Sightings

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.

Coombe Hill (7 May 2011, contributed by Les Brown)

The highlights of a morning visit were a Wood Sandpiper, 3 Whimbrel, 4 Little Egrets and a Yellow Wagtail

Coombe Hill (30 April 2011, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

One pair of Canada Geese with six tiny goslings, female on island still sitting; three pairs of Shelducks, 17 Teal, Oystercatcher now sitting on island, one Little Ringed Plover, three Dunlin in summer plumage, 14 Lapwing (no chicks yet, looks as though some clutches have been predated); lots of birdsong despite strong easterly wind: 2 Cuckoos, at least four Redstarts, one Grasshopper Warbler (most unusual here), c.5 Sedge Warblers, at least 10 Whitethroats, two or three Lesser Whitethroats, lots of Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs.

Brickpits north of Gloucester (27 April 2011, contributed by Mike Smart)

There is some really good habitat along the Severn north of Gloucester, in overgrown brickpits and neighbouring meadows.

Yesterday near Sandhurst: at least three pairs of Tufted Duck, pair of displaying Curlew, two singing male Redstarts, two singing Yellowhammers, two singing Reed Buntings; and near Maisemore, two pairs of Lapwings and a hare in pea fields, a Sand Martin colony in the river bank (new to me); singing Lesser Whitethroats, Whitethroats and Blackcaps by the bucketful, and just one Sedge Warbler. Today a Common Sandpiper along the river.

Severn Vale (23 April 2011, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)

Two Little Egrets on Horsebere Brook, Twigworth this morning. Two Hobbies catching high-flying insects over Ashleworth at midday – an early date. Whitethroats and Lesser Whitethroats heard singing at many sites.

Yewtreebrake, FoD (23 April 2011, contributed by Andy Jayne)

In the Yewtreebrake area today there were two singing male Firecrests, four Wood Warblers, two Tree Pipits, four Siskins and two Crossbills.

Ashleworth (20 April 2011, contributed by Ken Cservenka)

From the hide at Ashleworth Ham: a calling male Cuckoo and a male Redstart singing from the tall bare trees in the middle distance. In Stank Lane there were singing males of Whitethroat, Wren and Blackcap.

Coombe Hill (22 April 2011, contributed by Mike Smart)

This evening there were: 6 Greylags, 28 Canada Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 3 Shelducks, 4 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 7 Coot, one pair of Oystercatchers, 10 Lapwings (sitting females may have lost their eggs, since males were displaying very energetically), 4 Redshanks (two pairs, one mating), at least 16 Curlews coming in to roost, very excited, 2 Snipe at dusk; 1 Sanderling (unusual here); a Lesser Whitethroat singing along canal.