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North Cotswolds mammals (27 January, contributed by Ian Ralphs)

Observations during the day included:

65 Fallow Deer laying up in a large arable field, between Clapton-on-Hill and Sherborne. SP1716.

2 Roe Deer Great Rissington SP 2017

3 Roe Deer Great Rissington SP 2117

3 Hares (Boxing) Great Rissington SP2017

3 Hares (Boxing) Great Rissington SP2117

and a Fox at Beer Furlong Farm, Eastleach SP1906.

Cheltenham (27 January, contributed by Robert Homan)

There is another Starling roost in Cheltenham, this time in the NW part of the town centre. There were some 1000 or so birds in a pre-roost display at 4.30 pm today.

Sudmeadow (24 January, contributed by Gordon Avery)

2 Chiffchaffs in the area – one by the Parting and the other by Llantony Weir.

Tidenham Chase (21 January, contributed by Ian Ralphs)

A Red Admiral at The Park, Tidenham Chase, at lunchtime in beautiful sunny weather.

Sudmeadow (21 January, contributed by Gordon Avery)

2 pairs of Stonechats this morning: a pair on Sudmeadow and the other on Hempsted Nature Reserve.

Leigh Meadows (15 January, contributed by Andy Jayne)

A female Merlin this afternoon, perched for a while before being harassed by a Magpie. The two adult Whooper Swans were there again; also 2 Sparrowhawks, a male Stonechat and a Lesser Redpoll.

Sudmeadow (15 January, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Green Sandpiper today near the site of the old barn.

Severn Hams (15 January, contributed by Mike Smart)

Today being WeBS count day, I went very early to Coombe Hill in the hope of confirming that the pair of Whoopers are actually roosting there with the Mutes. Alas, as I walked along the boardwalk in semi-darkness at 07h30, I heard the sound of Mute Swan wings, obviously birds flying out, so I presume that some Mutes flew out at first light, and probably the Whoopers with them.

At 07h30 on the scrapes there were still about 15 Mutes, and in the corner some indeterminate geese. The Mutes flew out in the direction of Leigh Meadows, all gone by 08h15. As the light improved, I realised that six of the geese were Canadas, which flew off at about 08h00 in the direction of Apperley, as observed on previous visits.

There were still ten grey geese on the water however, and as the light improved I realised they were Whitefronts; very nervous, sitting on the water, clearly after roosting, making no attempt either to fly out or to feed. As it brightened, I was able to that they were Whitefronts, and realised finally from the yellow bills and very heavy markings on the underparts of some adults, that they were Greenland, not European, Whitefronts. This would make sense, given the north west winds we have had in recent days. Closer observation revealed that they were a family party of two adults plus five (!) goslings, together with three other adults, the latter repeatedly chased off by the adults of the family party. At first they sat nervously on the water, not attempting to feed, but after a while they moved onto the grass by the scrapes, and began to graze; the male of the family party remained very alert, and never even tried to feed. They were very nervous: anything made them stick their necks in the air; a couple of Mute Swans flying in, a hare running past. At about 09h35, a very distant and very high-flying helicopter came past; this was too much for them and they disappeared in an instant, so rapidly that I was unable to tell in which direction they left. Just shows that birds have to get used to local conditions; all the many helicopters flying over Coombe Hill wouldn’t have bothered most of the local birds. I saw them well enough to check that none were ringed.

I went on to the adjacent Leigh Meadows, where I duly recorded the usual two adult Whoopers which must have flow out of Coombe Hill very early, together with about 20 Mutes. No sign of the Whitefronts, and they weren’t at Ashleworth either. It will be very interesting to see if they turn up at Slimbridge.

Severn Hams (14 January, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

An early morning visit to Ashleworth showed that the Whoopers were not roosting there; it seems as though they may be roosting at Coombe Hill. The water levels in the Severn and on the marshes were low; there were many more birds at Ashleworth than elsewhere.

Whooper Swan: the usual pair feeding on the Leigh Meadows after 10h00. No sign of any additional birds: are the pair reported from Slimbridge the Leigh Meadows birds or a separate, additional pair?

Bewick’s Swan: none at Ashleworth or Leigh Meadows; at Walmore 27 between 11h00 and 11h30 on field E: 22 adults/yearlings and five cygnets in families of two and three. Two birds ringed, the familiar yearling 541 (yellow right reading down) and almost as familiar adult ZBJ which appeared to be the parent of the three cygnets (yellow left reading up).

Mute Swan: wintering flock on the Leigh Meadows and at the Red Lion now numbers about 35 birds, grazing with Whoopers.

Wigeon: maybe 1,000 at Ashleworth.

Gadwall: good numbers at Ashleworth, probably 50 or more.

Tufted Duck: two drakes at Ashleworth.

Snipe: at least 35 at Ashleworth, couldn’t find any Jack Snipe.

Barn Owl: one at Ashleworth early on.

Winter Heliotrope (11 January, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

The first wild flower of the year, Winter Heliotrope (Petasites fragrans), is now coming into bloom on wasteland and road verges round the county. This was introduced from the Mediterranean into Britain in 1806. It spreads rampantly by rhizomes, and was recorded as a wild plant at least as early as 1835. The first Gloucestershire record is 1872. All plants in the British Isles are male. The flowers look a boring ashy grey from a distance, but up close its colours are positively shocking and the cherry-vanilla scent is wonderful. It is a close relative of coltsfoot and butterbur, and the flowers often emerge before the leaves, usually in time for Christmas, but this year it is at least a week late.

Winter Heliotrope, Ashleworth, February 2005 (Juliet Bailey)

Witcombe Res. (11 January, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Jack Snipe seen today be the reservoir.

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

Coombe Hill: 150 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 8 Snipe in the Long Pool; Water Rail squealing in both the Long Pool and Broad Mere.

Leigh Meadows: the two Whoopers grazing late morning among a group of about 18 Mute Swans.

Ashleworth: duck numbers very much as they have been in the last ten days: perhaps 1200 Wigeon, 350 Teal, 30 Gadwall, 90 Shoveler, 20 Pintail; 50 Lapwings, 35 Snipe and at least one Jack Snipe.

Sudmeadow (4 January, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A male Peregrine over Llantony Weir at 0815h. A Green Sandpiper over Sudmeadow and female Stonechat still by the Parting.

Cheltenham (4 January, contributed by Robert Homan)

A male Brambling and a female Blackcap in a garden in Swindon Lane today.

Minsterworth Ham (3 January, contributed by Mike Smart)

One Green Sandpiper in a ditch; three Shelducks; 13 Cormorants – sitting in a riverside tree and on the floodbank in the most secluded part of the site.

Walmore (3 January, contributed by Mike Smart)

No Bewick’s at first light (08h00) but at 08h21, five flew in from the Slimbridge direction, not calling, landing without fuss as though they knew what they were doing and where they were going. Only one was ringed, a yearling with a yellow ring on the right leg; I didn’t read it so as to avoid disturbing them, but it must have been 541 on the basis of plumage and bill pattern. This bird has been a regular over the last couple of weeks. In addition, one or more Ravens moving out towards Gloucester; 90 Teal, 150 Lapwing; only a single Snipe, despite careful searching; a single Jack Snipe flushed from alongside the main ditch; at least two Stonechats.

Hempsted Nature Reserve (2 January, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A morning visit morning revealed 3 Stonechats (1 male and 2 females) and 6 Snipe.
(The Nature Reserve is the area betwen the Rea Lane and the boundary of the southern end of the tip alongside the Severn Way in SO8016. There is quite a bit of rough pasture there and a small pool, in essence its all part of the flood plain.)

Sudmeadow (1 January, contributed by Gordon Avery)

The Green Sandpiper from December 2005 is still by Presswelds. A female Stonechat by the Parting. A male Stonechat on Port Ham by the electricity station and 2 Chiffchaffs found along the river at Sudmeadow.

Lower Dumball, Rodley (1 January, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Good views of a female Merlin this afternoon. Also 480 Golden Plover, 2000 Lapwing and 25 Curlews there.

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

Coombe Hill: Water levels continue to fall, with islands in scrapes clearly visible. Few birds visible from the Grundon Hide, but a Merlin flew past. About 120 Lapwings, two or three Water Rails calling from Broad Mere. One Peregrine flying by. About 150 Wigeon and 350 Teal in the Long Pool, but very few Snipe there.

Leigh Meadows: The pair of Whoopers grazing with about 18 Mutes as usual.

Ashleworth: At least a thousand ducks (mainly Wigeon, some Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pintail), not coming to graze on the edges as they did when the surface was iced over. A male Peregrine on the pylons. At least one Stonechat. About fifty Snipe and one Jack Snipe.

Sudmeadow (31 December, contributed by Gordon Avery)

Another unringed Chiffchaff by the river at Sudmeadow: this makes a total of at least 7 different birds during December and possibly 9! A pair of Stonechats by the Plantation pool (The field behind the old Fieldings playing field). 1 Green Sandpiper on waste ground pools by Presswelds.

Severn Hams (29 December, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

Ashleworth Ham: Freezing fog and ice at first light; birds sitting round holes in ice and it was hard to see through fog; not sure if Whoopers were roosting. When fog rose later in the morning, we had good counts of ducks on the ice: 1200 Wigeon, 375 Teal, 90 Shoveler, 30 Gadwall, 50 Mallard, but only 20 Pintail. The Wigeon were not feeding on grass round edges early on, but in mid morning, thye came over to water’s edge very close to road, with several hundred feeding on edge of the grass near the road unconcerned by passing traffic.

Walmore Common: 26 Bewick’s at 09h30; 16 adults or yearlings and 10 cygnets; there seemed to be family parties of three, three and four cygnets. About 10h30, ten birds flew off (three adults and seven cygnets) towards Slimbridge, leaving one family party of two unringed adults with three cygnets (birds already seen on 16 December?), plus eleven adults/yearlings.

All birds checked for rings and four rings were found and read:

– 541 yearling, yellow, already seen here twice;

other three were on adults:
– TXF black letters on white ground, reading up on left leg
– ZBJ black letters on yellow ground, reading up on left leg
– YLS black letters on yellow ground, reading up on right leg
All three appeared to be adults and to fly off with the cygnets at 10h30.

In addition to the Bewick’s: 1 Kingfisher, 1 Water Rail in the pond in the middle, 1 Snipe, 250 Lapwings flew over, 3 perhaps 4 Stonechats round pond in middle.

Leigh Meadows: 2 Whooper Swans grazing alongside 20 Mute Swans about 11h00; we don’t know where they had roosted.

Swindon Village/Stoke Orchard area (28 December, contributed by Robert Homan)

A Green Sandpiper flushed from Hyde Brook, near Brockhampton sewage works. A Peregrine Falcon causing panic among Fieldfares and Lapwings between Stoke Orchard and Hardwicke. A single Brambling with other finches at Elmstone Hardwicke.

Sudmeadow (28 December, contributed by Gordon Avery)

3 new Chiffchaffs being trapped in a morning ringing session. A female Blackcap still at Hemminsdale Road.

Sudmeadow (27 December, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A fairly quiet afternoon today.
A female Blackcap in Hemmingsdale Road. 3 Snipe at Sudmeadow marsh. 1 Chiffchaff by the river at Sudmeadow and 1 male Stonechat by the power station at Port Ham.

Sudmeadow (25 December, contributed by Gordon Avery)

In the morning there was an ‘abietinus‘ Chiffchaff by Llantony Weir with a tit flock. A nominate race Chiffchaff was by Lower Parting and a female Stonechat was nearby as well.

Forest of Dean (23 December, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Seen in the Moseley Green/Oakenhill/Parkend/Cannop were: 12 Little Grebes at Cannop Ponds, 2 Willow Tits in Churchill Inclosure, 2 Crossbills at Oakenhill and 4 Hawfinch in Yew trees at Parkend.

Walmore Common (23 December, contributed by Andy Jayne)

In the afternoon there were 4 Bewick’s Swans, 100 Teal, a Little Egret, a Kingfisher and 4 Stonechats.

Sudmeadow (20 December, contributed by Gordon Avery)

25 White-fronts south over Castle Meads at 10h20 then across the docks towards Tuffley. 3 Chiffchaffs, 1 in the osier and 2 along the river below the Parting with a small tit flock. 2 Snipe over GLS towards the Manor and lastly a pair of Stonechats on Port Ham.

Severn Hams (17 December, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown )

Whooper Swan: the adult pair present at first light, flew out at 08h15 to west, seen at 09h00 grazing with Mute Swans on Leigh Meadows; looks as if they are here to stay.
Ducks: almost a thousand present, mainly Wigeon, but nearly 50 Shoveler and good numbers of Pintail and Gadwall, a few Teal.
Peregrine: one on pylons.
Water Rail: squealing early on.
Snipe: at least 50, mainly in fields of uncut Canary Grass Phallaris with open patches.
Jack Snipe: two at Ashleworth.
Green Sandpiper: one on the muddy bank of the Severn near Wainlodes.
Barn Owl: one hunting over Ashleworth at first light.
Stonechat: two calling on the reserve at first light.
Chiffchaff: one calling and seen in patches of ivy on old oak trees.

Coombe Hill (17 December, contributed by Ian Ralphs)

3 Tench and 1 small Pike (1-2 lbs) at the eastern end of the Canal, with a Brown Hare in the fields nearby.

Swindon Village (16 December, contributed by Robert Homan)

2 mines of the RDB micro-moth Celypha woodiana were found today in mistletoe leaves growing in hedgerow trees near Swindon Village. This moth is something of a Three Counties speciality, though as its status nationally suggests there are but few records in Gloucestershire. Should you come across locally sourced mistletoe in the run up to Christmas then look out for the distinctive yellow cresent shaped mines, an example of which is shown below.

Walmore (16 December, contributed by Mike Smart)

13 Bewick’s Swans, on field G, from 12h30 to 14h00 at least. One family of two adults with three cygnets; three first winter birds still with some dark feathers on the head, one of them very strongly marked; five additional adults. All feeding on grassland. Only one was ringed and that was the bird seen here on Monday, yellow 541, which was ringed in the Petchora Delta, Russia, north of the Arctic Circle, in August 2005.

About 350 Teal left on the Common side, at least 20 Snipe, 15 Lapwings, at least six Ravens, a Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard.

Severn Hams (15 December, contributed by Mike Smart)

I went to Ashleworth before daybreak this morning to check whether the Whoopers seen yesterday at Coombe Hill and the Leigh Meadows had roosted there; two of them had; perhaps this means that they had visited the area in prevous winters? They were sitting in thick vegetation at the back, just opposite the hide, when it became light enough to see them. They became more active witt the sunlight (though it had been biright moonlihgt before) swam around together, rather imperiously, with a fair bit of head bobbing; finally at about 08h30, they took off, whooping loudly, and headed off straight across the river, as though they knew their way; a little while later, I saw them grazing in the Leigh Meadows, alongside the Chelt, on the same field as yesterday with a dozen Mute Swans.

The ringed bird was not with them; he had separated from them yesterday when they took off from Coombe Hill canal; it will be interesting to see (a) whether he joins them (is he perhaps on the floodwater at Coombe Hill right now, or has he moved on?) and (b) whether the others stay round and perhpas attract more Whoopers.

Other birds at Ashleworth early on: two Little Owls calling at dawn; a Water Rail squealing; moderate numbers of Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, some coming to feed along the edge of the water very close to the road; a couple of Goldcrests and at least two Chiffchaffs calling.

Sudmeadow (15 December, contributed by Gordon Avery)

At least 2 Chiffchaffs in the area as a new one was trapped today and there is still at least one unringed bird about. Also a male Peregrine in the area.

Brockhampton Sewage Works, Swindon Village (15 December, contributed by Robert Homan)

3 Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest feeding in undergrowth by Hyde Brook on the south side of the works. 3 Buzzards in the area with a fourth nearby in Swindon Lane.

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

The recent floods at Coombe Hill are dropping slowly. The Grundon hide is now accessible reasonably easily (with wellingtons – beware the missing board on the boardwalk), and the new Long Pool hide is now also accessible, (again with welllingtons, but without too much difficulty).

The number of geese and ducks present in the early morning has decreased somewhat – they don’t seem to have moved over to Ashleworth where winter water levels are maintained, through manipulation of the sluice, at a slightly higher level. This morning there were about 700 Wigeon, about 190 Canada and 3 Greylag Geese; also about ten Shovelers and three Pintail, 300 Lapwings and a Dunlin. A new arrival on the floodwater was a Tufted Duck. From the Long Pool hide we could see five Gadwall and an immature male Ruddy Duck (first record for the reserve?). There were half a dozen Lesser Redpolls along the canal bank.

Halfway through the morning three adult Whooper Swans arrived, calling loudly as though they were making their first visit. They landed in a field alongside the canal bank, and two began to feed hungrily, while the third kept watch rather nervously. Bird number three proved to be ringed with a yellow ring, number LX5; it had been ringed as an adult at WWT Martinmere in Lancashire on 29 January 2003, seen there again the following winter on 3 November 2004 and 31 December 2004; it will no doubt have nested in Iceland but has never been seen there (yet). Had it been to the Severn Hams before it was ringed perhaps?? After a while, all three flew off, but two of them were later seen feeding among a flock of grazing Mute Swans on the nearby Leigh Meadows. This is a very encouraging observation, as small numbers of Whooper Swans wintered in the Severn Hams from 1990 to 2003, but have not stayed for the last two winters. We hope that these birds will stay all winter and attract other passing Whoopers to join them.

It transpires that the yearling Bewick’s Swan whose ring (yellow 541) was read at Walmore on Monday last, had been ringed as a first year bird on the Petchora Delta, Russia, north of the Arctic Circle (68 degrees North, 54 degrees East!) in summer 2005. It had made a brief appearance at Slimbridge on 4 December.

Cheltenham (14 December, contributed by John Sanders)

2 adult male Goosanders have returned to Pittville Park (lower lake, by the island), the first sighting here this winter. Their plumages are stained brown, which suggests that they have just flown in from an acid, iron rich water area.

Walmore (12 December, contributed by Mike Smart)

The floods have gone down, but there are still plenty of birds: 3 Bewick’s Swans (one a first winter wearing Slimbridge yellow colour ring 541); 15 Mute Swans; a vast concourse of Teal on the Common with a very high count of over 900 birds; 10 Shoveler but only two Wigeon left; 130 Lapwings; a minimum of 2 Snipe; the usual Ravens, with about half a dozen flying round, calling.

Cheltenham (12 December, contributed by Robert Homan)

The Starling roost in the Windyridge Road area is much depleted – now down to only 200 or so birds. What has happened to the other 4000+?

Prestbury (12 December, contributed by Robert Homan)

A single Chiffchaff in the farm yard in Gravel Pit Lane this morning.

Sudmeadow (12 December, contributed by Gordon Avery)

Three Chiffchaffs in the area this morning: one in the old osier and two together by the Lower Parting. All were of the nominate race.

Coombe Hill (10 December, contributed by Ian Ralphs)

In the afternoon from the Grundon hide, a Grey Squirrel was seen swimming across the flooded meadows. It appeared along the side of the drain that leads from the Long Pool area and was seen to successfully reach the eastern end of the Broadmead willows. It made slow but steady progress across the floods and appeared completely unfazed by all the geese and ducks

Severn Hams (10 December, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

The level of the Severn is now lower and the water has gone down a little at Coombe Hill, although the Grundon Hide is still only accessible with difficulty and wellingtons. The level is down rather more at Ashleworth. At Coombe Hill in the morning: a minimum of 2,100 ducks and 500 geese. Ducks included at least 1900 Wigeon, 20 Shoveler, 80 Pintail, a minimum of 100+ teal, probably many more hidden in the Long Pool. 470 Canadas, 35 Greylags, 1 Canada x Greylag hybird, one adult Whitefront. Eight Lesser Redpolls, a little Grebe, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Dunlin, 95 Lapwings. No sign of Bittern or Whooper Swan. At Ashleworth at least 1,500 ducks, mainly Wigeon. Also 150 Canada Geese,at least 50 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, a Peregrine on the pylons, Sparrowhawk, two or three Buzzards, at least two Chiffchaffs calling, two Stonechats. The total number of ducks (at least 3,500, maybe 4,000) suggests an influx over the last few days. No sign of any Bewick’s

Sudmeadow (9 December, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Chiffchaff trapped for ringing today, with a Golden Plover seen flying north.

Coombe Hill and Ashleworth (7 December, contributed by Mike Smart)

Water levels are still high and the Grundon Hide at Coombe Hill is only just accessible and many fields at Ashleworth are still under water.

There seems to be about 2,000 to 2,500 ducks (mostly Wigeon, 200+ Teal, about 100 each Shoveler and Pintail, about a dozen Gadwall, maybe 50 Mallard) in the general area, moving back and forth between the two sites, more at Coombe Hill when water levels are high, more at Ashleworth when they drop. No sign of any Bewick’s or Whoopers, nor of Bittern.

Two Peregrines on the pylons at Ashleworth, a Green Sandpiper on the banks of the Severn (everything else was frozen!), three Redpolls in Stank Lane at Ashleworth and two Stonechats at Ashleworth.

Sudmeadow (6 December, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Chiffchaff feeding by the floodwater today.

Cheltenham (5 December, contributed by Robert Homan)

As in March 2004, there is a large Starling roost in the Windyridge Road area of Cheltenham with the birds congregating on the pylons over the road in the late afternoon – perhaps 5000+ birds today.

Cheltenham (3 and 4 December, contributed by Robert Homan)

Winter warblers are about, including a Chiffchaff calling from the Honeybourne Cyclepath at St Paul’s and a male Blackcap seen in a garden in Swindon Lane.

Ashleworth (1 December, contributed by Mike Smart)

With the level of the Severn dropping, floods are decreasing at Coombe Hill, but at Ashleworth water levels are kept at a high level by the sluice, so that there is plenty of water for the ducks. It looks as though ducks in the Severn Hams are moving from Coombe Hill to Ashleworth. At first light this morning, no sign of the Whooper Swans reported on 23 and 26 November, so they do not seem to be roosting at Ashleworth; no Bewick’s either; ducks rather noisy first thing, mostly small mating parties of Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard and Pintail, with a single female surrounded by up to eight or nine noisy drakes. Rather few birds coming to graze close to the road – maximum of 40 or so – but the water has another few centimetres to drop yet, so this behaviour will no doubt develop; most ducks sitting placidly round the edges, asleep. Over a thousand in all, maybe 12 Gadwall, 50 Pintail, 70 Shoveler, 200 Teal, about a thousand Wigeon. Canada Geese not roosting, but up to 150 arrived mid morning. Stacks of Snipe round the back, over 50 and at least one Jack Snipe. At least three Stonechats. All four common raptors: Peregrine, Kestrel, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk. No Bitterns!

Coombe Hill and Ashleworth (29 November, contributed by Mike Smart)

Water levels were falling fast this morning after a cold night with snowfall and frost. Walking along the boardwalk to the Grundon hide, a Bittern flew out of the osiers on the right; it was in flight for about ten seconds, but it was quite unmistakable – a big brown, gangling heron-like bird which probably came in overnight with the cold weather. It subsequently disappeared behind the treetops and probably landed somewhere else in the osiers and will be very difficult to find again. Otherwise with the water dropping fast there were but few ducks left. The new hide on the Apperley side is being refurbished. Up to 300 Canada Geese roosting, but they moved off by about 09h00 leaving only about 600 ducks, mainly Wigeon; still two Ruff, about 220 Lapwings, a whisp of 20 Snipe, 28 Golden Plover late morning and a male Blackcap. It looks as though most of the ducks moved over to Ashleworth where water levels are high: nearly 2000 ducks, mainly Wigeon, perhaps 200 Teal plus a sprinkling of Shoveler, Pintail and Gadwall.

Walmore Common (27 November, contributed by Andy Jayne)

2 Little Egrets in the afternoon.

Awre (27 November, contributed by Andy Jayne)

An afternoon visit produced 2 Little Stint, 800 Dunlin and 2 Rock Pipits.

Coombe Hill (26 November, contributed by Ian Ralphs)

In the early afternoon there was a shoal of between 100-120 Tench estimated as being between 8 oz and 3 lbs (with a few bigger), right in up against the wall on the extreme eastern edge of the Wharf.

Witcombe Res. (26 November, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A male Goosander on the reservoir in the morning.

GLS (25 November, contributed by Gordon Avery)

The female Goldeneye had moved on to the river. A female Siskin also present; the first since November 2001.

GLS (23 November, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A female Goldeneye and a Water Rail on the pond today.

Severn Hams (17 November, contributed by Mike Smart)

The recent light flooding has left excellent conditions for waterbirds. At Coombe Hill, the Grundon Hide is still inaccessible, but good views can be had from the canal bank: on 17th November: 600 Wigeon, 80 Pintail (promising numbers for the time of year), but rather few Teal and Shoveler; nearly 600 Canada Geese are rather prominent! A flock of 230 Lapwings, accompanied by five Little Stints, rarely seen here. A Chiffchaff calling with two very noisy Water Rails.

The floods have gone down on the Leigh Meadows, but there are few birds about; no sign there (or anywhere else) of the Whooper Swans, and no Bewick’s have arrived from Slimbridge.

Flooding still extensive at Ashleworth; a Peregrine on the pylons and some Shoveler and Coot.

Walmore Common (12/13 November, contributed by Andy Jayne)

The extensive flooding at Walmore Common has attracted good numbers of wildfowl. Over the course of the weekend I have counted 400 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 350 Teal, 150 Mallard, 104 Pintail, 54 Shoveler and 1 Tufted Duck.
Nearby, there were 5 adult Bewick’s Swans and 4 Lesser Redpoll at Wilmer, Rodley early afternoon on 13th.

Coombe Hill (9 November, contributed by Andy Jayne)

A first-winter Grey Phalarope today from Grundon Hide. Also 2 adult Bewick’s Swans flying in from the south west at 1230, 1000 Wigeon, 37 Pintail, 2 Water Rail (heard), 1 Green Sandpiper (heard), 1 pair of Stonechats and a female Blackcap along the Canal.

Sudmeadow (9 November, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A pair of Stonechats just past the Lower Parting along the Severn Way. A first-winter Little Grebe still on the pond.

Severn Hams (6 November, contributed by Mike Smart)

Duck count day today (or Wetland Bird Survey – WeBS count day as we have to call it nowadays); the day once a month when people all over the country go out to count wetland birds, so as to monitor population sizes and sites used. True to form, it rained hard, and the Severn, already high, caused local streams to back up further. At Coombe Hill, there is fairly extensive but still shallow flooding between the Grundon Hide and the Long Pool; the Grundon hide is still accessible with wellingtons, and conditions are perfect for surface feeding ducks: 130 Mallard (including a number of call ducks and hybrids), 425 Teal feeding in the shallow water, 645 Wigeon, up to ten each of Gadwall, Shoveler and Pintail, plus over 350 Canada Geese, at least 20 Greylag Geese and one Canada x Greylag cross. The only swans were Mute, no sign of Bewick’s or Whoopers, despite suitable conditions. One Green Sandpiper and a dozen Lapwings. The hide overlooking the Long Pool can be reached via Wick Street (alongside the Farmer’s Arms), but there are rather fewer birds to see on that side.

On the Leigh Meadows, there is no flooding, though the Chelt is fairly high; birds a bit thin – some flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing going over.

At Ashleworth, water levels are rising, and there is a fair amount of water on the Ham Road, especially at the Ashleworth end; best approached from Tirley; the hide is still easily accessible from Tirley. Less birds about, a few Wigeon and Teal, but the Peregrine was on the pylons as usual this morning.

Beachley Point (3 November, contributed by Gordon Avery)

Despite the very strong winds there was little to record apart from a Rock Pipit and a dead Harbour Porpoise on the high tide line.

Witcombe (31 October, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A WEBs count produced 56 Tufted Duck and 6 Teal amongst the other wildfowl and also a female Stonechat along the one of the hedgerows.

Severn Hams (29 October, contributed by Mike Smart)

The level of the Severn had dropped somewhat at Haw Bridge, but not enough for the floodwater at Ashleworth and Hasfield Hams to flow away. Water levels on the GWT reserve at Ashleworth are now at their preferred winter level and are maintained by a sluice; so conditions are right for any Whooper Swans from Iceland which may deign to come this winter, after a two year absence; a couple of Gadwall had joined the Wigeon and Teal. At Coombe Hill, the scrapes are full, but there is no flooding; on 29 October there were 300 Teal (a respectable number for the season), 60 Wigeon, 14 Snipe and four Green Sandpipers with at least one Stonechat. On the Leigh Meadows, the local brooks have not overflowed either, so things are rather quiet; the main bird of note on 29 October was a Stonechat; plus of course the masses of Redwings and Fieldfares at all sites, in their hundreds in the hedges and flying over, obviously on migration.

Further downriver at Walmore Common, high Severn levels have also produced light flooding, with very attractive conditions for waterbirds; the juvenile Red-necked Phalarope found by Andy Jayne was the star of the show (was it the bird that had previously been seen at Slimbridge?), but there were good numbers of ducks too – 100 Wigeon, 120 Mallard, 100 Teal with half a dozen Shoveler and Pintail, and a couple of Bewick’s Swans, no doubt birds from Slimbridge put in an appearance. Interestingly, birds newly arrived at Slimbridge often make a recce in the first few days, to check on conditions at Severn Vale sites which they have visited in previous winters.

Sudmeadow (27 October, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A nice female Merlin today; it tried to take a Pied Wagtail but missed, then the wagtail had the audacity to start chasing the Merlin. Brave fool!

Looks as if the Stonechats have moved out.

Autumn hits the Severn Hams (27 October, contributed by Mike Smart)

Since the heavy rain of last weekend, autumn has clearly arrived, despite a last fine day of summer on Thursday 27 October. The rain in North Wales brought the Severn at Haw Bridge to its highest level since the light floods of last April. At the same time, local rainfall filled all the streams and ditches; since the Severn was so high, they could not discharge into the river and as a result have been back-flooding onto the meadows. As a result, water is pouring into the GWT reserve at Ashleworth and the fields in front of the hide are lightly flooded, the water extending over greater surfaces all the time; by the end of the week, most of the area normally flooded in winter will is likely to be under water (just in perfect time in fact for the Whooper Swans arriving from Iceland, which have not appeared in the last two years because of shortage of water). Over on Hasfield Ham, there is light flooding too.

On 27 October, about 250 Wigeon were on the floodwater, along with nearly 100 Teal, quite the highest number found in the area so far this autumn; about a dozen Shoveler were right in front of the hides. A Paregrine Falcon (the North American name of which is ominously duck hawk) sat eyeing them from the nearby pylon. There were as many as seven Herons, and about 14 Mute Swans. At least fifteeen Lawings and three Snipe. The hedges were full of wintering thrushes, mostly Redwings but a few Fieldfares too. Lots of migrants Meadow Pipits and Skylarks, with the odd Goldcrest and Long-tailed Tit in the hedges.

Nothing particularly unusual for the site, but all showing that conditions look right for the wintering birds.

Walmore Common (27 October, contributed by Andy Jayne)

A very unexpected new species for the site today was a very late first-winter Black Tern that flew in at 1.20pm and remained over the floodwater for nearly 40 minutes. Also present were 50 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 80 Teal, 100 Mallard, 5 Pintail, 5 Shoveler, a Cormorant, a Kingfisher and a pair of Stonechats. A Brimstone butterfly as well.

Sudmeadow (26 October, contributed by Gordon Avery)

This afternoon before the rain: male Stonechats at Port Ham; The Pond, GLS and at Fieldings playing field.

Cheltenham (17 October, contributed by Robert Homan)

2 Chiffchaffs singing and a third calling from the Honeybourne Cycle Path this morning.

Sudmeadow (5 October, contributed by Gordon Avery)

The overnight fog resulted in some migrants being grounded, including 6 Redwings and several new Blackbirds and Robins in the area plus at least 4 Chiffchaffs, a female Blackcap and some ‘crests’. The local Linnet flock is now up to 70 strong. In addition there was 1+ Golden Plover moving south and calling.

Cheltenham (5 October, contributed by Robert Homan)

The autumn is a time when evidence of the feeding activities of various leaf mining insects is fairly easy to find. Here are two conspicuous examples. The first image shows a series of mines of the micro-moth Lyonetia clerkella in a leaf from an ornamental cherry. The second is of a birch leaf with many mines of another micro-moth Ectoedemia occultella

Severn Hams (1 October, contributed by Mike Smart, Les Brown and Colin Butters)

Here we are in the last quarter of the year, long evenings and winter visitors approaching. Birdwise, rather quiet on the Severn Hams front, as there is not yet much water in scrapes or on fields. Practically no waterbirds about yet: 32 Greylags flew over Coombe Hill early this morning, going southwest, an unusually large number although more and more seem to be breeding higher up the Severn and Avon; otherwise just a few Snipe, perhaps half a dozen at Coombe Hill. On the other hand there was a fair amount of visible migration all morning at Coombe Hill, Ashleworth and Leigh Meadows: a small but steady stream of Swallows and House Martins, small numbers of Skylarks with rather more Meadow Pipits and the odd Yellowhammer; Chiffchaffs were singing or calling from very many hedges and the osier beds, and a good number of raptors – half a dozen Kestrels, fair numbers of Buzzards (six together at Ashleworth) and at both Coombe Hill and Leigh Meadows a number of Buzzards (young ones?) giving an unusual high-pitched call, much shriller than the usual mewing, generally from the top of a tree; and over Leigh Meadows a Merlin; in addition at Coombe Hill an October Whinchat and four Stonechats, and a Wheatear at Leigh Meadows.

Sudmeadow (1 October, contributed by Gordon Avery)

Not a lot about, although there was a Whinchat by Gloucester Football Club, Sudmeadow Road.

Haresfield Hill (29 September, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Willow Tit and 2 Chiffchaffs with a small tit-flock, also 8 Common Buzzards up together over the hill.

Cheltenham (29 September, contributed by Robert Homan)

2 Chiffchaffs singing along the Honeybourne Cycle Path between Wyman’s Brook and the town centre in the morning.

Berkeley Shore (28 September, contributed by Gordon Avery)

Along the shore towards Severn House Farm were 2 fairly early Rock Pipits and a first winter ‘Greenland’ Wheatear.

CWP(W) (27 September, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Around CWP(W) this afternoon were 80 Red-crested Pochard, 1 Hobby, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 1 Ruff, 9 Snipe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper and 1 Reed Warbler.

Ashleworth (27 September, contributed by Mike Smart)

Rather quiet: a few Meadow Pipits and the odd Snipe. Water control structures have been built during the autumn on some of the ditches outside the reserve with the aim of retaining water in the ditches in spring.

Coombe Hill (27 September, contributed by Mike Smart)

One Whinchat and two Stonechats on the same bush; one Wheatear. A few Swallows, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Yelowhammers going over (visual migrants); song from Chiffchaffs and Blackcap. The excavation and scrape construction work now finished for this year: work on extension of the scrape in front of the Grundon Hide couldn’t be completed because of the problems of disposing of spoil in the floodplain; will be completed next year.

Severn Hams (Late September, contributed by Mike Smart)

From the ornithological point of view, late summer and early autumn is a dull time in the Severn hams, because the breeding birds have finished their business and, with water levels low, not many waterbirds appear. Still, the blackberry crop has been exceptional, and the Spindle Trees with their pink fruits are in full colour.

Summer 2005 appears to have been a very poor breeding season, to judge from the ringing evidence at Ashleworth. Catches have been much lower than last year’s bumper numbers, and the numbers of young birds have been very small; whereas last year there were very large catches (mainly juveniles) of the three main species, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat and Reed Bunting, all three were few and far between in July and August. On the other hand a Barn Owl definitely raised young on a farm at Apperley; a number of nest boxes have been put up in the hope of attracting more; and there have been a rather more records of Little Owls, which appeared to have decreased of late: one calling at midday at Ashleworth on 24 September.

At both Ashleworth and Coombe Hill, water levels have dropped as usual, though the massive thunderstrom (nearly three inches of rain in the afternoon at Ashleworth) on 10 September soon refilled the scrapes at Coombe Hill. This is the (dry) time of year, best for management and conservation work, and much has been done at the two GWT reserves: at Coombe Hill, silt has been removed from the Long Pool (for the first time for very many years) to create a pool for ducks and other waterbirds in front of the second new hide overlooking the Long Pool, on the Apperley side; the opportunity was taken to take a soil sample using an auger which allowed a core two metres long to be collected; this showed that the surface silt surprisingly extended only about 30cms down, before being replaced by the underlying non-porous Compton clays; there were signs of periods of marine incursion deeper down. In front of the existing hide in Broadmere by the canal, the existing scrapes are being extended; very importantly, the long vegetation (including much pioneer willow) which had grown up over the last two years around the existing scrapes has been cut, so that conditions for ducks this winter and breeding waders next spring should be ideal.

At Ashleworth, much of the young willow growth along the main ditch opposite the Meerend Thicket hide has been removed, restoring the wider vistas that had been screened out. Most of the fields have been mown (which was not done last year), though the decreasing numbers of animals raised by local farmers made it difficult to dispose of hay and to provide beasts to graze. A new second roadside hide has been constructed, offering much improved viewing facilities over the northern part of the reserve. The annual process of raising water levels through manipulation of the sluice has begun, and the reserve should be under shallow water as soon as there is any appreciable rainfall or higher levels in the Severn.

Birdwise, it has been quiet: the odd Green Sandpiper at Coombe Hill, a couple of Redstarts (probably the last of the year) on 7 September; some signs of autumn migrations, with little flocks of Meadow Pipits, the first since April coming to roost in the evenings, and in fine weather more Meadow Pipits and Skylarks going over to the southwest, with the odd Yellowhammer and late Swallow. The star bird has been a Merlin, which has showed itself to two lucky observers at Coombe Hill in the last ten days or so.

Tewkesbury (25 September, contributed by Robert Homan)

5 Jays in flight near Mythe Water Works in the morning – there have been reports of small flocks of Jays moving through sites in northern England and it seems that birds have moved in from the continent perhaps because of a lack of acorns. On a related theme, there is very little, if any beech mast in the Cheltenham area this autumn which might have an effect on finch and tit flocks later in the year.

Sudmeadow (24 September, contributed by Gordon Avery)

7 Buzzards up together, 1 adult male Peregrine,3 Grey Wagtails,1 male Stonechat and 40 Linnets today.

GLS (23 September, contributed by Gordon Avery)

Very little present compared to notes below. Only a Common Sandpiper, juvenile Little Grebe and a Grey Wagtail.

Sudmeadow (19 September, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Wheatear on the old tip at the Rea end. On the pond in the afternoon were 1 juvenile Spotted Redshank plus 1 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper plus the juvenile Dabchick still present.

Sudmeadow (13 September, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A hatch of Comma butterflies in the morning, most of which were feeding on the brambles. There were also at least 2 Red Admirals in the area. At about 4.30 pm there was a first winter ‘Caspian Gull’, Larus cachinaans, roosting and preening with other gulls on the now ‘split’ pond at GLS.

CWP(W) (11 September, contributed by Andy Jayne)

A Black-necked Grebe, a Water Rail and Kingfisher at pit 31. There was a Black Tern briefly at pit 57 and the pits 79/84/85 area produced a female Ruddy Duck with 2 small ducklings, 1 Hobby, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Dunlin, 5 Snipe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 3+ Green Sandpipers and 1 Common Sandpiper. Also 9 Common Terns scattered around, but few passerines of any note.

GLS Pond (8 September, contributed by Gordon Avery)

1 adult Dabchicks and 3 Green Sandpipers.

GLS Pond (3 September, contributed by Gordon Avery)

2 adult Dabchicks, 1 juvenile Shelduck, 1 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 2 Snipe and 2 Green Sandpipers.

Sudmeadow (30 August, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A superb Barn Owl hunting around the marsh at Sudmeadow early in the morning and a passage Curlew heard. Also 3 Jays were the first in the area this year.
At the pond in the afternoon were 5 Green Sandpipers, 11 Tufted Ducks including the brood mentioned on 1st August, also at least 1 adult Dabchick there.

Guscar Rocks to Pill House Warth (29 August, contributed by Andy Jayne)

The highlights were 1 Peregrine, 8 Knot, c.450 Curlew, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Whinchat, 2 Wheatears and 2 Ravens. Also a Clouded Yellow.

Swindon Village (26 August, contributed by Robert Homan)

A fairly late Swift feeding with a flock of approximately 100 House Martins and Swallows over pasture west of the village in the afternoon.

Coombe Hill Meadows (23 August, contributed by Robert Homan)

A mixed flock of 200+ Swallows and House Martins feeding over the meadows on the south side of the canal. 2 Chiffchaffs singing, many Bullfinches along the canal and a Kingfisher fishing near the Wharf.

GLS/Sudmeadow (15 and 16 August, contributed by Gordon Avery)

On 15th, 2 Green Sandpipers still at the pond on GLS and a Kingfisher by Llantony Weir. On 16th, 34 Linnets at Sudmeadow and 3 Garden Warblers trapped.

Coombe Hill Meadows (14 August, contributed by Andy Jayne)

In the evening there were 3 Little Egrets, 13 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 1 Curlew, 1 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, 70 Swallows and 2 Whinchats.
The scrapes have almost completely dried out now and unless we get some heavy rain shortly, it looks likes the area will, alas, be dry during peak migration over the next few weeks.

Prestbury (10 August, contributed by Robert Homan)

A flock of 52 Swallows, mainly juveniles, congregating on overhead wires at Queenwood Grove this afternoon, a typical sign of late summer.

Witcombe (10 August, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A very large moulting flock of 71 Tufted Ducks plus a small duckling so at least one pair bred. In addition, 76 mainly adult Coot there, which is a good count for this time of the year.

GLS/Rea (8 August, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A juvenile Cuckoo this morning by the river at the Rea (GLS) end. The 3 Green Sandpiperss are still on the pond.

Nottingham Hill (8 August, contributed by Robert Homan)

3 Ravens and 2 Buzzards taking advantage of thermals as the temperature rose, mid-morning.

Lower Rea (7 August, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Whimbrel over during the morning and 3 Common Terns by the river.

Woorgreens/Crabtree Hill (7 August, contributed by Andy Jayne)

During the afternoon there were: 1 Hobby, 1 Tree Pipit, 17 Willow Warblers (with tit flock), 3 Willow Tits, 2 Ravens, 2 Siskins and 6 Crossbills.

GLS (5 August, contributed by Gordon Avery)

3 Green Sandpipers still present on the pond, but no other waders. Also a female Pochard and 2 Reed Warblers, which were the first since May 2002.

Coombe Hill (3 August, contributed by Mike Smart)

On the scrapes, water levels are declining fast, but conditions are still fine and attracting some waders: 4 Little Egrets (after an all time record of 10 seen by Les Brown last Saturday!); a single Curlew strangely hanging on, but not behaving like a breeding bird; one Greenshank; two Green Sandpipers; one Snipe; about 15 Lapwings, clearly migrants; a Wheatear, sitting in the top of a tree; at least two Redstarts seen, calling anxiously from lines of willows, not sure if they were adults calling to young, or solitary young birds; a Whinchat at the southern end of the canal.

Ashleworth (3 August, contributed by Mike Smart)

Hay is being cut for silage on the main reserve fields, the rest is to be cut for bedding in the next few days, and willows along main central ditch will be pruned next week; both Buzzards and Lesser Blackbacks following the tractors in search of prey, both frogs and dead voles seen in the cut hay.

GLS (1 August, contributed by Gordon Avery)

In the morning – on the pond were 3 Green Sandpipers/ 3 Little Grebes (2ads and 1 juv) almost certainly bred here for the first time. Female Tufted Duck and 6 young/ 2 adult Shelduck and 5 young. Greenshank over as well. In the evening there was a migrant Redstart at Sudmeadow.

Coombe Hill (29 July, contributed by Robert Homan)

Single Curlew, Green Sandpiper and Snipe and 6, possibly 7, Little Egrets this afternoon.

GLS (27 July, contributed by Gordon Avery)

This afternoon there were 2 Green Sandpipers and an Oystercatcher, which is an unusual species here.

GLS (19 July, contributed by Gordon Avery)

6 young Shelduck and 6 young Tufted plus 3 females and a Green Sandpiper on the GLS pond today.

CWP(W) (16 July, contributed by Gareth Harris)

A male Lesser Emperor was seen at Lake 26 at 12.30 in association with Brown Hawkers, Emperor and Black Tailed Skimmers. This is a Wiltshire pit, but the location is only metres from the county boundary!

Cheltenham (15 July, contributed by Robert Homan)

A very welcome visitor to the garden moth trap in Swindon Lane was this Garden Tiger. Formerly a common species and certainly familiar from its “woolly bear” larvae, there is now some concern about the effects of climate change on the moth.

Lower Lode, Tewkesbury (14 July, contributed by Mike Smart)

A third Sand Martin ringing session on the banks of the Severn at Lower Lode increased the grand total of birds caught to 42, among them seven juveniles, so an estimate of 20-30 pairs nesting in the river bank seems reasonable. In addition, a couple of observations showed that the river clearly acts as a route for migrant waders: three Common Sandpipers were on the “beach” at the base of the bank, and two adult Dunlin, feeding very actively. There was also a Little Owl in the area.

Dymock Woods (13 July, contributed by Robert Homan)

The hot weather over the last few days has meant that insects are to the fore, while bird song has diminished. Seen today in the Dymock Woods area were 2 White Admirals and a good variety of other butterfly species including Brimstone, Comma, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet.

One of 2 White Admirals in Dymock Woods – this one was in Hay Wood in Gloucestershire. The other was close to the main car park in Queen’s Wood, just over the border in Herefordshire.

Severn Hams (12 July, contributed by Mike Smart)

At Coombe Hill today: 3 Little Egrets, a Tufted Duck, two Green Sandpipers and a Common Sandpiper; the last remaining pair of breeding Lapwings still have their chick which is almost full grown but not yet flying; in addition there is a flock of about 100 non-breeding Lapwings, undoubtedly birds which have arrived from elsewhere, and (like the Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper) a sign of return passage and the arrival of autumn.

On Sunday 10 July, good numbers of Sand Martins at three spots along the Severn: about 20 round Haw Bridge, (with at least one pair nesting in a drainpipe emptying into the river!), another dozen at the colony just north of Haw Bridge, and about forty round the colony at Lower Lode; in the evening Mervyn Greening and I had a ringing session at Lower Lode and caught 32 birds, including several juveniles, so there are probably more birds present than you would think from looking at birds flying about. No Hobby on 10 July, but we did see two Oystercatchers flying down river. People who know the river fish better than I do confirm that the big fish we saw jumping in late June must have been salmon, moving up the river to spawn.

Throughout much of the Severn Hams, hay making is almost complete; I have a nasty suspicion that production of young Curlews has been disastrously low. In most places, the adults have left the breeding fields and there are very few places indeed where adults are making the usual alarm calls when there are young about. I have only heard of one young Curlew seen by haymakers, on 7 July, a young one that was a week short of being able to fly. This seems to me to be about the right date for young Curlews; I don’t believe that they had a good season and simply finished early; they have either been hit by early haymaking or by predators (crows, gulls and foxes).

In the meadows during hay-making there has been a phonomenal number of Meadow Brown butterflies this year.

The GWT Coombe Hill Biodiversity Challenge, over the weekend of 2/3 July, had the aim of recording 500 species (all species combined – invetebrates, birds, and flowers) and seems to have reached its target easily: the last figure heard was 538 species, with several species of insect as yet unidentified.

Here are 2 of the species seen: Emperor Moth larva (top) and Peacock butterfly larva (above)

Coombe Hill Meadows (10 July, contributed by Andy Jayne)

In the afternoon there was a juvenile Water Rail in front of the Long Pool hide at 16:50hrs; this is quite a rare breeding bird in the county. Also in the area were 6 Teal, male Sparrowhawk, 40 Lapwing, 2 Curlew, 2 (adult & juvenile) Tawny Owl and 3 Lesser Whitethroats.

River Severn: Haw Bridge – Forthampton (24 and 26 June, contributed by Mike Smart)

The Sand Martin colony near Forthampton is doing really well with at least thirty birds present and juveniles already on the wing. There was a Hobby present, perhaps aiming to hunt Sand Martins and a surprisingly large number of large fish jumping, possibly salmon. The other Sand Martin colony north of Haw Bridge was occupied on 24 June, but is much smaller with only half a dozen pairs.

Wigpool Common (25 June, contributed by Mike Smart)

The GNS field meeting at Wigpool Common in the Forest of Dean on 25th June, in addition to fascinating insights into heathland restoration being carried on jointly by GWT, RSPB, the Forestry Commission and GNS, produced a number of interesting bird records: two singing Turtle Doves (probably some of the most westerly singing Turtle Doves in the British Isles, given that the species is reported to have practically disappeared from Wales); a flock of about 15 Crossbillls, which flew over calling, but in the drizzle we couldn’t see much of their plumage; a singing Tree Pipit; and a singing Garden Warbler. At Walmore Common on the same day, both Redshank and Lapwing had flying young.

Cheltenham (24 June, contributed by Robert Homan)

Moth trapping at a site close to the town centre produced a record of the stunning micro-moth (wing span approx. 11mm) shown here – Chrysoclista linneella The moth is regarded as nationally rare and has only been previously recorded in Gloucestershire on 3 occasions. The larvae feeding under the bark of lime trees of which there are many in the immediate neighbourhood. It can apparently be found on the trunks in sunshine, waving its antennae, hence the blur here!

In and around the Severn Hams (23 June, contributed by Mike Smart)

The fine weather of the last ten days has provided a spur to hay-making in the Severn and Avon Vales, and this of course has an impact on waders nesting in the Severn Hams. In general these ground nesting birds have a hard time of it with foxes, mink, crows and jackdaws, not to mention human dog-walkers; and now their eggs and chicks are likely to be squashed or sliced by large farming machinery, unless they nest in reserves or areas where agri-environmental agreements with farmers provide for late cutting.

Lapwings nest fairly early and most had their chicks fledged and flying before hay-making began. However, some, especially those with replacement clutches still have young. The Lapwings nesting at Coombe Hill were badly hit by the flooding in early April; since the floods, there have been some doubts as to whether birds that had lost first clutches were actually renesting, as they had not seemed very active or enthusiastic; but at least one pair renested as a tiny chick was seen from the hide on 21 June; it was accompanied by Mum and didn’t seem to have any other brothers or sisters. There are already signs of movements of Lapwings that have finished nesting: thus there were 35 adults in the Avon Meadows on 20 June at a site where they had not bred, and in addition to the breeding birds, there were 25 at Coombe Hill on 21 June, obviously migrants sitting apart in a cut field.

Redshanks nest a bit later, and the first fortnight of June is the crucial time for their young chicks. In many Severn Hams sites, the parent birds have been giving anxious alarm calls which betray the presence of chicks, which are very difficult to find as they immediately hide in the grass. They have disappeared very rapidly in several sites; it must be hoped that this means they have successfully raised their families and taken them off to the estuary.

The species most affected by hay-making is Curlew, which – being a larger bird – takes longer to complete the nesting cycle, and furthermore has a preference in our area for large undisturbed hay meadows. It is the essential bird of the hay meadows, its lovely bubbling display call being the symbol of spring and early summer in the meadows. By now, most should have hatched their eggs and have small young, so the call changes to a more nervous “cour-lee”, and to a very anxious, barking “wulp, wulp” if you get very close to the young, which are absolutely impossible to find in the long grass. Several sites where they were undoubtedly nesting have been cut for hay, and I fear that young have been lost. A confirmation of this is a flock of adult birds sitting in a cut hayfield in the Avon Meadows – 21 on 16 June and 36 on 20 June, showing no sign whatsoever of breeding behaviour. These are massive numbers inland (though they would not be exceptional on the estuary); unless they are migrants from further north passing through on their way to the estuary, I strongly suspect they are birds which have lost eggs or young because of hay-making. Fortunately there are a few places where the hay is not likely to be brought in until July. Although these are long-lived birds, if there is no production, there is a risk of a sudden crash in population some time in the future when the adults finally die.

Not only the waders have been producing young: ringing at Ashleworth Ham (for details see Mervyn Greening’s full report) in mid-June showed that many young passerines are now on the wing, among them the first Sedge Warblers and Redstarts, and good numbers of Reed Buntings; the Reed Buntings of course nest in long grass and are also a prey to hay-making (not to mention foxes, some of which have been seen predating Reed Buntings’ nests). Redstarts are in fact quite active now, and the sound of their “wee-tick-tick” alarm call is an indication that young are about in the lines of willows in the hedgerows. A Lesser Whtiethroat, to judge by its frantic alarm calls, had young at the Leigh Meadows on 15 June.

Some other highlights: Corn Buntings (another hay meadow species) singing strongly on the Great Hay Meadow on 16 and 20 June and on the Severn Ham at Tewkesbury on 16 June; a pair of Yellow Wagtails, a species that has become few and far between in the Hams, apparently nesting in the hay meadow on 16 June. A Teal, not flying very well on 16 June at Coombe Hill. A gorgeous Hobby, first chasing dragonflies over the scrapes, then displaying itself on a dead tree, at Coombe Hill on 21 June. And yet another Little Owl, after I had been complaining of how infrequent they had become, this one calling loudly from an oak on 22 June at the Leigh Meadows. Not forgetting a Reed Warbler, singing strongly from the most unlikely miserable little ditch on the Leigh Meadows on 22 June. Little Egrets still at Coombe Hill, they seem to be roosting in a clump of trees a little way from the scrapes.

Sandhurst and Cheltenham (19 and 20 June, contributed by Robert Homan)

2 pictures of less well-known, but distinctive insects: on the left Reduvius personatus, the Flybug – a predatory bug approximatley 18mm in length, found in a moth trap in Cheltenham and on the right Strangalia maculata, a longhorn beetle seen feeding on Hogweed flowers by the River Severn at Sandhurst, the larvae feed on rotting deciduous tree stumps.

Coombe Hill (18 June, contributed by Robert Homan)

Still 17 Lapwings near the scrapes, probably non-breeders but 2 or 3 birds were clearly anxious about something that could not be seen from the hide. 2+ Redshanks, 2 Curlews and 2 Little Egrets. Plenty of butterfly interest with 1 or 2 Large Skippers, many Meadow Browns and 1 Painted Lady. Emperor Dragonflies patrolling the canal and the ditches running through the reserve, also 2 Four-spotted Chasers. Thalictrum flavum in flower by the new board walk.

Forest of Dean (12 June, contributed by Andy Jayne)

An influx of Crossbills seems to be underway. Having been scarce all winter in the Dean with only isolated sightings of very small numbers, yesterday there were 12 at New Fancy Viewpoint and this morning there were 23 between Lightmoor and Staple Edge. The flock of 23 was comprised almost entirely of juveniles with just one adult male which was seen to feed one of the juveniles. Also a Turtle Dove and two Willow Tits in this area.

Bughunt and Cannop Ponds (11 and 12 June, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

Both meetings were enlivened by swarms of Nemophora degeerella, a long-horn moth, the males having a spectacular display flight and occasionally coming to rest on bushes.

Chaceley (12 June, contributed by Robert Homan)

A touch of autumn in the weather and in the form of a non-breeding flock of 18 Lapwings feeding in a sheep pasture north of the village today.

Severn Hams (early June, contributed by Mike Smart)

The first ten to fifteen days of June are crucial for waders breeding in the meadows along the Severn and Avon River valleys: at this time, many Lapwings and Redshanks have young which cannot yet fly, and the adults show by their behaviour that there are young in the vicinity; Lapwings do an anxious version of their display calls, while Redshank parents keep up an agitated piping and chipping noise, warning the young to remain doggo in the grass, where they are practically invisible. By mid June, most of the young should be able to fly. This year has been no exception: Lapwings, as usual, are a little more advanced, and there are a number of fledgelings taking their first flight at several sites; Redshanks still have quite small young, very difficult to find; the best way is to observe the place where the parents are piping from a distance with a telescope, in the hope of glimpsing the young.

Redshank seem to have done rather well this year: one Gloucestershire site has three pairs with young, another has one pair, a third four; at another site, four birds are still present but seem rather apathetic and may have lost their first clutch; in neighbouring areas of Worcestershire too, Redshank have done well this year. It seems that they are able to raise young in sites with little or no open water, the young birds seem able to feed themselves in long damp grass in the hay meadows. As for Lapwings, there has been a welcome return to nesting in grassland sites, where in recent years they seem only to have nested on arable or setaside.

But both Redshank and Lapwing, like the larger Curlew, which takes longer to raise its young since it is a good deal bigger, are subject to a number of threats. Carrion Crows are ever-present and may often be seen stalking the hay fields, on the look out for something in the grass even before it is cut; they certainly wouldn’t refuse a tasty young chick if they found one. The same goes for foxes and mink, both of which are numerous in the area; foxes have been seen from the hide at Coombe Hill, quartering the fields and apparently taking Skylark and Reed Bunting nests. The increasingly large numbers of gulls, particularly immature Lesser Blackbacks with nothing better to do, will circle above hayfields, clearly looking for young chicks and striking terror into the hearts of the parent Curlew which are considerably smaller than these large gulls and cannot defend themselves against them. And then there is always Homo sapiens: the last few days of fine weather have been ideal for hay-making, and many fields have been cut for silage or hay. In one field at least four pairs of Lapwing and one pair of Redshanks were nesting in short grass, where water had been lying on the surface for a long time in the spring, preventing the grass from growing very fast; the fields were cut for silage in late May, and from a distance it appeared that the young must have perished. But fortunately, the grass in the lowest spots was too short to be of any use, so a green area had been left uncut in the centre, where the young birds took refuge. Perhaps this practice could be used more widely? If waders were known to be nesting in a field, the farmer might be asked to leave a small area of grass until the birds had finished raising their young. Casual walkers may also disturb breeding waders, and research at Slimbridge has shown how sensitive the birds are to passers-by, especially if accompanied by dogs.

Some other highlights: a Barn Owl hunting at dusk at Walmore Common on 7 June; after a distinct shortage of observations of Little Owl this year, one seen on a road casualty at Chaceley on 7 June, and one at dusk near Apperley on 8 June. At Coombe Hill, rather surprisingly, two Black-tailed Godwits on 8 June, after the flush of records in April; two Little Egrets still at Coombe Hill on 8 June, together with two Shelducks; as yet, no proof of Shelduck nesting anywhere in the Severn Hams.

Meadow by the Severn near Apperley on 2 June 2005.

Coombe Hill (4 June, contributed by Robert Homan)

Still plenty of warblers singing this afternoon (Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow, Sedge and Reed Warbler). In addition: a total of 18 non-breeding Mute Swans, 2 Canada Geese, 1 Egyptian Goose, 3 or 4 Lapwings, 1 Redshank, at least 3 Curlews and 3 Little Egrets. There were several clumps of Ragged Robin growing by the bridleway on the south side of the canal, along with this very distinctive variegated hawthorn.

River Severn: Deerhurst to Haw Bridge (2 June, contributed by Robert Homan)

Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins all feeding over the river and adjacent meadows. At least 3 Curlews seen, Cuckoos were still calling (though no apparent change of tune) and there were 3 newly emerged Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens)

Anyone approaching from the A38/B4213 junction north of Coombe Hill is sure to notice the extensive webs in the hedge at the start of the lane to Deerhurst Walton (SO 894288) caused by a moth, Yponomeuta cagnagella (the Spindle Ermine).

Severn Hams (28 – 31 May, contributed by Mike Smart)

Great Hay Meadow, Twyning (Upham Meadow), 28 May: Rather an unpleasant windy day, not very suitable for birdsong or display: one Oystercatcher on the Avon, Curlews and Redshanks as usual, no sign of Corn Buntings, perhaps because of the wind.

Ashleworth Ham, 29 May: Peregrine back, first since 23 April. Appears that otters have been sighted from the hide in the evening of late.

R. Severn, Haw Bridge to Lower Lode, 30 May: a male Mandarin Duck on the river; Sand Martins nesting in the river bank in two places; a Cetti’s Warbler singing strongly from the river bank near Apperley. Lots of hay meadows looking good with big stands of buttercups and sorrel. The GWT Meadow Reserve at Chaceley in fine fettle with meadow plants coming into bloom.

Coombe Hill, 31 May: Much less about; two Little Egrets; lot less non-breeding Mute Swans and no sign of the Egyptian Geese; doesn’t appear that Lapwings have brought off any chicks at all this year (yet) because of the April flood, still two pairs behaving as though they have just started nesting again, with active aerial display, but it seems unlikely that they will succeed this late; still hope for Curlew and Redshank; at least three Redstarts singing; the hide overlooking the Long Pool is now operational, hay meadows at the back of the Long Pool looking very good with lots of Ragged Robin.

Cleeve Hill (31 May, contributed by Robert Homan)

A good selection of butterflies and day-flying moths seen on the slopes of “Dry Bottom” this morning, including, Wall Brown, Dingy Skipper, Small Heath, Brown Argus, Cistus Forester and Common Heath.

In addition, this attractively marked hoverfly (Leucozona lucorum) and a rose showing some evidence of pimpinellifolia in its parentage were also seen.

Cleeve Hill in late May

Woorgreens, Forest of Dean (28 May, contributed by Robert Homan)

Many of the strange cut-out leaf mines of Incurvaria pectinea were found on birch trees (see also entry for 22 May 2004) together with the little recorded blotch mines of another micro-moth, Eriocrania salopiella

One plant of Lousewort Pedicularis palustris was in flower on one of the tracks upto Crabtree Hill and the spectacular fly Rhagio scolopacea, also known as the down-looker fly because of its characteristic posture, was seen by the main lake.

Woorgreens, Forest of Dean

Thoughts after a visit to Slimbridge (25 May, contributed by Mike Smart)

I spent 15 happy years working in Slimbridge in the 1970s and 1980s; I haven’t been there that often of late, but went back yesterday to talk with the reserve managers about measures to encourage breeding waders elsewhere in the Severn Vale, notably in the Severn Hams.

Most people, especially the bird watching community in both Gloucestershire and beyond, will think of Slimbridge mainly in terms of wintering waterbirds, especially White-fronted Geese and Bewick’s Swans and of migrant waders on the estuary. In the last few winters however, the numbers of Whitefronts and Bewick’s have decreased considerably as, with milder winters, many of these birds have stayed back on the continent, especially in the Netherlands. In recent winters for example, Whitefront numbers have not reached a thousand and Bewick’s have decreased too. Which means that there is no longer a need to take special management measures in the fields used by the geese; in the past special swards were developed to attract them and measures were taken to encourage them to come closer to the hides; but nowadays the existing fields round the centre are large enough to cater for the needs of the reduced numbers. As a result, management of the fields behind the seawall between Purton, Slimbridge and Frampton has changed fairly drastically; the aim now is to create wet grassland (as the name Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust implies), of particular interest to breeding waders like Lapwing, Redshank and the recently arrived Oystercatchers and indeed much else besides, as the recent observation of Black-winged Stilts shows. With assistance from schemes like Countryside Stewardship, and much hard work and experiment, this has been very successful. In addition to getting the habitat right, which involves trying to read the waders’ minds, two other considerations are important for breeding waders: (a) control of predators, mainly crows, but also foxes and even badgers, and probably coot too; and (b) lack of disturbance; local birdwatchers have reacted well to requests to avoid disturbing the area in the breeding months, it is clear that Lapwing and Redshank have moved into areas which were previously greatly disturbed by walkers and dogs; and there are places where the sites can be observed from a discreet distance.

Severn Hams (25 May, contributed by Mike Smart)

The heavy rain of recent days doesn’t wseem to have affected water levels on the Hams.

Coombe Hill: 2 Little Egrets; non-breeding flock of 27 Mute Swans; 2 Egyptian Geese; 7 Greylags; 11 Canadas; 2 Shelducks; Coot with young on the canal and on the scrapes; only 2 Lapwings left (and these two are not nesting, looks as though Lapwings have failed to bring off any young at all this year at Coombe Hill); at least two Redshanks; several Curlew; no sign of singing Redstarts, but lots of song from Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff.

The second hide at the back of the Long Pool is now being installed and should soon be ready for use as part of the new Circular walk; a pile of boards was left alongside the hide last Friday, and on Monday morning they were covered with otter spraint, welcome proof that otters are using the Long Pool!

Ashleworth: three Shelduck; three Lapwings behaving as though they had young; lots of Redstarts shouting their heads off even late in the morning- if they are singing it’s pretty hard to overlook them! Nothing of note singing, calling or drumming at night.

Handkerchief Pool, Apperley: two Redstarts singing well from the tops of tall oak trees – a new site (to me at least).

Leigh Meadows: female Mallard with ducklings on the Chelt; about a dozen Lapwings, plus several non-flying young, and some adults sitting others with young; several Redshank looking broody; Curlews rather quiet; no Redstarts.

Woodmancote (24 May, contributed by Robert Homan)

A Hobby over the lower slopes of Nottingham Hill in the mid afternoon.

Hucclecote Meadows (23 May, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Hobby – watched for 20 minutes hawking for insects over Hucclecote Meadows, Gloucester between 1.00 and 1.20pm.

Redstarts and Collin Park Wood (22 May, contributed by Mike Smart)

Redstarts

The Redstart is normally regarded in Britain as a breeding bird of western (especially Welsh) oakwoods, nesting in holes (and easily adapting to nestboxes). In Gloucestershire, it is best known from Nagshead in the Forest of Dean. In the Severn Vale, however, there is a local adaptation to nesting in the boles of pollarded willows, and for many years it has been recorded in such situations (though only in small numbers) in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. This year and next year, the British Trust for Ornithology is carrying out a survey of Scarce Woodland Bird Survey, focussing on eight scarce woodland species, one of them being Redstart.

I am trying to ensure that the survey gives due weight to our own local Redstart adaptation, and am carefully gathering any records from the vale. As usual, the species is showing well in the Ashleworth and Hasfield area, with at least half a dozen males singing well in the area of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Reserve. There are smaller numbers this year on the opposite side of the river, at Coombe Hill and the Leigh Meadows. On 20 May I found one singing well in a new site at Sandhurst, in an old line of willows that hadn’t been pollarded for a long time, but that from a distance looked absolutely perfect for the species. There are other places that look suitable in the Apperley, Chaceley and Tewkesbury areas, and I hope to check them in the coming weeks. Any records from these or other sites will be very welcome.

Collin Park Wood, near Newent

Collin Park Wood is one of only 12 Grade One conservation sites in Glocuestershire. It is an ancient woodland of over 100 acres, 35 acres of which form the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s Collin Park Wood reserve. The wood has extensive stands of Small-leafed Lime which used to be coppiced, and the canopy is largely made up of Sessile Oak. Its botany, entomology and bat populations have been well recorded. Yesterday 21 May, the GWT held its annual Reserve Managers’ Conference at Collin Park. Among the birds recorded were at least two singing Wood Warblers and a Spotted Flycatcher; Wood Warbler doesn’t seeem to have been recorded from here in the past – only from the Forest of Dean proper. And Spotted Flycatcher is red-listed nationally and one of the Gloucestershire Biodiversity Action Plan priority species, which still seems to survive in the Forest of Dean area (and the Cotswolds), though it has become very scarce elsewhere.

Pittville Park, Cheltenham (21 May, contributed by Robert Homan)

The prolific breeding machine that is the Pittville pair of Great Crested Grebes are now feeding 2 broods simultaneously – 1 adult is attending to 2 well grown young, while the other is looking after 3 much smaller birds.

Cheltenham (18 May, contributed by Robert Homan)

This curious multi-headed Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) was one of several found by the Honeybourne Cyclepath near the town centre. This type of mutation has been put down to the effects of internal feeding by the nematode Ditylenchus dipsaci, a widespread polyphagous “eelworm”. An alternative explanation could be genetic mutation. Thanks to Juliet Bailey for help in solving the mystery of the flowers.

Severn Hams (18 May, contributed by Mike Smart)

May is one of the best periods at the Severn Hams: most of the summer bird migrants have arrived and are singing on fine days, especially in the mornings,and the carpet of meadow plants in the hay fields is most attractive with plenty of buttercups and cuckoo-flowers.

Coombe Hill hay meadows in May

In the last few days, there has been at Coombe Hill: a Little Egret (16-18 May); still the two Egyptian Geese (16-18 May); the Mute Swans on the canal by the Wharf have hatched six cygnets, and there is a non-breeding flock of at least 27 immature swans; Coot and Moorhen also have young along the canal; the Lapwings appear to have been badly hit by the flood in early April; their nests were probably flooded and at present only three pairs are left, and none of them have either young or eggs (though one pair seems to be making a new nest, and mating was seen); perhaps the young were predated by crows or foxes (foxes have walked right below the hide on the last two mornings); there seems to be only one, perhaps two, pairs of Redshanks left. Curlews are still present, but spread thinly through large hay fields, and undoubtedly trying to breed. On 18 May there was a Quail singing from a field outside the reserve. Along the canal there is a wide range of warblers singing: Sedge Warblers and Whitethroat are particularly common, generally doing aerial song-flights; but there are also Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. Only one Redstart singing regularly on the Apperley side of the reserve.

The Wharf end Mute Swans in May

At the Leigh Meadows, the Lapwings seem to be doing better: four pairs, two with young, two with eggs on 17 May. Also Curlews bubbling.

At Ashleworth, Hobbies have continued to appear around midday, hawking high flying insects; the Redstarts there are showing particularly well, with at least four singing males around the reserve and more along Stank Lane. Rather few nesting waders – perhaps a couple of pairs of Lapwings, same of Curlews. At Ashleworth too, there is a good range of singing warblers and lots of singing Reed Buntings.

Coombe Hill (17 May, contributed by Robert Homan)

Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and 2 Reed Warblers heard singing. 16 non-breeding? Mute Swans + the pair at the Wharf now with 6 cygnets, 11 Canada Geese, 8 Greylags and the 2 Egyptian Geese. Single Sand and House Martins over the reserve and 1 Little Egret – all this afternoon.

Leigh Meadows (15 May, contributed Andy Jayne)

An afternoon visit produced a good series of records including: 2 Shelduck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2+ Buzzard, 12 adult Lapwing (+ 2 chicks), 2 pairs of Curlew, 1 Redshank, 1 pair of Yellow Wagtail, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Yellowhammer (in song) and 3 Reed Buntings (in song).

Coombe Hill (14 May, contributed by Ian Ralphs)

Two female Broad-bodied Chasers this afternoon at Coombe Hill meadows.

Southam (12 May, contributed by Robert Homan)

An afternoon visit to the woods east of the village produced good views of two swarms of the micro-moth Adela reaumurella “dancing” in the sunshine and gathering together on new beech leaves. The picture below gives an impression of the metallic colouration of the wings and the remarkably long, pale tipped antennae which are waved in the display flights.

Ashleworth (11 May, contributed by Mike Smart)

As is often the case at this time of year, Hobbies appear between midday and 14h00, chasing big insects (dragonflies etc), which rise high in warm weather; at least three seen hawking on 11 May They have been seen occasionally since late April. Higher numbers occur in the Cotswold Water Park at this time of year; are these migrants passing through? Or are they birds breeding locally stepping out for a snack?

Coombe Hill (11 May, contributed by Mike Smart)

The two Egyptian Geese still present; two Shelducks – are they nesting? At least three female Mallard with parties of ducklings, two Teal and two Gadwall, 6 Lapwings looking a bit lethargic – have they perhaps relaid after losing their eggs in the April flood?; a Whimbrel which had probably stopped off on migration to roost; a Reed Warbler singing in the canal; good numbers of othere Warblers singing – Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler.

Aylburton Warth (11 May, contributed Gordon Avery)

3 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 female Wheatear, a pair of Yellow Wagtails, 2 pairs of Oystercatchers and, an unusual record, 5 Tufted Ducks in Cone Pill.

Walmore Common (10 May, contributed by Andy Jayne)

During an afternoon/evening visit there were 4 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, at least 4 pairs of Lapwing, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Redshank and a Greenshank. At around 1800hrs the odd Raven was seen flying into roost in the oaks to the West of the common. By 1930hrs, a total of 140 had been seen, all arriving from a ENE direction and in varying stages of wing-moult i.e. non-breeders.

Coombe Hill (9 May, contributed by Mike Smart)

An evening visit produced nothing out of the ordinary except for an additional Egyptian Goose, increasing the total to two; the usual waders were there: Curlew, Lapwing and Redshank; one of the Lapwings dive bombed a fox running across the fields.

Beachley Point (8 May, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A morning visit to Beachley Point produced: 7 Cormorants, 8 Shelduck with at least one pair in territory on the island (could be two pairs). 10 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper and a pair of Oystercatchers nesting on top of the old chapel remains on the island! Three others were seen flying across the estuary. Suprisingly, only 2 Meadow Pipits could be found.

Wye Valley (8 May, per Gordon Avery)

An excellent record from the GNS moth recorder’s garden in the form of a family party of Crossbills drinking from his garden pond this morning, an adult and 3 juveniles.

Forest of Dean and Highnam (5 May, contributed by Ivan Proctor per Gordon Avery)

A single Nightjar was at Tidenham in the evening, flying near the trig point on the heath at 9.05. 1 or 2 roding Woodcock in the same area. There are currently 8 Nightingales at Highnam Woods RSPB Reserve.

Cheltenham (5 May, contributed by Robert Homan)

In the afternoon, 12 Swifts feeding over fields on the north side of Cheltenham and a Large Red Damselfly in a garden in a Swindon Lane.

Cheltenham (4 May, contributed by Robert Homan)

Now 3 Lesser Whitethroats singing along the Honeybourne Cycle Path between Swindon Lane and the town centre – this represents the typical breeding population.

Tewkesbury (28 April, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A male Whinchat on Severn Ham this morning and a displaying Curlew.

Ashleworth Ham (27 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

Nothing very unusual was seen – some Redstarts, Whitethroats and Sedge Warblers singing. Note that, following a decision by the Management Committee, the water level is being lowered more rapidly this year, in order to benefit the hay meadow flora and to encourage breeding waders.

Coombe Hill (26 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

Pretty much as usual: a Lesser Whitethroat singing from the Wharf, plenty of Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats and the odd Cuckoo. From the hide the following were seen: 25 Mute Swans including one with an orange ring, marked ADP – (does anyone know of its origins?); the Lapwings were rather subdued, with little display; the Egyptian Goose was associating with eight Canadas and a Redstart was heard singing; one Greenshank. The most unusual bird was a drake Goosander flying stright over towards the Severn; wherever had it come from?

Coombe Hill (25 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

A very late evening visit to the hide (20h30 to 21h30) in the hope of hearing the Spotted Crake which had been reported from the end of last week, but with no luck, nor with any other nocturnal or crepuscular species such as Grasshooper Warbler or drumming Snipe. There were some Snipe calling still at dusk, but no sign of drumming.

Witcombe (25 April, contributed by Gordon Avery)

2 Swifts, a Hobby and a few ‘grounded’ hirundines, including 35 Swallows, 20 House Martins and 2 Sand Martins. One of the Swallows showed characteristics of the eastern race ‘transvita’ having a very nice reddish breast and underparts, with a much darker looking throat patch.

Gloucester (25 April, contributed by Gordon Avery)

As an indication of how low over-night temperatures have been recently, a Silver Cloud moth, something of a Severn Vale speciality, was seen on a moth trap on 24th and was still there 24 hours later, it being too cold to fly.

Leigh Meadows (21 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

Heard this morning were: Lesser Whitethroat singing; 1 Redstart singing; Whimbrel calling.

Coombe Hill (21 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

Cuckoo, Sedge Warbler, Redstart singing; rather few Lapwings, about 8 all of ehich were quite subdued, having probably lost their first clutches in the floods of ten days ago; a Yellow Wagtail flew over to NE; at 11h40 a male Marsh Harrier flew over going strongly to the north east, without stopping – perhaps the bird that has been at Frampton until recently?

Cheltenham (21 April, contributed by Robert Homan)

A Speckled Wood over the Honeybourne Cycle Path near the town centre this afternoon.

Minsterworth Ham (20 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

4 Shelducks (potential nesters?); 5 Curlew or Whimbrel flew over very high in a tight flock, not calling, seem more likely to be Whimbrel at this time of year; 10 Sand Martins, over the Severn, going to nest holes in the east bank, where they have been recorded in previous years; 5 House Martins; 1 Redstart, in willow/ash hedges, like those at Ashleworth where the species also occurs; 1 or 2 Whitethroats singing; 2 or 3 Ravens, some birds from the GLS, but probably also also birds from Elmore Back.

Recent ringing recoveries (19 April, contributed by Richard Hearn, per Mike Smart)

A female Wigeon ringed at Ashleworth Ham on 29 February 2004 was recovered, in fact shot, on 13 June 2004 at Denisovka, Isinskiy, Komi, Russia, i.e. 3604km away. The Komi district is on a similar latitude to the Arctic circle, and lies just west of the Urals in European Russia. Another female Wigeon ringed at pit 57 in the Cotswold Water Park on 6 March 2004 was recovered, also shot, in the Izhemskiy District, Komi, Russia on 21 May 2004, which is a movement of 3540km in 76 days.

And some fascinating news about a Greylag ringed at pit 72 on 22 Feb 2004. This bird was controlled at Hogganfield Loch, Glasgow on 20 Jun 2004 by the Clyde Ringing Group.

We have recently discovered a very interesting and surprising moult migration by birds from the Gloucestershire area to Hogganfield. It started when Jerry Lewis, in the Forest of Dean, caught a few Greylags at Speech House Ponds in 2002. Some of these were resighted at Hogganfield, where they become very tame when moulting and it is possible to read the metal rings. In summer 2003, Jerry put darvics on the dozen or so Greylags he ringed and almost all of these were seen at Slimbridge the following winter, then Hogganfield in June/July 2004, and back at Slimbridge by August. Bernie Zonfrillo, of the Clyde Ringing Group, also managed to catch another dozen or so moulting Greylags last summer at Hogganfield and almost all of these have also been seen at Slimbridge this winter.

This was totally unexpected and the first evidence of a substantial moult migration in UK breeding Greylags. The next question is to find out how widespread this behaviour is, as only a small number of birds from a limited number of sites have so far been colour-marked. This is why the CWP bird is very interesting because it shows that this behaviour is not confined to birds in the Severn Vale.

I hope to catch more breeding birds and goslings this summer at sites around Slimbridge/Frampton. Although as I understand it there are not that many Greylags around CWP, any additional ringing there would also be welcome, and I can let anyone have darvics if they think they might use them. Also, if anyone has any thoughts about other sites where it might be possible to catch, please do let me know. I don’t have a great deal of time and money for this in 2005 however, so can’t promise to take every possibility on, but would be good to be aware of them for the future.

Where have all the Little Owls gone? (19 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

Until a few years ago, Little Owls were pretty common in the old pollarded willows of the Severn Vale. It was actually quite hard to go out, especially in the evening, without hearing several of them calling. But for the last couple of winters, I have hardly heard or seen a single one; where have they all gone? I believe that other people have the same impression; any opinions and records would be of the greatest interest. (See also the entry for Sudmeadow on 16 April.)

Black-tailed Godwits (19 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

Observations at Coombe Hill in early April of good numbers of Black-tailed Godwits raise the question of the subspecies to which they belong. There have been more around the estuary later in the month.

There are two subspecies of this elegant wader, one nesting in Iceland, the other nesting all across continental Europe; most of those nesting in England belong to the European subspecies, though Scottish breeders are of the Icelandic variety. In the past there may have been an impression that Icelandic birds were few and far between; but as is graphically shown by ringing recoveries published in the excellent BTO Migration Atlas, Britain is the main wintering area for Icelandic birds. A number of these birds have been colour ringed and some of the recoveries come from the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire.

The two subspecies are, fortunately, relativeIy easy to separate, at least in breeding plumage. Those birds at Coombe Hill that were in full summer plumage were undoubtedly of the Icelandic subspecies. It is worth checking any other birds that you see; in Britain, it is the European subspecies which is unusual!

“Killer Pond Weed” (19 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

Thus runs the headline in “The Leigh and Coombe Hill Newsletter”. It reports that the red water fern or fairy fern (Azolla filiculoides) has been reported from a garden at Coombe Hill. In fact, there have been several other records in the area, on the village ponds at Forthampton and The Leigh, as well as in many of the ditches in the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s reserve at Coombe Hill. It spreads like a red carpet across the surface of the water and may choke other plants and animals, and is very easy to recognise (See the entry below for 5 April). The “New Flora of Gloucestershire”, part one of which is published as No. 13 in the GNS series “The Gloucestershire Naturalist” calls it ‘intrusive’ but gives relatively few records. Any more records of this or other plants would be welcomed by the GNS Botanical Recorders, Mark and Clare Kitchen.

Cheltenham (19 April, contributed by Robert Homan)

An Orange Tip was along the Honeybourne Cycle Path at lunchtime. (Another was at Coombe Hill in the afternoon.)

Cheltenham (17 April, contributed by Robert Homan)

A Holly Blue was in a garden in Swindon Lane in the morning sunshine.

Sudmeadow (16 April, contributed by Gordon Avery)

4 Swallows passed through and a female Wheatear was seen, also a male Blackcap (first for this year!) singing from the osier bed. In addition, a Kingfisher was along the river and a Little Owl was heard, an unusual bird for this area.

Sudmeadow (12 April, contributed by Gordon Avery)

There were 2 Common Sandpipers along the river at GLS today and a first winter Glaucous Gull flying downriver at The Rea at 1150h. Also on the southern slopes of GLS were a minimum of 30 Ravens feeding mainly on 2 sheep carcasses.

Hartpury (12 April, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

A Cuckoo seen and heard today.

Coombe Hill (8 April, contributed by Robert Homan)

The water level has fallen a lot in the last couple of days, but perhaps because of the strong northerly wind many of the birds are still present, while others have moved in to take advantage of the newly exposed pasture. Present this morning were: 19 Mute Swans, the Egyptian Goose, 21 Coot and small numbers of dabbling duck. Among the waders were 25 Black-tailed Godwits.

A cautionary tale (contributed by Mike Smart)

On 2 April, Les Brown and I saw an immature Grey Heron at Coombe Hill; on closer inspection, we found it had a yellow wing tag, which we read as an inverted black capital D on a yellow ground. Knowing that Rich Hearn of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is marking young herons at Gloucestershire heronries with wing tags, we forwarded the record to him, with a request for information on any previous sightings of the bird. Alas, the response came back that all wing tags have not one, but two letters; we had obviously not looked carefully enough. However, Rich sent the attached copy of a photo of a wingtagged heron as a guide, and a light went up: an inverted capital D looks remarkably like CI (with serifs), the right way up. So we are pretty confident that this was the bird we saw, even though it has not yet been obliging enough to show itself again at Coombe Hill among all the other star birds of the last week. CI was originally ringed at Frampton and has been recorded at a number of other Gloucestershire sites, including Dowdeswell.

Moral: look very carefully at herons for wing tags, take great care to read them correctly, then forward your observations to Rich Hearn at Slimbridge.

Cleeve Hill(7 April, contributed by Robert Homan)

This morning the Great Grey Shrike was still in the recently planted area known as Warden’s Wood. A male Redstart was singing from the Cotswold Way at the bottom of the Bill Smyllie Reserve.

Coombe Hill (6 and 7 April, contributed by Gordon Avery and Mike Smart)

1 Egyptian Goose, 3 male Garganey, 26 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Dunlin, 3 Ruff, 1 Ringed Plover and a full plumage Spotted Redshank were the highlights on the 6th. Clearly the early April purple patch continues but Gordon and Mike both note that the water level is now falling quickly and on Thursday only 1 Garganey could be found. On the 7th with the morning sun behind the hide, there were excellent views of the Godwits, and the birds in full plumage were clearly Icelandic birds, the rusty shade on the breast extending well down the breast to between the legs, and the barring on the flanks quite strong. It would of course be logical for these birds to be “Icelanders”, which have wintered in the UK, and are now returning to their breeding grounds in Iceland. There were at least 11 Shelducks, nine males and only two females, all displaying furiously and a Whitethroat was singing, rather timidly, along the canal bank.

Coombe Hill (5 April, contributed by Mike Smart and Robert Homan)

The flood waters are still extensive; so much so that this morning there was a flock of at least 30 Tufted Ducks and a single Great Crested Grebe. However, pride of place must go to 2 male Garganey, 4 Ruff (1m and 3f), 21 Black-tailed Godwits with eight birds in full breeding plumage, three Little Gulls (which only stayed ten minutes), and two Sand Martins. The new hide is just about accessible with determination and wellingtons; the water was draining towards the Severn today.

In addition there were about 15 Redshanks plus small numbers of Wigeon (21), Shoveler (1), Pintail (3), Teal (4) and Shelduck (7) and an Egyptian Goose. Not such a welcome sighting was small quantities of the invasive Water Fern (Azolla filiculoides) in the main drainage ditch. This plant has recently been in the news because of the problems it is causing at Forthampton.

Tewkesbury (4 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

A Swallow today over the Severn above the Mythe Bridge, flying northwards into Worcs..

Severn Vale (early April, contributed by Mike Smart)

A very early Redstart was seen by Les Brown at Ashleworth on 30 March.

Willow Warblers singing rather timidly at both Coombe Hill and Ashleworth on 2 April.

Male Blackcaps singing on 2 April at Haw Bridge and Meerend Thicket, Ashleworth. Also Brimstone butterflies

The Severn has been at its highest level since last October in the last few days (nearly ten metres on the stageboard at Haw Bridge on 2 April), mainly because of rainfall higher up in the catchment, because tides are not particularly high now. As a result, the small streams at Coombe Hill and Ashleworth have backed up and caused light local flooding. This is the first flood since since last October, and the new hide at Coombe Hill is not accesssible at present, though the waters will no doubt drop in the next few days. Most of the birds like it though: displaying Redshanks in full cry, and a Green Sandpiper and five Black-tailed Godwits at Coombe Hill on 2 April; interestingly the godwits were not adults in full plumage; at this time of year we might have expected birds of the Icelandic race to be going through, but these were first year birds. The ones that probably liked it less were the Lapwings which were preparing to breed and have probably lost their first clutches, though will no doubt lay again.

Cleeve Hill (1 April, contributed by Robert Homan)

3 Ring Ouzels seen this morning as follows: 2, including 1 definite male, flying east and gaining height over south side of Postlip Warren at 9.30. A male in one of the side valleys off Watery Bottom at 10.15. Also 2 Male Stonechats on east side of common and a Willow Warbler singing in same location as the male Ouzel.