Severn Hams today

Flooding on the meadows is still extensive, and has hardly decreased at all in the last few days.  Cold easterly weather (still snow remaining on the Cotswolds and Malverns), little sign of migrant birds – still no Chiffchaffs singing.

Coombe Hill, where much of the floodwater was iced over early on: 10 Shelducks (lekking on the ice), still good numbers of Teal  (505 counted, but no Garganey found despite careful search), 2 Gadwall, 30 Mallard, 7 Tufted Ducks, 1 Great Crested Grebe (new arrival), 1 Grey Heron, 19 Coot, 60 Lapwings (mainly in flocks, though with some display), 1 Little Ringed Plover (an obvious migrant, flew in from south, calling), 2 Snipe, 6 Curlews (appeared to be three pairs), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 1 Treecreeper (singing), 2 Yellowhammers (new arrivals), 4 Reed Buntings (singing).

Cobney Meadows, water considerably lower: 2 Shelducks, 230 Teal (no Garganey either), 1 Little Egret, 2 Oystercatchers (pair), 2 Curlews (pair)

Ashleworth Ham, where water levels had hardly declined at all: 78 Wigeon (only ones seen all day; most seem to have departed), 270 Teal, 45 Mallard, 13 Pintail, 21 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Ducks, 1 Great Crested Grebe (also a new arrival).

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