Birds in the Severn Hams today

Dull misty day; still some winter visitors about (ducks, Fieldfares and Redwing)s and some signs of spring (displaying waders, first Chiffchaff song in the Severn Hams area, Skylarks and Reed Buntings settling in).  River Severn very low, despite high current tide cycle (lots of cars with elver nets on the roof in the evenings).

Coombe Hill. Water levels continuing to drop very gradually: 12 Shelduck; 205 grazing Wigeon; 8 Gadwall; 60 Teal; 31 Shoveler; 2 Grey Herons.  No doubt the same two Oystercatchers, looking like a pair; 16 Lapwings including several  beginning courtship display quite actively; only four Curlews left, most of those present over the last ten days have probably moved on to breeding grounds further north (as far as Finland); one Redshank; one Snipe; two or three drumming woodpeckers, all turning out to be Great Spotted.  Short burst of song from one Chiffchaff; three Skylarks singing, four singing Reed Buntings, one singing Yellowhammer; flock of 50 Fieldfares.

Leigh Meadows: one territorial Curlew, one singing Goldcrest.

Ashleworth Ham: 187 Wigeon, 63 Teal, 13 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 76 Lapwings, 5 Snipe, 1 Peregrine on the pylons.

The Leigh village: big flock of 300 Fieldfares and 50 Redwings on maize stubble: no doubt migrants returning north.

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