Hempsted (31 December 2010, contributed by Gordon Avery)
A male Little Owl was calling from the Priory, Hempsted at 00.50 this morning. The first record for this species in the area since 2007.
River Severn (28 December 2010, contributed by Mike Smart and Les Brown)
Still ice floes floating on the Severn between Lower Lode and Wainlodes, though most of the snow hAS melted on the fields. River and ditch levels are still very low everywhere.
Most of the ducks in the area were on the river: on the Mill Avon at Tewkesbury: 11 Tufted, 3 Wigeon, 50 Mallard and 5 Coot, also the male Mute Swan (3AY) that nests by the wharf at Coombe Hill. Downstream from Lower Lode: 3 Cormorants, 200 Mallard, 8 Teal, 120 Wigeon, 13 Tufted Ducks, 2 Pochard, 5 immature or female Goldeneye.
Standish (26 December 2010, contributed by Juliet Bailey)
I had to disturb a roost of ladybirds a couple of weeks ago as a window frame in which they were overwintering needed repainting. I have just got around to looking at them today, and there are about 70 Harlequins together with four Two-spots. There are other roosts evident round the house, but I haven’t looked at these in detail. However, they appear also to be largely Harlequins.
Longlevens, Gloucester (23 December 2010, contributed by Andy Jayne)
There were 27 Waxwings briefly by the church at about 8.30am before flying off south.
Cheltenham (21/22 December 2010, contributed by Robert Homan)
In a Swindon Lane orchard, for the 2nd day, a flock of 150 Fieldfares eating and squabbling over the few remaining fallen apples. In the same area and in Prestbury, each garden Pyracantha had its own small flock of Redwings on 21st.
Tewkesbury (22 December 2010, contributed by Gordon Avery)
A single female Goosander was on the R. Severn by the Mythe Bridge, Tewkesbury at approximately 12.40pm.
Stratton (21 December 2010, contributed by Ken Cservenka)
8 Yellowhammers under the garden feeders today at Stratton.
Woodmancote, nr. Bishop’s Cleeve (20 December 2010, contributed by Peter Fitchett)
Over 30 Blackbirds in local gardens this morning along with about 20 Redwings feeding on Pyracantha berries (See Peter’s picture below). Also two male Blackcaps, a Pied Wagtail and Great Tit.
Walmore and Aylburton (17 December 2010, contributed by Andy Jayne)
At Walmore Common there was a family of six Bewick’s Swans this morning.
At Aylburton Warth, an adult Mediterranean Gull on fields with Black-headed and Common Gulls. Also two Wigeon, 20 Teal, two Sparrowhawks, 13 Golden Plovers, 123 Lapwing, seven Ruff, a Snipe, 17 Curlews and 80 Redwings.
At Littledean just 12 Waxwings still present at 3.20pm.
Cheltenham (17 December 2010, contributed by Robert Homan)
17 waxwings feeding in a pink/white berried Rowan at 10.30am in Albemarle Gate, near Pittville Park. At 2.30pm both the berries and the birds had gone, leaving some red berried Rowans to a handful of Redwing.
North Cerney (15 December 2010, contributed by Robert Homan)
The “usual” Little Egret by the River Churn, mid-morning.
Cheltenham (15 December 2010, contributed by Robert Homan)
21 Waxwings in trees at the junction of Swindon Lane and Windyridge Road this afternoon.
Sudmeadow (12 December 2010, contributed by Gordon Avery)
60 Goldfinches this morning feeding mostly on Teasels at the back of Phelps yard, Sudmeadow Road. Along the river below Llantony Weir, a Tawny Owl was trying to be invisible in the middle of a Willow tree, being mobbed by all and sundry. This is a species seen less than annually in the Sudmeadow area.
Ashleworth (11 December 2010, contributed by Mike Smart)
Ashleworth is still extremely dry with very little water in the ditches and little or no surface water on the reserve despite the thaw. During an RSPB Members Group field trip, about 12 Goosanders flew over to the north, 6 Wigeon flew upriver, 2 Peregrines on the pylons, a Stock Dove singing already, but not much else.
Leigh Meadows are equally dry with two Snipe, 4 Mute but no other swans. There were 2 Cormorants perched on trees by the River Chelt.
Coombe Hill and Ashleworth (9 December 2010, contributed by Mike Smart)
At both Coombe Hill and Ashleworth, the water levels remain low and what little water there is, is frozen over. So not much about. At Coombe Hill, the only ducks were 13 Mallard on a hole in the ice in the canal; 1 Grey Heron, 200+ fieldfares, 30 Redwings. About the same at Ashleworth with 100+ Fieldfares, no ducks. No sign of Whooper Swans at either site or on Leigh Meadows.
Tewkesbury (9 December 2010, contributed by Gordon Avery)
A Curlew flew low over the A38 just outside Tewkesbury flying towards Southwick Farm at 1.35pm. This unseasonal record was almost certainly a result of the cold weather.
Hempsted, Gloucester (7 December 2010, contributed by Gordon Avery)
3 Waxwings feeding in a ornamental berry tree outside Hempsted Motors, Hempsted Lane at 3.15pm at approximately SO 822179.
Cheltenham (6 December 2010, contributed by Robert Homan)
3 Blackcaps on bird feeders (2f and 1m) in Swindon Lane this afternoon. Earlier a presumed pair of Sparrowhawks in nearby Pittville Park with the smaller of the 2 birds carrying a prey item and being pursued by the larger bird.
Staverton (5 December 2010, contributed by Gordon Avery)
2 Waxwings in Down Hatherley Lane in the vicinity of the electricity substation opposite the side entrance to the former Dowty factory. There until early afternoon.
Sudmeadow (2 December 2010, contributed by Gordon Avery)
A Woodcock this morning in the osier at Sudmeadow.