The Birds Of South Gloucestershire Annual Review 2015€¦ · Northwick Warth by Paul Bowerman. The...
Transcript of The Birds Of South Gloucestershire Annual Review 2015€¦ · Northwick Warth by Paul Bowerman. The...
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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire
Annual Review 2015
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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire
2015 review including news, articles and
notable birding events
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CONTENTS Introduction 4
S. Glos Diary 2015 (Abridged) 15
The S. Glos List 30
New Additions 30
Systematic List – Species 31
Swans & Geese 31
Ducks 32
Game & Divers 36
Seabirds 37
Herons 38
Grebes 42
Raptors 43
Rails, Crakes & Waders 46
Skua’s 50
Auks 52
Terns & Gulls 53
Sandgrouse, Doves, Pigeons & Parakeets 56
Owls & Nightjar 57
Swift, Hoopoe & Bee-eater 58
Woodpeckers, Orioles, Shrikes, Crows & Tits 59
Larks & Pipits 61
Swallows, Warblers & Crests 62
Starlings, Chats & Thrushes 65
Waxwing , Finches & Buntings 67
Systematic List – Forms 69
Notable Birding Events in 2015 70
Rarity & Scarcity Occurrences in 2015 71
Articles 72
The S. Glos Species & Forms List 2015 74
Butterflies: The S. Glos List 75
Front cover: Merlin on Northwick Warth by Dan White.
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INTRODUCTION
2015 realised the tenth anniversary of TBOSG – The Birds Of South Gloucestershire!
Amazingly those ten years have flown by since the website was launched on
November 25th 2005 and I recall that faithful evening with some trepidation as I
uploaded the first pages to the ‘interweb’.
I am also completely staggered by its popularity with over 300,000 visitors from
around the world. I’m always amazed by the ever increasing number of local (and in
some cases national) birders who are willing to actively participate in the process
not only providing news of rare, scarce and unusual bird information from the
recording area but some pretty spectacular photos too.
My primary objective was to provide a point of reference with easy access to
information about rare, scarce and unusual bird sightings, both full species and
forms, seen in ‘S. Glos’ to anyone from the back garden birdwatcher with a mild
interest in local birdwatching to the avid ‘birder’ and yes even the odd ‘twitcher’. It
is by no means authoritative nor exhaustive but it doe’s I feel capture the essence of
modern ‘birding’ in this extremely important region of the UK. It also, I feel,
highlights the changing trends of birds seen across the recording area.
The ‘S. Glos’ systematic list has changed significantly over the intervening period,
where in 2005 it stood at 298 including both full species and forms and with a year
list of 190, at the end of 2015 it stands at an amazing 321 again including both full
species and forms with a year list of 215. The best year thus far however was 2013
when the year finished on a whopping 223!
There were two new
additions to the list in 2005;
On January 1st a wintering
Siberian Chiffchaff was
found by Andy Jordan at
Emerson's Green and on
October 5th two Dartford
Warblers were positively
identified on Northwick
Warth by Paul Bowerman.
Dartford Warbler - Paul Bowerman.
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There were no additions in 2006 and just one in 2007 when on May 13th a European
Bee-eater was found by Paul Bowerman at Severn Beach around 18:00 where it was
heard calling several times moving north-east along the sea wall.
In 2008 three new birds were recorded; Two were seen in January the first of which
was Great Bustard!
A female (Orange 15) - from the UK re-introduction programme - was found on the
10th just inside the S. Glos boundary north of the R. Avon at Keynsham by John
Aldridge where it spent three days. On the 26th the same bird was relocated by Pete
Hazelwood at Oldbury Power Station in flooded fields by Thornbury Sailing Club.
Great Bustard - Matt Plenty.
Great Bustard is not counted on the S. Glos list but well worth a mention here.
The second came in the ‘form’ of Nordic Jackdaw on January 25th when it was
found by Rob Laughton in horse paddocks along George Lane at Marshfield.
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Nordic Jackdaw – TBOSG.
The final bird of the year, also a form, was a much under-recorded Greenland Dunlin
which was found by John Martin in a flock of c.60 Dunlin on May 16th at Severn
Beach.
Greenland Dunlin - John Martin.
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2009 was a memorable year for a number of reasons the first of which was that a
massive seven new birds were added.
In May a stunning male Channel Wagtail (a hybrid) was found on the 18th on
Northwick Warth by Paul Bowerman. The photo below was of the second record
from 2014.
‘Channel Wagtail’ - Mark Coller.
Also in May on the 26th a presumed adult Black Kite was watched drifting out of St.
Catherine's Valley near Marshfield. It was first seen around 06:00 at a height of
about 25 metres over the track between Halldoor Lane and Nailey Farm south and
west of Marshfield. It was last seen leaving the valley heading in a generally north-
north-westerly direction towards West Littleton. (John Mackenzie-Grieve)
In June came news of a Black-headed Bunting at Yate. The bird was seen in the
morning on Sunday June 7th at around 09:30 and was described as a bright yellow
bird with a black head, brown back about the size and shape of a Chaffinch. It was
watched for several minutes feeding on seed below the bird table with several
House Sparrows and was seen briefly on the back fence before flying towards
Kingsgate Park. In flight, white in the outer tail feathers was noted. Despite much
searching it could not be relocated that day or over the following days. (Mark Coller)
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A week or so before the S. Glos occurrence an adult male Black-headed Bunting was
photographed on Guernsey at Jerbourg on May 26th 2009.
In September a Grey-headed Wagtail was seen on Northwick Warth. An adult,
probably female, was noted mixing with Meadow Pipit and feeding amongst cattle
on the salt marsh on Northwick Warth north of New Passage. (Brian Lancastle, John
Martin)
On October 14th a juvenile/ 1st winter Glossy Ibis was seen in flight over Severn
Beach at around 15:30 by Pam Buckle and Phil Baber. It was subsequently tracked
north-east over New Passage, Northwick Warth and Aust Warth before being lost to
view.
Then things started to warm up firmly putting S. Glos on the international/ world
map!
On November 25th a probable Black-bellied Storm Petrel was seen from the sea wall
at Severn Beach. It was present for around ninety minutes before being lost to view
in mid channel at around 09:40. (John Martin, Allan Gaunt, Angus Dickie, Richard &
Rod Greer) Significantly it was the first UK record, the first Western Palearctic
record and as far we know the first North Atlantic record. As if that was not enough
just two days later... on the 27th November an adult winter Pacific Diver was seen
between 10:45 and 11:00 also from Severn Beach in 'Burger Bar Bay'. (Martyn Hayes,
Dick Reader) Not only was it the first documented reference to this species in S.
Gloucestershire but just the 4th ever British record.
After a breath-taking 2009, 2010
brought just two new additions
and both forms at that. The first
was indeed a quite bizarre set of
circumstances that added White-
spotted Bluethroat to the list!
On June 19th 2010 at around 10:00
whilst watering hanging baskets
in a small communal garden at
Staple Hill in Bristol, pensioner
Janet Farley (aged 75) was
distracted by birdsong she did not White-spotted Bluethroat - Janet Farley.
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recognise. Turning from her watering she was confronted, about five metres away,
by a small Robin sized bird with a bright blue breast, Janet said ...'I could even see
the white on it'....
She watched the bird for a couple of minutes in full song and bright sunshine on the
stems of a mature Pampas in a shrubby boarder. The Bluethroat moved to a nearby
bird table where it fed on suet then to a bird bath where it washed and drank,
returning to the Pampas where it moved to the back of the plant and resumed
singing. Janet mentioned ...'It was a little more difficult to see then but I could still
hear it'...
At this point Janet slowly retreated from the scene to fetch her compact camera.
She said... 'Whilst I was getting my camera I was hoping it would still be there when I
got back'... Fortune has it that the bird was still at the back of the Pampas and still
singing on Janet's return. Camera in hand she managed to capture this single photo,
she went on to say...'I zoomed in a little too far so the bird looks bigger than it
actually was, but it wasn't frightened when the flash went off'... Having managed
that single shot she watched the bird around the garden until around 11:15 when it
departed and was not seen subsequently.
This remarkably freaky occurrence came to light after a bizarre set of events; She
showed the photo on her camera to someone who recognised it as a Bluethroat,
that friend took his dog for a walk and bumped into Allan Chard. On hearing the tale,
Allan raced back to see Janet, saw the photo, borrowed the SD card and dashed
round to the local film developing shop and had two copies made!
The information with a digital copy of the photo was emailed to both the BOC and
TBOSG and news was released on June 25th 2010.
TBOSG eventually caught up with Janet at her home in Staple Hill on June 30th 2010
where she very kindly showed us the photo on her camera and took me on a tour of
the communal garden pointing out the Pampas, bird table and bird bath where she
watched this amazing bird!
The second new addition in 2010 was Greenland White-fronted Goose. Matt Plenty
watched two adults in flight south-west past Littleton-on-Severn early morning on
October 17th 2010. They flew down to the Severn Bridge turned and came back past
Littleton-on-Severn where they were seen less than 100 metres away. They
continued upriver towards Oldbury Power Station.
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A spectacular addition in 2011 was an extremely unexpected but most welcome Pied
Wheatear.
This 1st winter female was present at Thornbury Yacht Club, Oldbury-on-Severn from
late afternoon on Tuesday 25th October until at dusk on Friday 28th October.
Additionally it was the 62nd British record.
Pied Wheatear - Gary Thoburn.
Rounding out the year a flock of six Continental Greylag Geese were seen by Rob
Laughton on November 18th flying north-east along the A4174 Ring Road between
Warmley and Shortwood around 08:45. Greylag Geese are extremely unusual away
from the coast in S. Glos so the recent influx into the UK of this continental form
'rubrirostris' made an excellent addition to the list.
Three cracking new birds were found in 2012, the first was a splendid summer
plumaged Red-throated Pipit.
Early on the morning of April 22nd a brightly coloured pipit was seen on Northwick
Warth by visiting birders. It was lost to view temporarily before being relocated
around 09:00 on Northwick Warth opposite Pilning Wetland warden’s buildings and
was identified as summer plumaged adult. It was fortuitously photographed by two
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separate observers before it took flight and headed north up river along the Warth
where it appeared to drop back on to the salt marsh near the 'flash' at around
09:30.
The second was an all too brief encounter! On May 1st an adult Laughing Gull was
seen from 'The Pipes' a kilometre south of Severn Beach in flight north-east at
around 13:30 by Paul Bowerman. It was seen shortly afterwards by Brian Lancastle
off the sea wall at Severn Beach where it continued on up river.
Lastly was a fly-over Great White Egret.
On November 30th a presumed adult was seen in flight over the M5 a kilometre
south of J15 in the Almondsbury/ Patchway area by Chris Heyworth a commuting
RSPCA Officer.
Chris commented...
...'I saw it from the car approaching from the east as I was travelling north on the
M5. It flew fairly low over the motorway and continued west towards the coast. In
flight I noticed a large Heron sized all white bird and large all yellow bill. Also the
exceptional length of the all dark trailing legs'...
2013 saw the addition of two new birds to the list, one ‘form’ one full species. A
Continental Coal Tit was reported from the Hanging Hill/ Beach Wood area at Bitton
on April 18th… But…!
On December 11th a rather splendid 1st winter male Desert Wheatear was found late
afternoon by Paul Bowerman at Severn Beach on the sea wall where it remained
until dusk.
Paul wrote…
On Wednesday December 11th I met some visiting birders at New Passage late
afternoon who said they had seen a ‘Wheatear’ briefly on the sea wall at Severn
Beach earlier in the day and that it looked paler than usual but despite searching
they could not relocate. Hoping/ suspecting that the bird could be interesting for the
time of year I dashed back to the Burger Bar area of the sea wall at Severn Beach
and wandered around for five minutes and was just about to give up when the first
‘Severnside’ patch record, a 1st winter male Desert Wheatear, popped up on the
railings in front of me. I managed a few decent shots just before the light failed. The
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bird was seen by about ten other birders and was last seen in near darkness at the
top of the shingle beach 100 metres south of the concrete sea defences. Hopefully it
will still be in the area tomorrow!
Thursday dawned somewhat overcast giving hopes that the Wheatear had lingered
and by 08:00 it duly appeared when it was picked up in the gloom by Rich Ford sat
on a driftwood log around 200 metres down the beach from the end of the sea
defences. In a short time it was showing very well at short range on the beach, sea
wall and the green in front of a small apartment block. It remained in that area until
dusk on December 12th.
On December 13th it was still present remaining faithful to the beach front and
continued to show very well on or near the sea defences all day until dusk.
The following day December 14th was an increasingly breezy and wet day with
plenty of overnight rain however the bird was still present though looking decidedly
damp. It proved to be very obliging today spending a lot of time approaching birders
sometimes within a metre range. It was also feeding well on an assortment titbits
including meal worms provided by the steady stream of admirers.
Sadly on December 15th there was no sign of this first for Severnside and S. Glos
despite some extensive searching, hopefully it departed overnight on the 14th and
no succumbed to the vagaries of a very damp British winter.
Desert Wheatear - TBOSG.
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A remarkable end to 2013 you’d have to agree, well take a deep breath because a
month or so into 2014 and this little bad boy turns up …thank you John Barnett!
Red-flanked Bluetail – TBOSG.
The significance of the unique find has now only just been realised. Not just a first
for S. Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Avon it’s the first UK wintering record, the first
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for February, the latest date for this species and the longest staying individual ever
recorded in Brittan!
Later in the year an interesting summer plumaged adult Golden Plover was present
in the New Passage/ Northwick Warth/ Pilning Wetland area from July 13th - 22nd
and was showing characteristics of the form Pluvialis apricaria altifrons ~ Icelandic
Golden Plover. Although the call and underwing coverts matched that of European
Golden Plover, structure and plumage variations more closely aligned to this
northern form.
Putative Icelandic Golden Plover – Dave Hughes.
In 2014 the UK experienced an influx of Continental Jay. That was reflected in the
recording area with increased numbers of ‘Jay’ noted and It can be assumed that
the increase was due to continental drift. On September 24th 2014, thirteen
Continental Jays were counted in the Shire Valley at Marshfield.
In the period between 2005 and 2015 some twenty-three new birds have been
added to the S. Glos List – fourteen full species and nine forms.
So to the 2015 S. Glos annual review; Its packed full of information and fantastic
photographs kindly donated by an ever increasing number of birders, so it’s a huge
thanks to them for their generosity and most welcome support.
TBOSG - S. Gloucestershire 2015
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S. Glos Diary 2015 (Abridged)
JANUARY
1st GREEN-WINGED TEAL: A drake on
Northwick Warth.
2nd TREE SPARROW: Two from the
Severn Way, Shepperdine.
4th JACK SNIPE: Three around Lagoon
III, OPS, two on Aust Warth and one
on Yate Common. SHORT-EARED
OWL: Two from Aust Warth. WATER
PIPIT: One on Northwick Warth.
5th JACK SNIPE: One on Aust Warth.
SHORT-EARED OWL: One from Aust
Warth.
6th SHORT-EARED OWL: One on Aust
Warth.
8th TAWNY OWL: Six including five
males at Lower Woods, Wickwar.
9th CETTI'S WARBLER: One from Lagoon
III at OPS.
10th SHORT-EARED OWL: One at Aust
Warth.
11th JACK SNIPE: Two at OPS.
13th COLLARED DOVE: 55 at Westend
Lane, Oldbury Power Station. RING-
BILLED GULL: One unconfirmed at
Filton North Way Transfer Station.
14th GLOSSY IBIS: An immature at
Kingswood, Bristol.
15th KITTIWAKE: 90 from Severn Beach.
AUK SPP: One from Severn Beach.
17th JACK SNIPE: Four at Aust Warth.
SHORT-EARED OWL: One at Aust
Warth.
18th JACK SNIPE: Four at Aust Warth with
another on Broadmead Brook, Castle
Farm, Marshfield. WATER PIPIT: One
at New Passage/ Northwick Warth.
20th GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL: Twelve
at Oldbury Power Station. WATER
PIPIT: One at New Passage/
Northwick Warth.
22nd MEDITERRANEAN GULL: Adult near
Thornbury Yacht Club, Oldbury.
WATER PIPIT: One on 1st Sentry Box
Pool, Pilning Wetland.
23rd GREEN-WINGED TEAL: A drake from
Aust Warth. JACK SNIPE: One on
Littleton Warth with one at Castle
Farm, Marshfield. RED-BREASTED
MERGANSER: A drake at New
Passage. SHORT-EARED OWL: Two
on Aust Warth.
24th GREEN-WINGED TEAL: A drake on
Aust Warth. WATER PIPIT: One on
Northwick Warth and Pilning
Wetland.
25th GREEN-WINGED TEAL: A drake from
Aust Warth. SHORT-EARED OWL:
One on Aust Warth. WATER PIPIT:
One on Northwick Warth.
26th GREEN-WINGED TEAL: A drake on
Northwick Warth.
27th GREEN-WINGED TEAL: A drake from
Aust and Northwick Warth. SHORT-
EARED OWL: One on Aust Warth.
28th GREEN-WINGED TEAL: A drake from
Aust Warth.
29th GREEN-WINGED TEAL: A drake from
Aust Warth.
30th GOOSANDER: A pair on the R. Avon,
Willsbridge. GREEN-WINGED TEAL: A
drake from Aust Warth.
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31st GREEN-WINGED TEAL: A drake from
Aust Warth.
FEBRUARY
1st GOOSANDER: A male and female on
the R. Avon at Willsbridge.
2nd GOOSANDER: A drake on the R.
Avon at Willsbridge.
4th GOOSANDER: A pair on the R. Avon
at Willsbridge.
5th JACK SNIPE: One at Thornbury
Sailing Club. RED KITE: One over Old
Sodbury.
7th CETTI'S WARBLER: One on Pilning
Wetland.
8th GOOSANDER: Two drakes and a
'redhead’ on the R. Avon,
Willsbridge. JACK SNIPE: Two on
Aust Warth. SHORT-EARED OWL:
One on Aust Warth.
9th CETTI'S WARBLER: One Pilning
Wetland. REED BUNTING: Thirty-
one at Oldbury Power Station.
WREN: Fifty-two at Oldbury Power
Station.
10th JACK SNIPE: Four on Yate Common.
11th GOOSANDER: Five, three drakes and
two 'redheads' on the R. Avon,
Willsbridge. WATER PIPIT: One on
Northwick Warth.
14th WATER PIPIT: One on Northwick
Warth.
15th WATER PIPIT: One on Northwick
Warth.
20th JACK SNIPE: One from Aust Warth.
SHORT-EARED OWL: One from Aust
Warth.
21st GREEN-WINGED TEAL: A drake from
Aust Warth. JACK SNIPE: One south
of Severn Beach. SHORT-EARED
OWL: One on Aust Warth. WATER
PIPIT: One on Northwick Warth.
23rd SONG THRUSH: A count of twenty-
three at Swineford.
28th BARN OWL: One at Western
Approaches Business Park, Severn
Beach.
MARCH
1st BARN OWL: One from Down Road,
Marshfield and from Aust Warth.
MANDARIN: Four, on Dodington
Lakes, Dodington.
3rd CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach.
5th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach.
6th AVOCET: One at New Passage. BARN
OWL: One at Londonderry Farm,
Willsbridge. SCANDINAVIAN ROCK
PIPIT: A summer adult on Northwick
Warth. WATER PIPIT: One in the New
Passage/ Northwick Warth area.
7th CETTI'S WARBLER: One on Lagoon II,
OPS. SCANDINAVIAN ROCK PIPIT: A
summer adult on Northwick Warth.
8th GREEN SANDPIPER: One in flight
over Northwick Warth. SAND
MARTIN: The first of the year at
Shepperdine. SCANDINAVIAN ROCK
PIPIT: A summer adult on Northwick
Warth. TREE SPARROW: Two north
of The Windbound at Shepperdine.
10th NORTHERN WHEATEAR: The first of
the year at Thornbury Yacht Club,
Oldbury. SHORT-EARED OWL: One
south of Severn Beach.
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11th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult
past Severn Beach. RED KITE: One
from Hawkesbury Upton.
PENDULINE TIT: A female at Dyrham
Park, Dyrham.
12th AVOCET: One at Thornbury Yacht
Club, Oldbury. CETTI'S WARBLER:
One at Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER: The first of
the year at Severn Beach.
13th BAR-TAILED GODWIT: Twelve in the
Northwick Warth/ Pilning Wetland
area. RED-BREASTED GOOSE: An
adult of unknown origins on
Northwick Warth. RED KITE: One at
Chipping Sodbury.
14th RED KITE: One over Bristol Saracens
Memorial Ground, Henbury. WATER
PIPIT: One at Shepperdine.
15th CONTINENTAL CORMORANT: An
adult up-river from New Passage.
RED KITE: One over Chipping
Sodbury and one at Frenchay.
16th LITTLE RINGED PLOVER: One in the
Northwick Warth/ New Passage area.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL: A 2nd
winter on Pilning Wetland.
17th FIRECREST: One at Oldbury Power
Station. GOSHAWK: One from
Rushmead Lane, Marshfield. RED
KITE: An adult from Rushmead Lane.
Marshfield. SHORT-EARED OWL: One
south of Severn Beach.
18th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Oldbury
Power Station. COMMON CRANE:
Five north-west over Olveston. GREY
PARTRIDGE: One from Rushmead
Lane, Marshfield. RED KITE: One over
Chipping Sodbury Common.
19th AVOCET: One from Pillhead Gout,
Oldbury-on-Severn. BLACK
REDSTART: A female/ 1st winter on
Aust Beach. RED KITE: An adult near
Monument Farm, Hiilsley/
Hawksbury Upton.
20th BLACK REDSTART: A female/ 1st
winter on Littleton Warth. LITTLE
EGRET: Eight at Oldbury Power
Station.
21st JACK SNIPE: One from Aust Warth.
TREE SPARROW: One from
Patchway.
22nd BARN OWL: One at Orchard Pools,
Severn Beach. CETTI'S WARBLER:
One at Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
RED KITE: One over Yate.
23rd WATER PIPIT: One on Northwick
Warth.
25th CONTINENTAL CORMORANT: One
upriver from Severn Beach.
COMMON EIDER: A female Severn
Beach. GOSHAWK: One upriver and
inland of Shepperdine.
27th CETTI'S WARBLER: One around
Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
COMMON CRANE: One over Pilning
Wetland. RED KITE: An adult over
Down Road, Marshfield. WILLOW
WARBLER: The first of the year in the
Shire Valley, Marshfield.
28th KITTIWAKE: 80 from Severn Beach.
29th ARCTIC TERN: One from Severn
Beach. BARN OWL: One north of
Tormarton. KITTIWAKE: At least
400 from Severn Beach and c.50 at
OPS. LITTLE GULL: An adult and 1st
winter from Severn Beach.
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APRIL
1st SWALLOW: The first of the year on
Northwick Warth. WHITE WAGTAIL:
The first of the year on Northwick
Warth.
3rd BARN OWL: One at Lagoon III,
Oldbury Power Station. COMMON
SCOTER: Seven from New Passage.
4th COMMON CROSSBILL: One at
Oldbury Power Station.
GOOSANDER: A male upriver past
Thornbury Yacht Club. RED KITE: An
adult near Monument Farm, Hiilsley/
Hawksbury Upton.
5th COMMON CRANE: Five over
Tytherington. GREEN-WINGED
TEAL: A drake from Severn Beach.
JACK SNIPE: One from Aust Warth.
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: Three
males from Severn Beach and
Oldbury Power Station. RED KITE:
One over the M4 J18 Tormarton.
WATER PIPIT: One in summer dress
at Cake Pill, Aust.
6th HOBBY: The first of the year over
Hanham Common. HOUSE MARTIN:
The first of the year at Latteridge.
NIGHTINGALE: The first of the year
at The Glen, New Passage. OSPREY:
The first of the year over Yate. RED
KITE: One over Overscourt
Plantation, Siston. SANDWICH TERN:
Four the first of the year past
Shepperdine.
7th NIGHTINGALE: One at The Glen, New
Passage. OSPREY: One over Cribbs
Causeway.
8th OSPREY: One over Cribbs Causeway.
RED KITE: One over Lagoon II,
Oldbury Power Station. TREE PIPIT:
The first of the year over Oldbury
Power Station.
9th GREENLAND WHEATEAR: One on
Northwick Warth.
10th GOOSANDER: A female upriver at
Shepperdine. NIGHTINGALE: One at
The Glen, New Passage. OSPREY:
One over Severn Beach. RING
OUZEL: The first of the year at
Oldbury Power Station. WHIMBREL:
The first of the year at Severn Beach.
YELLOW WAGTAIL: The first of the
year over New Passage.
12th COMMON REDSTART: The first of
the year on Chipping Sodbury
Common plus one at East End,
Marshfield. COMMON SANDPIPER:
The first of the year at New Passage.
13th COMMON CRANE: One over
Streamleaze, Thornbury. COMMON
WHITETHROAT: The first of the year
at Oldbury Power Station.
GRASSHOPPER WARBLER: The first
of the year near Severn Beach and
one at Oldbury Power Station.
OSPREY: One over Kingswood,
Bristol. RED KITE: One over The
Street, Alveston. YELLOW-LEGGED
GULL: The first of the year at Oldbury
Power Station.
14th GRASSHOPPER WARBLER: One by
Lagoon III, Oldbury Power Station.
REED WARBLER: The first of the year
at Lagoon II, Oldbury Power Station.
RING OUZEL: A female on Chipping
Sodbury Common. SEDGE
WARBLER: The first of the year
around Lagoon II, Oldbury Power
Station.
15th LESSER WHITETHROAT: The first of
the year south of Severn Beach.
GRASSHOPPER WARBLER: One by
Lagoon III, Oldbury Power Station.
OSPREY: One north over Hallen. RED
KITE: One over Gorse Lane near
Pennsylvania.
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16th GOLDEN PHEASANT: A male, of
unknown origin, at Lower Woods,
Inglestone Common.
17th ARCTIC SKUA: Two, the first of the
year, past Oldbury Power Station.
JACK SNIPE: One at Orchard Pools,
Severn RED KITE: One at Oldbury
Power Station.
18th GARDEN WARBLER: The first of the
year at Oldbury Power Station.
MARSH HARRIER: A female/
immature near Severn Beach.
WHINCHAT: The first of the year at
Aust.
19th SHORT-EARED OWL: One on Aust
Warth.
20th SHORT-EARED OWL: One on Aust
Warth.
21st RING OUZEL: One from New Pill,
Severn Beach. WHITE STORK: High
over New Passage.
22nd COMMON SWIFT: The first of the
year over Hanham. SPOTTED
REDSHANK: The first of the year at
Thornbury Yacht Club.
23rd COMMON CUCKOO: The first of the
year around Lagoon III, Oldbury
Power Station. GREENSHANK: The
first of the year at Severn Beach.
RING OUZEL: A male on Northwick
Warth. WOOD SANDPIPER: The first
of the year on Lagoon III, Oldbury
Power Station.
24th RED KITE: Two over High Street,
Chipping Sodbury. RING OUZEL:
Male on Northwick Warth.
25th GRASSHOPPER WARBLER: One at
Severn Beach. RING OUZEL: Male on
Northwick Warth.
26th RING OUZEL: Male on Northwick
Warth. SANDERLING: The first of the
year at New Passage. SPOTTED
FLYCATCHER: The first of the year at
Shepperdine.
27th GRASSHOPPER WARBLER: One
south of Severn Beach. RING OUZEL:
Male on Northwick Warth. YELLOW-
LEGGED GULL: An adult at Oldbury
Power Station.
29th WHIMBREL: One over Chipping
Sodbury Common.
30th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Oldbury
Power Station. GRASSHOPPER
WARBLER: One at Northwick Warth.
COMMON CUCKOO: Up to five
throughout April with up to three at
Oldbury Power Station.
MAY
1st RED KITE: One in the Shire Valley,
Marshfield.
2nd CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Oldbury
Power Station. RED KITE: One over
Thornbury.
3rd MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult
from New Passage/ Northwick
Warth.
4th COMMON TERN: The first of the year
from New Passage/ Northwick
Warth. COMMON CRANE: Two over
Oldbury Power Station. RED KITE:
One in the Shire Valley, Marshfield.
5th ARCTIC SKUA: Fifteen from Severn
Beach with two at Oldbury Power
Station. FULMAR: The first of the
year from Severn Beach. POMARINE
SKUA: The first of the year with four
from Severn Beach.
6th ARCTIC SKUA: C.40 from Severn
Beach with one reaching Oldbury
Power Station. GREAT SKUA: Six
P a g e | 20
from Severn Beach. LITTLE TERN:
The first of the year from Severn
Beach. MANX SHEARWATER: The
first of the year from Severn Beach.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL: A 1st winter
past Severn Beach. POMARINE
SKUA: C.20 from Severn Beach. RED
KITE: One over the A38/ M5 at
Almondsbury.
7th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Oldbury
Power Station.
8th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach. GREAT WHITE
EGRET: One over Ableton Land/
Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
9th CETTI'S WARBLER: Two at Oldbury
Power Station. POMARINE SKUA:
One past Severn Beach.
11th LITTLE TERN: One from New
Passage. RED KITE: One over Horton.
12th GREENLAND WHEATEAR: Two from
Rushmead Lane, Marshfield.
13th GREENLAND WHEATEAR: One on
Rushmead Lane, Marshfield.
14th RED KITE: Two from Lovett's Wood
Farm, Hawksbury Upton.
15th CURLEW SANDPIPER: The first of the
year at Severn Beach. MONTAGU'S
HARRIER: A female over Pilning
Wetland. SPOONBILL: One on
Grebe Pond, Pilning Wetland.
17th CETTI'S WARBLER: One on Littleton
Warth. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL: A
third calendar year at Oldbury Power
Station.
19th CETTI'S WARBLER: Two at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach. YELLOW-
LEGGED GULL: Third calendar year at
Oldbury Power Station.
21st RED KITE: One over M5 around
Falfield.
22nd CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach. RED KITE: One
over Oldbury Power Station.
23rd YELLOW-LEGGED GULL: Third
calendar year at Oldbury Power
Station.
25th JACK SNIPE: A corpse on Pilning
Wetland. RED KITE: An adult over
New Passage also one near Cromhall.
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL: Third
calendar year at Oldbury Power
Station.
26th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach.
27th RED KITE: Two over Wick.
28th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach.
30th RED KITE: One over New Passage.
JUNE
1st CETTI'S WARBLER: One around
Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
2nd ARCTIC SKUA: Two off Severn Beach.
GREAT SKUA: Four from Severn
Beach. POMARINE SKUA: One from
Severn Beach. STORM PETREL: One
from Severn Beach.
4th RED KITE: Three over fields west of
Marshfield, two over Old Sodbury.
5th CETTI'S WARBLER: One around
Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
6th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach. MANX
SHEARWATER: Nine from Severn
Beach. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL: One
at Oldbury Power Station.
P a g e | 21
7th RED KITE: One over Chipping
Sodbury, one between Hillesley/
Hawkesbury Upton, one at Perry's
Farm, Doynton and one over Wesley
Avenue, Hanham.
8th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach, also one at
Oldbury Power Station. GOSHAWK:
One over Rushmead Lane,
Marshfield. MANDARIN: A female
over J14 M5 Thornbury. RED KITE:
One over High Street, Thornbury,
two over Lagoon II, Oldbury Power
Station and one over Hanging Hill,
Beach.
9th RED KITE: One over Chipping
Sodbury.
10th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach. RED KITE: One
over Tog Hill near Pennsylvania.
11th RED KITE: One over Frampton
Cotterell, one over Alveston and one
east over Wick. YELLOW-LEGGED
GULL: One at Oldbury Power Station.
12th RED KITE: One over Westerleigh
Common. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL:
One at Oldbury Power Station.
13th RED KITE: One over Alveston.
15th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach. RED KITE: One
over Morton Way/ Butts Lane,
Thornbury.
16th HARRIER SPP: An unconfirmed
report of a possibly Montagu's at
Stoke Gifford.
17th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: A 2nd
summer on Northwick Warth. RED
KITE: One over Frampton Cotterell.
18th RED KITE: One over the A38 at
Thornbury. STONE CURLEW: One
heard at Shirehill Lane, Marshfield.
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL: One at
Oldbury Power Station.
19th RED KITE: One over the A46 at
Dyrham.
20th RED KITE: One over the M4 near
Hinton and one over Dyrham.
21st QUAIL: The first of the year calling
along Down Road, Marshfield.
22nd QUAIL: One from Down Road,
Marshfield.
23rd MEDITERRANEAN GULL: Eight past
New Passage also two 2nd calendar
year gulls, likely Mediterranean.
CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach. QUAIL: One
calling from Down Road, Marshfield.
RED KITE: One over the M5 near
Falfield.
24th EUROPEAN BEE-EATER: Two over
Mangotsfield Road, Mangotsfield.
RED KITE: One over Tormarton Road,
Marshfield.
26th COMMON CROSSBILL: One over
Severn Beach.
30th RED KITE: One over Chipping
Sodbury. BUTTERFLIES: At least ten
Silver-washed Fritillaries and a White
Admiral at Lower Woods, Wickwar.
JULY
1st RED KITE: Four in the Frome Valley,
Chipping Sodbury, one over Cribbs
Causeway and one over Emerson's
Green Retail Park.
2nd CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Oldbury
Power Station. MEDITERRANEAN
GULL: An adult in the New Passage/
Northwick Warth.
P a g e | 22
3rd MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult at
Oldbury Power Station and a 1st
summer on Pilning Wetland.
4th QUAIL: One heard from Down Road,
Marshfield.
5th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult on
Pilning Wetland.
6th CETTI'S WARBLER: One heard at
Oldbury Power Station.
7th RED KITE: One over the M4 J18
Tormarton and one at Lovetts Wood
Farm, Hillesley.
9th QUAIL: One calling from Down Road,
Marshfield.
10th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: A 2nd year
at Oldbury Power Station. QUAIL:
One from Tormarton Road,
Marshfield. ICELANDIC BLACK-
TAILED GODWIT: A summer adult on
Pilning Wetland.
11th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult on
Pilning Wetland.
13th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: A 1st winter
from Severn Beach.
14th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL: A 2nd
summer on Pilning Wetland.
15th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: A juvenile
on Pilning Wetland and a sub-adult
down river from Oldbury Power
Station. QUAIL: One calling from
Down Road, Marshfield.
16th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: A 1st
summer and an adult on Pilning
Wetland. RED KITE: One over Old
Sodbury.
17th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult on
Pilning Wetland.
18th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: A juvenile
on Pilning Wetland.
19th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: At least
four on Pilning Wetland. RED KITE:
One over Chipping Sodbury.
20th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult on
Pilning Wetland. RED KITE: One
around J18/ M4 Tormarton.
21st EUROPEAN NIGHTJAR: One at Aztec
West, Almondsbury.
22nd MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult on
Pilning Wetland. RUFF: The first of
the year on Pilning Wetland.
23rd MEDITERRANEAN GULL: A juvenile
around Cake Pill, Aust Warth.
25th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: Two adults
on Pilning Wetland.
27th POMARINE SKUA: One from Severn
Beach.
28th ARCTIC SKUA: Two from Severn
Beach.
29th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult
from Thornbury Sailing Club.
AUGUST
1st COMMON SCOTER: One at Oldbury
Power Station. MEDITERRANEAN
GULL: A 1st winter and an adult from
New Passage.
2nd MEDITERRANEAN GULL: Two adults
in the New Passage/ Northwick
Warth/ Pilning Wetland area.
3rd MEDITERRANEAN GULL: A 1st
summer in the New Passage/
Northwick Warth/ Pilning Wetland
area.
P a g e | 23
5th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult
and a 1st winter in the New Passage/
Northwick Warth area. RED KITE:
One over Old Sodbury.
6th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: Four in the
New Passage/ Northwick Warth area.
7th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult on
Northwick Warth. PIED
FLYCATCHER: The first of the year at
Frampton Cotterell.
8th GRASSHOPPER WARBLER: One at
New Passage STW.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult
from New Passage.
9th RING-NECKED PARAKEET: One over
the Territorial Army garden at New
Passage.
10th MANDARIN: One at Oldbury Power
Station. MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An
adult from New Passage/ Northwick
Warth.
11th MARSH HARRIER: A juvenile from
Rushmead Lane, Marshfield.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult at
New Passage. RING-NECKED
PARAKEET: A female on Abbott
Road, Severn Beach.
12th LITTLE EGRET: At least twelve at
Severn Beach. LITTLE STINT: Three
the first of the year on Littleton
Warth. RING-NECKED PARAKEET: A
female on Abbott Road, Severn
Beach.
13th MANDARIN: A drake at Oldbury
Power Station. RING-NECKED
PARAKEET: A female on Abbott
Road, Severn Beach.
15th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult at
Oldbury Power Station. RING-
NECKED PARAKEET: A female on
Abbott Road, Severn Beach.
16th RING-NECKED PARAKEET: A female
on Abbott Road, Severn Beach.
WOOD SANDPIPER: Three 1st
winters on Pilning Wetland.
17th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Littleton
Brick Pits with one around Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach. WOOD
SANDPIPER: Four 1st winters on
Pilning Wetland.
18th CETTI'S WARBLER: One around
Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
OSPREY: An adult over Western
Distribution Park, Severn Beach. RED
KITE: Two from the Hillesley area.
WOOD SANDPIPER: Four on Pilning
Wetland.
19th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult at
New Passage. WOOD SANDPIPER:
Four on Pilning Wetland.
20th WOOD SANDPIPER: Four on Pilning
Wetland. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL:
One opposite Tormarton Road
cemetery, Marshfield.
21st MARSH HARRIER: A juvenile/ female
Marsh Harrier over Down Road,
Marshfield. WOOD SANDPIPER: Four
on Pilning Wetland.
22nd MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult
from New Passage. WOOD
SANDPIPER: Four on Pilning
Wetland.
23rd CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Littleton
Warth. WOOD SANDPIPER: Three on
Pilning Wetland.
24th HARRIER SPP: A juvenile/ female
Hen/ Montagu's in the Huntingford
area. WOOD SANDPIPER: Two on
Pilning Wetland.
25th WOOD SANDPIPER: Two on Pilning
Wetland again.
P a g e | 24
26th BARNACLE GOOSE: Four the first of
the year on Littleton Warth. MARSH
HARRIER: A juvenile/ female from
Down Road, Marshfield. RED KITE:
One over New Passage. YELLOW-
LEGGED GULL: A juvenile at New
Passage. WOOD SANDPIPER: Two on
Pilning Wetland.
27th BARNACLE GOOSE: Four in the
Thornbury Yacht Club/ Littleton
Warth area. WOOD SANDPIPER: Two
on Pilning Wetland.
28th BARNACLE GOOSE: Four in the
Littleton Warth area. WOOD
SANDPIPER: One on Pilning Wetland.
SEPTEMBER
1st MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult in
the New Passage/ Northwick Warth/
Pilning Wetland area.
2nd MARSH HARRIER: A male over Butt
Lane, Thornbury. TREE SPARROW:
One near the Chapel at Shepperdine.
3rd MARSH HARRIER: A juvenile/ female
around Orchid/ Rushmead Lane,
Marshfield.
4th WOOD SANDPIPER: One over
Shepperdine.
5th WOOD SANDPIPER: A 1st winter on
Pilning Wetland.
6th MEDITERRANEAN GULL: One in the
New Passage/ Northwick Warth area.
RED KITE: One over Elberton. WOOD
SANDPIPER: A 1st winter on Pilning
Wetland.
8th MANDARIN: An eclipse drake on
Kingsgate Park, Yate. WOOD
SANDPIPER: A 1st winter on Pilning
Wetland.
9th WOOD SANDPIPER: A 1st winter on
Pilning Wetland.
10th WOOD SANDPIPER: A 1st winter on
Pilning Wetland.
11th AVOCET: One in the Northwick
Warth/ Pilning Wetlands. WOOD
SANDPIPER: A 1st winter on Pilning
Wetland.
12th CETTI'S WARBLER: Four on Littleton
Warth. WOOD SANDPIPER: A 1st
winter on Pilning Wetland.
13th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Oldbury
Power Station. MEDITERRANEAN
GULL: One in the New Passage/
Northwick Warth area. WOOD
SANDPIPER: A 1st winter on Pilning
Wetland.
14th LEACH'S PETREL: One from Severn
Beach.
15th BLACK TERN: The first of the year in
the Northwick Warth/ Pilning
Wetland area.
16th WOOD SANDPIPER: A 1st winter on
Pilning Wetland. WRYNECK: One
around Severn Lodge Farm, New
Passage.
17th CETTI'S WARBLER: One from
Oldbury Power Station.
18th MARSH HARRIER: A 2nd calendar
male on Pilning Wetland.
20th CETTI'S WARBLER: Three on
Littleton Warth.
21st MEDITERRANEAN GULL: A winter
adult on BAWA playing fields Filton.
22nd SHORT-EARED OWL: One from Aust
Warth.
P a g e | 25
25th GREY PHALAROPE: One at New
Passage.
27th CETTI'S WARBLER: One on Pilning
Wetland. SHORT-EARED OWL: One
over Goose Green Way, Yate.
28th HEN HARRIER: A 'ringtail' over New
Passage.
29th CETTI'S WARBLER: Two at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach.
OCTOBER
2nd GREY PHALAROPE: One from New
Passage.
3rd JACK SNIPE: Two on Pilning Wetland.
RED-THROATED PIPIT: An adult on
Pilning Wetland.
4th GREAT WHITE EGRET: Two in the
New Passage/ Northwick Warth area.
RED-THROATED PIPIT: An adult on
Pilning Wetland.
5th JACK SNIPE: One on Pilning Wetland.
6th SHORT-EARED OWL: One at Aust.
SPOTTED REDSHANK: One in the
New Passage/ Northwick Warth area.
7th SHORT-EARED OWL: One at Aust.
8th SHORT-EARED OWL: One at Aust.
9th JACK SNIPE: One in the New
Passage/ Northwick Warth/ Pilning
Wetland area. SHORT-EARED OWL:
One at Aust.
10th CANADA GOOSE: A S. Glos record,
311 at Oldbury Power Station. JACK
SNIPE: One in the New Passage/
Northwick Warth/ Pilning Wetland
area. SHORT-EARED OWL: One from
Aust.
11th SHORT-EARED OWL: One from Aust.
13th CETTI'S WARBLER: One from Lagoon
II, Oldbury Power Station with
another at Pilning Wetland.
COMMON CROSSBILL: A female/
immature over New Passage.
YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER: One at
Kingsgate Park, Yate.
14th AVOCET: Two at The Pill, New
Passage. BEARDED TIT: A male on
Lagoon II, Oldbury Power Station.
RING OUZEL: A 1st winter male on
Chipping Sodbury Common.
15th YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER: One at
the Science Park, Emerson's Green.
16th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Littleton-
upon-Severn. COMMON CROSSBILL:
Eight north-east over Aust Cliffs.
FIRECREST: One opposite Caroline
Cottage, New Passage.
17th BLACK-NECKED GREBE: A winter
adult on 1st Sentry Box Pool, Pilning
Wetland. CETTI'S WARBLER: One
from Grebe Pond, Pilning Wetland
with another at Littleton-upon-
Severn. JACK SNIPE: One on Pilning
Wetland. HEN HARRIER: A 'ringtail'
over the lagoons, Oldbury Power
Station SHORT-EARED OWL: One
from Aust Warth. WATER PIPIT: One
on Northwick Warth. YELLOW-
BROWED WARBLER: One above
Severn View Services, Aust.
18th CETTI'S WARBLER: Two at Oldbury
Power Station. COMMON
CROSSBILL: Two at Oldbury Power
Station with a further six at Aust
Cliffs, then six at Aust Warth and five
over New Passage. GOOSANDER:
Two past New Passage/ Northwick
Warth. HEN HARRIER: A juvenile/
female over Down Road, Marshfield.
RING-NECKED PARAKEET: One in the
New Passage/ Northwick Warth area.
WATER PIPIT: One north-east over
Oldbury Power Station. YELLOW-
P a g e | 26
BROWED WARBLER: One at
Kingsgate Park, Yate.
19th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Grebe
Pond, Pilning Wetland. HEN
HARRIER: A juvenile/ female at Down
Road, Marshfield.
20th BEARDED TIT: A female at Lagoon II,
Oldbury Power Station. DARTFORD
WARBLER: A female south of Severn
Beach.
24th JACK SNIPE: Two from Aust Warth.
25th JACK SNIPE: Two on Aust Warth.
26th RED KITE: Two over Keystone Yard,
Horton.
27th GREAT WHITE EGRET: One towards
Lagoon III, Oldbury Power Station.
GREENLAND WHEATEAR: One
between New Passage and the
Second Severn Crossing.
SPOONBILL: A juvenile/ 1st on Pilning
Wetland Wader Scrape.
28th FIRECREST: One at Orchard Pools,
Severn Beach. RING OUZEL: A 1st
winter male on Pilning Wetland.
SPOONBILL: A juvenile/ 1st winter on
Pilning Wetland Wader Scrape.
WATER PIPIT: Two on Northwick
Warth.
29th FIRECREST: At least one at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach. RING OUZEL: A
1st winter male on Pilning Wetland.
SPOONBILL: A juvenile/ 1st winter on
Pilning Wetland Wader Scrape.
WATER PIPIT: At least three on
Northwick Warth.
30th SPOONBILL: A juvenile/ 1st winter on
Pilning Wetland Wader Scrape.
31st BLACK REDSTART: A female/ 1st
winter on Pilning Wetland. CETTI'S
WARBLER: One from Orchard Pools,
Severn Beach. RING OUZEL: A 1st
winter male on Pilning Wetland.
SHORT-EARED OWL: One from Aust
Warth. SPOONBILL: A juvenile/ 1st
winter on Pilning Wetland Wader
Scrape.
NOVEMBER
1st DARTFORD WARBLER: One south of
Severn Beach. RING OUZEL: One
along Rushmead Lane, Marshfield.
SHORT-EARED OWL: One south of
Severn Beach.
2nd CETTI'S WARBLER: One from Lagoon
III at Oldbury Power Station.
MANDARIN: A male on The Lake,
Oldbury Power Station. PURPLE
SANDPIPER: One south of Severn
Beach.
3rd COMMON CROSSBILL: Ten over Aust
Cliffs. PURPLE SANDPIPER: One from
Severn Beach.
4th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach. FIRECREST:
Two at Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
HAWFINCH: Three at Orchard Pools,
Severn Beach. JACK SNIPE: One
south of Severn Beach. PURPLE
SANDPIPER: One south of Severn
Beach. SHORT-EARED OWL: One
south of Severn Beach and one from
Aust Warth. WATER PIPIT: One on
Northwick Warth.
5th BLACK REDSTART: A female/ 1st
winter at Oldbury Power Station.
CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach. FIRECREST:
Two at Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
6th GLOSSY IBIS: A juvenile/ 1st winter
on Pilning Wetland, New Passage.
BLACK REDSTART: Two around The
Jetty, Oldbury Power Station.
FIRECREST: Two at Orchard Pools,
Severn Beach. NORDIC JACKDAW:
P a g e | 27
One on Pilning Wetland, New
Passage.
7th BLACK REDSTART: Two 1st winters
around The Jetty and Lagoon III,
Oldbury Power Station with another
from Northwick Warth. FIRECREST:
Two around Orchard Pools, Severn
Beach. GLOSSY IBIS: One on Pilning
Wetland, New Passage. NORDIC
JACKDAW: One on Pilning Wetland,
New Passage. SHORT-EARED OWL:
One over Aust Warth. WATER PIPIT:
Five in the New Passage/ Northwick
Warth/ Pilning Wetland.
8th BLACK REDSTART: Two around The
Jetty, Oldbury Power Station.
GLOSSY IBIS: One on Pilning
Wetland, New Passage. WATER
PIPIT: Three in the New Passage/
Northwick Warth/ Pilning Wetland
area.
9th BLACK REDSTART: A juvenile/ 1st
winter around The Jetty, Oldbury
Power Station. FIRECREST: One at
Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
GLOSSY IBIS: One on Pilning
Wetland, New Passage. GREY
PHALAROPE: One at Shepperdine.
HAWFINCH: An unconfirmed two
over Pilning Wetland. WATER PIPIT:
Four on Pilning Wetland.
10th COMMON CROSSBILL: One over
Lagoon II, Oldbury Power Station.
GLOSSY IBIS: One on Pilning
Wetland, New Passage. SHORT-
EARED OWL: One south of Severn
Beach. WATER PIPIT: Three on
Northwick Warth/ Pilning Wetland.
11th CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Orchard
Pools, Severn Beach and one at Aust
Cliff. GLOSSY IBIS: One on Pilning
Wetland, New Passage. SHORT-
EARED OWL: One from Aust Warth.
12th GLOSSY IBIS: One on Pilning
Wetland, New Passage. HAWFINCH:
One over Lagoon III, Oldbury Power
Station. SHORT-EARED OWL: One at
Oldbury-on-Severn near Thornbury
Yacht Club. WATER PIPIT: Three in
the Northwick Warth/ Pilning
Wetland area.
13th BLACK REDSTART: A juvenile/ 1st
winter in 'The Jetty' area, Oldbury
Power Station. GLOSSY IBIS: One on
Pilning Wetland, New Passage. GREY
PHALAROPE: One near Lagoon I,
Oldbury Power Station. LEACH'S
PETREL: One from Severn Beach.
POMARINE SKUA: One from Severn
Beach. WATER PIPIT: One in the
Northwick Warth/ Pilning Wetland
area.
14th GLOSSY IBIS: One on Pilning
Wetland, New Passage.
15th BLACK GUILLEMOT: A 1st winter
from Severn Beach. GLOSSY IBIS: A
juvenile/ 1st winter on Pilning
Wetland, New Passage. LEACH'S
PETREL: Three from Severn Beach
and New Passage. MEDITERRANEAN
GULL: Two from Severn Beach.
16th GLOSSY IBIS: A 1st winter on Pilning
Wetland, New Passage. LEACH'S
PETREL: Up to three from Severn
Beach. WOODPIGEON: C.10,000
south-east over Kingswood, Bristol.
17th GLOSSY IBIS: A 1st winter on Pilning
Wetland, New Passage.
GOOSANDER: A drake past New
Passage. SHAG: One past Severn
Beach.
18th GLOSSY IBIS: A 1st winter on Pilning
Wetland, New Passage. POMARINE
SKUA: One from Severn Beach
around. RED-THROATED DIVER: One
upriver at Severn Beach. SHAG: One
past Severn Beach. WATER PIPIT:
P a g e | 28
Five on Pilning Wetland, New
Passage. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL: A
1st winter from Severn Beach.
19th GLOSSY IBIS: A 1st winter on Pilning
Wetland, New Passage. SHORT-
EARED OWL: One over Kingswood,
Bristol.
20th GLOSSY IBIS: A 1st winter on Pilning
Wetland, New Passage. WATER
PIPIT: One on Pilning Wetland, New
Passage.
21st GREY PHALAROPE: One past Severn
Beach. WATER PIPIT: One on Pilning
Wetland today.
22nd BEARDED TIT: One heard from
Lagoon II, Oldbury Power Station.
BLACK REDSTART: One at the Water
Works, Oldbury Power Station.
CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Lagoon
II, Oldbury Power Station with
another on Pilning Wetland.
COMMON SCOTER: Twelve were
from Severn Beach. WATER PIPIT:
One on Pilning Wetland.
23rd CETTI'S WARBLER: One from Grebe
Pond, Pilning Wetland. WOODCOCK:
30+ around The Lodge, Lower
Woods, Wickwar.
25th CETTI'S WARBLER: One from Grebe
Pond, Pilning Wetland. GOOSANDER:
A pair over Pilning Wetland. WATER
PIPIT: One on Pilning Wetland.
26th CETTI'S WARBLER: One on Pilning
Wetland. WATER PIPIT: One on
Pilning Wetland.
27th BLACK-THROATED DIVER: One from
Severn Beach. SHORT-EARED OWL:
One between Oldbury Power Station
and Thornbury Yacht Club.
28th BLACK REDSTART: Two 1st winters at
Oldbury Power Station. CETTI'S
WARBLER: One at Oldbury Power
Station. FIRECREST: One near
Lagoon II, Oldbury Power Station.
29th ARCTIC SKUA: Two from Severn
Beach. POMARINE SKUA: One from
Severn Beach.
30th ARCTIC SKUA: One down river from
Oldbury Power Station. GREAT
NORTHERN DIVER: One past Severn
Beach.
DECEMBER
1st POMARINE SKUA: One from Severn
Beach.
2nd JACK SNIPE: One from Aust Warth.
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL: A 3rd winter
from Severn Beach.
3rd MEDITERRANEAN GULL: An adult on
Pilning Wetland.
5th JACK SNIPE: Seven from Aust Warth.
6th BLACK REDSTART: A 1st winter
around The Jetty, Oldbury Power
Station. GREAT NORTHERN DIVER:
One over Aust Warth. MANDARIN:
C.20 on Dodington Park Lakes,
Dodington. MEDITERRANEAN GULL:
A 1st winter on Pilning Wetland.
SHORT-EARED OWL: One at Aust
Warth and one from Lagoon III,
Oldbury Power Station.
7th CETTI'S WARBLER: Three at Oldbury
Power Station. GOOSANDER: A
drake from the New Passage/
Northwick Warth area. SHORT-
EARED OWL: One at Oldbury Power
Station. WATER PIPIT: One from the
New Passage/ Northwick Warth area.
10th RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: A 1st
winter/ female on the Wader Scrape,
Pilning Wetland.
11th GOOSANDER: A female from New
Passage. RED-BREASTED
P a g e | 29
MERGANSER: A 1st winter/ female on
Pilning Wetland. YELLOW-LEGGED
GULL: Two adults near ASDA,
Marsham Way, Longwell Green.
12th MARSH HARRIER: A juvenile from
Lagoon II, Oldbury Power Station.
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: A 1st
winter/ female on Pilning Wetland.
13th CETTI'S WARBLER: One on Pilning
Wetland. RED-BREASTED
MERGANSER: A 1st winter/ female on
Pilning Wetland. SHORT-EARED
OWL: One on Pilning Wetland.
WATER PIPIT: One on Northwick
Warth.
14th GOOSANDER: A drake on the R.
Avon around The Lock Keeper,
Willsbridge. RED-BREASTED
MERGANSER: A 1st winter/ female on
Pilning Wetland.
15th RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: A 1st
winter/ female on Pilning Wetland.
WATER PIPIT: Two from Northwick
Warth.
16th RED-BREASTED MERGANSER: A 1st
winter/ female on Pilning Wetland.
WATER PIPIT: Two from the Pilning
Wetland area.
17th CETTI'S WARBLER: One on Pilning
Wetland. SHORT-EARED OWL: One
from Aust Warth. WATER PIPIT:
Three in the Northwick Warth/
Pilning Wetland area.
18th JACK SNIPE: Two at Oldbury Power
Station. WATER PIPIT: Two on
Northwick Warth.
19th RED KITE: One from Littleton Warth.
20th BLACK REDSTART: A 1st winter/
female around the Water Works,
Oldbury Power Station. CETTI'S
WARBLER: One on Pilning Wetland.
JACK SNIPE: Two at Yate. SHORT-
EARED OWL: One from Aust Warth.
WATER PIPIT: Three in the New
Passage/ Northwick Warth area.
23rd BLACK REDSTART: A 1st winter/
female at the Jetty and Water
Works, Oldbury Power Station.
CETTI'S WARBLER: One at Oldbury
Power Station with one on Pilning
Wetland. SHORT-EARED OWL: One
from Aust Warth. WATER PIPIT: One
on Northwick Warth.
25th BLACK REDSTART: Two 1st winter/
female types around the Jetty and
Water Works at Oldbury Power
Station. SHORT-EARED OWL: One
towards Thornbury Sailing Club,
Oldbury.
26th CETTI'S WARBLER: One from
Lagoon III at Oldbury Power Station.
27th WATER PIPIT: Five on Northwick
Warth.
28th GREAT WHITE EGRET: One from Aust
Warth. MEDITERRANEAN GULL: A
winter adult on Northwick Warth.
SHORT-EARED OWL: One from Aust
Warth. WATER PIPIT: One in the
Northwick Warth/ Pilning Wetland
area.
29th CETTI'S WARBLER: One from
Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
SHORT-EARED OWL: One from Aust
Warth. WATER PIPIT: Three on
Northwick Warth.
30th BLACK REDSTART: A female/ 1st
winter around the Jetty, Oldbury
Power Station. JACK SNIPE: Four on
Aust Warth. MEDITERRANEAN GULL:
An adult on Pilning Wetland.
31st WATER PIPIT: Three on Northwick
Warth.
©TBOSG S. Glos Diary 2015
P a g e | 30
THE S. GLOS LIST
In 2015 215 birds were logged in the recording area – 201 species and fourteen forms.
Some of the highlights this year though included Green-winged Teal, Red-breasted
Merganser and Goosander early in the year but sadly no Garganey. Grey Partridge
are just about clinging on in the Marshfield area.
Three of the four divers were logged (all in November) with both Storm and Leach's
Petrel in June and September respectively.
Some great ‘herons’ were bagged - Great White Egret, White Stork, Glossy Ibis,
Spoonbill and Common Crane and a splendidly ‘showy’ Black-necked Grebe posed
for photographers for a day in October.
All three harriers put in an appearance as did Goshawk and Osprey. On the wader
front Avocet, Stone Curlew, Spotted Redshank and Grey Phalarope were all enjoyed
to varying degrees. Pomarine Skua and Black Guillemot were the most outstanding
seabirds.
On a more exotic front Ring-necked Parakeet, European Bee-eater and Wryneck
were seen as were Penduline and Bearded Tit.
A difficult and elusive Red-throated Pipit was eventually ‘ticked’ as were Dartford
Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler and Firecrest.
On the ‘finch’ front Tree Sparrow, Common Crossbill and Hawfinch rounded out the
list.
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE S. GLOS LIST
There was just one addition to the S. Gloucestershire list this year and a pretty
remarkable one it was too! A fine Penduline Tit - remiz pendulinus was photographed
on March 11th at Dyrham Park, Dyrham by Mick Sheldon. See the entry in the
systematic list and full story in the articles section below.
With the addition of Penduline Tit the S. Gloucestershire list at the end of 2015
stands at 321 - 291 full species and 30 forms. The 2015 list can be found on page 78.
P a g e | 31
SYSTEMATIC LIST - SPECIES
The S. Gloucestershire systematic list follows that of the BOU publication - A
Checklist of Birds of Britain (8th edition) 2013. Each taxon is separately headed
followed by the vernacular name, scientific name, total number of occurrences to
end of 2014 in parentheses, total in 2015 and status in italics. All rare and scarce birds
are listed here with full species in capitals and forms in lower case.
All sightings of rare and scarce birds are subject to ratification by the appropriate
rarities committee.
SWANS BEWICK’S SWAN cygnus columbianus (C.240) 0 Scarce winter visitor
A complete blank in 2015 with no birds recorded.
WHOOPER SWAN cygnus cygnus (C.25) 0 Rare winter visitor
As with Bewick’s Swan no reports were received for this species this year.
GEESE BEAN GOOSE anser fabilis (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
The last and as yet only record of Bean Goose comes from 1998.
PINK-FOOTED GOOSE anser brachyrhyncus (C.10) 0 Very rare vagrant
Last recorded in S. Glos in 1996.
EURASIAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE anser albifrons (C.2,400) 0 Scarce winter visitor
Last recorded in S. Glos in 2014.
BARNACLE GOOSE branta leucopsis (C.170) 4 Very scarce winter visitor
Four birds (of unknown origins) were present with Canada Geese on Littleton Warth
for three days in August from the 26th - 28th.
RED-BREASTED GOOSE branta ruficollis (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
The only genuine record of this species for S. Glos was recorded in 1909 at Oldbury-
on-Severn. In 2015 a rather splendid male was present in the Northwick Warth/
Pilning Wetland area on and off from mid-March until mid-April but was considered
to be of captive origins.
P a g e | 32
TBOSG.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE alopochen aegyptiacus (5) 0 Very rare feral visitor
No reports were received for this species this year.
RUDDY SHELDUCK tadorna ferruginea (C.20) 0 Rare vagrant
No reports were received for this species this year.
DUCKS MANDARIN aix galericulata (C.525) c.30 Very scarce introduced resident
The first to be encountered this year was on March 1st on Dodington Lakes,
Dodington where four birds, two males and two females, were present.
A female was seen next on June 8th in flight from a moving vehicle at J14 M4
Thornbury before heading towards Heneage Court Pools, an eclipse drake was
noted on shore at Oldbury Power Station on August 10th and was seen again in the
same area on August 13th, another eclipse drake was seen on Kingsgate Park, Yate
on September 8th, a winter male was seen on The Lake, Oldbury Power Station on
November 2nd and a flock of around birds were present rounded out the year on
Dodington Park Lakes, Dodington on December 6th.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL anus carolinensis (C.5) c.2 Very rare vagrant
In January a fine drake was first seen in front of the flash on Northwick Warth on the
1st. It was subsequently reported on and off commuting between Aust Warth and
P a g e | 33
Northwick Warth between the 23rd and 31st but regularly noted at the mouth of
Cake Pill from Aust Warth. In February presumably the same drake was seen again
from Aust Warth on the 21st. In April the same or another drake was seen from
Severn Beach in the morning on the 5th.
Pete Hazelwood.
Vic Savery.
GARGANEY anus querquedula (C.90) 0 Scarce passage migrant
No sightings of this dapper duck in S. Glos since April 2014.
RED-CRESTED POCHARD netta rufina (7) 0 Very rare vagrant
No reports this year the last was seen at Oldbury Power Station in January 2013.
P a g e | 34
RING-NECKED DUCK aythya collaris (4) 0 Extremely rare transatlantic vagrant
The last one to occur in the recording area was in November 2000 so long overdue!
SCAUP aythya marila (40) 0 Rare passage migrant
Our last encounter was in December 2010.
LONG-TAILED DUCK clangula hyemalis (20) 0 Very rare passage migrant
It’s been twelve years since the last one was seen (May 2003) a male on that
occasion…
VELVET SCOTER melanitta fusca (6) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
…and even longer since any of these have been seen! (November 1996)
SMEW mergellus albellus (11) 0 Rare vagrant
No reports of this elegant duck have been received since November 2010.
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER mergus serrator (C.70) 5 Scarce winter visitor
One of the best years for this species in S. Glos with five birds reported. A drake was
present briefly at New Passage before flying downriver on January 23rd then three
males were watched drifting down river from Severn Beach on April 5th though
were seen earlier at Oldbury Power Station and a 1st winter/ female was present on
Pilning Wetland from the 10th - 16th December.
Paul Bowerman.
GOOSANDER mergus merganser (C.185) c.15 Scarce winter visitor
The second best year ever for this species in S. Glos with around fifteen birds
reported!
P a g e | 35
JANUARY: A male and female were present on the R. Avon around The Lock Keeper
near Keynsham Weir from the 30th until February 7th when they were joined by
another drake on the 8th with an additional pair there on the 11th (five in total).
APRIL: A male was seen in flight upriver past Thornbury Yacht Club on the 4th and a
female was seen in flight upriver close in before landing on the water at
Shepperdine on the 10th.
OCTOBER: Two were seen in flight north-east past New Passage/ Northwick Warth
around on the 18th.
NOVEMBER: A drake was seen heading down river past New Passage at 12:15 on the
17th and a pair were seen in flight north-west over Pilning Wetland on the 25th.
DECEMBER: A drake was reported from the New Passage/ Northwick Warth area on
the 7th, a 1st winter/ female was seen from New Passage around 16:20 on the 11th
and a drake was present on the R. Avon around The Lock Keeper near Keynsham
Weir on the 14th.
TBOSG.
P a g e | 36
GAME QUAIL coturnix coturnix Passage migrant and scarce summer visitor
As in 2014, an extremely poor year! All reports come from the Marshfield
stronghold.
Quail Bird Days 2015
Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Totals
Down Road 3 3 6
Tormarton Road 1 1
Totals 3 4 7
EARLIEST: One was heard calling from the 'set aside' on the west side of Down
Road, Marshfield on June 21st. LATEST: One was heard calling from in fields from
Tormarton Road, Marshfield on July 10th. HIGHEST COUNT: One on all dates.
DIVERS
Paul Bowerman.
P a g e | 37
RED-THROATED DIVER gavia stellate (C.18) 1 Very rare vagrant
One was seen to fly north-east upriver at Severn Beach and over the Second Severn
Crossing around 10:30 on November 18th.
BLACK-THROATED DIVER gavia arctica (3) 1 Extremely rare vagrant
One was seen around 08:40 on November 27th drifting south-west down river
towards 'The Pipes' from Severn Beach.
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER gavia immer (12) 2 Very rare vagrant
Two birds this year, the first was seen in flight south-west past Severn Beach around
10:20 on November 30th, the second was watched flying high to the west over Aust
Warth late afternoon on December 6th.
PACIFIC DIVER gavia pacifica (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
It is highly unlikely we’ll ever seen one of these transatlantic vagrants in the Severn
Estuary again…?
SEABIRDS CORY’S SHEARWATER calonectris diomedea (2) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Eleven years have slipped silently by since this species was last reported. Occurring
in winter the two records thus far are from January and November.
SOOTY SHEARWATER puffinus griseus (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Forty-one years have slipped silently by since this species was last reported… The
only record so far comes from September 1974.
BALEARIC SHEARWATER puffinus mauretanicus (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Last seen in 1988 it’s likely that storms in September will bring the next one…!
STORM PETREL hydrobates pelagicus (C.200) 2 Scarce, usually storm driven
At least two birds were seen from the sea wall at Severn Beach from late afternoon
into the evening on June 2nd.
LEACH’S PETREL oceanodroma leucorhoa (C.550) c.10 Scarce, usually storm driven
Two were watched around 19:20 from Severn Beach on September 14th. One was
noted from Severn Beach in the morning on November 13th with at least three on
the 15th and up to three on the 16th. One of these birds was grounded and taken
into care where it made a full recovery and was successfully released.
P a g e | 38
BLACK-BELLIED STORM PETREL fregetta grallaria (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Yes we’ve had one! How close to zero are the chances of another…!
SHAG phalacrocorax aristototelis (C.40) 2 Very scarce vagrant
Two reports this year, one was seen mid-morning on November 17th from Severn
Beach heading north-east upriver and one was watched past Severn Beach heading
south-west down river on November 18th.
Dan White, Vic Savery.
HERONS BITTERN botarus stellaris (C.6) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
None reported in 2015 the last was from the first winter period in 2011.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON nycticorax nycticorax (2) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
The last time this species was recorded in S. Glos was in 1986.
P a g e | 39
CATTLE EGRET bubulcus ibis (2) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
No reports of this species in 2015.
LITTLE EGRET egretta garzetta Uncommon resident
The status of this species in S. Glos has changed significantly so reference here is
limited to the highest count. Eight were seen together at Oldbury Power Station on
March 20th.
GREAT WHITE EGRET casmerodius albus (8) 5 Extremely rare vagrant
The best year ever for this species with multiple sightings but sadly no
photo’s…now there’s a challenge.
The first of five sightings was of one in flight over Ableton Land and Orchard Pools,
Severn Beach on May 8th, next was two individuals seen briefly in the New Passage/
Northwick Warth area around on October 4th, then one was seen to fly in off the
estuary towards Lagoon III at Oldbury Power Station on October 27th where it
headed downriver and was lost to view over Littleton Warth and one was seen
flying low south-east and inland from Aust Warth on December 28th.
WHITE STORK ciconia ciconia (8) 1 Extremely rare vagrant
An adult was seen flying high over New Passage, parallel to the second Severn
Crossing and heading towards Newport/ Cardiff on April 21st.
Dan White.
P a g e | 40
GLOSSY IBIS plegadis falcinellus (1) 2 Extremely rare vagrant
A juvenile/ immature was seen very briefly at Kingswood, Bristol on January 14th
before being lost to view heading south and a juvenile/ 1st winter was present on
Pilning Wetland, New Passage from November 6th - 20th.
TBOSG.
Dan White.
P a g e | 41
SPOONBILL platalea leucorodia (C.20) 2 Rare vagrant
One was seen briefly on Grebe Pond before flying south over Pilning Wetland, New
Passage around on May 15th and a juvenile/ 1st winter was present on Pilning
Wetland Scrape from October 27th until at least mid-morning on October 31st.
COMMON CRANE grus grus (C.4o) c.12 Rare vagrant
Records of Common Crane in the recording area are 'clouded' by birds from The
Great Crane Project so with that in mind here are this year’s sightings…
MARCH: A flock of five were seen heading north-west over Olveston on the 18th and
one was seen on the 27th in flight over Pilning Wetland, Northwick Warth before
departing north east.
APRIL: Five were watched for ten minutes over Tytherington before gaining height
and moving south on the 5th and one probably this species, was seen circling over
Streamleaze, Thornbury on the 13th before departing north.
MAY: Two were noted in flight over Oldbury Power Station on the 4th gaining
height and departed south-west where they were seen over Thornbury Yacht Club
before continuing down river over the central span of the Severn Bridge.
Pete Hazelwood.
P a g e | 42
GREBES SLAVONIAN GREBE podiceps auritus (5) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Sadly this species has not been seen in S. Glos since 2010. With just five previous
records it remains a much sought after regional rarity.
BLACK-NECKED GREBE podiceps nigricollis (3) 1 Extremely rare vagrant
After an absence of some sixteen years a winter adult was found on Sentry Box
Pool, Pilning Wetland, New Passage just after 10:00 on October 17th where it
remained until dusk.
Mark Coller.
Brian Lancastle.
P a g e | 43
RAPTORS HONY BUZZARD pernis apivorus (8) 0 Very rare vagrant
Last recorded in S. Glos in May 2011.
RED KITE milvus milvus Scarce passage migrant
The status of Red Kite has changed significantly since the first record in 1957 so
entries in this year’s annual review are restricted to earliest/ latest dates, highest
counts and unusual sightings.
Red Kite bird days 2015
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
1 10 9 14 28 10 4 1 2
2 81
EARLIEST: One was seen heading
north over Old Sodbury on
February 5th.
LATEST: One was seen in flight
over Downend Sport Centre,
Downend at 10:00 on December
29th.
HIGHEST COUNT: Four were seen
in the Frome Valley area at
Chipping Sodbury around 14:15 on
July 1st.
TBOSG.
BLACK KITE milvus migrans (2) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Though there have been two previous records none have been seen since March
2010.
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE haliaetus albicilla (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Just one historical record that of an immature male ‘obtained’ sometime in
December 1871 at Dodington Park, Dodington.
P a g e | 44
MARSH HARRIER circus aeruginosus (C.40) c.7 Rare visitor and passage migrant
2015 was probably the best ever year for this species in S. Glos! A female/ immature
was the first to be seen this year moving north-east from Chittening Warth and was
observed from a stationary vehicle at Severn Beach on April 18th, another juvenile
was seen at the east end of Rushmead Lane, Marshfield on August 11th and was
noted as 'hunting its way south' and a juvenile/ female was seen heading north-east
over Down Road, Marshfield on August 21st with the same or another in the same
area on August 26th. A male was seen in flight south over Butt Lane, Thornbury on
September 2nd and a juvenile/ female was showing very well around Orchid/
Rushmead Lane, Marshfield on September 3rd. A 2nd calendar male was watched
on September 18th hunting over the reed bed on Pilning Wetland before drifting
east and a presumed juvenile lifted from the main reed bed of Lagoon II at Oldbury
Power Station on December 12th subsequently heading south-east.
Paul Bowerman, TBOSG.
HEN HARRIER circus cyaneus (C.50) 3 Rare visitor and passage migrant
A 'ringtail' was reported in flight over New Passage on September 28th then
another 'ringtail' was seen in flight over the lagoons at Oldbury Power Station on
October 17th. A juvenile/ female was seen in flight over Down Road, Marshfield and
roosting in 'set-aside'. It was seen leaving the overnight roost on October 19th then
high to the west.
P a g e | 45
MONTAGU’S HARRIER circus pygargus (7) 1 Extremely rare vagrant
An adult female was seen soaring on thermals over Pilning Wetland, New Passage
on May 15th before drifting high north east into clouds where it was lost to view.
GOSHAWK accipiter gentiles (C.50) 3 Rare visitor and passage migrant
Two were reported in March, one was seen on thermals with Common Buzzard and
Red Kite in the Rushmead Lane area at Marshfield on the 17th before departing
south-east and one was watched in roller-coaster display flight a kilometre upriver
and inland of Shepperdine on the 25th. In June another was reported over
Rushmead Lane, Marshfield on the 8th.
OSPREY pandion haliaetus (C.40) 7 Rare passage migrant
There were more Ospreys seen this year than in any previous year with a record
seven individuals being reported!
Spring passage kicked off in April when one was seen heading north over Yate on
the 6th, then one was seen in flight north over Cribbs Causeway on the 7th and
surprisingly a second was seen north over the same site on the 8th. One was seen
drifting north-east high over Severn Beach on the 10th, one was seen for a minute or
so drifting high west over Kingswood, Bristol on the 13th and one was seen in flight
north over Hallen on the 15th.
Autumn passage dished up
just one sighting when an
adult was seen high over
Western Distribution Park,
Severn Beach heading south
east on August 18th.
Vic Savery.
P a g e | 46
RED-FOOTED FALCON falco vespertinus (2) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. Just two previous records - 1974 and 2014.
RAILS AND CRAKES SPOTTED CRAKE porzana porzana (2) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
The only S. Glos record of this species comes from September and October 1891…
so… we’re well overdue another.
CORNCRAKE crex crex (16) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
This species was first documented in 1938 and our most recent was a calling bird
heard on Chipping Sodbury Common in July 2011.
WADERS BLACK-WINGED STILT himantopus himantopus (2) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Just two records of this elegant wader exist – 1848 and 1997.
AVOCET recurvirostra avosetta (C.145) 5 Very scarce passage migrant and winter
visitor
The first birds of the year were seen in March when one was seen on the foreshore
on Northwick Warth from New Passage on the 6th. Then one was seen at high tide
on the shore at Thornbury Yacht Club, Oldbury-on-Severn around Pillhead Gout on
the 12th with the same or another in the same area in the evening on the 19th.
None then until September when one was seen in the Northwick Warth/ Pilning
Wetlands area on the 11th and lastly in October, two were present and seen feeding
around Chestle Pill, New Passage on the 14th.
Pete Hazelwood.
P a g e | 47
STONE CURLEW burhinus oedicnemus (4) 1 Extremely rare vagrant
One, probable this species was heard calling several times from fields on the south
side of Shirehill Lane, Marshfield in the afternoon on June 18th.
KENTISH PLOVER charadrius alexandrines (5) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. Just five previous records - 1947, 1949, 1993, 2004 and 2006.
DOTTEREL charadrius morinellus (C.30) 0 Rare passage migrant
Not reported in 2015. Our best year for this species was 1992 when fourteen were
present in the Tormarton area in May.
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER pluvialis dominica (2) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015 this species last occurred in 2013.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER calidris pusilla (2) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. Just two previous records - 1990 and 2009.
TEMMINCK’S STINT calidris temminckii (2) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. Just two previous records - 1984 and 2004.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER calidris fuscicollis (C.5) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. Just five previous records – 1985, 1989, 1995, 1998 and 2001.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER calidris melanotos (8) 0 Very rare vagrant
No reports of this transatlantic vagrant this year.
Brian Lancastle.
P a g e | 48
PURPLE SANDPIPER calidris maritime (c.320) 1 Very scarce winter visitor
Just one reported this year when it was present and mixing with Turnstone in 'The
Pipes' area around one kilometre south of Severn Beach from the 2nd - 4th
November.
BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER limicola falcinellus (2) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. Just two previous records - 1983 and 1988.
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER tryngites subruficollis (3) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. Just three previous records – 1989, 1990 and 2003.
JACK SNIPE lymnocryptes minimus Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor
The status of Jack Snipe has changed significantly over the years in S. Glos so entries
in this year’s annual review are listed as earliest/ latest dates, highest counts and
Bird Days.
EARLIEST: Two reported by several observers on Pilning Wetland on October 3rd.
LATEST: A fresh corpse was found on Pilning Wetland on May 25th.
HIGHEST COUNT: Seven were counted from Aust Warth on December 5th.
Jack Snipe Bird Days 2015
Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Totals
NW/NP/ PWR 1 6 8 15
Orchard Pools 1 1
Aust Warth 7 3 2 4 1 4 21
Littleton Warth 1 1
Severn Beach 1 1 2
Yate 1 4 2 7
OPS 5 1 2 8
Marshfield 2 2
Totals 16 9 3 1 10 2 16 57
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LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER limnodromus scolopaceus (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
This species has not been seen in S. Glos since the first record in October 1977.
SPOTTED REDSHANK tringa erythropus (C.100) 2 Very scarce passage migrant
Two this year. A spring bird at Thornbury Yacht Club around Pillhead Gout on April
22nd, and an autumn bird at New Passage/ Northwick Warth area on October 6th.
WOOD SANDPIPER tringa glareola (C.25) c.6 Rear passage migrant
2015 was one of the best years for this elegant wader in S. Glos.
SPRING:
APRIL: A spring adult was seen on the scrape of Lagoon III at Oldbury Power Station
in the evening on the 23rd.
AUTUMN:
AUGUST:
Three juvenile/ 1st winters were
seen on Pilning Wetland,
Northwick Warth on the 16th
and 23rd increasing to four from
17th - 22nd with two from the
24th - 27th and one on the 28th.
SEPTEMBER:
One was seen and heard in flight
low overhead from Shepperdine
over Oldbury Power Station and
to the south-west on the 4th,
and a juvenile/ 1st winter was
seen on Pilning Wetland late
afternoon on the 1st Sentry Box
Pool from the 5th - 16th. Paul Bowerman.
TEREK SANDPIPER xenus cinereus (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Just one of these far eastern delights has been recorded in S. Glos – September 1986
at Severn Beach… Oh for another!
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RED-NECKED PHALAROPE phalaropus lobatus (2) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. Just two previous records - 2001 and 2014.
GREY PHALAROPE phalaropus fulicaria (C.25) c.5 Rear passage migrant
All five of this year’s reports come from the second winter period. In September one
was seen briefly from the seawall at New Passage on the 25th and in October one
was reported briefly on the 3rd from New Passage. In November, one was seen at
close range at Shepperdine on November 9th where it was noted flying along the
sea wall to settle briefly on the Tidal Reservoir at Oldbury Power Station with the
same or another noted in the same area on the 13th and one was seen in flight north
past Severn Beach on the 21st.
Karle Burford.
SKUAS
TBOSG.
P a g e | 51
POMARINE SKUA stercorarius pomarinus (C.225) c.30 Very scarce
Another excellent year for this species in S. Glos with in excess of twenty individuals
recorded.
MAY: (C.27) Up to six were seen from Severn Beach on the 5th included three pale
morph and three dark morph. Around twenty were noted throughout the day from
Severn Beach on the 6th which included a flock of twelve. One pale morph was seen
past Severn Beach on the 9th.
JUNE: (1) A pale morph was seen from Severn Beach on the 2nd.
JULY: (1) A single pale morph was reported from Severn Beach during a late
afternoon/ early evening sea watch on the 27th.
NOVEMBER: (C.2) A pale morph adult with full 'spoons' was seen from Severn Beach
in the morning on the 13th and again in the afternoon on the 18th. A pale morph
adult with full 'spoons' was seen heading down river from Severn Beach on the
29th.
DECEMBER: (1) A pale morph adult was seen from Severn Beach heading down river
around 10:15 on the 1st. It was subsequently seen from New Passage around 13:00
before heading up river towards the Severn Bridge.
ARCTIC SKUA stercorarius parasiticus Uncommon - generally storm driven
EARLIEST: Two, one light, one dark morph were noted low up river past Oldbury
Power Station at 17:55 on April 17th. LATEST: A light morph was seen heading slowly
down river from Oldbury Power Station around 15:45 on November 30th. HIGHEST
COUNT: Around forty were seen throughout the day from Severn Beach on May 6th.
Arctic Skua Bird Days 2015
Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Totals
Severn Beach
55 2 2
2
61
OPS
2 3
1
6
Totals
2 58 2 2
3
67
P a g e | 52
LONG-TAILED SKUA stercorarius longicaudus (7 ) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
No reports this year and was last seen in September 2008.
AUKS BLACK GUILLEMOT cepphus grille (1) 1 Extremely rare vagrant
A 1st winter was seen distantly but well mid-morning on November 15th from the
sea wall at Severn Beach. This is just the second ever record for this species in S.
Glos. The only previous record comes from 1998.
Amazingly the bird was photographed by at least two people! The top shot was
taken by Brian Thompson, the bottom by Vic Savery and are surprisingly good
considering the weather conditions at the time.
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LITTLE AUK alle alle (C.30) 0 Rare vagrant
Not a regular occurrence by any stretch of the imagination. Just thirty have been
logged historically the last in 2010.
PUFFIN fratercula artica (6) 0 Extremely rare
The last report for S. Glos was 2014 and that was the first for twelve years!
TERNS ROSEATE TERN sterna dougallii (2) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. Just two previous records – 1990 and 1997.
LITTLE TERN sterna albifrons (C.265) 3 Scarce passage migrant
Three spring birds this year and all in May; At least two were seen from Severn
Beach on the 6th and one was seen fishing and roosting from New Passage on the
11th.
Paul Bowerman.
WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN chlidonias leucopterus (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Just one definate record of this species from way back in 1990…! There’s also an
unconfirmed report of one from even earlier…in 1977.
GULLS MEDITERRANEAN GULL larus melanocephalus Scarce visitor
The status of Mediterranean Gull has changed significantly since the first record in
1979; subsequent entries are restricted to earliest/ latest dates, highest counts and
Bird Days.
P a g e | 54
EARLIEST: An adult in fields near Thornbury Yacht Club, Oldbury on January 22nd.
LATEST: A winter adult was present on Pilning Wetland on December 30th.
HIGHEST COUNT: A remarkable flock of eight adults (possibly ten) were seen in
flight down river past New Passage in the evening on June 23rd.
Mediterranean Gull bird days 2015
Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
Severnside 2 2 11 20 21 3 2 4 65
OPS 1 4 1 6
Filton 1 1
Totals 1 2 2 11 24 22 4 2 4 72
TBOSG.
FRANKLIN’S GULL larus pipixcan (3) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. Just three previous records – 1984, 1988 and 2000.
LAUGHING GULL leucophaeus atricilla (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. There’s only ever been one… May 2012.
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SABINE’S GULL larus sabini (C.30) 0 Rare vagrant
Of the thirty or so birds recorded in S. Glos the most recent was June 2012.
RING-BILLED GULL larus delawarensis (5) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
The last definite sighting was in December 2008.
CASPIAN GULL larus cachinnans (8) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
None this year and none since 2008.
YELLOW-LEGGED GULL larus michahellis (C.240) c.8 Scarce visitor
TBOSG.
APRIL: A near adult was seen on the estuary at Oldbury Power Station on the 13th
and a presumed adult was present on the shore by the tidal reservoir at Oldbury
Power Station the evening on the 27th.
MAY: A third calendar year was present on the shore and Tidal Reservoir at Oldbury
Power Station throughout the month and was last seen on the 25th.
JUNE: A moulting individual was seen on the shore at Oldbury Power Station on the
6th, 11th - 12th and 18th.
AUGUST: A 3rd/ 4th calendar year was present in ploughed fields opposite
Tormarton Road cemetery, Marshfield on the 20th and a juvenile was present in the
New Passage area on the 26th.
P a g e | 56
NOVEMBER: A juvenile/ 1st winter was seen from Severn Beach on the 18th.
DECEMBER: A 3rd winter was seen from Severn Beach heading across the estuary
on the 2nd and two adults were watched on the grass verge on Marsham Way,
Longwell Green on the 11th.
Vic Savery.
ICELAND GULL larus glaucoides (16) 0 Very rare vagrant
None reported in 2015, the last was from May 2012.
GLAUCOUS GULL larus hyperboreus (9) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
None reported in 2015, the last was from April 2012.
SANDGROUSE, DOVES, PIGEONS AND PARAKEETS PALLAS’S SANGROUSE syrrhaptes paradoxus (C.10) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Although around ten of these super birds have been seen historically in S. Glos none
have been recorded in the area for 118 years… too long!
TURTLE DOVE streptopelia turtur Rare passage migrant
They are, it seems, as rare as sandgrouse nowadays and although they were once a
locally breeding bird you’ll only encounter them on passage.
P a g e | 57
RING-NECKED PARAKEET
psittacula krameri (C.20) 2
Rare feral introduced/ escape
One flew south west and calling
over the Territorial Army garden at
New Passage on August 9th and a
female, presumably this individual
was seen at New Passage on the
9th and was present in a garden on
Abbott Road, Severn Beach from
the 11th - 16th at least. The same or
another was reported in the New
Passage/ Northwick Warth area on
October 18th.
Rod Lees.
OWLS AND NIGHTJAR LONG-EARED OWL asio otus (C.45) 0 Rare vagrant
Not recorded in S. Glos since 2013.
SHORT-EARED OWL asio flammeus Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor
Vic Savery.
P a g e | 58
The status of Short-eared Owl has changed significantly since the first record in
1942; subsequent entries are restricted to earliest/ latest dates, highest counts and
Bird Days.
EARLIEST: One was reported from Aust Warth at 19:30 on September 22nd. LATEST:
One was seen on Aust Warth on April 20th. HIGHEST COUNT: Two in January and
November.
Short-eared Owl bird days 2015.
Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
Aust Warth 9 3 2 1 8 3 6 32
NW/NP/PilnWet 1 1
Severn Beach 2 4 6
OPS 2 3 5
Yate 1 1
Kingswood 1 1
Totals 9 3 2 2 2 8 10 10 46
NIGHTJAR caprimulgus europaeus (14) 1 Very rare vagrant
One was both seen in flight and heard at 17:00 on July 21st at Aztec West,
Almondsbury. It was then heard until at least 17:30 in trees in the car park around
'Atkins Buildings', 500 Park Avenue, Almondsbury. The finder was also able to make
a sound recording of the bird at the time.
SWIFT, HOOPOE AND BEE-EATER ALPINE SWIFT apus melba (3) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. Just three previous records – 1993, 1999 and 2006.
EUROPEAN BEE-EATER merops apiaster (1) 2 Extremely rare vagrant
At least two individuals were heard over Mangotsfield Road, Mangotsfield between
15:00 and 15:15 on June 24th. Arriving from the south-west, they appeared to be
fairly low down calling for a couple of minutes before departing north-west towards
Page Park and Downend. This is just the second time that this species has been seen
in S. Glos but the first multiple occurrence.
P a g e | 59
HOOPOE upupa epops (C.25) 0 Rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015 after being seen (with the exception of 2012) every year since
2008.
WOODPECKERS WRYNECK jynx torquilla (22) 1 Rare vagrant
One was seen briefly at 08:50 around the farm outbuildings of Severn Lodge Farm,
New Passage/ Northwick Warth on September 16th.
LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER dendrocopos minor Rare breeding resident
Probably enormously under recorded in S. Gloucestershire!
ORIOLES & SHRIKES GOLDEN ORIOLE 0riolus oriolus (6) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
No records of this species in S. Glos since 2007.
RED-BACKED SHRIKE lanius collurio (C.15) 0 Very rare vagrant
No records of this species in S. Glos since 2013.
GREAT GREY SHRIKE lanius excubitor (C.5) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. Just five previous records – 1891, 1982/ 83, 2009 and 2014.
WOODCHAT SHRIKE lanius senator (C.4) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. Just four previous records – 1887, 1989, 1994 and 2011.
CROWS HOODED CROW corvus cornix (6) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
No reports from 2015 and was last seen in S. Glos at New Passage in April 1994.
TITS PENDULINE TIT remiz pendulinus (0) 1 Extremely rare vagrant
A new bird for S. Glos! This (probable female) was both seen and photographed on
the morning of March 11th in trees in the car park of Dyrham Park near Dyrham.
Read the full story in the articles section below.
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BEARDED TIT panurus biarmicus (7) 3 Very rare vagrant
A male was seen well in the main reedbed on Lagoon II at Oldbury Power Station on
October 14th, a female was seen at Lagoon II on October 20th and one was heard at
dusk on November 22nd calling from the main reed bed around Lagoon II.
Pete Hazelwood, Pavlo Zaltowski.
WILLOW TIT parus montanus (C.35) 5 Rare resident
Four were reported from Lower Woods, Wickwar on December 23rd, two in the
Chase Hill area (ST: 7388) and two from South Moon Ridings (ST: 7488) with one
reported from South Moon Ridings on December 28th.
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LARKS & PIPITS WOODLARK lullula arborea (15) 0 Very rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015 the last was a ‘fly-over’ at New Passage in October 2011.
SHORELARK eremophila alpestris (C.8) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
No reports of this species from the recording area since January 2010.
RICHARD’S PIPIT anthus richardi (C.10) 0 Very rare vagrant
After a spate of sightings 2015 drew a blank.
WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta scarce winter visitor and passage migrant
LATEST: One in the Cake Pill area on Aust Warth on April 5th. EARLIEST: One on
Northwick Warth on October 17th. HIGHEST COUNT: Five in the New Passage/
Northwick Warth/ Pilning Wetland area on November 7th, 18th and December 27th.
Water Pipit Bird Days 2015
Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Totals
NW/ NP/ PWR 9 4 2 6 31 27 79
Aust Warth 1 1
OPS 1 1 2
Totals 9 4 3 1 7 31 27 82
Paul Bowerman.
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RED-THROATED PIPIT anthus cervinus (2) 1 Extremely rare vagrant
An adult was heard calling and seen briefly on Pilning Wetland on October 3rd
before being 'pinned down' in the north-west corner of the reserve. It was still
present on the 4th and remained until at least early evening.
Mark Coller.
SWALLOWS RED-RUMPED SWALLOW hirundo daurica (4) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
There are four definite records of this species from S. Glos and two unconfirmed.
WARBLERS & CRESTS CETTI'S WARBLER cettia cetti Locally rare
EARLIEST: One from Lagoon III, OPS on January 9th. LATEST: One at Orchard Pools,
Severn Beach on December 29th. HIGHEST COUNT: Three at OPS on December 7th.
Cetti's Warbler Bird Days 2015
Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Totals
Pilning Wetland 2 1 3 4 4 14
Orchard Pools 24 19 5 23 1 1 2 1 3 1 80
Aust Cliffs 1 3 7 2 1 14
Littleton Warth 1 3 7 2 13
OPS 1 1 9 4 2 2 3 3 5 30
Totals 1 2 25 28 11 23 3 7 19 11 11 10 151
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GRASSHOPPER WARBLER locustella naevia Very scarce migrant and rare breeder
EARLIEST: One was heard 'reeling' from scrub near Severn Beach Railway Platform
and one from brambles on the north-east side of Lagoon II, Oldbury Power Station
on April 13th. LATEST: One was present in Elders near the ST Works at New Passage
on August 8th.
Grasshopper Warbler Bird Days 2015
Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Totals
NW/ NP/ PWR 1 1 2
Severn Beach 3 3
OPS 3 3
Totals 7 1 8
AQUATIC WARBLER acrocephalus paludicola (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015 and the only record to date was in August 1976 at Littleton.
MARSH WARBLER acrocephalus palustris (3) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. There are three previous records – 1909, 1935 and 2009.
ICTERINE WARBLER hippolais icterina (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015 and the only record to date was in May 1992 at Brentry.
DARTFORD WARBLER sylvia undata (6) 1 Extremely rare vagrant
A female was seen in brambles around one kilometre south of Severn Beach in 'The
Pipes' area at 13:45 on October 20th and the same or another was heard in scrub
again around one kilometre south of Severn Beach on November 1st.
SUBALPINE WARBLER sylvia cantillans (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015 and the only record to date was in May 2004 south of Severn
Beach.
YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER phylloscopus inornatus (7) c.4 Extremely rare vagrant
The first was heard calling around 08:30 on the 13th in trees on the west/ south side
of Kingsgate Park, Yate and was subsequently heard and seen briefly around 10:30
but not again by dusk. One was seen several times in a mixed flock around 13:30 on
P a g e | 64
the 15th in the hedgerow adjacent to the Science Park at Emerson's Green and one
was both seen and heard in a small copse above Severn View Services, Aust on the
17th. Lastly the same or another was heard to call briefly again at Kingsgate Park,
Yate on the 18th.
WOOD WARBLER phylloscopus sibilatrix (C.45) 0 Scarce passage migrant
Not reported in 2015. With the exception of 2011 they have been noted in the
recording area every year since 2003.
FIRECREST regulus ignicapillus (C.45) 5 Rare passage migrant and winter visitor
MARCH: One was seen with Goldcrest on the 17th at Oldbury Power Station in
brambles at the steps from the main Rhine leading to Lagoon II.
OCTOBER: One was reported in trees opposite Caroline Cottage, New Passage on
the 16th and one was present at Ableton Lane, Severn Beach from the 28th - 31st.
NOVEMBER: One continued to show at Ableton Lane, Severn Beach from the 3rd –
9th with two from the 4th - 7th. One was seen in brambles alongside the reedbed on
the north-east side of Lagoon II at Oldbury Power Station on the 28th.
Lee Gardiner.
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STARLING ROSE-COLOURED STARLING sturnus roseus (3) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. There have been just three previous records – 2000/ 2001,
2004 and 2012.
CHATS & THRUSHES NIGHTINGALE luscinia megarhynchos Rare summer visitor
A male was reported and heard briefly by several observers singing from the garden
of The Glen at New Passage on April 6th - 8th.
RED-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT luscinia svecica (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. There has been just one previous record – May 1998 at
Marshfield.
RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL tarsiger cyanurus (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. There has been just one previous record – February/ March
2014 at Marshfield.
BLACK REDSTART pheonicurus ochruros Very scarce winter visitor
EARLIEST: A female/ 1st winter was seen by the wardens building on Pilning Wetland
around 09:30 on October 31st. LATEST: A female/ 1st winter was seen on Littleton
Warth on March 20th. HIGHEST COUNT: Two at Oldbury Power Station in both
November and December.
Black Redstart Bird Days 2015
Location Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Totals
OPS 13 6 19
Pilning WR 1 1
Northwick 1 1
Aust Warth 1 1
Littleton Warth 1 1
Totals 2 1 14 6 23
P a g e | 66
Pete Hazelwood.
PIED WHEATEAR oenanthe pleschanka (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. There has been just one previous record – October 2011 at
Oldbury-on-Severn.
DESERT WHEATEAR oenanthe deserti (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Not reported in 2015. There has been just one previous record – December 2013 at
Severn Beach.
RING OUZEL turdus torquatus (C.65) 6 Very scarce passage migrant
APRIL: A male was seen between Lagoon III and the shore at Oldbury Power Station
on the 10th then a female spent most of the day on Chipping Sodbury Common on
the 14th. A male was seen in flight from New Pill towards Orchard Pools, Severn
Beach on the 21st and another male was found in fields on the east side of
Northwick Warth by the second sentry box on the 23rd and was present until at
least the 27th.
OCTOBER: A 1st winter (probably male) was seen on Chipping Sodbury Common on
the 14th and a 1st winter male was present in Hawthorn on the south-west side of
Pilning Wetland form the 28th - 31st.
NOVEMBER: One was 'heard only' from Rushmead Lane, Marshfield on the 1st but
could not be located in thick fog!
P a g e | 67
Dan White.
WAXWING WAXWING bombycilla garrulous Rare vagrant
The best year to date was 2005 when some 2,500 bird days were logged.
FINCHES & BUNTINGS TREE SPARROW passer montanus Very rare passage migrant
Two in fields and hedgerows from the Severn Way north of The Windbound at
Shepperdine ST: 624 972 on January 2nd with two again at the same site on March
8th. One from Patchway on March 21st and one probably this species in the lane
near the Chapel at Shepperdine on September 2nd.
TWITE carduelis flavirostris Rare winter visitor and passage migrant
Not recorded in 2015 and last seen in the area in November 2014.
COMMON REDPOLL carduelis flammea (C.10) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
The most recent sighting was in November 2013 at Oldbury Power Station.
COMMON CROSSBILL loxia curvirostra (C.150) c.30 Scarce passage migrant
2015 was a fairly good year for this species in the recording area. The first birds were
noted in April when one was both seen and heard at Oldbury Power Station on the
P a g e | 68
4th and in June one was seen and heard in flight north over Severn Beach on the
26th. A female/ immature flew over New Passage to the north-west on October 13th
and eight were noted in flight north-east over Aust Cliffs on October 16th. On
October 18th two were seen at Oldbury Power Station and six counted at Aust Cliffs
(four males and two females) subsequently seen in hawthorns at Aust Warth before
flying south-west towards New Passage where five of them were seen. Ten were
seen in flight north-east over Aust Cliffs on November 3rd and one was seen in flight
over Lagoon II, Oldbury Power Station on November 10th.
HAWFINCH coccothraustes coccothraustes (C.95) c.6 Scarce
Three were flushed from bushes around Orchard Pools, Severn Beach on November
4th before heading south. A wholly unconfirmed report of two seen in flight over
Pilning Wetland on November 9th and one, probably this species, was seen in flight
to the south-west of Lagoon III at Oldbury Power Station on November 12th and
subsequently south-west along the shoreline.
LAPLAND BUNTING calcarius lapponicus (C.20) 0 Very rare vagrant
Not recorded in 2015 and last seen in the area in October 2013.
SNOW BUNTING plectrophenax nivalis (C.90) 0 Scarce winter/ passage migrant
Not recorded in 2015 and last seen in the area in October 2014.
CIRL BUNTING emberiza cirlus Extinct
Known as a resident in S. Gloucestershire in 1845 the last birds to be recorded here
were at Severn Beach in September 1975.
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING emberiza malanocephala (1) 0 Extremely rare vagrant
Just one report of this species exists for S. Glos that of a probable summer male
seen in a garden at Yate in June 2009.
P a g e | 69
SYSTEMATIC LIST - FORMS
Mark Coller.
Continental Cormorant phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (1) c.2
In March an adult was seen in flight upriver from New Passage on the 15th with the
same or another seen in flight upriver from Severn Beach on the 25th.
Nordic Jackdaw corvus monedula monedula (4) 1
One showing characteristics of this form was present briefly on Pilning Wetland,
New Passage on November 6th - 7th.
Scandinavian Rock Pipit anthus petrosus littoralis (C.12) 1
A summer plumaged individual was present on Northwick Warth around the 1st
sentry box in the morning on March 6th - 8th.
Greenland Wheatear oenanthe oenanthe leucorhoa (UK)
A very good candidate of this form was present on Northwick Warth on April 9th;
Two birds present on Rushmead Lane, Marshfield on May 12th were probably of this
form, one of which was still present on the 13th; One was seen on the seawall rocks
between New Passage and the Second Severn Crossing in the afternoon on October
27th.
Many thanks to all contributors to this year’s review your help is invaluable and
hugely appreciated.
P a g e | 70
NOTABLE BIRDING EVENTS IN 2015
EARLIEST DATE RECORDS:
WHITE STORK: April 21st 2015 at New Passage.
GLOSSY IBIS: January 14th 2015 at Kingswood, Bristol.
RED-THROATED DIVER: November 18th 2015 from Severn Beach.
HOBBY: April 6th 2015 at Hanham.
LITTLE RINGED PLOVER: March 12th 2015 at Severn Beach.
WOOD SANDPIPER: April 23rd 2015 at Oldbury Power Station.
ARCTIC TERN: March 29th 2015 at Severn Beach.
NIGHTINGALE: April 6th 2015 at New Passage.
Nordic Jackdaw: November 6th 2015 on Pilning Wetland.
LATEST DATE RECORDS:
GREEN-WINGED TEAL: April 5th 2015 at Severn Beach.
GREAT WHITE EGRET: December 28th 2015 at Aust Warth.
GLOSSY IBIS: November 20th 2015 on Pilning Wetland.
MARSH HARRIER: December 12th 2015 at Oldbury Power Station.
JACK SNIPE: May 25th 2015 on Pilning Wetland, New Passage.
WHIMBREL: December 12th 2015 Northwick Warth/ Pilning Wetland.
WOOD SANDPIPER: September 16th 2015 on Pilning Wetland, New Passage.
BLACK GUILLEMOT: November 15th 2015 at Severn Beach.
EUROPEAN BEE-EATER: June 24th 2015 at Mangotsfield.
PENDULINE TIT: March 11th 2015 at Dyrham Park, Dyrham.
RED-THROATED PIPIT: October 4th 2015 on Pilning Wetland.
SEDGE WARBLER: October 2nd 2015 at Oldbury Power Station.
FIELDFARE: April 14th 2015 at Chipping Sodbury.
Continental Cormorant: March 15th 2015 from New Passage.
Greenland Wheatear: October 27th 2015 at New Passage.
HIGHEST COUNT RECORDS:
CANADA GOOSE: 311 on October 10th 2015 at Oldbury Power Station.
GREAT WHITE EGRET: Two on October 4th 2015 on Northwick Warth.
WOODCOCK: 30+ in November 2015 at Lower Woods, Wickwar.
WOOD SANDPIPER: Four on August 17th 2015 on Pilning Wetland.
MEDITERRANEAN GULL: Eight/ ten on June 23rd 2015 from New Passage.
EUROPEAN BEE-EATER: Two on June 24th 2015 at Mangotsfield.
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RARITY & SCARCITY OCCURRENCES IN 2015 (61)
A month by month review of the first sightings of rare and scarce birds in 2015:
January (11)
Green-winged Teal, Tree Sparrow, Jack Snipe, Short-eared Owl, Water Pipit, Cetti’s
Warbler, Ring-billed Gull, Glossy Ibis, Mediterranean Gull, Red-breasted Merganser and
Goosander.
February (1)
Red Kite.
March (9)
Mandarin, Avocet, Scandinavian Rock Pipit, Penduline Tit, Continental Cormorant,
Firecrest, Goshawk, Common Crane and Black Redstart.
April (11)
Common Crossbill, Nightingale, Osprey, Greenland Wheatear, Ring Ouzel, Grasshopper
Warbler, Yellow-legged Gull, Marsh Harrier, White Stork, Spotted Redshank and Wood
Sandpiper.
May (5)
Pomarine Skua, Little Tern, Great White Egret, Montagu’s Harrier and Spoonbill.
June (3)
Storm Petrel, Quail and European Bee-eater.
July (1)
European Nightjar.
August (2)
Ring-necked Parakeet and Barnacle Goose.
September
(4)
Leach’s Petrel, Wryneck, Grey Phalarope and Hen Harrier.
October (5)
Red-throated Pipit, Yellow-browed Warbler, Bearded Tit, Black-necked Grebe and
Dartford Warbler.
November (8)
Purple Sandpiper, Hawfinch, Nordic Jackdaw, Black Guillemot, Shag, Red-throated
Diver, Black-throated Diver and Great Northern Diver.
December (1)
Willow Tit.
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ARTICLES PENDULINE TIT – Remiz pendulinus
Dyrham Park, Dyrham, S. Gloucestershire: March 11th 2015.
It never fails…I’m always amazed at the sequence of events surrounding the finding
of rare and scare birds not only locally but nationally too. Another bizarre set of
circumstances came to light when discussing the occurrence of S. Gloucestershire’s
first ever Penduline Tit with its finder Mick Sheldon!
Alerted to the possibility of Penduline Tit at Dyrham Park (a photo of which was
posted to a Facebook group and annotated as possible Red-backed Shrike) by Paul
Taylor, Paul Bowerman and Steve Jones who suggested that local young talented
birder Katie Horrocks might be able to help. Eventually Steve, a member of the
group, was able to contact Mick and asked him if he’d be kind enough to get in
touch. He duly obliged giving TBOSG the opportunity to speak to him and discuss
this staggering find.
So the story begins… On Wednesday March 11th 2015, whilst on business in the
area, Mick (who hails from the West Midlands) found himself with a couple of hours
to kill before his next appointment. Typically Mick says…’I usually look for
somewhere local to visit whilst I’m waiting’… On this occasion fortuitously he
decided to pay a visit to the nearby National Trust historic building at Dyrham Park.
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On arrival at Dyrham Park at around 11:00 in drizzly, overcast and windy conditions,
Mick pulls into the site’s main car park and parks around 12o metre south of the
visitor centre to check out a stand of trees there. Soon spotting a Treecreeper he
tries (without much success) to take some shots. Whilst trying to get on to the
Treecreeper he spots another bird in trees close by. The bird looked fairly settle and
‘fluffed up’ said Mick as he managed to ‘crack off’ one shot before it moved back
into the trees towards the A46 where it was lost to view and could not be relocated.
Later Mick, having trawled through some identification guides and having shown
the photograph to others, thought it was possibly a Red-backed Shrike. The photo
was subsequently published to a closed Facebook group and annotated as such but
it was soon suggested that Penduline Tit more closely fitted the bill.
Mick was keen to point out that it was down to the sharp eyes of Katie Horrocks and
her suggestion of Penduline Tit that kicked off the whole process; so a hearty well
done to her without whom this amazing event might well have gone unrecorded.
It could be mooted that this individual was a returning bird from Devon where three
were first seen at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB Reserve, Topsham on December 7th
2014. Overwintering in the area they relocated to nearby Exminster Marshes
eventually settling at Darts Farm where all three were present on and off there until
the morning of March 2nd 2015.
Two birds were regularly reported from there until at least March 16th 2015 giving
ample time for the ‘missing’ individual to make its way to S. Gloucestershire.
Penduline Tits constitute a family of small passerines that are related to the true tits
which include species like Verdin and Fire-capped Tit. With the exception of Verdin
and Fire-capped Tit, they make elaborate basket like nests that hang from trees,
usually over water, and it’s from the nest construction that the name 'penduline'
derives.
The genus 'remiz' is almost exclusively Eurasian, ranging discontinuously from
Portugal and the tip of northern Morocco through to Siberia and Japan. Eurasian
Penduline Tit is migratory over parts of its range, with birds in northern Europe
moving south in the winter where birds in southern Europe remain close to their
breeding areas.
TBOSG - March 2015.
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THE S. GLOS LIST 2015 SPECIES
Mute Swan
Bewick's Swan
Whooper Swan
Taiga Bean Goose
Pink-footed Goose
White-fronted Goose
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Barnacle Goose
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Red-breasted Goose
Egyptian Goose
Ruddy Shelduck
Shelduck
Mandarin
Wigeon
Gadwall
Common Teal
Green-winged Teal
Mallard
Pintail
Garganey
Shoveler
Red Crested Pochard
Pochard
Ring-necked Duck
Tufted Duck
Greater Scaup
Common Eider
Long-tailed Duck
Common Scoter
Velvet Scoter
Goldeneye
Smew
Red-breasted Merganser
Goosander
Ruddy Duck
Red-legged Partridge
Grey Partridge
Quail
Common Pheasant
Red-throated Diver
Black-throated Diver
Great Northern Diver
Pacific Diver
Fulmar
Cory's Shearwater
Sooty Shearwater
Manx Shearwater
Balearic Shearwater
Storm Petrel
Leach's Petrel
Black-bellied Storm
Petrel
Gannet
Cormorant
Shag
Bittern
Night Heron
Cattle Egret
Little Egret
Great White Egret
Grey Heron
White Stork
Glossy Ibis
Spoonbill
Common Crane
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Slavonian Grebe
Black-necked Grebe
Honey Buzzard
Red Kite
Black Kite
White-tailed Eagle
Marsh Harrier
Hen Harrier
Montagu's Harrier
Goshawk
Sparrowhawk
Common Buzzard
Osprey
Kestrel
Red-footed Falcon
Merlin
Hobby
Peregrine
Water Rail
Spotted Crake
Corncrake
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher
Black-winged Stilt
Avocet
Stone Curlew
Little Ringed Plover
Ringed Plover
Kentish Plover
Dotterel
Golden Plover
American Golden Plover
Grey Plover
Lapwing
Knot
Sanderling
Semipalmated
Sandpiper
Little Stint
Temminck's Stint
White-rumped
Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Curlew Sandpiper
Purple Sandpiper
Dunlin
Broad-billed Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Ruff
Jack Snipe
Snipe
Long-billed Dowitcher
Woodcock
Iceland Black-tailed
Godwit
Bar-tailed Godwit
Whimbrel
Curlew
Spotted Redshank
Common Redshank
Greenshank
Green Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Terek Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
Turnstone
Red-necked Phalarope
Grey Phalarope
Pomarine Skua
Arctic Skua
Long-tailed Skua
Great Skua
Guillemot
Razorbill
Black Guillemot
Little Auk
Puffin
Sandwich Tern
Roseate Tern
Common Tern
Arctic Tern
Little Tern
Black Tern
White-winged Black Tern
Mediterranean Gull
Franklin's Gull
Laughing Gull
Little Gull
Sabine's Gull
Black-headed Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Common Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Herring Gull
Caspian Gull
Iceland Gull
Glaucous Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Kittiwake
Pallas's Sandgrouse
Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon
Stock Dove
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Turtle Dove
Ring-necked Parakeet
Cuckoo
Barn Owl
Little Owl
Tawny Owl
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
Nightjar
Common Swift
Alpine Swift
Kingfisher
European Bee-eater
Hoopoe
Wryneck
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted
Woodpecker
Less Spotted
Woodpecker
Golden Oriole
Red-backed Shrike
Great Grey Shrike
Woodchat Shrike
Jay
Magpie
Jackdaw
Rook
Carrion Crow
Hooded Crow
Raven
Penduline Tit
Bearded Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Marsh Tit
Willow Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Woodlark
Skylark
Shorelark
Richard's Pipit
Tree Pipit
Meadow Pipit
Red-throated Pipit
Rock Pipit
Water Pipit
Yellow Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Sand Martin
Swallow
Red-rumped Swallow
House Martin
Cetti's Warbler
Grasshopper Warbler
Aquatic Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Marsh Warbler
Reed Warbler
Icterine Warbler
Dartford Warbler
Subalpine Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Common Whitethroat
Garden Warbler
Blackcap
Yellow-browed Warbler
Wood Warbler
Common Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Goldcrest
Firecrest
Common Starling
Rose-coloured Starling
Spotted Flycatcher
Pied Flycatcher
Robin
Nightingale
Red-spotted Bluethroat
Red-flanked Bluetail
Black Redstart
Common Redstart
Whinchat
Stonechat
Northern Wheatear
Pied Wheatear
Desert Wheatear
Ring Ouzel
Blackbird
Fieldfare
Song Thrush
Redwing
Mistle Thrush
Waxwing
Dipper
Wren
Dunnock
House Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Chaffinch
Brambling
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Siskin
Linnet
Twite
Lesser Redpoll
Common (Mealy)
Redpoll
Common Crossbill
Bullfinch
Hawfinch
Lapland Bunting
Snow Bunting
Yellowhammer
Cirl Bunting
Reed Bunting
Black-headed Bunting
Corn Bunting
FORMS
Continental Cormorant
Greenland White F
Goose
Continental Greylag
Goose
Pale-bellied Brent Goose
Great Bustard
Icelandic Golden Plover
Tundra Ring Plover
Northern Dunlin
Greenland Dunlin
Black-tailed Godwit
Icelandic Redshank
Continental LBB Gull
Scandinavian Herring
Gull Kumlien's Gull
Scandinavian Rock Pipit
Blue-headed Wagtail
Channel Wagtail
Eastern Yellow Wagtail
Grey-headed Wagtail
White Wagtail
White-spotted
Bluethroat
Greenland Wheatear
Continental Song Thrush
Continental Blackbird
Icelandic Redwing
Scandinavian Chiffchaff
Siberian Chiffchaff
Northern Willow
Warbler
Continental Coal Tit
Nordic Jackdaw
Continental Jay
Continental Chaffinch
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BUTTERFLIES
THE S. GLOS LIST 2015
SPECIES & FROMS
PAPILIONIDAE: 1
Swallowtail
HESPERIIDAE: 5
Small Skipper
Essex Skipper
Large Skipper
Dingy Skipper
Grizzled Skipper
PIERIDAE: 8
Clouded Yellow
Clouded Yellow (helice)
Brimstone
Large White
Small White
Wood White
Green-veined White
Orange-tip
RIODINIDAE: 1
Duke of Burgundy
Fritillary
NYMPHALIDAE: 24
Small P-bordered
Fritillary
Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Dark Green Fritillary
Silver-washed Fritillary
SW Fritillary (valesina)
Marsh Fritillary
White Admiral
Red Admiral
Painted Lady
Large Tortoiseshell
Small Tortoiseshell
Camberwell Beauty
Peacock
Comma
Purple Emperor
Speckled Wood
Wall
Marbled White
Grayling
Gatekeeper
Meadow Brown
Monarch
Ringlet
Small Heath
LYCAENIDAE: 12
Green Hairstreak
Purple Hairstreak
Brown Hairstreak
White-letter Hairstreak
Small Copper
Brown Argus
Common Blue
Chalk Hill Blue
Adonis Blue
Silver-studded Blue
Holly Blue
Small Blue
TOTAL - 51
Those highlighted were recorded in 2015 – 31.
Marbled White and White-letter Hairstreak – TBOSG.
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