January & February
These months are normally quiet, I tend to look at inland reservoirs for wintering Divers and Grebes, Chew Valley Lake is always a good bet for a Great Northern Diver, I also head out onto Salisbury Plain for Hen Harriers and Short eared owls, a slow drive across just before dusk normally gets you one or both species along with Barn Owls
Slimbridge in Gloucestershire is brilliant for Ducks, Swans and Geese, all giving very close views from the many hides.
The Cotswold Water Park is well worth a visit with so many pits to look at there is always something to find, there should be Goosander, Goldeneye, Red Crested Pochard and with a little luck Smew and Scaup, try pits 29, 30, 44, 57 and 74, if you are out late then try pit 74 or 16 for a gull roost, I have found Iceland, Glaucous and Caspian Gulls here in the past
Severn Beach area can also be very good for Wildfowl, the best area is between the 2 motorway bridges at Northwick Warth / New Passage area looking upriver from the last house, this is also good for Water Pipits.
Reports in RED are my own sightings (number) = total species seen this year so far
TOTAL SO FAR THIS YEAR (129)
Recent Bird records (South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and the old county of Avon)
January Sightings
31st
Smew on pit 28 of the Cotswold Water Park (129)
2 Grey Partridge and a Red Kite at Harnhill
29th
Lesser Scaup, 2 Scaup and a Black Necked Grebe at Chew Valley Lake
28th
Smew on pit 28, Ring Necked duck, Great White Egret and a Bittern on pit 31 and a Scaup on pit 126 of the Cotswold water Park
26th
Richards Pipit at Arlington
Penduline Tit is still in Gloucester.
25th
Smew on pit 28 of the Cotswold water Park
21st
2 Purple Sandpipers at Portland Bill, Marsh Harrier at Radipole, 5+ Black Necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver and Common Scoter in Portland Harbour and a Spoonbill at Lodmoor Dorset (125)
Cattle Egret at Chew Valley Lake
20th
Marsh Harrier and 173 Pintail on pit 74, 2 Egyptian Geese on pit 64 of the Cotswold water Park
19th
Penduline Tit is still in Gloucester.
18th
Green Winged Teal at Ashleworth ham
14th
Ring Necked Duck, 7 Goosanders and 45+ Red Crested Pochards at the Cotswold Water Park. (110)
Richards Pipit at Arlingham Gloucestershire
Great Grey Shrike, 10+ Crossbill, 80+ Redpoll, 40+ Siskin, 1 Hawfinch and 10+ Mandarin Ducks in the Forest of Dean
2 Short Eared Owls at Aust
Caspian Gull at Old Sarum
13th
Ring Necked Duck on pit 31 of the Cotswold water Park
10th
12+ Hawfinch at Corsham Court (101)
Merlin, 2 Bramblings, 40+ Corn Buntings at Marshfield
8th
14+ Hawfinch at Corsham Court
7th
2 Whooper Swans at Northwick Warth / Pilning Wetlands (84)
Glossy Ibis at Lydney
Richards Pipit at Arlington
50+ Hawfinch at Fonthill
6th
Penduline Tit still in Gloucester
3rd
4 Yellow Legged Gulls on pit 16, 10+Goldeneye on pit 74, 50+ Red crested Pochard on pit 44 of the Cotswold water Park (83)
Leach’s Petrel, Glaucous Gull and 38 kittiwakes at Severn Beach
2nd
17 Hawfinches at Newton St Loe, Bath
1st
Penduline Tit still in Gloucester (72)
Great Northern Diver and Black Redstart at Sharpness
Lesser Scaup and Cattle Egret at Chew Valley Lake
You must be logged in to post a comment.
click here to log in