All news

Coombe Hill and Ashleworth (21 June 2011, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

The southern scrape has now dried out, and the northern scrape is likely to be dry in a very few days, but there is still water in the Long Pool.

Pair of Mute Swans still with four growing cygnets; the ménage à trois of two Canadas and a White Farmyard Geese are still there with two Canada and one hybrid gosling. Breeding waders: two female Lapwings, each with three tiny chicks by the scrapes, and probably a third out there somewhere; one female Lapwing still incubating on the Long Pool; a female Redshank with at least two small chicks; one female Curlew with a smallish chick in the grass, probably at least two more pairs with young in the long grass round the scrapes. Two Oystercatchers, probably the pair that failed. A Grasshopper Warbler reeling on the southern meadows, a Sedge Warbler carrying food by the canal, a Goldcrest singing by the carpark(!).

Returning waders, failed or finished breeders: two Green Sandpipers, four Redshank (a flock in adult plumage), 19 Lapwings (a flock, all adults, no full grown young). Also three Grey Herons and 1 Little Egret.

Bibury (7 June 2011, contributed by Jan Malling)

A Cuckoo heard in the vicinity of Shagborough Copse.

Coombe Hill (6 June 2011, contributed by Mike Smart)

The saga of the two Canadas and the White Farmyard Goose continues. Now that the goslings have grown up a bit, it is clear that WFG is the father of one of them and probably of the other two as well! He’s still following the family party about, looking a bit forlorn, or perhaps laughing up his sleeve? So the battle royal seen some weeks ago, in which the male Canada chased off the white bird and nearly killed it was more revenge than prevention?

Also still 38 non-breeding Canadas and a Barnacle flying out to roost at dusk. A male Tufted Duck. Nine herons (two adults and seven birds of the year); two Little Egrets; three large Lapwing chicks, almost flying, and at least three female Lapwings still sitting. As many as 22 Curlews coming in to roost just before dusk. A Reeve. And a very agitated male Redstart by the gateway to the reserve which must have had young.

Woorgreens (3 June 2011, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Around the Woogreens area today sightings included a pair of Mandarin with four ducklings, a Little Grebe, a Cuckoo (heard), up to ten Tree Pipits, a pair of Redstarts, four Willow Tits, 14 Siskins (including juveniles), two Lesser Redpolls and at least 11 Crossbills.

At Speech House Arboretum a singing male Firecrest and at least six Hawfinches and also two Hornets.

Gloucester (1 June 2011, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A male Peregrine carrying prey was seen heading towards the city, perhaps to the hospital, over Castle Meads this afternoon.

Newent Woods area (31 May 2011, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Newent Woods/May Hill in the evening the highlights included a roding Woodcock, three Turtle Doves, three Spotted Flycatchers, a pair of Redstarts and a singing male Crossbill.

Coombe Hill (30 May 2011, contributed by Mike Smart)

One Quail singing just off the reserve to the north east. A Mute Swan with four small cygnets on the scrape, must have nested on the quie4t in one of the pools, rather than on the canal. At least two Lapwings on eggs by the scrapes and another in the Long Pool; no sign of young, hope the fox won’t get the second replacement clutches; two Oystercatchers, mating on the Long Pool, looks as though they are going to have another try. One Redshank, display calls. 14 (!) Curlew came in to roost at dusk. ! Black-tailed Godwit on Long Pool. Plenty of Cuckoos still singing.

Gloucester (23 May 2011, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Peregrine seen high over Gloucester Docks in the afternoon at about 2.00.

Walmore Common (14 May 2011, contributed by Andy Jayne)

There were 2 Whimbrels and a pair of Cuckoos at Walmore Common this evening.

Coombe Hill and Ashleworth (10 May 2011, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

There was a flock of 12 Whimbrel feeding quietly in long grass quite difficult to see as they were very discreet and rarely calledseem to have been present for a couple of days. Looks as though many breeding Lapwing and Oystercatcher have been predated and are trying second clutches. A Grasshopper Warbler singing on the reserve at the west end. At Wainlodes end a hunting hobby and a Little Egret; at least one Redstart singing in windy conditions.

Over Ashleworth another (or the same) hunting Hobby.