All news

Severn Hams (31 December 2009, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

The Severn has risen sharply in the last couple of days, preventing both the Chelt and Leadon from discharging into the Severn and leading them to back flood. The water has also risen at Ashleworth/Hasfield, but Walmore has not yet flooded.

Ashleworth this morning: 7 Bewick’s Swans were on floodwater on the Hasfield side, A family part of five (two adults and three cygnets) flew in, no doubt from Slimbridge, at 10.15am; couldn’t get close enough to see bill patterns or whether they were ringed. This is actually the first record of Bewick’s on day trips to Ashleworth since February 2008, as there were none at all last winter. Also two Shelducks and a squealing Water Rail.

At Walmore: no Bewick’s, no floodwater; 70 Teal, 3 Shelducks, one Water Rail actually seen.

Port Ham and Castlemeads (26 December 2009, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Port Ham/Castlemeads today were 20 Teal, a Little Egret (flew SW), a Sparrowhawk, two Kestrels, a Water Rail, nine Snipe, a pair of Stonechats, a Cetti’s Warbler, two Chiffchaffs and five Lesser Redpolls.

Deerhurst (25 December 2009, contributed by Mike Smart)

As a follow-up to the observations and pictures of up to 30 Buzzards feeding on earthworms in a field near Berkeley on the Gloster Birder website for 1 October, today near Deerhurst there were at least 41 Buzzards on the ground, no doubt looking for earthworms in a newly sprouting field. Also about 40 Lapwings and 20 Black-headed Gulls with them.

Coombe Hill and Ashleworth (22 December 2009, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

The number of waterbirds has decreased sharply as the remaining floodwater ices over.

Coombe Hill is almost completely iced up. There is an ice sheet between the canal bank and Grundon Hide which is still not safely accessible. There was a small group of birds round a small hole in the ice: 20 Mute Swans, 15 Canada Geese, 10 Teal, 5 Wigeon, 10 Mallard. 2 Water Rails squealing. A flock of 7 Golden Plovers flew south. No sign of the Whooper Swan; one was reported at Pirton Pool in Worcs. yesterday and it seems likely this was the bird that was at Coombe Hill last week.

At Ashleworth, there was a much larger area of open water in the ice and more waterbirds: 12 Mute Swans, 51 Canada Geese, 500 Wigeon, 290 Teal, 40 Pintail, 101 Shoveler, 117 Mallard, 2 Gadwall. 15 Snipe on surrounding fields and a male Sparrowhawk hunting along hedges.

Walmore (21 December 2009, contributed by Mike Smart)

The water level has dropped right down and most of the grassland and shallow water is frozen, but some ditches still had open water. Sharp decrease in birds, most had no doubt withdrawn to the estuary.

No Mute Swans, only 4 Mallard and 50 Teal, three Snipe and a rather bedraggled female Stonechat. Eight swans flew over at 12.30pm going northeast, almost certainly Bewick’s; they circled but didn’t land and I couldn’t see where they went.

Severn Hams (19 December 2009, contributed by David Anderson, Les Brown and Mike Smart)

The Severn continues to drop. As usual, the Severn Hams are best on a dropping flood. Leigh/Cobney Meadows is almost free of floodwater, Coombe Hill is still flooded and the hides still inaccessible, but should soon become accessible without waders. At Ashleworth, water levels have dropped considerably and the hides are easily accessible. Extensive ice cover at both Coombe Hill and Ashleworth meant that the diving ducks had departed, but surface-feeding ducks sat round open pools in the ice, offering opportunities for good counts.

At Coombe Hill: 1 Whooper, 34 Mute Swans; 750 Canada, 163 Greylag, 1 each Pinkfoot, Barnacle and Bar-headed Geese; 1450 Wigeon, 600 Teal, 140 Pintail, 45 Shoveler, 2 Golden Plover, 276 Lapwings, 5 Snipe, 2 Ruff.

At Ashleworth: 11 Mute Swans, 176 Canada Geese, 1060 Wigeon, 700 Teal, 130 Pintail, 120 Shoveler, 220 Lapwings, 4 Snipe.

At Cobney/Leigh Meadows: 5 Mute Swans, 1 Cormorant, 2 Peregrines, 30 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpipers.

Coombe Hill (18 December 2009, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Coombe Hill Meadows this afternoon were: an adult Whooper Swan, the Pink-footed Goose, 12 Shelduck and well over 3000 other duck, mainly Wigeon and Teal, but also 200 Pintail and smaller numbers of Gadwall, Mallard and Shoveler. Also two Ruff, a Kingfisher and male Blackcap. See Andy’s pictures below.

Coombe Hill (16 December 2009, contributed by Mike Smart)

The floodwater continues to drop, but the hides are still inaccessible. However, excellent views of the spectacle are available from the towpath.

At the western (Wainlodes) end, the big flock of Lapwings (800 today) that has been moving back and forth between Ashleworth and Coombe Hill around the edges of the floodwater for the last few days was joined by two Redshanks and three Ruff, plus lots of gulls and crows.

From the eastern end (Wharf) still about 3000 duck (around 2600 Wigeon and 100 Pintail), nearly 1000 geese (including the immature Pinkfoot and an adult Bar-headed Goose), 125 Lapwings plus a Dunlin and a Little Stint. One adult Whooper Swan on the floodwater, definitely unringed. Still 60 Pochard and 45 Tufted, but couldn’t find the Goldeneye today. Water Rail very vocal again.

Severn Hams (15 December 2009, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

The hides at Coombe Hill are still not accessible because of floodwater, but good views can be obtained from the canal towpath.

Conditions today were perfect as the dropping flood is now very shallow, allowing birds to feed comfortably, presumably on seeds and material deposited by floods. Good numbers of ducks especially Wigeon, which presumably have moved in from the estuary and lots of Canada and Greylag Geese which have moved back after dispersal during high flooding. Go and have a look before the floods drop further and the birds return to the estuary.

So the best spectacle of the winter so far and, at last, a single adult Whooper Swan (perhaps the one seen earlier in the season at Slimbridge then in Herefordshire); 9 Mutes (including 3AY with mate and their three cygnets – they nested on the canal this summer); about 570 Canada, 1 Barnacle and 190 Greylag Geese, 6 Shelducks, 2500 Wigeon, 200+ Teal (probably lots more but they hide and are difficult to count), 30 Gadwall, 94 Pintail, 40 Shoveler; even some diving ducks – 47 Tufted, 58 Pochard and a Goldeneye to boot. Two Peregrines flying round. 58 Coot (! – a huge number for the time of the year) at least one Water Rail doing it’s little pig squeal. 30 Lapwings. At least one, maybe two, Chiffchaffs plus Bullfinches and lots of Long–tailed Tits along the towpath.

Numbers at Ashleworth much smaller with a total of about 300 surface feeding ducks and another 270 Canada Geese; two Treecreepers feeding in the hedge opposite the hide.

Lydney and Aylburton (15 December 2009, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Two Chiffchaffs at Lydney Harbour today. Another Chiffchaff and a Barn Owl (flushed from thick ivy) along the Stockwell Brook at Aylburton.

CWP(E) (12 December 2009, contributed by Ian Ralphs)

The light was so good today that it was possible to identify the food items of the 2 Great Northern Divers on pit 125 as mainly American Signal Crayfish.

North Cerney (12 December 2009, contributed by Robert Homan)

Now 3 Little Egrets feeding by the River Churn north of the village, up from just 1 on 29 November.

Cheltenham (11 December 2009, contributed by David Scott-Langley)

A female Blackcap spent about 10 minutes pecking away at Mahonia japonica flowers in a garden at Christchurch, Cheltenham, presumably going for small insects visiting for nectar.

Aldsworth (10 December 2009, contributed by David Scott-Langley)

A Red Admiral butterfly was seen flying in the afternoon sunshine among trees at Aldsworth today.

Cranham (8 December 2009, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

There was a queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee flying around outside the Black Horse in Cranham village today, perhaps responding to the fairly mild conditions?

Severn Hams (6 December 2009, contributed by Mike Smart)

The overnight rain has caused water levels on the meadows at both Ashleworth and Walmore to rise again, as it can’t get out to the river.

At Walmore this morning, the five Bewick’s seen yesterday were already present at 08.30am; it is not clear whether they had roosted or flown in from Slimbridge. As yesterday there was a group of three yellownebs, all adults, associating with one another as though they were a family group; two were ringed: one was TUV (“Widemouth”), black letters on a white ring on the left leg, the other BCH, black letters on a white ring reading up on the right leg. This pair have been regular visitors to Walmore for several years, often accompanied by their offspring from previous years; the third unringed bird was presumably one of their offspring from a previous year, though it looked to be an adult rather than a yearling. The three yellownebs at first kept away from the two others, both black nebs, behaving as though they were pairedy. But then all five joined forces at the edge of the water. One of the blacknebs was ringed, again a white ring with black letters on the left leg, reading up. I could only definitely read the top letter which was Z; it may have been TPZ or TSZ.

Minsterworth Ham (6 December 2009, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Seen today were: a juvenile Dark-bellied Brent Goose, six Shelducks, a Wigeon, 34 Teal, a Shoveler, a Sparrowhawk, 300 Lapwing and four Green Sandpipers.

Severn Hams (5 December 2009, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

The Severn continues to drop (down half a metre overnight to 8.95m at Haw Bridge today), but is still too high for any water to be discharged from the meadows. At Ashleworth, the two outfalls from the meadows to the river had absolutely no outflow and at the Severn Bore at Minsterworth there was no sign of any water flowing out either from the ditches that drain Walmore Common.

At Walmore today: 5 Bewick’s Swans, all adults, feeding in shallow water by putting their heads under the water and pulling up vegetation, presumably grass; strange they do this when they don’t seem to like the wet grass when the floods drop. The five appeared to be a pair, both with black nebs, one with a white ring on the left leg; and a group of three yellow nebs, one ringed white left, one white right, one unringed. It was impossible to read the rings as they were far off in deepish water. I would suggest that they had flown in from Slimbridge this morning, as they weren’t seen at Walmore yesterday, so are unlikely to have roosted even though conditions are suitable. In addition to the Bewick’s, duck numbers were pretty much as yesterday: 6 Shelducks, 44 Pintail, 170 Wigeon, 300 Teal, 100 Mallard, 20 Gadwall, 50+ Shoveler. About 100 Lapwings, at least 3 Ravens.

Les Brown took another look at Longdon Marsh (just in Worcs.) and found only 25 Mallard remaining, the other ducks having disappeared, probably back to Coombe Hill, where an estimated 750 could be seen on the water from afar and Ashleworth where there were also about 750. There is a massive flock of 1050 Lapwings at Ashleworth, round the edge of the flood, such numbers have become unusual in recent years, as they all seem to rush off to Slimbridge.

Severn Hams (4 December 2009, contributed by Mike Smart)

The Severn is beginning to drop (the level is down to 9.45m at Haw Bridge) but is not yet low enough for water to discharge from the flooded meadows, where the water levels are still increasing slightly. So the Coombe Hill hides remain inaccessible, though the hides at Ashleworth are still perfectly accessible from the Ham Road.

With such high water levels in Gloucestershire, it seems that many of the Ashleworth/Coombe Hill ducks have moved to Longdon Marsh, just in Worcestershire, where Les Brown fond about 1,000 surface feeding ducks on Wednesday.

At The Mythe, Tewkesbury today, a Treecreeper singing already! Over the Severn Ham at Tewkesbury a Peregrine, making directly for the abbey.

At Walmore around 11.45 am, the flooding was still extensive and there were about 700 ducks present: 6 Shelducks, 100 Wigeon, 300 Teal, 100 Mallard, 25 Gadwall, 150 Shoveler, 50 Pintail, also 200 Lapwings and 30 Canada Geese and a single adult Bewick’s Swan; it was sleeping on the earth banks left when the ditches were cleaned out, not feeding, looking pretty tired, soperhaps it had recently arrived.

Walmore Common (2 December 2009, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Five adult Bewick’s Swans today. Other wildfowl included minimum counts of 40 Canada Goose, five Shelduck, 120 Wigeon, 29 Gadwall, 250 Teal, 200 Mallard, 35 Pintail and 70 Shoveler.

Gloucester (2 December 2009, contributed by Andy Jayne)

A Barn Owl was between Elmbridge and Barnwod over the ‘waste’ ground just NE of the Wall’s factory in the early hours (just after midnight).

Sedbury (1 December 2009, contributed by Gordon Avery)

The Pomarine Skua was still present this morning and looked very bedraggled, although it is still doing the occasional fly round. Also seen were 13 Redshank and 2 Rock Pipits.

Aylburton (29 November 2009, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Aylburton this morning, a possible Siberian Chiffchaff seen briefly along the Stockwell Brook, but no further sign during the next two hours in blustery conditions. Also in the area a Sparrowhawk, a Peregrine, 50 Golden Plover, 1000+ Lapwing, 540 Dunlin, one Snipe, 92 Curlew, two Redshank, two Treecreepers, 10 Ravens, 25 Goldfinch, a Siskin and 15 Reed Buntings plus a Stoat and two Brown Hares.

North Cerney (29 November 2009, contributed by Robert Homan)

A Little Egret by the River Churn just north of the village early afternoon.

Severn Hams (28 November 2009, contributed by Les Brown and Mike Smart)

The Severn is still high today (10.52 at Haw Bridge) but has not overtopped its banks and has probably just passed its peak height. Both the Red Lion road at Wainlodes and the Ham road at Ashleworth have remained open all week. However, the high Severn level means that none of the local streams (especially the Chelt) can flow out into the river and so are backing up and flooding meadows in the area.

At Coombe Hill, the floodwater has risen slightly, both hides are inaccessible, but the towpath is still (just) open at its fartherest points, giving splendid views of birds on the floodwater: a genuine wildlife spectacle including 14 Mute Swans, 660 Canada Geese, 45 Greylags, 800 Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 105 Pintail, 30 Shoveler, even 3 Tufted Duck and a Pochard.

The Leigh Meadows have been extensively flooded by the River Chelt.

At Ashleworth the water is also a little higher, but the hide is still easily accessible. Most of the Coombe Hill geese flew over to Ashleworth in mid morning and in addition there were a Sparrowhawk, 315 Lapwings and 7 Snipe; about 25 Pied Wagtails and 20 Meadow Pipits round the edge of the flood.

Still no sign of Whooper Swans anywhere.

Severn Hams (22 November 2009, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

With yet more rain, water levels on the Severn and tributaries have risen considerably and there is now moderate flooding at both Ashleworth and Coombe Hill. At Coombe Hill, both the Grundon and Long Pool Hides are currently inaccessible, but good views of water birds can be obtained from the canal towpath. At Ashleworth, there is plenty of water on the fields, but the Ham Road is open and all hide are easily accessible.

Seen at Coombe Hill: 250 Canada Geese. 40 Greylags, 1 Pinkfoot, 300 Wigeon, 30 Teal,14 Shoveler, 22 Pintail, 11 Gadwall, 28 Snipe, 1 Peregrine.

Seen at Ashleworth: 550 Canada Geese,11 Greylags, 6 Mute Swans, 215 Wigeon, 105 Teal, 11 Gadwall, 200 Mallard 5 Pintial, 21 Shoveler, 4 Snipe.

No sign of any Whooper Swans.

Severn Hams (17 November 2009, contributed by Mike Smart)

The local rain of the last few days (a total of 26mm in Gloucester on Thursday and Friday, but only 42 mm in the last week) plus rain higher up the catchment in North Wales and high tides in the Severn (9.2 metres at Sharpness at 7.52 am today) have combined to cause the level of the Severn to rise (9.60m at Haw Bridge, probably tide affected, but still the highest since the end of January). As a result local streams cannot flow out and are also at a high level: the Chelt is very high at Wainlodes and close to overtopping its banks along the Leigh Meadows. Coombe Hill is lightly flooded with water just over the boardwalk but all hides are accessible with boots; water is pouring into the GWT reserve at Ashleworth.

These are ideal conditions for arriving Whooper Swans, but, alas none found as yet. At Coombe Hill, about 300 Canada Geese, 30 Greylags, the juvenile Pinkfoot still present, at least 300 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 20 Shoveler; 7 Snipe feeding on maize stubble from which good numbers of gnats were rising; Fieldfares and Redwings everywhere and even a few Song Thrushes.

Severn Hams (10 November 2009, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

At Coombe Hill, the water level at Coombe Hill is just beginning to rise in the scrapes and Long Pool after a dry autumn. The goose roost included 235 Canadas, 45 Greylags and a Pinkfoot, which must have been wild because it was a juvenile (somebody had taken a picture). All grazed happily in front of the Grundon Hide all morning presenting an attractive spectacle. 22 Wigeon, 155 Teal, 60 Mallard 1 Pochard, 4 Green Sandpipers and a little flock of 5 Redshank, most unusual here at this time of year; one Kingfisher. The hedges were full of Fieldfares and Redwings with at least 100 of each.

At Ashleworth too, the water is beginning to flow into the reserve; 5 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler.

Hasfield and Ashleworth (9 November 2009, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

Despite the weather having turned colder at the start of November, there are still butterflies about. At mid-day, I counted eight Painted Ladies on a lavender hedge in Ashleworth, all in good condition. However, it is getting colder and two hours earlier there had been frost on the grass under the eaves of Corse Grove, Hasfield.

Coombe Hill (6 November 2009, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Coombe Hill Meadows today, a Water Pipit from the Grundon Hide on the left-hand scrape from 10.35 to 11.00am.

Standish (23 October, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

Over the last week Starlings have been going round in flocks of 100 or more, descending on elder bushes and eating the berries. (See the pictures below taken by Paul Tyers of the birds at Standish). I’ve always thought it a bit odd that the classic 1954 book “Food in England” by Dorothy Hartley gives November as the month when elderberries are ripe. There have been ripe berries here since September.

Corse Court Farm (18 October, contributed by Robert Homan)

A mixed flock of 50 Redwings and Fieldfares in and around the orchards at the farm this morning.

Sudmeadow (8 October, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A couple of items from early afternoon: a Green Sandpiper on the Plantation Pool and a male Stonechat just below the Lower Parting.

The Park, Tidenham Chase (8 October, contributed by Ian Ralphs)

A walk today produced a good variety of wildlife with 2 Hawfinch, 15 Crossbill, and singles of both Redpoll and Siskin, 10 Raven, 9 Chiffchaff, 25 Meadow Pipits, an easterly passage of 50 Skylarks mid morning, 1 Swallow and 6 Stonechats.

Also 2 Southern Hawkers, 1 Migrant Hawker and a Common Darter, and 4 Red Admirals flying strongly due south over Poors Allotment around 11.

GLS (7 October, contributed by Gordon Avery)

Seen today was the area’s first ever Rock Pipit, found on one of the drainage pools by the tip.

Standish (early October, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

Moles are very active in the garden currently creating hills and surface runs. This follows months without problems, though it was equally bad last winter and spring. I hoped that they had sorted out their tunnel system then. Is this just a spate of tunnel maintenance, or is it young dispersing? My leeks are looking terrible (see picture below). I blame Acrolepiopsis assectella, the leek moth, which I understand to be a relatively new arrival in Gloucestershire. Add fungal rust and I’m likely to lose the crop. Onto more cheerful matters – there were four species of butterfly in my garden today (4 October) sunning themselves or feeding on ivy flowers. There was Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Comma, and Painted Lady. In addition there are small white and large white caterpillars feeding on the brassicas. Until 25 September there were plenty of Swallows about, but most disappeared that weekend. I saw three on 30 September, but none subsequently.

Ashleworth (4 October, contributed by Ian Ralphs)

A quiet circular walk at Ashleworth Ham this afternoon produced 5 south bound Swallows, 3 very fresh Small Coppers, 5 large Whites, 1 Southern Hawker, and several Common Darters. There were several plants of Great Burnet coming back into flower in the meadows.

Pillhouse Rocks, Tidenham (4 October, contributed by Andy Jayne)

17 Sandwich Terns were seen today off Pillhouse Rocks. Subsequent research in the Glos Bird Reports published since Swaine’s book showed that this is the second highest count in the county, the highest being of 19 flying downstream at the New Grounds on 1st October 1983. It seems there are no other counts of more than six, so both of these records are exceptional.

Hartpury Orchard Centre (30 September, contributed by Robert Homan)

There were two Brown Hares in the orchard and 2 Snipe and a Kingfisher in the wetland area. (There will be a field meeting at the centre on Sunday 15 November at 11.00am)

Sudmeadow (29 and 30 September, contributed by Gordon Avery)

On the 29th there was a Peregrine over the tip and a Green Sandpiper was by the pylon pool. The Green Sandpiper was also there on the 30th.

Coombe Hill and Ashleworth Ham (29 September, contributed by Les Brown)

Today at Coombe Hill a Marsh Harrier flew past the Grundon Hide at 07.20am and kept going to the west. There were two Fieldfares along the canal. Overall the water level is dropping and there were no waders left.

At Ashleworth there were two Snipe and a Green Sandpiper.

Sudmeadow (28 September, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A ringing session this morning produced relatively few birds. The only migrants trapped were 3 Chiffchaffs and 2 Blackcaps. Of note was a Wood Pigeons’ nest with 2 young in it at quite a late date. Over the Oxlease at 10.15am was a flock of c.70 Canada Geese flying east then they split up and half of them flew over Sudmeadow – a massive flock for around here.

Ashleworth Ham (27 September, contributed by Mike Smart and Mervyn Greening)

The results were very different today from yesterday. The conditions were similar although there were rather more sunny periods making the nets a bit more visible at times. Only 46 birds caught, essentially the same species as yesterday: 17 Meadow Pipits, 16 Reed Buntings, seven Chaffinches, three Chiffchaffs, but no Greenfinches. In general, small birds were much less in evidence; had they perhaps departed on migration last night, which was bright, moonlit and very suitable for passerine migration. The Canadas were flying downriver again early in the morning in even greater numbers, 55 from Coombe Hill and 100 from Tirley Court.

Sudmeadow (26 September, contributed by Gordon Avery)

There was still a Green Sandpiper present in the garden mulch area today.

Ashleworth Ham (26 September, contributed by Mike Smart and Mervyn Greening)

Perfect ringing conditions this morning with practically no wind and high cloud, so that the birds could not see the nets producing one of the best catches of the year with 148 birds. Clearly some passerine passage was going on: 29 Meadow Pipits caught (out of 50 or more present), the majority being first year birds with only seven adults; 36 Reed Buntings caught, clearly many migrants; there was also evidence of a finch passage with 17 Chaffinches and 25 Greenfinches caught. Nine Chiffchaffs were caught, but no other warblers. The water level iss very low with few waterbirds present: 50 Canada Geese flew down the Severn from the roost at Coombe Hill, another 50 from the Tirley roost, perhaps going to feed at Minsterworth Ham.

Hasfield Ham and Coomble Hill (24 September, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Hasfield Ham today: three Kestrels, a Kingfisher, a Redstart, five Whinchats, a male Stonechat and a Common Whitethroat.

At Coombe Hill Meadows – a Shelduck, 28 Teal, five Shoveler, a Water Rail, a Snipe, a Greenshank, a Kingfisher and a Sedge Warbler. Most of these in the Long Pool area as the other scrapes have almost completely dried out.

Sudmeadow (20 September, contributed by Gordon Avery)

Seen today were 1 adult Dabchick on the pylon pool, 5 Cormorants in the roost tree (the largest number this Autumn so far), 2 Snipe (the first birds of the Autumn), 2 Green Sandpipers and 22 Meadow Pipits. There was at least 1 Whinchat at Port Ham.

Stoke Orchard and Bishops Cleeve tips (18 September, contributed by Gordon Avery and John sanders)

Seen at Stoke Orchard tip were 1 Green Sandpiper, 20 Meadow Pipits, 1 Whinchat and 80 Goldfinches, while there was a male Stonechat at Grundon’s B.C. tip.

Ashleworth Ham (18 September, contributed by Robert Homan)

As Mike Smart has previously noted a crop of hay has been taken from the fields on and around the reserve and bird diverters have been placed on the electricity transmission lines across the reserve. The pictures here show the scene in mid-September and convey some of the richness of the wildlife to be seen in the area. Second from bottom is the gall of the psyllid Trichochermes wakeri on buckthorn and bottom is Ribautiana ulmi, a common bug associated with elm.

Coombe Hill (15 September, contributed by Les Brown and Mike Smart)

A very early visit today, before first light, produced both Barn and Tawny Owl calling over fields south of the canal. Otherwise, the water is dropping gradually in the scrapes and Long Pool, leaving extensive muddy edges. 175 Canada Geese and 145 Greylag Geese had roosted on the Long Pool and flew to the meadows in front of the scrapes to feed for a while before departing to the south east, probably to the Barrow Ponds area. 2 Shelducks, 40 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 1 Pintail, 3 Curlews, 2 Greenshanks, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Snipe. A male Peregrine surveying the scene from the top of a willow. A light Swallow passage, about 30 individuals, plus flock of 15 Mistle Thrushes and a few Chiffchaffs calling in the scrub.

Coombe Hill and Ashleworth (8 September, contributed by and Mike Smart)

A visit to Coombe Hill at first light today produced: 2 Little Egrets, which had roosted but flew off early on, 2 Shelducks, 40 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 15 Lapwings, 5 Snipe, 1 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper; interestingly, three Curlew had roosted – they too flew out early on. There was a light passage to southwest of Swallows (15) and Meadow Pipits (5). Fox sprainting all over the open grass meadow.

Scrub clearance along canal bank has not yet started.

At Ashleworth, all the hay has now been cut and baled and trees on the island have been cut right back in an attempt to restore the scrape to its original condition.

Walmore (2 September, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Walmore Common this afternoon: a Redstart, three Whinchats, two Reed Warblers, two Lesser Whitethroats and a Spotted Flycatcher.

Coombe Hill (1 September, contributed by Les Brown and Mike Smart)

Coombe Hill is looking excellent after the first almost “normal” summer for three years. The hay is all cut (both northern and southern meadows), cattle are grazing the meadows and the water levels on the scrapes and Long Pool are just right for passing waders, with plenty of exposed mud round the edges of the scrapes; most of the vegetation and willow scrub has been cleared from the islands in the scrapes.

Two Little Egrets, one juvenile Shelduck, 120 Mallard, 50 Teal, 2 Shoveler, six Lapwings, three Ringed Plover (NOT Little), one Ruff, 3 Greenshanks, one Green Sandpiper, 15 Snipe, one Wheatear, two Whinchats.

Longney (9 August, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Seen this afternoon were: a Ringed Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit and Common Sanpiper on the sands and a juvenile Sparrowhawk, a Wheatear and four Yellow Wagtails along the riverbank.

Walmore (8 August, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Seen at Walmore Common today: a Hobby, a Curlew and three Whinchats (adult & two juveniles). Also a Brown Hawker.

Sudmeadow (6 August, contributed by Gordon Avery)

An excellent CES session this morning with 58 birds trapped, the highlights being 5 Garden Warblers and 24 Blackcaps. They seem to have had a good breeding season. In addition, there were at least 3 Green Sandpipers in the area.

Walmore and Westbury (30 July, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Walmore Common there were two adult Whinchats and at Westbury-on-Severn there were three Common Sandpipers at The Strand.

Severn Hams (27/28 July, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

Coombe Hill, on the evening of 27 July: 60 Lapwings, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlews (an adult and a fledged juvenile), 1 Snipe, 21 Green Sandpipers, practically a flock, 1 Barn Owl.

Upham Meadow, Twyning on 28 July: 1 Hobby, all Curlews had departed and there was no sign of Corn Buntings. No more hay has been cut since 20 June.

Severn Hams (25 July, contributed by Mike Smart)

Coombe Hill: 3 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 26 Greylag Geese, 3 Little Ringed Plovers (all migrant juveniles), at least 11 Green Sandpipers, 65 Lapwings, 2 Curlews (an adult and a fledged juvenile).

Tirley Court Lake: 12 Barnacle Geese, all in moult. They did not nest this year.

Ashleworth: hay cutting has actually started on higher ground.

Coombe Hill (20 July, contributed by Mike Smart)

There were good views from the Long Pool hide with light behind the observer. 1 Little Egret, 50 Mallard (family of nine tiny ducklings), 2 eclipse Teal, female Tufted Duck with five ducklings on canal, 2 LRPs (both juveniles), 2 Snipe, 5 Green Sandpipers (at least one adult in wing moult), 2 Sand Martins, plenty of juvenile Chiffchaffs calling with tit flocks along the canal.

Coombe Hill (18 July, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

The recent rain raised the spectre of summer flooding again, but fortunately the amounts were nothing like those of July 2007 or September 2008, so there was no flooding on the meadows and only a scarcely perceptible rise in ditch levels.

At Coombe Hill this morning: one Little Egret, a female Tufted Duck with five ducklings on the canal, a female Sparrowhawk, four Little Ringed Plovers (two adults and two juveniles, migrants not local nesters), 70 Lapwings, five Green Sandpipers, one Curlew.

At the Wainlodes end and also at Ashleworth, the electricity company has installed bird diverters on the power lines, as part of a once in thirty years renewal of the lines. The diverters look minuscule: will they really prevent bird strikes? It Will be interesting to see the results, especially for swans.

Standish (12 July, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

Today in my garden small tortoiseshells were particularly abundant round the nettle beds and flowering thistles in the new orchard, and there were several painted ladies here. The garden also produced small skipper, ringlet, gatekeeper, comma, green-veined white and small white. There was a solitary red admiral on the buddleia, which was rather butterfly-free, considering how loaded it can be some years. It was warm and sunny, though rather windy, so perhaps it was not ideal.

Coombe Hill (8 July, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

Rather quiet, although the water levels in the scrapes and the Long Pool look ideal for migrant waders; very little hay has been cut, whether on or off the reserve, because of the damp weather. The vegetation in front of Long Pool hide has been cleared improving viewing greatly.

15 Grey Herons (including a flock of 12 on Cobney Meadows), 2 Teal, 2 Tufted Ducks, still three Mallard with ducklings (one of which was carried off by a passing Sparrowhawk), 1 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Lapwings; the Curlews seem to have departed. Still at least one Reed Warbler, two or three Sedge Warblers and three or more Reed Buntings singing.

At night, Common Sandpipers flying over high in the moonlight and calling, without stopping. Maybe that’s what all the passage waders are doing.

Sudmeadow (2 July, contributed by Gordon Avery)

There was an adult male Peregrine in the area this morning and I trapped a juvenile Nightingale (a species which does not breed here) and it still had a speckly head like a juvenile Robin. Nothing else really except for a exceptional catch of 16 new Blackcaps and the first juvenile Garden Warbler as well, again a species which does not breed here.

Barrington and Windrush area (2 July, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Great Barrington today there were two Quails calling and at Windrush Airfield there were another two Quails, a Red-legged Partridge with 11 chicks, a ‘reeling’ Grasshopper Warbler showing well and also three Corn Buntings.

Lydney (1 July, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Lydney Harbour two Common Terns on the sands then flew inland towards the pools.

Westbury-on-Severn (1 July, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Westbury-on-Severn today produced a Hobby, a Common Sandpiper, a 2nd-summer Yellow-legged Gull, four Grey Wagtails and four Lesser Whitethroats. At Lydney Harbour two Common Terns on the sands then flew inland towards the pools.

Saul and Arlingham (29 June contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Saul Warth today there were five Little Egrets, a Hobby, a Water Rail calling, a male Ruff, just one Black-tailed Godwit, ten Redshank and two Green Sandpipers. At Arlingham a Buzzard was seen carrying a Moorhen chick.

CWP West (6 June, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Around pits 79/84/85 today there were three drake Teal, two drake Shoveler, three drake Pochard, a pair of Red-crested Pochard, a Sparrowhawk, two Kestrels, a Hobby, a Little Ringed Plover, a Ringed Plover, a pair of Redshank, a pair of Common Terns and a Cetti’s Warbler.

Forest of Dean (4 June, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Four singing male Firecrests located in the Speech House Walk & Yewtreebrake area during the afternoon.

Woorgreens (1 June, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Woorgreens this evening there were two sow Wild Boar with seven small young, crossing the main gravel track between there and Crabtree Hill. Only my 2nd ever sighting of these beasts.

Painted Lady influx (late May, contributed by Robert Homan and Gordon Avery)

The mass migration of Painted Ladies into the UK which started in the week ending 25th May has been evident in the county. There were 2 seen in a few minutes flying northwards across Pittville Park golf course on the 24th. There was one near Winstone on 25th and many in the Frocester Hill area on 26th. Today (28th) there were also 11 Silver Y moths, another immigrant species, near Dumbleton and Gordon noted 10 Painted Ladies by the River Severn at Sudmeadow. Butterfly Conservation is organising a big Painted Lady survey at the end of this week. See
http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/sightings_home/1095/migrant_watch.html.

Coombe Hill (26 May, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

A cold windy day, not very good for birdsong. The Spoonbill, first seen on 16 May, has been seen several times since, and was present again today, spending a lot of time in the Long Pool, where it has perhaps been overlooked; it’s a first summer bird, with lots of yellow on the bill and black on the wingtips; it won’t be breeding yet so it’s probably hanging around, growing up; maybe it wintered in SW England.

Also: 1 Little Egret; pair of Canada Geese with four smallish goslings; two pairs of Shelducks (one pair constantly on the scrapes, so the female isn’t sitting, and the male only has a very small knob on the bill); one male Gadwall; one Redstart singing; one Reed Warbler, two or three Sedge Warblers, one or two Lesser Whitethroats, at least six Whitethroats, all singing.

At the Wainlodes end, the Canada Geese have hatched four goslings and taken them onto the Severn. No sign of singing Cetti’s Warbler.

None of the nesting swans have hatched yet.

There is a nice stand of Ragged Robin at the back of the reserve in SO8727. Water Dropwort is all over the place, though I am not sure as to which species, in fields where there is no grazing.

Flaxley (24 May, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Flaxley this afternoon a Goshawk, a Hobby, a Cuckoo, three Garden Warblers, two Siskins and two Hawfinches. At Flaxley Pool a female Mandarin with seven ducklings and a Turtle Dove nearby at Elton Lane.

Westbury (23 May, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Westbury this morning a ‘reeling’ Grasshopper Warbler and a pair of Yellow Wagtails near the Strand.

Tuffley (14 May, contributed by Rob Purveur)

A Red Kite flying over in a NW direction at about 3.35pm.

Cheltenham (14 May, contributed by Robert Homan)

8 of the spectacularly marked froghopper Cercopis vulnerata along a 100m stretch of the Honeybourne Cyclepath this morning.

Sudmeadow (11 May, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A Garden Warbler was trapped and ringed today, the first here this season.

A Little Egret on the Lower Parting loosely accompanied by a very noisy Canada Goose and 7 Whimbrel flew north over Sudmeadow. The first record since one was seen flying over on the 13th June 1995.

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

Coombe Hill on a cool rather windy day was not very good for birdsong, but we met two Roe Deer coming along the towpath at 6.45am: about 35 non-breeding Mute Swans on the scrapes; 13 Greylags; the pair of Canada Geese by the hide now has four tiny goslings left; another Canada Goose was at Cobney Meadows and still on eggs; at least 4 Shelducks; one Ringed Plover; 1 Whimbrel; 2 non-breeding Lapwings; a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming along the south bank of the canal not far from the Wharf (it has been there for a week); rather few singing Redstarts in the wind, only two were heard.

At Wainlodes, the Cetti’s Warbler is still singing but has moved across to the west bank of the river.

Sudmeadow (5 May, contributed by Gordon Avery)

An unseasonal Grey Wagtail was on Sudmeadow and a Common Sandpiper was at the Lower Parting. Little else of note, mainly because of the strong winds.

Cheltenham (5 May, contributed by Robert Homan)

A Peregrine falcon was low over St Paul’s in the morning and later there was a single Swift over Swindon Lane battling against the wind.

Minsterworth Ham (5 May, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Recorded today were two Shelduck, a ‘bubbling’ Curlew, a Whinchat and two Lesser Whitethroats. Also three Brimstone butterflies.

Cheltenham (4 May, contributed by Robert Homan)

2 Swifts over St Paul’s this morning were the first of the spring.

Clarkes Pool Meadow near Blakeney (3 May, contributed by Peter Fitchett)

A good selection of colour forms of Green Winged Orchids seen this afternoon in the meadow as shown in the Peter’s pictures below.

Tewkesbury area (3 May, contributed by Mike Smart)

Along the Avon: at Upham Meadows, numbers of Curlew (apparently only six) and Redshank (only a single) were lower than usual – the result of the summer floods which caused the death of many worms which are the normal foodstuff of these species. About eight Sedge Warblers singing, mainly along the river also a few along the ditches. A Mute Swan and a Canada Goose, both on eggs; two broods of Mallard ducklings. No Corn Buntings.

Along the Severn: at Mythe Brook another female Mute Swan incubating while her mate chased off the neighbouring pair of Canada Geese; a male Tufted Duck on the Brickpits. A Curlew and (at last!) 2 Lapwings on the wet green field below Shuthonger Common. Remarkably few singing warblers. One Yellow Wagtail in the last field before the county boundary, probably overshot from the new Ripple Gravel Pits south of the M50 in Worcestershire, where there were at least ten apparently breeding in cereal fields round the pits; also a Nightingale singing plus 6 Lapwings, 2 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and 4 Curlews.

Sudmeadow (1 May, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A pair of Tufted Duck have at long last arrived on the tip pools, hopefully to breed. The first sighting of the species this year.

Butterflies (Late April, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

Maisemore, 29 April 2009

With recent good weather there seem to be a few butterflies about now. All the lanes, lined with Jack-by-the-hedge (Alliaria petiolata), have at least one Orange Tip every 50 yards, and I finally saw Small Tortoiseshells, though thier numbers seem very low to me. Other butterflies seen today were, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Peacock and this Holly Blue.

Hartpury, 26 April 2009

When I saw this Brimstone on bluebell, I thought how lovely it looked, until close-up I noticed the splaying bell and spreading perianth segments of the hybrid of the Spanish Bluebell and the native flower. This was on an open country lane, several hundred yards from the nearest habitation and surrounded by genuine native Bluebells that the butterfly didn’t seem to find nearly as attractive. When my proximity scared it off this flower, it circled round only to resettle on the same clump.

Witcombe Reservoir (30 April, contributed by Gordon Avery and Laurie Pierce)

Among the more typical species for this site were 2 Common Sandpipers and at least 2 Swifts.

Sudmeadow (29 April, contributed by Gordon Avery)

During the first CES session for the season, a most unusual find was a first year male Nightingale in the net. This is the first Spring record here. Also a Shelduck on the Lower Parting.

Wainlode (29 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

The Cetti’s Warbler still singing at the same place; at least fifteen Swifts and three or four singing Redstarts.

Ashleworth (28 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

Two Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers drumming and calling in different tetrads. At least one, perhaps two Grasshopper Warblers reeling. Really good numbers of summer songbirds now seem to have arrived: about ten Redstart singing males and a similar number of Sedge Warblers. Still 2 Wigeon and 2 Shelducks on the pool. The number of Lapwings though is desperately poor with practically none anywhere along the upper Severn Vale this spring.

Walmore (27 April, contributed by Andy Jayne)

A Whinchat at Walmore Common this evening.

Coombe Hill and Wainlodes (25 April, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

Coombe Hill this morning: a bit windy and therefore none too good for birdsong; the better meadows looking gorgeous with carpets of cuckoo-flower and sedge. 4 Bar-tailed Godwits (first identified yesterday evening by Lawrence Skipp), one male and three females, almost unheard of inland in spring though this would be a classic date for the estuary; 1 Black-tailed Godwit, two Oystercatchers (one with metal ring on left leg), 3 Little Ringed Plovers dropped in, then flew off at 08.25am confirming that LRPs here are generally if not always migrants, 2 Redshanks with a little display, up to 7 Shelducks, at least 6 Sedge Warblers along canal, two or three Lesser Whitethroats, at least three or four Redstarts singing.

River Severn at Wainlodes: 1 Cetti’s Warbler, singing not very frequently from riverside willows; 1 Yellow Wagtail over to north.

Walmore Common (24 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

Seen today: 2 Little Ringed Plovers, only three Lapwing, at least 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers and 2 Lesser Whitethroats singing. Also four Linnets. The vegetation is looking lovely on the Common with lots of Orange-Tip butterflies.

Leigh Meadows (23 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

Seen yesterday evening: this area has some of the best unspoilt hay meadows in the Severn Vale and they are just beginning to look really full of flowers – carpets of Cuckoo Flowers and sedges growing nicely. The birds were a bit quiet: only one Curlew and 2 Lapwings, 2 singing Lesser Whitethroats, one Redstart with alarm call.

Coombe Hill (22/23 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

On the evening of 22 April: 4 Shelducks, 15 Greylags, 1 hybrid Greylag x Barhead, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Curlew came to roost, 1 Whimbrel, no Lapwings or Redshank, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cuckoo.

On the morning of 23 April: mMost of the above, plus: 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 singing Lesser Whitethroats, at least three singing Redstarts and birds of the day were 2 Linnets.

Northleach (21 April, contributed by Gordon and Margaret Avery)

A Red Kite was seen being harassed by a Carrion Crow over the A40.

Little Rissington (21 April, contributed by Gordon and Margaret Avery)

A female Wheatear was on Little Rissington airfield.

Cheltenham (19/21 April, contributed by Robert Homan)

A Lesser Whitethroat was singing in Swindon Lane on the morning of the 19th and late afternoon on the 21st there was the first Holly Blue of the year.

Sudmeadow (19 April, contributed by Gordon Avery)

Seen this afternoon at Sudmeadow were: a Green Sandpiper and a Cuckoo, while there were 2 Wheatears on the GLS slope.

Standish (11 April, contributed by Juliet Bailey)

An astonishing cloud formation, straight as a die, the sky divided blue to the west, flat grey cloud to the east, running from horizon to horizon. We checked it up on the Met Office website and the satellite image showed it extending in pretty much a straight line from the Bay of Biscay, through southern England, up the Welsh Marches, out across the North Sea roughly on the Scottish borders and continuing up past the Shetlands. It was visible as a curious line on the southern horizon when we got up at around 7am, and this photo was taken at around 10am after it had passed overhead.

Forest of Dean (11 April, contributed by Andy Jayne)

In the Woorgreens/Kensley area today, highlights were nine Goosander, two Goshawks and a Sparrowhawk high overhead, a male Redstart, a male Pied Flycatcher, four Ravens, about 20 Lesser Redpolls and two Hawfinch. Also two Tree Pipits nearby at Yewtreebrake.

Sudmeadow (11 April, contributed by Gordon Avery)

Seen this afternoon were:

3 Teal on the Plantation Pool
1m Peregrine over Sudmeadow
1 Green Sandpiper at Sudmeadow
1 Red-legged Partridge on the GLS slope
1m Wheatear on the GLS slope
2 Willow Warblers at Sudmeadow marsh (at last)!

Ashleworth and Coombe Hill (11 April, contributed by Mike Smart, Les Brown and John Wiltshire)

Coombe Hill: the water level continues to drop. Ducks and waders were very few in number. 2 pairs of Shelduck, one at the Long Pool and one at Cobney Meadows; 15 Teal on the Long Pool, a single Wigeon. 25 Mute Swans had roosted and went to graze on the neighbouring farmer’s field. Absolutely no sign of breeding Lapwing or Redshank, either around scrapes or on Cobney Meadows, Curlews few in number. 2 Whimbrel flew in mid-morning. Summer visitors on the other hand increasing hand over foot: at least 15 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, at least six Redstarts (the latter mainly at western end of canal), all singing their hearts out.

Ashleworth : a Cuckoo seen and heard.

Walmore (9 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

It was very quiet during a walk around today at midday. There were 6 Mute Swans (all grazing immatures, I couldn’t find any nests), 5 Shelducks (two pairs prospecting), 5 Teal, a flock of 5 Curlew which must have been passing migrants, no Lapwings and no Redshanks which is disappointing. 20+ Swallows, 2 House Martins. The local farmer said their first Swallow this year was on what for them was the early date of 28 March.

Saul Warth (9 April, contributed by Andy Jayne)

Seen today: a drake Red-breasted Merganser. Also a pair of Pintail, a Little Egret, two Water Rails, two Oystercatchers, 16 Black-tailed Godwits and a Spotted Redshank.

Guscar Rocks & Aylburton Warth (8 April, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Guscar Rocks & Aylburton Warth today sightings included two Canada Geese, c. 26 Shelduck, 11 Teal, an adult male Peregrine, two pairs of Oystercatcher, a Ringed Plover, c.50 Lapwing (including numerous pairs on territory), a Snipe, one Bar-tailed Godwit, 190 Curlew, 23 Redshank, single Green and Common Sandpipers, a male Yellow Wagtail, seven White Wagtails, two female Wheatears and two Ravens. Also two Brown Hares.

Poor’s Allotment, Tidenham Chase (8 April, contributed by Andy Jayne)

At Poor’s Allotment, Tidenham Chase today a pair of very active Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and also two Lesser Redpolls.

Coombe Hill (7 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

An evening session at Coombe Hill: everything is drying out with the lack of rain over the last six weeks, but birds were a bit thin. A single Little Ringed Plover, sitting on the edge of the scrape, no doubt a migrant. Only nine Curlews came to roost (against 28 a week ago), largely in pairs, all very noisy, bubbling, males chasing larger females. No Lapwings, Redshank or Snipe, though it was a bit windy. 27 Mute Swans (nearly all immatures) still stuffing themselves with the neighbouring farmer’s grass and coming in to roost very late. Two pairs of Shelducks, one per scrape, looking well established. About 25 Sand Martins over the Long Pool; a note in the logbook said there had been considerable passage in the morning, with some Yellow and White Wagtails.

Sudmeadow (6 April, contributed by Gordon Avery)

A walk around this afternoon produced the following:

2 Red-legged Partridges
1 Green Sandpiper
1 female Wheatear
Pair of Linnets (the first returning birds of the year)

Ashleworth (5 April, contributed by Mike Smart and Mervyn Greening)

The year’s first ringing session this morning (sharp frost and thick mist over the Severn), produced 22 birds, a fair figure for the time of year. Among the birds of interest were:

a one year old male Redstart (quite heavy and still carrying a good deal of fat, so probably a bird on the way through); also at least one bird singing.
a Willow Warbler (also heavy with a good fat score, so also probably a bird moving through); at least one other singing
a female Blackcap
six Reed Buntings (every single one a retrap from previous summers, so we are clearly monitoring them effectively); many more singing.

Otherwise quiet: two Curlews bubbling, one non-displaying Lapwing.

Coombe Hill and Ashleworth (4 April, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

Coombe Hill: still very quiet around the scrapes. Three Shelducks, 20 Teal, two Shoveler, 1 Sparrowhawk. 1 Little Ringed Plover (an adult present early in the morning but moved off calling at about 07.30am, so likely to have been a migrant); still no Lapwings displaying round the scrapes, one pair of Curlew bubbling, eight Fieldfares went over high to the north east, at least three Willow Warblers singing. At Wainlodes end, four displaying lapwings, one Redshank, one Green Sandpiper, 2 Ravens, one Willow Warbler singing.

At Ashleworth, the water levels on the reserve have dropped sharply since the boards were removed from the sluice: still 55 Wigeon, 58 Shoveler, 38 Teal, 6 Pintail, one Treecreeper singing.

Coombe Hill (1 April, contributed by Mike Smart)

An evening visit revealed 1 Little Egret, at least 7 Shelducks, 25 Mute Swans which came in to roost at nightfall after laying bare the neighbouring farmer’s prime grass all day. Most interesting were, as always on spring evenings, the waders: 2 Little Ringed Plovers, really looking like passing migrants (non-vocal and retiring), 3 Redshanks (a pair and a gooseberry perhaps, agitated but no real display), but no Lapwings; most interesting were the Curlews with additional birds coming in all the time, chasing one another, making display calls and generally very excited. The final total at nightfall was not less than 28. I am sure this is a communal roost for all the neighbouring breeders. Snipe started to fly round at dusk but there was no drumming. A Blackcap and five Chiffchaffs were singing but as yet no Willow Warblers.