straight through without affecting feeder roads, though there may be congestion on the latter. However, from this morning, the Severn began to break its banks just below Haw Bridge, thereby adding to the floodwater from the River Chelt on the Coombe Hill Meadows; this means that the hides remain inaccessible. The road by the Red Lion is closed; the Ham Road from Tirley to Ashleworth is still open and the hide is just accessible, but for how long? Water is over the road by the GWT Reserve at Chaceley and the reserve itself is covered by a very shallow surface water – how does this affect the haymeadow vegetation? Chaceley Stock is only accessible by tractor. The Severn Ham at Tewkesbury is deep under water, and the valley of the Avon completely flooded from Tewkesbury, past Twyning and Bredon, and up to Eckington; the Bredon-Pershore road is impassable due flooding at Eckington Bridge. It is still not quite as deep as in November 2000, but almost, and it is still rising.

Not much to report birdwise; neither Bewick’s nor Whoopers visible at Coombe Hill or Ashleworth; Mute Swans sitting mainly round the edge of the flood (where they could find an edge!), 16 at Wainlodes and 15 on the Avon above Tewkesbury. A flock of 150 Lapwings on the edge of the flood at Wainlodes. Still appreciable numbers of ducks at Ashleworth, but they didn’t like the wind and waves; maybe 500 Wigeon, 100 Pintail, 5 Tufted; Canada Geese on the flood, not at Tirley Court Lake.

A fair number of ducks (about 500) on Bredon’s Hardwick Gravel Pits (just in Worcs), mainly Wigeon, but about 30 Tufted and Pochard; so deeply flooded that you couldn’t tell the pits weren’t part of the floodplain.

Sudmeadow (10 January, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A pair of Stonechats seen today on Fieldings old playing field, Sudmeadow Road.

Severn Hams (9 January, contributed by Mike Smart, Les Brown, Julia Newth, Colin Butters, Mervyn Greening, David Anderson, et al)

A co-ordinated Bewick’s Swan count in Gloucestershire was made at 09.00 today. All sites that have recently held Bewick’s were covered. The result was a total of 191 (including 28 cygnets), which is pretty much in line with the current total of different individuals identified at Slimbridge so far this winter (260). So, numbers are so far low in this mild winter. Of the 191, 179 were at Slimbridge, 10 at Walmore and the remaining two roosted at Ashleworth before flying over to Coombe Hill. None found at Berkeley or the Leigh Meadows.

The main excitement of the day however was the sighting of not two, but four Whooper Swans, two pairs on the water at Ashleworth; so another pair has joined the birds that have been about since late November. This is in line with events of previous winters, when the first arrivals have often been joined in January with additional birds.

Otherwise, vast extents of water: the Severn is rising again, and so the smaller rivers are unable to discharge into it, so that water is also rising on the meadows. Not a blade of grass to be seen from the Ashleworth hide; the same is no doubt true of the Coombe Hill hides, but you can’t reach them because of the depth of flood water.

Severn Hams (6 January, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

A typical Gloucestershire winter’s day: low grey clouds, light persistent drizzle for most of the day, wind mild and southwesterly probably originating somewhere in the Sargasso Sea; if this is global warming, it’s very like previous years! Conditions in the Severn Hams reflected the weather; not very good for precision ornithology as binoculars and telescopes were constantly steaming up, water was running down your neck and getting into the gap between sleeve and glove.

The Severn continues to drop, but not enough to allow the water on the meadows to flow away through the outfalls. Water levels still high at Coombe Hill, no question of reaching the hides and the canal bank is under water in places; vast areas of open water with ducks dotted about in the distance. Plenty of ducks about, but very widespread and difficult to assess numbers; the air was full of the sound of Wigeon and Teal calling, still lots of Pintail about; all the surface feeding ducks still doing courtship displays as they have been doing since November; this is logical really as they come into fresh full plumage in about November and so they start courtship rituals and displays straight away. The mild weather and wet conditions must be important for forming and strengthening the pair bond before they leave to breed in the north. Probably 1,000 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 75 Pintail, 40 Shoveler, 6 Tufted, 3 Pochard, a lone Shelduck. No sign of Bewick’s or Whooper swans.

Leigh Meadows: also extensively flooded; the two Whoopers were eventually found there; they later flew over to Ashleworth.

Ashleworth: floods extensive and the reserve can only be surveyed from the hide in Meerend thicket, or from the river bank between Haw Bridge to Ashleworth Quay which is a long walk in the rain, but the light is better; 2 Bewick’s Swan (as yesterday), about 300 Canada Geese, 1 Little Owl; about 15 Snipe and 15 Meadow Pipits on partly flooded setaside fields on slightly higher ground near the river bank; we tried to find a Jack Snipe but failed. Ducks widely spread as at Coombe Hill.

In short absolutely normal observations for the time of year with nothing at all unusual.

Walmore (6 January, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Walmore Common this morning there were 12 Bewick’s, 4 adults on field C2 and 8 including 3 cygnets on field J. The group of 8 flew off south at 09.30. The highlight today though was 6 White-fronted Geese, my first for several years here. Also 1 Greylag, 49 Canada Goose, 1 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 220 Teal and 44 Pintail. I did not count the Wigeon, but there were not many. At Rodley there were 65 Shelduck, two Little Egrets and 250 Lapwing.

Severn Hams (5 January, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

Following the floods in December, the waters went down in the week after Christmas, and the Grundon Hide at Coombe Hill became accessible again. However, in the first few days of the year, the Severn level rose, and the floods recurred at Coombe Hill, Ashleworth, Leigh Meadows, Walmore and Rodley. The river was at its height on Wednesday, and is now dropping, though hardly enough for the floodwater on the meadows to decrease yet; the Grundon hide is inaccessible again.

It looks very much as though the Bewick’s have spread round a bit, with no significant number at Walmore.

At Ashleworth there were two Bewick’s Swans (both adults/yearlings) on the floodwater far off, feeding by sitting on the surface and putting their heads underwater, rather than upending; at least 300 Canada Geese roosting; some ducks, at least 12 Gadwall, but others rather widespread.

At Walmore, five Bewick’s Swans on field C2. All adults/yearlings, again sitting on the floodwater and feeding by putting their heads underwater. There has been a sharp decrease in ducks since last week: about 150 Mallard, 200 Teal, 65 Pintail, 200 Lapwings, 1 Little Egret, 4 Stonechats.

At Rodley, (where water was a good deal higher than it has been in the last month) 74 Shelducks, plus the curious Australian/Paradise Shelduck cross that has been about for some time at various sites, 150 Lapwings, no Little Egret today, lots of gulls.

At Leigh Meadows, Whooper Swans not in view, but they are probably hidden away somewhere in the vast extent of floodwater.

Cheltenham miscellany (early January, contributed by Robert Homan)

In flower along the Honeybourne Cyclepath on 2 January were: Red Clover, Yarrow, Ox-eye Daisy, Oxford Ragwort, White Deadnettle, Groundsel, Herb Robert, Wild Carrot, Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Daisy, Stinging Nettle, Smooth Sow-thistle and Bristly Oxtongue. In Pittville Park on 5 January Dandelion, Lesser Celandine and Common Chickweed were in flower.

There were 2 Chiffchaffs at Brockhampton Sewage Works on 4 January and a Kingfisher in Pittville Park on 5 January. The mild weather has had an effect on the Great Crested Grebes in Pittville Park – on 5 January there was a first winter bird, probably the off-spring of breeding in 2006, as well as the usual breeding pair, the female of which is currently sitting on a nest!

Chaceley (1 January, contributed by Robert Homan)

Another record of the rare micro-moth, Celypha woodiana, today with the discovery of a leaf mine in mistletoe near Chaceley. For the purists, the site is in VC 37, although now Gloucestershire. The picture below shows the underside of the leaf with the charactersistic crescent shape of the early stage of the mine.

Celypha woodiana mine in Mistletoe, Chaceley, January 2007 (R Homan)

Wildlife Bingo (30 December, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

I have been the guinea pig naturalist this week on BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s Breakfast show. At the start of the week a dozen wildlife features were picked (not by me) and it was the the task of myself and the rest of Mark Cummings’ listenership to try to find them to achieve the Bingo of all twelve ticked off.

The list was: owl, butterfly, starlings swooping à la Bill Oddy, otter, hedgehog, badger, wild boar, mistletoe, wild duck, bumble bee, spiders in the house and bird of prey.

I managed to tick owl (Little Owls are calling in the fields at home, though I failed to see one), butterfly (Red Admirals are still about), Starling (flock of 500 odd at Ashleworth Ham, and even 20 flying in formation to roost in the conifers in my Standish garden), Mistletoe (no problem in the Severn Vale where it occurs on a range of host trees including poplar, lime, willow, hawthorn and apple), wild duck (Wigeon at Ashleworth and Coombe Hill), bumble bee (Bombus terrestris in my garden), spiders in the house (I took David Haigh a couple of specimens which he identifed as the Daddy Long-legs spider Pholcus, plus a juvenile Tegeneria), and birds of prey (Peregrine and Buzzard at Ashleworth, and Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk at Standish).

Gloucestershire as a whole bombed on Otter and Wild Boar.

The most magical thing I saw was at dusk on Tuesday. It was a clear night, with the low crescent moon shining brightly enough to whiten the cut stems of the maize stubble. I was standing with my back to an oak, straining to hear Little Owl, when two Roe Deer picked their way past about 50 yards away upwind, totally oblivious of my presence. I know they are considered a growing pest, but it was a moment to treasure.

Coombe Hill (30 December, contributed by Les Brown)

Birds present included: 1500 Wigeon (numbers seem to have stayed the same between Ashleworth and Coombe hill during the floods period from late December, but to have spread widely; the two Whoopers grazing on the Leigh Meadows (as they should); up to 30 Bewick’s in the general area – maybe birds which were visiting floodwater at Walmore in December, but don’t like sodden grass; six Redpolls and a Little Egret.

Since Les reached the hide on 30th, the first person to get there since Andy Jayne used his waders on 6 December, water levels at Coombe Hill have risen considerably following the rain over the last 2 days – caution is advised!

Walmore (28 December, contributed by Mike Smart)

The floods have dropped over Christmas at Walmore Common, and there is only just a little plashy surface water on the fields.

No Bewick’s Swans at all this afternoon between 12.30 to 14.00), so perhaps they are avoiding fields which have been under water? Just ten Mute Swans.

On the other hand there was one of the best concentrations of ducks I have ever seen there, all crammed together in one part of the Common side, where the pool is: over 2,000 ducks, difficult to count without disturbing them, and some went off towards the estuary. At a minimum 1,600 Wigeon, 300 Teal, 120 Pintail, 120 Mallard, 60 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 3 Shelduck. 280+ Lapwings; I couldn’t see any other waders with them – where have all the Snipe gone?

Walmore (25 December, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Today at Walmore Common – 11 Bewick’s Swans (+ 12 more flew off north at 10.00), 37 Canada Goose, 9 Shelduck, 600 Wigeon, 11 Gadwall, 450 Teal, 135 Pintail, 30 Shoveler, 4 Water Rail (heard), 20 Golden Plover, 1000 Lapwing, three Dunlin, two Stonechats and a (presumed escape!) Speckled Teal.

Gloucester (25 December, contributed by Andy Jayne)

In the evening there was a Barn Owl at Over at 20.58.

Sudmeadow (24 December, contributed by Gordon Avery)

At Sudmeadow this morning there was a pair of Stonechats feeding around the marsh.

In addition, an unusual occurence I thought, was a Blackbird in full song in Hemmingsdale Road this morning at 07.15. It sang for a good 20 mintues.

Severn Hams (23 December, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

The Severn has dropped considerably in the last couple of days, though we may have overlooked it in the fog. Level at Haw Bridge this morning was only 8.10; as a result, water is now able to flow out of the meadows into the Severn, but is only dropping slowly. Both the Ham Road at Ashleworth and the road past the Red Lion at Wainlodes are now open. However, water levels are still high at Ashleworth and Walmore Common.

Ashleworth Ham: one Bewick’s visible on the floodwater in the distance from the hide; Whoopers may have been there, but could not be seen; 11 Coot.

Walmore: only seven Bewick’s; five on field G, two on field E, all in deepish water, no rings visible, loafing not feeding; still lots of ducks probably 1,000 on floodwater, mostly Wigeon, fair numbers of Pintail, 11 Shelduck; 26 Canada Geese, 2 Stonechats, 95 Lapwings.

Rodley: 2 Little Egrets, 45 Shelduck grazing happily in wet fields (they are obviously moving inland from the estuary onto floodwater, something the have only done to a small extent in recent winters because of the lack of flooding), 40 Lapwings.

Severn Hams (20 December, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

With anticyclonic conditions, there has been no more rain locally and the Severn level continues to drop slowly, though flooding in the meadows is higher than ever as the water still cannot discharge into the Severn. The hides at Coombe Hill are still completely inaccessible (the water has reached the level of the floorboards in the Grundon Hide), and both the road past the Red Lion at Wainlodes and the Ham Road at Ashleworth are closed because of flooding. In these conditions, birds are widely spread, and it is hard to get a good idea of what is present.

Ashleworth Ham: a Barn owl flying over the Ham Road at first light.

Coombe Hill (from the Apperley side); 2 Bewick’s Swans, one on the floodwater, one flew over and disappeared to the north.

Walmore Common: 12 Bewick’s Swans; looked like 10 adults and two yearlings. Very inactive, sitting in shallow water so that it was difficult to read rings; but finally two rings definitely read (white TXU and 15T, plus a third yellow ring which was almost certainly 670); all of them flew off in the Slimbridge direction at about 11.00. 3 Shelducks, plenty of other ducks mainly Wigeon, with good numbers of Teal and some Pintail.

Rodley (near Walmore): 6 Little Egrets, 28 Shelducks, 25 Lapwings, 1 Green Sandpiper, all sitting in a partly flooded field.

Sudmeadow (18 December, contributed by Gordon Avery)

This afternoon 2 adult Bewick’s Swans were over Sudmeadow 13.40 then flew towards Maisemore. There is also a Stonechat on Port Ham, by the Power Station.

Severn Hams (16 December, contributed by Mike Smart, Les Brown and David Anderson)

The Severn is beginning to drop slightly in the Severn Hams, and is no longer overtopping its banks below Haw Bridge. But it has not dropped sufficiently to allow local streams such as the Chelt to discharge into the Severn, so that flood levels on the meadows are still rising. Paradoxically, the Severn is flowing through its floodplain at a higher level than the level of the floods on the meadows; while the Severn level drops, the meadow level continues to rise.

WeBS (Waterbird Survey) counts at Ashleworth Ham, Coombe hill and Leigh Meadows.

The whole area is under a sheet of water, and the birds are very widespread and difficult to count. The hides at Coombe Hill are more inaccessible than ever, and the birds are best seen from the Apperley side; the Ashleworth hides are still accessible, though there is water on the Ham Road between Tirley and Ashleworth, passable with care.

Ashleworth Ham: Two Whoopers and 12 Bewick’s early morning, all had clearly roosted. The Bewick’s left for Coombe hill floods early morning but returned to Ashleworth in mid–morning; minimum of 800 ducks (400 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 50 Pintail), 6 Snipe, 60 Lapwing, hundreds of Fieldfares, rather less Redwings.

Coombe Hill: Minimum of 1,000 ducks (700 Wigeon, 125 Teal, 130 Pintail, 5 Tufted Ducks).

Leigh Meadows: totally inundated: 25 Mute Swans, small numbers of ducks.

Clearly some Bewick’s are roosting on the floodwater at Ashleworth and Walmore, and not bothering to return to Slimbridge.

Walmore (14 December, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Walmore Common this afternoon sightings included 33 Bewick’s Swan (3 cygnets), two Shelduck, 650 Wigeon, four Gadwall, 255 Pintail, two Water Rails, a Stonechat and 44 Ravens flying in to roost. The Bewick’s remained to roost on the floodwater.

Severn Hams (11 December, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

Floods are still rising and even more extensive than before, probably the biggest since November 2000. The Severn is higher than ever, and just beginning to overtop the river bank near Haw Bridge. Coombe Hill is already deep under water because of the River Chelt backing up, and in many places, the canal bank is under water; not only are the hides still inaccessible, but you can’t get very far along the canal bank, just to the gate into the meadows; you can see rather more by going from the Apperley side, but the sun is in your eyes from there. The road past the Red Lion at Wainlodes is closed; the Ham Road at Ashleworth is still open, but the water stretches uninterrupted from the Ham road to the river bank. Walmore Common is also deep under water.

Coombe Hill: Still at least a thousand ducks, probably more but they are very widespread; mainly Wigeon but good numbers of Pintail, at least 300 between Ashleworth and Coombe hill, the highest total for several winters on the first big flood for some time. 6 Bewick’s Swans, 10 Cormorants flew over; many hundred Fieldfares.

Ashleworth: of the order of 500 ducks, again mainly Wigeon with good numbers of Teal and Pintail.

Winter Heliotrope (11 December, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

The Winter Heliotrope (Petasites fragrans) is in bloom already. Quoting from the GNS website for January 2006:

“The first wild flower of the year, Winter Heliotrope, is now coming into bloom on wasteland and road verges round the county … The flowers often emerge before the leaves, usually in time for Christmas, but this year it is at least a week late.”

I have not kept good records of first flowering of this plant, just knowing I can usually find some before Christmas, but there is already plenty of it, so it must be particularly early.

Botanical News (9 December, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

Unseasonally, there is a meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris) in full flower at Arle Court roundabout, Cheltenham. It is only one plant, but standing proud above the grass of the central reservation, it looks as it should in May, not December.

It seems to me a fantastic year for late autumn berries, with the hedges still loaded with sloes and bryony, and yew and holly in the woodlands. There is a heavy crop of ivy berries too, which are starting to ripen blue-black.

Black Bryony (Tamus communis), Howler’s Heath, 3 December 2006. (R. Homan)

Severn Hams (9 December, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

The Severn is higher than ever, but not breaking its banks anywhere, probably because the tide cycle is now on the wane. However this means that smaller local streams cannot discharge into the Severn, so are backing up on local marshes. Water levels very high at Coombe Hill (hides still completely inaccessible), Ashleworth Ham and Walmore Common.

There appear to be just under 2,000 ducks in the Ashleworth /Coombe Hill area, but birds are very dispersed with the extensive floodwater and difficult to count; certainly numbers of Pintail are higher than they have been for several years (but they usually appear in good numbers when the meadows are flooded).

Coombe Hill: 6 Bewick’s Swans (all adults or yearlings; three appeared to have roosted on the floodwater, the other three may have flown in early to judge by the very active greeting ceremonies, with wing flapping, neck extensions, trumpeting); 800 Wigeon, 220 Pintail, 200 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 19 Tufted, 3 Pochard. The Wigeon and Pintail very active with lots of courtship flights. No sign of Whoopers (or Leach’s Petrel!).

Ashleworth: about 400 Ducks, mainly Wigeon, only a few Pintail, no sign of Whoopers, 5 Snipe, 30+ Meadow Pipits.

Coombe Hill (6 December, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Seen from the hide at Coombe Hill Meadows this afternoon – 480 Canada Geese, two Barnacle Geese, 1100 Wigeon, four Gadwall, 410 Teal, 230 Pintail, 30 Shoveler, five Tufted Duck, two Little Grebes and also four Blackcaps along the canal.
Please note that the hide in only accessible with waders at the moment.

Severn Hams (4 December, contributed by Mike Smart and Andy Jayne)

Following heavy rain over the weekend, the Severn has risen again, so that water cannot flow off the meadows, and flooding is slightly higher than on Saturday. Ducks in particular are very widely spread, and less concentrated than last week.

Ashleworth Ham: Duck numbers lower – only about 150 Wigeon; 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming, 50+ Lapwing going downriver; at 10.45am, two Whoopers flew over, calling and went on southwards in the direction of Slimbridge.

Wainlodes, 11.00-11.45 am: No sign of the Whoopers in their usual place.

Walmore Common, 12.15-13.30 pm: No sign of Whoopers on extensive flooding. Still 230 Wigeon, 6 Gadwall, 500 Teal, 180 Mallard, 120 Pintail & 20 Shoveler. Also 2 Water Rail and a Yellow-legged Gull. In addition, there were 27 Bewick’s, all adults except for about 3 yearlings, no cygnets. All on far side, grazing, checked for rings and seven were read.

Severn Hams (2 December November, contributed by Mike Smart, Les Brown and Mervyn Greening)

The level of the Severn has begun to drop now; flooding is still extensive on the meadows at Coombe Hill (hides still inaccessible), Ashleworth and Hasfield, and along the Chelt, but is just beginning to flow back to the river. With the extensive floodwater, swans, ducks and geese are rather more scattered and the spectacle provides less of an impact than a week ago, but are still there in numbers.

Coombe Hill: 4 Little Grebe; 360 Canada Geese; 2 Barnacle Geese; 63 Greylags; nearly 400 surface feeding ducks, mainly Wigeon, but still at least 50 Pintail; 50+ Lapwings; a Tawny Owl calling at first light; big flocks of Fieldfares (over 200) in the tops of the willows.

Leigh Meadows: the 2 Whooper Swans still in the same place.

Wainlodes: a Kingfisher where the Chelt meets the Severn.

Ashleworth/Hasfield: 1 adult Bewick’s Swan on the floodwater; at least 300 surface-feeding ducks, again mainly Wigeon, but at least 30 Shoveler and a few Pintail; 160+ Lapwings, some moving downstream; two Stonechats; many hundred Fieldfares.

Walmore Common (30 November, contributed by Mike Smart)

Still extensive floods on the common. At 10.45am, there were three adult Bewick’s on the floodwater, 15 Mute Swans, 250 Wigeon, 100 Teal and 25 Pintail.

Cheltenham (28 November, contributed by Robert Homan)

Another late butterfly, with a Red Admiral feeding in mahonia blossom in Swindon Lane, early afternoon.

Severn Hams (28 November, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

The level of the Severn was dropping a little today, but water is still rising on meadows as local streams are unable to flow out into Severn.

Coombe Hill: 3 Little Grebes, 2 Whooper Swans, 11 Bewick’s Swans (first recorded here this winter), 380 Canada Geese, 2 Barnacles, 14 Greylags, 800 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 80 Pintail, 20 Shoveler. 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail squealing, 2 Lapwing, 2 Dunlin.

Ashleworth: 220 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 1 Peregrine, 10 Snipe (sitting on floating grasses).

The total ducks between the two sites, with much movement to and fro, was about 1,500.

NB Bewick’s Swans: Seven Bewick’s Swans (six adults and one yearling) were on floodwater at Coombe Hill with Canadas at first light, and appeared to have roosted there; joined a bit later by two more adults, with massive greeting ceremonies (wing flapping, calling, and heads in the air); then two more adults appeared with less ceremony soon after. At 08.55 am all eleven took off and flew southwards, quite high, calling, in direction of Slimbridge. Looked very much like the birds had arrived late yesterday without going to Slimbridge and continued on to Slimbridge this morning.

Severn Hams (27 November, contributed by David Anderson and Mike Smart)

Waters are rising very fast indeed on the meadows along the Severn and Chelt (the Severn rose from 9.10m last night to 10.06m this morning at Wainlodes; the Chelt broke its banks and flooded Leigh Meaodws); Grundon and Long Pool hides at Coombe Hill are inaccessible; lots of birds moving onto fresh floods to feed, including many ducks (especially Pintail), lots of gulls, crows and starlings; there is a tremendous feeling of movement.

Ashleworth at first light: about 100 Greylags roosting, left early; at least 80 Shoveler, 60 Pintail.

Coombe Hill: 2 adult Whoopers at the Wainlodes end of canal; one has a lot of black at the top of the bill and looks very like the ones photoed and drawn in previous winters; 380 Canada Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 500 Wigeon, 62 Pintail, 8 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Ducks, 1 Water Rail calling, 2 Black–tailed Godwits, 1 Dunlin, hundreds of Black–headed Gulls feeding on water and damp grass together with lots of Carrion Crows, Jackdaws and Starlings round the edges; the floodwater must make insects rise to the surface. 40+ Redwings.

Leigh Meadows (26 November, contributed by Mike Smart)

Late this afternoon water was rising rapidly on the meadows. Two adult Whoopers were on flood water, not the usual fields, actually in a privately owned area. At dusk they didn’t seem to fly to Ashleworth Ham to roost, but there is plenty of floodwater on the Leigh Meadows for them to roost on.

Late Butterflies (26 November, contributed by Robert Homan)

A Peacock butterfly in flight in Swindon Lane, Cheltenham late morning while a Red Admiral was seen in flight in Bushcombe Wood, Nottingham Hill this afternoon.

Walmore Common (26 November, contributed by Mike Smart)

Water over the whole area is much higher today than on Friday, and extensive flooding has attracted extra birds:
Only two Bewick’s Swans at 13h15, far off on floodwaters, so not possible to read rings. A lot more ducks: 14 Shelduck, 250 Mallard, 100 Wigeon, 15 Shoveler, 15 Teal, 10 Pintail, 1 Snipe, 1 or 2 Ravens.

Severn Hams (25 November, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

River levels are much higher following recent rainfall, and water is pouring onto Ashleworth Ham and rising at Coombe Hill. Little change in bird populations however, and still no sign of the Whoopers seen at Leigh Meadows on Tuesday 21 November.

Coombe Hill: 12 Greylags, 35 Canadas, 350 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 1 Water Rail calling, 1 Stonechat, 40 Fieldfares.

Ashleworth: 175 Canadas, 700 wigeon, 200 Teal, 10 Gadwall, 60 Pintail, 50 Shoveler, 2 Coot, 32 Snipe, 25 Meadow Pipits.

Severn Hams (24 November, contributed by Mike Smart)

No sign of the Whoopers at Leigh Meadows, either yesterday or today.

At Walmore today, the water was rising with high tide cycle: 6 Bewick’s (five adults and a ringed yearling, probably 670), 11 Mute Swans, 125 Mallard, 115 Teal, 40 Fieldfares.

There seem to be more Fieldfares in the last few days with nearly 300 in the general area of Maisemore yesterday.

Leigh Meadows (20 November, contributed by Les Brown)

Two adult Whooper Swans on the Meadows today, the first of the winter.

Walmore (20 November, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Walmore Common this morning: a first-winter female Goshawk was present for at least 90 minutes. Also 70 Teal, a Shoveler, a Sparrowhawk, ten Snipe, five Stonechats and three Blackcaps.

Severn Hams (18 November, contributed by Mike Smart and David Anderson)

In general, the rain of the last couple of days has caused Severn levels to rise; water levels in riverine marshes are likely to rise a little in the next few days, since local streams cannot discharge into Severn.

Ashleworth 0700- 1130: 1 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Herons, no Bewick’s or Whooper Swans, 375 Canada Geese (200 roosting and flying downstream; where are they going?; 175 arrived from Tirley Court), 48 roosting Greylags left at first light; 700 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 70 Mallard, 10 Gadwall, 45 Pintail (very active, males displaying to females and forming pairs), 50 Shoveler, 4 Buzzards, 25 Snipe, 1 Barn Owl hunting actively at first light and on show for at least 15 minutes, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming persistently (why, at this time of year??), 2 Stonechats, 200 Fieldfares, 5 Bullfinches, 5 Reed Buntings.

Coombe Hill (16 November, contributed by Mike Smart)

Most ducks are still at Ashleworth; early morning observations from Coombe Hill: 1 Little Grebe, 17 Greylags, 35 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 20 Teal, 9 Shoveler, 3+ Water Rails calling, 10 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 70 Fieldfares, 1 Redpoll flying over.

Cheltenham (14 November, contributed by Robert Homan and David Iliff)

Yesterday’s news was indeed the tip of the iceberg. A prolonged search today on the Honeyborne Cyclepath revealed another adult Harlequin Ladybird along with 31 pupae which were almost certainly of this species. Meanwhile, David has been monitoring a population at Pittville Park which has steadily increased in size during the autumn and now consists of some 40 individuals at various stages of development and showing the range of colour forms which typify this species. Other recent records from elsewhere in Gloucestershire are of an adult in September at Upper Cam (M McGlone) and about a dozen adults at Huntley (E Butler). The reason for the concern about the spread of the species is made very clear on the Harlequin Ladybird Survey Web site.

Cheltenham (13 November, contributed by Robert Homan)

A Red Admiral flying in lunchtime sunshine across the Winston Churchill Memorial Gardens near the Lower High Street. Not such good news was the discovery of a Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) in shrubs by the Honeybourne Cyclepath in the town centre. News from David Iliff, the Society’s ladybird recorder, suggests that this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the presence of the species in the town is concerned.

Harlequin Ladybird, Cheltenham, 13 November 2006. (R. Homan)

Cheltenham (12 November, contributed by Robert Homan)

The first Fieldfares of the autumn passed over Swindon Lane this morning; this late date seems to accord with a broader picture of delayed arrival. In the late afternoon a Song Thrush was singing in the area.

Severn Hams (10 November, contributed by Mike Smart)

Ashleworth this morning 0700-0845: Light frost but no icing. Birds very much as they have been for the last few days: no roosting Whoopers, 50+ Canada Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 300+ Wigeon, 6 Gadwall doing courtship flights, 50+ Teal, 15 Shoveler, only 3 Snipe, 3+ Stonechats, Fieldfares rather more in evidence, couple of medium sized flocks probably 150+, 30 Redwings, 1 Raven, 5+ Reed Buntings.

Walmore: 0900-1000: No Bewick’s (yet) but a local observer had seen 30 last Saturday, 35 Teal, 5 Snipe, 4+ Stonechats

Severn Hams (8 November, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

Ashleworth: At least 200 Canada Geese roosting at first light, 500 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 10 Pintail, 1 Water Rail calling, 15 Snipe, 100 Fieldfares (lots more than of late), 4 Stonechats, 5 Reed Buntings. Most of the geese and ducks in the Severn Hams have clearly moved from Coombe Hill (even though conditions there still look right for grazing Wigeon) to Ashleworth where water levels are higher.

Leigh Meadows: no sign of Whooper or Bewick’s Swans.

Coombe Hill: 2 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret (rather late), 40 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 7 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, brilliant views of a female Merlin washing in the scrape just in front of the hide, 2 Water Rails calling, only 1 Snipe.

Walmore (7 November, contributed by Mike Smart)

I arrived at Walmore at 1300, to find nine Bewick’s present, six adults and three cygnets. I managed to take a closer look; it was definitely a pair with a family of three: one of the parents had a faint café au lait tinge on the neck and topknot, making it look a bit like a yearling; it was a pennyface, with the penny only just separated from the rest of the yellow, and rather pale yellow. I couldn’t see any yearlings, the other four looked like two pairs. One of them was ringed, with a yellow ring with black letters on the left leg, read as 607 reading up. They were feeding happily in the field at the bottom of the slope, but were disturbed by someone lighting a bonfire; they circled several times as though they wanted to land in another field, but them headed off in the Slimbridge direction at 13h55.

No sign of any Whoopers.

Other birds noted: 16 Mute Swans, 48 Teal, 15 Mallard, 15 Snipe (mostly on the edges of ditches), 3 Stonechats, 10 Meadow Pipits.

Severn Hams (4 November, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

The third frosty morning in a row, with a fine sunny day afterwards, underlining the attractive scenery of the Severn Hams: long flat vistas, willows changing colour, and a clash of green grass and older yellow vegetation.

The scrapes at Coombe Hill were largely frozen over, but there was some open water in the deeper parts of the Long Pool: a Little Grebe, 50 Wigeon, 30 Shoveler, 2 Sparrowhawks, at least 10 Coot, at least 3 Water Rails heard, a flock of 40 Fieldfares, 1 Stonechat, 1 Raven.

Leigh Meadows were quiet, no sign of any Whooper Swans, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Kingfisher at Wainlodes.

At Ashleworth, still some open water, most of the ducks in the area seemed to be here: at least 300 Wigeon, over 100 teal, 20 Shoveler, 20 Pintail, 20 Snipe, 200 Black-headed Gulls on open water, 40 Fieldfares, one or two Reed Buntings.

Basically everything very quiet, no sign of Bewick’s or Whooper Swans, all much as it has been for the last week until, just as we were leaving, a Red-throated Pipit flew over, calling in a group of Meadow Pipits, which have been passing through for the last month or so. Identified by its very distinctive call; despite much searching, it was not seen again.

Severn Hams (3 November, contributed by Mervyn Greening, Mike Smart and David Anderson)

Ashleworth this morning was iced over, but had good numbers of geese that had roosted overnight: over 100 Canada Geese, about 100 Greylags, 2 Barnacles, probably all the birds that had been roosting at Coombe Hill; lots of ducks probably 1,000 in all, mainly Wigeon, but at least 20 Pintail; a Water Rail squealing; Snipe completely disappeared, no doubt because of ice; flock of about 40 Fieldfares, one Stonechat; last ringing session of the year produced 68 birds including 28 Long-tailed Tits (many retraps) and 12 Reed Buntings (two retrap adults ringed earlier in the season, plus ten new juveniles, probably birds born outside the area).

At Walmore this evening, no sign of Bewick’s (probably already back at Slimbridge), 30 Teal, 30 Snipe, 40 Fieldfare, 2 Ravens.

Glos (late October, contributed by Roger Gaunt and Robert Homan)

There has been a marked increase in the number of records of the tortrix moth, Crocidosema plebejana with 3 at St Briavals and one in Cheltenham. The foodplant is Tree Mallow Lavatera arborea which is normally associated with mild coastal areas in the south west. The Cheltenham specimen is shown here.

Crocidosema plebejana, Cheltenham, 31 October 2006. (R. Homan)

Severn Hams (31 October, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

We carried out a general survey of the Ashleworth /Coombe Hill area in the hope of finding Bewick’s or Whooper Swans, but there were no records of either species. In general, Severn levels are continuing to fall, water a bit lower at Coombe Hill, still about the same at Ashleworth because the sluice is retaining water inside the reserve.

Coombe Hill: 230 Wigeon, 42 Shoveler, 4 Pintail, 2 Sparrowhawks, 15 Snipe (many of these birds probably moved on to Ashleworth).

R. Severn, Wainlodes: 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Kingfisher.

Leigh Meadows: 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Buzzard, 1 Stonechat.

Ashleworth: 50 Canada Geese, 700 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 30 Shoveler, 80 Mallard, 10 Pintail, 40 Snipe, 3 Stonechats.

Walmore Common (29 October, contributed by Andy Jayne)

4 Bewick’s at Walmore again plus a real bonus of 2 adult Whooper Swans. All of these unringed and present at 0750 when I arrived and still there mid-day. Also 54 Wigeon, 75 Teal, 3 Pintail, 1 Shoveler, 1 ad Peregrine and 1f Stonechat. Yesterday, 250 Mallard which is a high count here. Water levels already dropping very slightly and it looks like being a dry week.

Severn Hams (29 October, contributed by Mike Smart)

A surprisingly rapid change in water levels overnight. Whereas the Severn at Haw Bridge had been at 8.40 metres at midday yesterday (28th), it had dropped to 7.60 by early afternoon today. As a result ditch levels dropped and water was flowing out of the reserve at Ashleworth (instead of inwards) and water levels were much lower at Hasfield Ham; the Deerhurst Parish drain was flowing into the Severn which will mean a decrease in water levels at Coombe Hill. It shows how sensitive water management is; I inserted the remaining boards in the stank at Ashleworth, so that no water will be lost and conditions will be right for wintering ducks and swans. It looks as though water levels should stay stable for a few days, as there is no rain forecast, and the tides are at the low point of their cycle.

Otherwise birds at Ashleworth much as yesterday; four or five Stonechats again, and plenty of Wigeon and Teal on the main reserve fields.

Severn Hams (28 October, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

Water levels continue to rise at Coombe Hill and Ashleworth (and according to Andy Jayne at Walmore). No Bewick’s at Coombe or Ashleworth, but Andy had three ads and a yearling at Walmore.

At Coombe Hill: 350 Canadas, 100 Greylags; 600 Wigeon (increase) 150 Mallard, 10 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck.

At Ashleworth: 1 Peregrine; 6 Pintail, 150 Wigeon, 10 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 5 Stonechats.

Severn Hams (27 October, contributed by Mike Smart and Andy Jayne)

Together we covered Leigh Meadows, Coombe Hill and Ashleworth this morning, mainly to look for possible arrivals of Bewick’s or Whoopers. Alas, no sign of them, though conditions look quite favourable; the Severn is still highish, with water from local streams not able to get away, so backing up onto fields. Water is pouring on to the reserve at Ashleworth. Birdwise, not too much to report: Wigeon at Coombe Hill increased to 440, a few Stonechats there, still 250 Canada Geese. Half a dozen Fieldfares at Ashleworth and about 30 Redwings.

Slimbridge (26 October, per Mike Smart)

With a brief spell of south-easterly winds overnight, the first three Bewick’s Swans were seen on the Slimbridge reserve this morning a few days later than the usual arrival date They are adult pair Dario and Dorcus who have been together since 2002 (Dario first wintered here in 1999) Both are dark-neb birds that have also frequented Walmore Common in the past. Tagging along with them was a yearling named Dumbles (no relation to Dario/Dorcus). All three have been contently feeding and preening on the main Rushy Pen.

Severn Hams (25 October, contributed by Mike Smart)

With the current rain and high tides, water levels are rising at both Coombe Hill and Ashleworth. At Ashleworth, water is pouring onto the reserve over the stank at the southern end, and the main reserve field opposite the hides is beginning to assume its normal winter appearance of a sheet of shallow water. It is not full yet, but probably will be by the coming weekend. The ducks have already found it, and there were 100 Mallard, 50 Teal and a couple of Shoveler on the water at midday today.

Cameraria ohridella (23 October, contributed by Robert Homan)

The extraordinary spread of this micro-moth, also known as the Horse Chestnut leaf miner, continues with records in the last few days from Stroud, Painswick, Badgeworth, Apperley Court, Down Hatherley, Corse and Highnam. Although most records are from VC 34 (East Gloucestershire) it is also quite widespread in VC 33 (West Gloucestershire).

Walmore Common (23 October, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Seen today were: five Snipe, a Kingfisher, female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, a Whinchat and three Stonechats.

Standish (16 October, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

Redwings were heard flying over during the night – the first of the year.

Severn Hams (16 October, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

Water levels still low everywhere, though scrapes at Coombe Hill are well filled.

Coombe Hill: Roosting geese had already left by 0720, only 30 Canadas left, and they soon departed. 120 Wigeon, grazing nicely; 7 Shoveler; 2 Sparrowhawks perched; light Meadow Pipit passage; Stonechat heard.

Ashleworth Ham: 3 Snipe, 1 Little Owl, 4 Stonechats, 10 Meadow Pipits, 2 Ravens.

Walmore Common: 2 Teal, 5 Snipe, 1 Stonechat, 2 Ravens

Cheltenham (15 October, contributed by Robert Homan)

Red Admirals were enjoying the sunshine in Swindon Lane today with upto 12 feeding on ivy blossom and resting on an adjacent sunny wall. A single Comma was with them.

Coombe Hill (14 October, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

There has been an increase in Wigeon up to about 195 (from 65 last week), they are not yet in full plumage and are sitting on the scrape, then coming to graze along the edges, just as they are supposed to; quite noisy and active, prodding one another and calling. About 10 Shoveler, 10 Teal, 4 Gadwall with them. Also three Little Grebes, and an unusually early Goldeneye, female or immature, on the Long Pool. Only a few geese early on. No sign of Fieldfares or Redwings yet.

Recent observations from the Severn Hams: the scrapes in front of the Grundon Hide at Coombe Hill have held water all summer and attracted a good variety of birds. Since the beginning of October, good numbers of feral geese have been spending the night there, over 150 Canada Geese, more than 100 Greylags and a couple of Barnacles, all of which presumably nested higher up the Severn and Avon and are now back for the winter. They only stay until shortly after first light, and then fly out noisily, the Canadas to Tirley Court Lake, where there is a newly sown grass field that they appreciate, and the Greylags to Boddington ponds. At Ashleworth, there is still water in the overgrown pools, but no flooding as yet. Since late September there have been good numbers of Stonechats at Coombe Hill, Ashleworth and the Leigh Meadows.

Sudmeadow (27 September, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Barn Owl seen in the osier bed on an early morning visit.

Standish (25 September, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

A Clouded Yellow seen today – this is the first report of this species for some time; are there any others still about?

Port Ham (19 September, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Port Ham, in the evening there were: a Little Egret, one Greenshank, two Green Sandpipers, five Whinchats and at least two Stonechats.

Cheltenham (mid-September, contributed by Robert Homan)

Members running moth traps have had much to record in the past few days as the arrival of migrant species continues including the two shown here from Cheltenham.

The Vestal (top) and Hummingbird Hawk-moth (above). It is perhaps hard to believe that the delicate insect (top) is a migrant species. The shot of the hawk moth was a piece of luck, usually this species is just a blur as it hovers, feeding from a flower. (R. Homan)

Snowshill (30 August, contributed by David Anderson)

Two Hobbies (flying South), one Little Owl, one Buzzard and one Kestrel (male) sighted from Snowshill Manor garden. One House Martin nest on a cottage by the Manor House still occupied by a juvenile. A Hummingbird Hawk-Moth was feeding in herbaceous borders in the garden.

Port Ham (28 August, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Four Little Egrets, a Greenshank and two Green Sandpipers were at on Port Ham today. Also two very recently fledged juvenile Reed Warblers.

Guscar Rocks (20 August, contributed by Andy Jayne)

On the evening tide were 67 Ringed Plover, 1 Knot, 32 Dunlin, c.200 Curlew and 1 Turnstone.

Coombe Hill (3 August, contributed by Robert Homan)

A Small Red-eyed Damselfly on the canal near the Wharf. 5 Green Sandpipers flying over the scrapes and 1 Little Egret also present.

Coombe Hill (1 August, contributed by Colin and Ingrid Twissell)

Today we decided to go for a walk at Coombe Hill Canal and Meadows, always hoping for something good to turn up, but not really expecting anything. However, we were well rewarded as we saw 2 male Small Red-eyed Damselflies, Erythromma viridulum, along the second longer well-vegetated ditch in the Meadows, by the path to Apperley.

This is the first sighting of this species in Gloucestershire, although Wiltshire had apparently been inundated in the previous week. The picture below was taken on a very gusty day, so the quality is not ideal, but you can see the distinguishing features of this small delicate damselfly.

GLS (1 August, contributed by Gordon Avery)

60 Ravens were together on the sheep downs at GLS at 1300hrs today.

Coombe Hill (25 and 28 July, contributed by Robert Homan)

Indications of the effects of the heavy rain in the early part of the summer are the broods of 8 Tufted Ducks and 2 Coots on the scrapes with another 2 broods of Tufted Duck and 1 of Coot visible from the Long Pool Hide. Dragon/Damselflies included Black-tailed Skimmer, Brown and Southern Hawkers, Ruddy and Common Darters and Emerald Damselfly.

Black-tailed Skimmer basking in sunshine on bare mud at the edge of the Snipe Pool, Coombe Hill, July 2006 (R. Homan)

Coopers Hill (27 July, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Hobby circling over the nature reserve in the afternoon.

Port Ham, Gloucester (23 July, contributed by Andy Jayne)

This afternoon there was a Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, a Hobby, a Peregrine, a Common Sandpiper, a Kingfisher and two Whinchats (adult and juvenile).

Dragonflies included Emperor, Black-tailed Skimmer, Broad-bodied Chaser and Ruddy Darter. Also one Clouded Yellow.

Purton area (22 July, contributed by Gordon Avery)

1 or 2 Brown Hawkers were seen opposite the Timber Ponds. There were at least 3 Mandarins on the canal and a Meadow Pipit was seen food carrying along the foreshore.

Coombe Hill (20 July, contributed by David Anderson)

This Musk Beetle (Aromia moschata) was seen on Meadowsweet next to the Osier bed on the path to Grundon hide today.

Aromia moschata, Coombe Hill, July 2006 (D Anderson)

Witcombe Res. (19 July, contributed by Gordon Avery)

An adult Hobby seen beating up the local dragonfly population plus an adult Dabchick with a stripy headed juvenile. The first time that breeding has been proved here.

Frampton Gravel Pits (18 July, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

Plenty of dragon and damselflies, including Common Blue Damsel Enallagma cyathigerum, Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum, Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis, Southern Hawker) Aeshna cyanea, Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum.

The photo shows a Ruddy Darter in a typical pose, resting on a sunny post amid lush vegetation. Frampton, 2006 (Marie-Helene Le Roux).

Maisemore and Ashleworth area (16 July, contributed by Andy Jayne)

A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen at Maisemore today. Also a Hobby over Stonebow Farm, Ashleworth and the same or another at Haw Bridge.

Coombe Hill (14 July, contributed by David Anderson)

C.50 Lapwing, 1 Curlew, 3 Buzzard, 4 Green Sandpiper, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler were seen either by the canal or at the scrapes. Among the butterflies were 1 Comma and 2 Red Admiral by the canal. There was a Brown Hare to the south of the canal.

Sudmeadow (14 July, contributed by Gordon Avery)

In the morning an adult Common Tern flew south over Sudmeadow. The sunny weather produced a good showing of Gatekeepers. These were supported by reasonable numbers of Marbled Whites, Red Admirals, Peacocks, Meadow Browns, Small Skippers and Commas.

Cheltenham (5 July, contributed by Robert Homan)

The micro-moth Cameraria ohridella has reached Cheltenham. The spread of this tiny insect across Europe is an amazing story. In essence the first record of the moth was from Macedonia in 1985 and since then it has moved westwards and eastwards, colonising much of central and eastern Europe by 2000. It reached the UK in 2002 and the evidence suggests that the pattern of rapid spread has continued with the first Gloucestershire record in 2005. The mines in Cheltenham were found along the Chelt Walk near the Waitrose supermarket car park which ties in with the thinking that the moth’s spread might be assisted by vehicles. Indeed one suggestion for new records is to look at Horse Chestnuts growing in areas with many lorry deliveries – a supermarket perhaps!

The fungus Guignardia aesculi causes brown blotches on chestnut leaves and is very widespread. The mature leaf mines are, however, quite distinctive and look like small fried eggs. More details can be found on this Forestry Commission Exotic Pest Alert.

Cameraria ohridella mine in Horse Chestnut, Cheltenham, July 2006 (R Homan)

Moth News (Late June, contributed by Robert Homan)

The warm weather and southerly winds at the end of June produced many interesting moth records, including migrants such as this Bordered Straw:

Bordered Straw, a migrant moth from S Europe, Cheltenham, June 2006 (R Homan)

and these spectacular Privet Hawk-moths:

Privet Hawk-moths, Whittington, June 2006 (R Homan)

Sudmeadow (27 June, contributed by Gordon Avery)

The discovery of at least 5 Pyramidal Orchids today was a first for this site in many years recording.

Lesser Emperor Dragonfly in the Cotswold Water Park: First Attempted Breeding! (20 June, contributed by Gareth Harris)

The Lesser Emperor story of the Cotswold Water Park continued to unfold in 2006! After a single sighting of a male in 2005 (at Lake 26, Wilts) 2006 has produced a bumper crop of sightings.

First sighting was on the 12th June; a male was found patrolling some margins at some active mineral workings in the Western section of the CWP (site undisclosed for health and safety reasons) (Steve Covey, GH).

This was then followed by a tentative sighting at Swillbrook Lakes (Lakes 46/48, Glos) on the 16th July (Nick adams, Reserve Warden), followed by confirmed sightings by Damien Pinguey and Steve Covey on the 17th. This male stayed around long enough for a female to find him, and the pair were observed ovipositing in tandem (a characteristic of this species) on the 19th July.

A visit to nearby lakes shortly after observing them ovipositing, resulted in the discovery (by Steve Covey) of another male, whilst also at the same time, Chris Walker, Senior Ranger found a male at Keynes Country park (Lake 32, Glos/Wilts)!

As of today, (20th) yet another male was found on a private lake near Somerford Keynes whilst the male was still present at Keynes Country Park, on the southern shore of Lake 32.

Even allowing for individuals moving around, there are clearly several individuals here. It would be worth checking any of the lakes in the area as you are likely to find your own Lesser Emperor! So why not come and have a look!

Syreford and Sevenhampton (18 June, contributed by Robert Homan)

Most striking today were the two fields of poppies near Syreford easily seen from the road to Sevenhampton. Also a Painted Lady and a nest of a bumblebee species, probably attacked by a badger, on the edge of Sevenhampton.

Syreford and Sevenhampton, June 2006: Poppies and bumblebee and nest. (R Homan)

Saintbury (18 June, contributed by David Anderson)

A Turtle Dove calling early in the morning.

Hawling area (13 June, contributed by Andy Jayne)

The highlights of a cycle ride from Roel Gate/Hawling to the Huntsmans Quarry area today were a Hobby, two Redstarts, six Tree Sparrows and 15 singing Corn Buntings.

Insect News (12 June)

The warm weather in early June has brought a spate of insect records. Roger Gaunt left two traps at The Wilderness, Mitcheldean overnight on Wed/Thurs of last week. On opening them up early on Thursday morning, he found a Bird’s Wing moth, among many others. This is the first record since 1986, and that was the first for many years. On Friday morning Roger tried some new pheromones in Cinderford Linear park, and had one White-barred Clearwing. This is a new site for this species. There were also four and possibly six Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries.

In Cheltenham on the evening of 11th June there were 30 Silver Y moths feeding on valerian flowers in Swindon Lane. Several members have reported the tiny migrant moth Plutella xylostella Diamond-backed Moth in the last few days.

Coombe Hill (10 June, contributed by Robert Homan)

The floods noted by Mike Smart have now receeded, but the water has left a large amount of blanket weed, especially on the northern scrape. In the afternoon on the scrapes, there were 12 Mute Swans, 11 Greylag Geese, 1 Canada Goose, 3 Curlews flew over and there were at least 8 Lapwings, including one that showed some defensive behaviour suggesting some breeding success.

Coombe Hill, June 2006: Mute Swans and a ‘Fig Gall’ Tetraneura ulmi (R Homan)