First Trip to Slimbridge of 2014!

 Date spotted: 10th March - All Day

Location: Marshfield (Shire Valley) + Slimbridge (Gloucester)

Observation: We planned a day at Slimbridge today, but decided to stop in and get some better picture and another view of the Red-Flanked Bluetail at Shire Valley, we were there from 11-11.50am, and it wasn't seen, upon talking to other birders who had been there all morning, they had all been and seen it before but it hadn't been seen at all today, so hopefully its finding its way home! Sow e moved onto Slimbridge, this must be the emptiest we've seen it of birds, in-between seasons I suppose, highlight today was the Kingfisher, but typical was hiding right behind a bramble, so no decent pictures! Quite a few more birds on the feeders around the reserve which is a bonus! Only a small amount of Bewick Swan's left on the reserve!

Weather: Broken Cloud, Sunny + Warm

Other Species: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Pheasant, Goldfinch, Kingfisher, Moorhen, Black-Headed Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Gadwall, Grey Heron, Buzzard, Kestrel, Long-Tailed Tit, Mute Swan, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Bewick Swan, Teal, Shelduck, Shoveler, Black-Tailed Godwit

 

Starling - Sturnus Vulgaris

Date spotted: 9th March - All Day

Location: Somerset Levels - Shapwick Heath + Ham Wall

Observation: Not alot of pictures taken today, lots of little birds, but too fast and gone before the camera focuses! Heard quite a few Bitterns booming and lots of bird songs today, starting to feel like Summer with this amazing weather! Ham Wall almost empty with wildlife, Shapwick not alot more, but the highlights were the Bittern's booming, a very distant Marsh Harrier, a stunning Starling, and a (possible) Siberian Chiffchaff! Also quite a few Butterflies and Bumblebee's around and even a frog!

Weather: Blue Sky, Sunny + Warm (FINALLY!)

Other Species: Starling, Canada Goose, Robin, Blackbird, Bittern, Long-Tailed Tit, Teal, Wigeon, Marsh Harrier, Shoveller, Gadwall, Mute Swan, Siberian Chiffchaff, Wren, Treecreeper

 

Usual Suspects!

Date spotted: 7th March - 1PM

Location: A quick bird count from the window.

Observation: A quick bird count from the window, just the normal suspects really, but nice to see the Chaffinch's back! Also 3 Buzzards flying on the thermals.

Weather: Blue Sky, Sunny, Warm

Other Species: 4 Wood Pigeon, 4 Great Tit, 2 Lesser Black-Backed Gull, 3 Crow, 4 Magpie, 4 Blue Tit, 1 Long-Tailed Tit, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Buzzard (one low flying), 2 Goldfinch + 3 Coal Tit

 

Siberian Chiffchaff + Tawny Owl!

Date spotted: 4th March - 2PM

Location: Bernard King Hide - Chew Valley Lake

Observation: Decided to stop off at Bernard King hide to try and photograph the Siberian Chiffchaffs, after a quick wade through ankle deep water we seen both of them straight away, they disappear for a few minutes before returning and seem to favorite the brambles, typical where they stay still the longest with too much coverage for pictures! Very active little birds so be ready with cameras if you want pictures! We heard a Tawny Owl whilst watching the ChiffChaff's and we found it shortly after the in forest opposite sat high up in the tree, we don't very often see them in the open so was very nice! 

Weather: Cloudy with some sun, Warm, No Wind

Other Species: Common Gull, Cormorant, Pochard, 1 Tawny Owl, 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Rook, 2 Siberian Chiffchaff