Gloucestershire Naturalists' Society

Ornithological Report 2001 by G.R. Avery

Unlike the last three years where no new species were recorded in the county, up to five could be added to the county bird list for 2001, if all are accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee. One, the Red-rumped Swallow seen at Slimbridge on the 5th April has already been accepted.

The other four in date order are: 'Baltimore Oriole' in Horsley on the 4th May, a male Savi's Warbler at Frampton-on-Severn from the 20th May-1st June, a first summer Roller at Andoversford on the 20th July and lastly a first winter Isabelline Shrike in the Cotswold Water Park, pit 79 on the 28th October.

January:

The year got off to a magnificent start with 2 Bitterns being discovered on the 1st January. One was over pit 48 in the Cotswold Water Park (West) and the other over Sudmeadow, Gloucester. A first winter Iceland Gull was also on Gloucester Landfill from the 1st-26th.

On the 4th a Common Sandpiper found it's way to the River Severn at Sudmeadow and the expected Waxwing arrival happened in Winchcombe with 6 being found on the 9th all but one remaining until the 12th. The other unfortunately being taken by a cat!

A first winter Glaucous Gull was found on the estuary at Awre on the 4th so it was not really surprising when it finally found it's way to Gloucester landfill - what was a surprising though was that 2 were found on the 22nd, one staying until the 26th and the other until the 31st. Continuing on the gull theme an adult Ring-billed Gull was in the Awre peninsula area on the 25th.

In the Cotswold Water Park the usual Smew and Goosander pleased many observers but a young male Long-tailed Duck found on pit 16 on the 14th January remained only for 4 days.

At the Wildfowl Trust the wintering Green-winged Teal was still present at the start of the year but remained elusive up until the 11th March.

February-May:

A female Scaup was on the flood at Ashleworth Ham NR. on the 10th February and a Spoonbill was in the Wildfowl Trust/Frampton Shore area during March. The Michaelwood Services adult Ring-billed Gull arrived on the 11th March and stayed until the 25th at least, pleasing many observers who shared their sandwiches with it. Ospreys put in quite a good show with up to 7 different birds passing through the county between March and May.

With the advent of the FMD spreading everywhere over these months birding was curtailed to a certain extent although the Wildfowl trust staff managed to keep an eye on the bird situation in their area albeit with some restrictions. The Red-rumped Swallow appearing one day before the restrictions were lifted during very heavy rain (It obviously realized how rare it was!) and the 10th of April produced a stunning male Ring-necked Duck on the South Lake unfortunately it did not stay. The 16th of April saw the first Whimbrels for the year at the WWT with several records at other sites therafter. On the 24th April, 3 Little Terns were seen flying up the estuary off the Dumbles, this constitutes a flock in Gloucestershire!

A male Spotted Crake was once again heard giving its whiplash call from the lush vegetation at Ashleworth Ham N.R. on the 30th April, hopefully the reserve will remain in suitable condition for this very rare breeding bird.

On the 10th of May only the second ever 'Grey-headed' Wagtail for the county was found in the 100 acre area and following on from that the 17th produced a Arctic Skua over the South Lake at the WWT and 13 Eiders flying upriver off Sharpness Docks. The next day saw a Avocet on the 100 acre at Frampton and a sub-adult Purple Heron as well, hiding amongst the reeds there and from the 25th-28th a female Marsh Harrier took up temporary residence unfortunately this area remained closed because of the FMD.

June-August:

Several Quails were reported from the end of May well into June mostly from the Cotswolds as per usual, although 2 were found in the Severn Vale.

The wet field by the north reedbed at Splatt Bridge, Frampton produced several late wader migrants during June but the highlight must have been the 3 Spoonbills that were found there on the 8th, one of which was colour ringed and probably ringed as a pullus in Holland. Up to 5 Little Egrets were also present during the period.

The 11th August brought strong winds into the estuary producing at least 2 Fulmars and a Manx Shearwater off of Sharpness Docks with a sickly Gannet being found on the river off the Dumbles at the WWT. It was taken into care but died on the 15th.

From the 18th a juvenile Marsh Harrier frequented the 100 Acre and WWT grounds with a male also present there on the 26th. A juvenile Arctic Skua found its way downriver off of the Dumbles on the 21st and a very early Short-eared Owl was discovered in the same vicinity on the 28th.

September-October:

An adult Temminck's Stint found Horcott Gravel Washer to its liking on the 4th but sadly did not stay long. Good numbers of Little Stints and Curlew Sandpipers were to be found at the WWT on the high tides plus other supporting species of waders.

For all gull lovers the adult Ring-billed Gull returned once more during September to the Michaelwood Services and stayed into 2002 consuming many sandwiches as it did so.

Large numbers of Stonechats and Whinchats also passed through the county with many Stonechats remaining to winter. Wrynecks were rather elusive this year with only 2 sightings, 1 was in a Newent garden on the 21st September and the other in a Tetbury garden on the 27th.

In October the first bird of note was a Leach's Petrel that was seen during strong winds from Lydney Harbour on the 1st, an adult Kittiwake was also off of Sharpness Docks the same day. On the 5th, 2 Little Terns flew down the estuary at the WWT and 2 days later a female/imm Eider cruised upriver on the tide and remained off of the Dumbles until the next day. Many birdwatchers enjoyed the 2 Short-eared Owls that hunted over the 100 Acre area at Frampton and it was while people came searching for these that other birds were discovered. On the 21st one surprised observer watched a Black-necked Grebe fly in and land on the pool by the 100 Acre gate, it remained all day giving good views. Nearby on the Dumbles 4 Greenland White-fronted Geese were found amongst their eurasian cousins on the 28th. This day also found the Isabelline Shrike at pit 79 where whilst it was being observed a male Merlin and a Dotterel flew over.

November-December:

During November a juvenile Hen Harrier frequented the Coombe Hill canal area from the 11th-26th and what was probably the first Great Grey Shrike of the winter was seen briefly at pit 79 on the 14th strangely enough not far from where the Isabelline Shrike had been. Many Mealy Redpolls had been reported on the east coast so 2 turning up in Cheltenham came as no surprise except to the observer who's garden they were in! On the 28th a Richard's Pipit was discovered lurking in canal side fields between Frampton and Cambridge and although it was a smallish individual its description eliminated any other species. It was still present into 2002.

We hear of Caspian Gulls, an eastern race of the Herring Gull being seen regularly in other counties but it was our turn on the 5th December when an adult was identified loafing on playing fields at Bishop's Cleeve before it flew off towards Stoke Orchard, on the 13th the same bird was seen near the Gloucester Landfill Site, this constitutes the 2nd and 3rd record for the county.

On the 15th December another Great Grey Shrike appeared, this time in the Staple Edge Wood area of the Forest of Dean it was excellent value to all who went to see it and remained well into 2002.

Another species to have been seen in good numbers throughout the country was the Bean Goose, 9 arrived on farmland adjacent to Ashleworth Ham on the 15th December and were identified as the race A.f rossicus. A family party, 2 adults and 3 juveniles, were also found on the River Chelt meadows in the Leigh area from the 19th-29th where they were accompanied by 3 Whooper Swans.

Lastly a species that has become quite abundant in the county, the Raven, was reported in huge numbers during December with a maximum of 70 being seen going to roost near Westbury-on-Severn on the 30th.

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