Birding S. Glos

S. Glos Sunday:

2012-02-27T08:31:00.000Z

February 26th

Four Water Pipits were seen on Northwick Warth at mid-day near the second sentry box and at Aust Warth, at least two Short-eared Owls showed at dusk. • A Robin was noted at Willsbridge sitting on the nest.... we'll keep you appraised of the proceedings! • At Marshfield this afternoon; Three Short-eared Owls and Merlin and lots of Fieldfare by Downthorns Farm. Several continental type Song Thrush from Down Track plus two Sparrowhawk.

S. Glos SEO!

2012-02-25T20:24:00.000Z

Short-eared Owls in S. Glos have delighted many visitor to both Aust Warth and Shirehill Lane at Marshfield. Today saw a record count at Aust with seven birds on show in addition three more were present late afternoon at Marshfield.

One of three at Marshfield this afternoon.

New Events Page

2012-02-18T14:08:00.000Z

NEW! Check out our new Events page! If you would like us to promote your birding related event in S. Glos please get in touch.

Marshfield Med Gull!

2012-02-17T20:04:00.000Z

At Marshfield late afternoon, an adult Mediterranean Gull was mixing with around 2000 Common Gulls in partly ploughed fields along Shirehill Lane. The field is still to be finished so ploughing is likely to continue tomorrow!

News today:

2012-02-13T21:37:00.000Z

Up to three Twite were still present in stubble field south of Oldbury Power Station this morning. On Severnside; Two Short-eared Owls were seen going to roost on Aust Warth at 07:00. A 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull was on Northwick Warth. At New Passage a record S. Glos count of five Water Pipit were noted at Chesil Pill at lunchtime.

This cracking portrait of Common Teat was taken at New Passage by Brian Lancastle

Merlin attack!

2012-02-12T21:24:00.000Z

At Marshfield this Skylark took refuge under the front wheel of a parked car in the aftermath of a Merlin attack!

S. Glos today

2012-02-11T20:55:00.000Z

This morning at Severn Beach a Jack Snipe was seen on the salt marsh. Three Twite were still present at Oldbury Power Station around Lagoon III. At Marshfield just one Short-eared Owl showed this afternoon.

Jack Snipe at Severn Beach. Paul Bowerman

OPS Twite Video

2012-02-11T08:48:00.000Z

Click on the link to watch a clip of the Oldbury Power Station Twite. Matt Plenty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjDhaD0quBU&noredirect=1

SEO Access at Marshfield

2012-02-10T08:39:00.000Z

When visiting the Short-eared Owls at Marshfield these are the best places to view!

They roost in the area indicated and can be seen in the ploughed field left of '156' and in the setaside of field '156' . They also quarter fields on both sides of Shirehill Lane.

The roost area is in a depression which is best viewed from the eastern most arrow position back along the hedgerow. Good luck!

S.Glos today:

2012-02-08T20:20:00.000Z

In the Yate area today, Dipper again on the River Frome on Mill Lane, Chipping Sodbury, 10 Lapwing on field off of Brimsham Park, Yate and two flyover Siskin. Two drake Common Teal on Coopers Lake along with three Tufted Duck and two Canada Geese and on Kingsgate Lake the drake Shoveler was still present. • In the Old Sodbury farmland area, some more impressive Cotswold counts: 1,800 Linnet, 70 Yellowhammer, 15 Reed Bunting, 140 Stock Dove, 640 Golden Plover and 55 Lapwing over to south-west. • On the patch at Marshfield were a male Peregrine plucking and eating a kill on ploughed fields from about 16:30 - 16:45 in the Shirehill Lane area as were at least five Short-eared Owls. A male Stonechat at Rushmead Lane, with five Corn Bunting on Rough Ground. In the Shire Valley the Green Sandpiper was heard calling. Also in the area a female Merlin, six Raven and three Marsh Tits.

Short-eared Owl at Marshfield. Jamie Collins

Marshfield today:

2012-02-06T19:57:00.000Z

At Marshfield on the top fields this afternoon; 1000+ Skylark, 200 Chaffinch, 300 Yellowhammer, 500+ Linnet, 300 Corn Bunting, 1000+ Corvids, 20 Lapwing, 30 Golden Plover and a fly-over Little Egret. On Shirehill Lane seven Short-eared Owls were showing from 15:30. Along Broadmead Brook were five Common Teal and the first Green Sandpiper for S. Glos this year!

One of seven birds present again today plus this fly-over Little Egret montage.

Short-eared Owls at Marshfield

2012-02-05T20:35:00.000Z

Seven Short-eared Owls were on show at Marshfield this afternoon from Shirehill Lane. Also in the area were 50+ Brambling, 1500+ Skylark, 200 Chaffinch, 300 Yellowhammer, 1000+ Linnet, 300 Corn Bunting, 1000+ Corvids (mostly Jackdaw) and our Lapwing.

Snow Bunting

2012-02-05T09:44:00.000Z

A Snow Bunting, the first of the year, was heard calling over New Passage early this morning heading north-east.

OPS Twite

2012-02-04T19:54:00.000Z

Three Twite were seen in flight from the maize stubble field towards Lagoon III this morning at Oldbury Power Station.

At New Passage a Water Pipit was present on the salt marsh.

Recent News

2012-02-03T16:48:00.002Z

February 3rd

On Northwick Warth a Water Pipit was showing well at the edge of a frozen reedbed on Pilning Wetlands Reserve. Both Merlin and Short-eared Owl at Aust Warth this afternoon.

February 2nd

Three Twite were still present at Oldbury Power Station this afternoon.

On Severnside at least two Short-eared Owls were out over the salt marsh at Aust around 17:40.

February 1st

A female Merlin was seen at Aust Warth this morning and a Short-eared Owl eventually appeared here just as it became dark at 17:30.

Richard's Pipit

2012-01-30T12:00:00.002Z

The probable Richard's Pipit was reported again from Oldbury Power Station. It appeared to land in the green grassy field, last on left when walking to Thornbury Yacht Club from OPS.

Short-eared Owls were plentiful at Marshfield today with four roughly 700 metres west of Plough Farm but apparently seven in area of set aside on Sunday.

At Aust three possibly four Short-eared Owls were seen from 17:15. Also another Owl almost certainly Short-eared was noted over the B4461 between Aust and Elberton.

Richard's Pipit?

2012-01-29T19:18:00.001Z

Stacks of highlights today... Starting at Oldbury Power Station where at least three Twite were still available throughout the day. Also on site a Common Crossbill was noted as was an albeit 'tailless' probable Richard's Pipit.

On Severnside at least one Short-eared Owl was hunting over the salt marsh at Aust from 17:00 and at Marshfield at least three were being seen in the Plough Farm area from 16:15. Also at Marshfield were; c.200 Linnet, c.200 Yellowhammer, c.300 Chaffinch, 200+ Corn Bunting, 200 - 300 Skylark, c.600 Lapwing and c.300 Golden Plover.

2012-01-29T09:04:00.000Z

January 28th

At Oldbury Power Station at least three Twite this morning.

At Marshfield a Short-eared Owl late afternoon hunting the stubble field in front of Plough Farm, Marshfield with an unconfirmed report of as many as 15 (yes, fifteen!) in the area!

On Severnside, a Water Pipit in the Northwick Warth area and at Aust five Short-eared Owls were flushed by a dog walker late afternoon but soon resettled back to roost! Also c.20,000 Starling inland from Aust Warth towards Ingst.

Twite at OPS

2012-01-28T11:34:00.000Z

www.thebirdsofsouthgloucestershire.co.uk

Three Twite were still present at Oldbury Power Station this morning. They were on the mud on Lagoon III with Waders!

Med Gull, SEO & Twite

2012-01-26T08:26:00.000Z

January 25th

An adult Mediterranean Gull was found amongst 200 Common Gulls on the north side of Rushmead Lane at Marshfield opposite the model airfield and barns early this afternoon. Also at Marshfield, just one Short-eared Owls was present today in windy conditions along Shirehill Lane.

At Oldbury Power Station at least three Twite were still present at 12:30 in stubble south of Lagoon III at around ST: 608 935.

UPDATE!

2012-01-24T09:15:00.001Z

Possible Great White Egret!

I am convinced that I saw four flying together as I drove in to site this morning. They were flying in a westerly direction over the section of the Station approach road as it passes the chicken farm. I was driving in a queue of traffic so at first quick glace they looked like four swans a little way off flying to the east. At the second look I realised that they were much closer and flying west! I slowed down and got several good looks at them to the side of the car. They were clearly white, clearly heron shaped and much bigger than the Little Egret with which I am familiar and were the size of a Grey Heron. As I was driving I couldn't tell you the colour of their legs or beak but the size and colour of the plumage were obvious. (Pete Longley)

Twite!

2012-01-22T10:54:00.000Z

The four Twite were still present at Oldbury Power Station this morning. Mixing with Linnet and Yellowhammer they usually get in stubble south of Lagoon III around ST: 608 938.

Twite:

2012-01-21T20:23:00.000Z

January 21st

Four Twite were still present at Oldbury Power Station today in stubble south of Lagoon III.

Twite:

2012-01-19T11:41:00.000Z

January 18th

The four Twite were still present at Oldbury Power Station today and were seen around the seaweed dump on Lagoon III

Three of the four Twite present at Oldbury Power Station. Allan Chard

Merlins & SEO's

2012-01-07T21:23:00.000Z

January 7th

A female Merlin was seen on Northwick Warth and a Jack Snipe was flushed from New Passage Beach spit. At Marshfield another female Merlin was seen in the Down Road area and at last four Short-eared Owls were on show this afternoon in the Shirehill Lane area.

Short-eared Owl at Marshfield. Pete Coslett.