Suprise Visitor.

A cracking walk today with a very varied list today with a couple of superb highlights. The hedges had 4 CHIFFCHAFF, 8 BLACKCAP, 6 WHITETHROAT, 3 YELLOWHAMMER, 5 LINNET, WILLOW WARBLER.
Overhead a superb RED KITE drifted towards Ashleworth, follwed by 2 SHELDUCKS heading towards the river.Also overhead were aGREY HERON, 3 BUZZARD, 7 SWALLOW,7 SWIFT , 4 HOUSE MARTIN.
Around the fields were 6 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE, STOCK DOVE, 4 SKYLARK, 3 PIED WAGTAILS in the top fields. A GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER and a hunting KESTREL. The best sightings were however a family of 1 adult FOX with 4 CUBS,also  1 BROWN HARE.

Two parts

I walked the lower patch today (Sunday), and a shortened walk on the upper patch, the net result was a good list of birds. On the lower patch the result of the flooding was obvious with all the growth around the ditches  dead with the smell of rotting plantlife  heavy in the air. As a result there were no Willow Warbler or Sedge Warbler.
There were 4 BLACKCAP, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 4 singing REDSTART, 2 WHITETHROAT, a calling CUCKOO, male REED BUNTING.
Overhead were 14 HOUSE MARTIN, 10 SWIFT, just 2 SWALLOW and a female KESTREL.There was also a calling CURLEW, PIED WAGTAIL, 4 STOCK DOVE, just 1 SKYLARK, 4 BUZZARD and 1 COMARENT downriver.
On the upper patch a very short walk there were 7 BLACKCAP, 3 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 WHITETHROAT, a male PEREGRINE flew over at midday and a HOBBY flew towards Tewkesbury.  

Drama

Saturday was a really great Spring morning, with even the sun being seen. The title refers to a amazing sight of a HOBBY giving chase to the local flock of 7 SWALLOW and 2 HOUSE MARTINS it missed a kill but not by much.
In the top fields there was another WHEATEAR present , it:s been a good spring for them this year. Just 1 PIED WAGTAIL today the rest having moved on.
In the hedges today were, 4 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 6 BLACKCAP, 6 WHITETHROAT, 2 Male YELLOWHAMMER and a singing GOLDCREST. However the highlite of the walk was a TAWNY OWL in the open being mobbed by the local BLACKBIRDS etc. There were still 2 SKYLARKS singing from the rough pasture that had not been mown. Other bird seen were 2 BUZZARD, GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER, 5 STOCK DOVE, 1 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE.. 

Destruction

The above refers to the fact Capt Twat the farmer has mown all his grass fields thereby destroying the nests of the 3/4 pairs of SKYLARKS that were nesting there .He really is a wanker .Anyway rant over it was back to the top patch this afternoon ( Friday ), It appeared that there were a few birds moving with a few departures and some arrivals . The hedgerows held CHIFFCHAFF, 3 BLACKCAP, 3 WHITETHROAT,WILLOW WARBLER but all in low numbers. The top fields produced 2 WHEATEAR ,the first for a few days, a mixed flock of 12 SWALLOW, 1 HOUSE MARTIN ,1 SAND MARTIN moving north ,as were 7 SWIFT . A lone LAPWING moving in the same direction was a rather odd sight. A small flock of 5 PIED WAGTAILS were also feeding there.
Raptors were represented by a female SPARROWHAWK and 4 BUZZARD.
It was nice to see both GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER and LONG TAILED TITS both feeding young . The usual 2 REDLEGGED PARTRIDGE and STOCK DOVE were also present. 1 BROWN HARE showed a clean pair of heals to Willow

Top and Bottom

I decided to and try to get a part of the top and lower part of my local patch into one walk today( Thursday), as driving past I could see that alot of the flood water had receded , in the event it had not receded enough for me to access the whole area. The species list was a little different but some of the hoped for species were still missed. Sadly I found that the only regular place where Lesser Whitethroat are in my patch had been cut back /destroyed , so I guess that is the end of that. So a healthy 5 BLACKCAP were again the commonest warbler, it appears to be a very good year for them , as it is for WHITETHROATS with 4 seen/heard on the walk. Although very late in arriving they appear to have done so in force this year. On the other hand only 2 CHIFFCHAFF and I think they appear to be down in numbers this year.A singing male REDSTART was nice , its good habitat in the old willows for them .Just 2 SWALLOW over but 14 plus HOUSE MARTINS near to their breeding colony was nice. On the floods themselves were 1 COOT, 3 MALLARD ,2 CANADA GEESE .A large female SPARROWHAWK zipped through the trees. Other odds and sods were PIED WAGTAIL, 2 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE, STOCK DOVE and a GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER.

More Rain

Yes just for a change it"s raining, so Willow and I went out expecting to get a good soaking and in the event we were not dissapointed.As for the birds some still seem to be moving.Highlight was another superb WHINCHAT our 5th this spring , other migrants were CHIFFCHAFF, WILLOW WARBLER, 6 BLACKCAP, a very healthy 7 WHITETHROAT, GOLDCREST, calling CUCKOO, male YELLOWHAMMER, 10 LINNETS including a flock of 8 ( perhaps migrants). 8 SWIFT , 2 HOUSE MARTINS passed over, and 25 SWALLOW were through including a flock of 16 on barbed wire in a cloud burst. Bits and bobs were GREEN WOODPECKER, 2 GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER, PIED WAGTAIL, 4 SKYLARK, 4 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE, 3 STOCK DOVE.So all in all still not bad cosidering the weather.

Neglected Corner

As it says in the title I decided to look at the lower patch of my local area, it is an area that I should pay more attention to as there are some different species that the upper part does not get, although looking over the flood meadows that the area consists of it looked more like Febuary rather than May. The flood waters  are still high, so the hoped for Sedge Warblers were not found and the same for Lesser Whitethroat and our best summer guest Spotted Flycatchers likewise , although the latter has not yet arrived yet I think.
So as for the birds that I managed to see from a fairly restricted area , here goes. The first patch record of a flock of 7 TUFTED DUCK on the waters was nice. In the hedgerow by the flood were WHITETHROAT, CHIFFCHAFF, 3 BLACKCAP. 3 GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKERS flew over. There was a good number of SWALLOWS feeding over the floods and fields with 40 plus present and it is pleasing to report the first decent count of 20 plus HOUSE MARTINS ,there was a single SWIFT also. A calling CUCKOO is always nice. A single PIED WAGTAIL perched on a floating log .I must try to bring you more from the lower part of the patch as when it dries out it will be very productive.   

Slower

As it says above it was a little slower than the previous days , the northly wind having some affect, but at least it is dry and the flood waters seem to have gone down slightly. The hedgerows produced 6 WHITETHROAT, a massive 11 BLACKCAP, 4 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, male YELLOWHAMMER, a BULLFINCH WASheard .Overhead passage was slower but still 30 plus SWALLOW5SWIFT, 5 HOUSE MARTIN and 3 YELLOW WAGTAILS passed northwards.The odds and sods were 2 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE, 5 STOCK DOVE, just 2 PIED WAGTAILS in the top fields , GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER and 2 SKYLARK. It was a good day for BUZZARDS with 8 been seen including a mini kettle of 6 .A final bonus was a calling CURLEW from over the flood waters, hopefully they will recede  enough in time to allow a further attempt at nesting as no doubt their first go will have been washed away

Swifts move through

I did not get out until gone 4pm but I managed to do 2 hour stint around the patch . It was very apparent that overhead passage was going to be the order of the day with 80 pus SWIFT and 75 plus SWALLOW moving north, also 8 HOUSE MARTIN tagging along. The hedges were slightly quieter with 6 BLACKCAP, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 4 WHITETHROAT,2 YELLOWHAMMER, 2 LINNET, no whinchats today. The top fields were not as busy as they have been, a flock of 10 PIED WAGTAILS feeding, a superb female SPARROWHAWK made a valiant attempt at a passing SWALLOW , I actually heard the wind snap as the bird turned in midair. The best of the rest were 6 BUZZARD , 4 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE, 3 STOCK DOVE, also 2 HARE . It makes me wonder if I am seeing all this at the end of the day what am I missing when I am working.

No Time

After yesterdays excess and a morning of torrential rain I felt it would be a bit like after the big show,in the event I took a short walk around the patch as I had an appointment early evening and came away feeling that I was missing out on another yesterday! .Time meant I could not take in the top fields , but around the other field margins were ,1 BUZZARD, 1 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE, GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER and 2 PIED WAGTAIL OVER. It was obvious that an influx of BLACKCAP had taken place with 10 been seen/heard. 1 singing REDSTART in the distance was nice and it was pleasing to see 5 WHITETHROAT in the same places as last year.After yesterdays WHINCHAT low and behold another popped up , 2 chiffchaff made up the migrant tally .An added bonus was a calling CURLEW over the flooded river meadows . I came away feeling that I had missed alot of birds , so lets hope I get more time tommorrow. Oh I FORGOT THERE WERE 8 SWALLOW and 1 SWIFT over

Cracker

It felt sort of Birdy today. After work I had an appointment in Tewkesbury and I noticed on the way and back that there were parties of SWALLOWS and HOUSE MARTINS feeding over many of the fields . So as soon as I could Willow and myself were hot footing it up the road, and yes I was right.Today was one the best days for a very long time, birds were taking advantage of a break in the weather and were streaming north. The first bird I saw was a SPARROWHAWK over the garden, so a good start .The hedgerows were a much better bet today, with 5 BLACKCAP,6 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 WHITETHROAT, 1 YELLOWHAMMER , but the best birds by a country mile were 3 superb male WHINCHAT,1 WILLOW WARBLER was also singing. Now this was getting good and it soon became apparent that there was even some vis mig, at least 74 plus SWALLOW and 10 plus HOUSE MARTIN over to the north. Around the fields were 2 BUZZARD, 3 STOCK DOVE, 1 GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER and 4 SKYLARK. It again the top fields that that provided the qaulity with a flock of 8 PIED WAGTAILS showing that WAGTAILS are still passing through, it was then it got even better, first a male KESTREL , then 2 male and 1 female WHEATEARS perched on fence posts and then a stunning HOBBY through to the north ,low and less than 30 feet from me. The final bird seen was a MEADOW PIPIT which is running a little late , but I think that is true of many birds this year. Can"t wait for tommorrow although the weather forcast is pretty dire.

Short blast

A quick dash between the ever present rain , I managed a short survey of the patch and felt quite happy until a friend of mine Rob Large told what he had at Coombe Hill Meadows 170 plus ARTIC TERN etc but a full mouth watering account will appear on the Holy Bible of bird sights , THE GLOSTER BIRDER So in a 30 minute paddle a singing YELLOW WATAIL was nice, 11 SWALLOW, 1 HOUSE MARTIN , 3 SWIFT over to the north. A BUZZARD low over in the rain . The hedgerows had 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 BLACKCAP, LINNET, YELLOWHAMMER,1 COMMON WHITETHROAT ( I think different individual to yesterdays as in another breeding territory , or as least I am hoping so)A drumming GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER outside the front door was a nice start to the walk. 1 STOCK DOVE over.

Sunshine

Yes, we finally saw some sunshine after days of heavy rain and wind , the sun came out and although it was still very windy it felt much better.It was a bank holiday in Holland so it was a bonus day and Willow and I were out early. The very welcome sight of a COMMON WHITETHROAT in its usual place from last year was the first bird I saw. In the hedgerows alot of birds were keeping their heads down in the strong gusts , so only 2 BLACKCAP, 2 YELLOWHAMMER, 3 LINNET , 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 1 CHIFFCHAFF was all I could find this morning. Around the fields were 4 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE, 6 SKYLARK, 3 STOCK DOVE, 3 BUZZARD and a GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER. In the top field many of the WAGTAILS seem to have moved on so a count of only 7 PIED WAGTAILS was possible, however a bonus was 2 migrant MEADOW PIPITS AND 2 cracking male WHEATEARS , one of which looks very like a Greenland bird, so he still has a long way to go to his breeding grounds. There were 22 plus SWALLOW over to the north, also 1 HOUSE MARTIN likewise, the years first 2 SWIFT also headed north. So all in all not a bad day. Tommorrow is another day.

Destruction.

I suppose I am entitled to rant sometimes, so here goes, my little patch of England in which I live is a very beautiful place but I have always harboured the feeling that the major landowner in these parts was about as enviromentally friendly as Agent Orange. Most of his hedgerows make Bilbo Baggins look like a friggin giant and there some almost prairie size fields which were obviously at one time much smaller with hedgerows etc . This was confirmed today when in conversation with another landowner who told me this guy had bulldozed hedgerows and filled in at least 5 ponds /pools. We all want to eat but surely farming comes with some sort of responsibilty to the land etc. It would also stop half the flooding in the village. The guy is a twat. Anyway the weather was terrible more like December rather than late April, driving rain , and a raw near gale force wind. So after an abortive attempt this morning in which the only hightlight was the brief sound of a singing WHITETHROAT And my contraction of trenchfoot due to my welligton splitting Willow and I made a second round of the patch late this afternoon. This proved a good idea as even in these conditions we still found some nice birds , well I found the birds ,Wilow just ran about The hedgerows were quite with just a single BLACKCAP, WILLOW WARBLER, 2 CHIFFCHAFF ,7 LINNET ,2 YELLOWHAMMER. Around the fields were a BUZZARD,2 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE , 1 singing SKYLARK braved the conditions, 1 RAVEN was argueing with a local CROW. It was the top fields which again provided the best birds with 1 WHITE WAGTAIL, 5 YELLOW WAGTAIL (all males), along with 19 PIED WAGTAILS providing evidence of the continued passage of WAGTAILS this spring. There was also 3 male WHEATEAR one of which was a definite/probable Greenland type bird! .There was also 4 STOCK DOVE and a GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER with 3 SWALLOW OVER.At the end of the walk was a flock of 25 WOODPIGEONS ,maybe they are migrants ?

Autumn

Cold and pouring rain was the order of the day, so the birding was equally as dissapointing . Any one who knows the area will tell you that most of the fields are bounded by ditches , these now all have water in them for the first time in months so the drought is coming to an end or at least it feels like it anyway. It was a contrast to yesterday but although it was hard work a few birds seem to be moving , but overall it really is dissapointing.A influx of BLACKCAP was evident with 7 being present. 5 CHIFFCHAFF, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, a male REDSTART was singing. Only 3 SKYLARK braved the conditions, a male YELLOWHAMMER was singing ,and 6 Linnet were about. A good number of 9 STOCK DOVE appear to be breeding around here, and the GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER was at the usual place. 1 BUZZARD flew over being chased by a local CROW.Just 2 SWALLOW were seen and 1 MEADOW PIPIT was flushed from the long grass. A flock of 15 GOLDFINCH were perhaps migrant birds on the move. On the another front a BROWN HARE was a nice suprise.

Whisper It

Yes , just maybe we had a bit of migration today, after work I managed a curtailed 90 minute walk around the patch and managed to find a few birds on the move , so who knows what I missed this morning and I had to curtail my walk due to the Friday school run. A t least 7 SWALLOW over north along with a single SAND MARTIN likewise. 3 BUZZARD and 7 STOCK DOVE were around the place. The pair of GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKERS were near to their presumed nesting area. In the hedgerows today were 4 BLACKCAP, 2 CHIFFCHAFF, 2 WILLOW WARBLER, which is still a poor showing.At least6 SKYLARK were over the fields today. The highlight this afternoon was the return of our " local " male YELLOW WAGTAIL singing from the same wire as last year , now I was quite chuffed with this, but this was then eclisped by the discovery of a further 3 but quite possibly 4 other YELLOW WAGTAILS ( all males) in the top fields . They were part of a flock of migrant WAGTAILS which included 5 WHITE WAGTAILS, 15 plus PIED WAGTAILS along with WAGTAILS were at least 3 MEADOW PIPITS. So a much better showing so lets be ready for a big showing tommorrow.

Drought

Since the annoucement of the above it has poured down, this has turned Tirley Sandpits into a avian desert, many birds absent or in very low numbers. So dodging the rain a walk round the patch produced much of the same birds as previous days. On the log today were 3 BLACKCAP, 3 SKYLARK 8 BUZZARD, 36 LESSER BLCK BACKED GULLS in ploughed fields. 4 SWALLOW OVER and 6 STOCK DOVE around varios nesting areas. 7 LINNET is in a increase on last years total, a rather soggy male KESTREL on wires. Just 5 PIED WAGTAIL today in the top fields, a YELLOWHAMMER in the usual spot, other migrants were thin on the ground with 1 WILLOW WARBLER, 2 CHIFFCHAFF,and a male REDSTART in the hedgerows. At least the RAF put on a show with a Hercules , Sea King and a Merlin anti submarine helecopter over low. Anyhow lets be more hopeful that things will get better over the next week.

Slow Day

As the above says , it was a slow day on the patch, in fact to be honest its been a slow spring with some very noticable absentees or if not absent only present in low numbers. I saw that on the Portland website Whitethroats appear very scarce , the same could be said of our local House Martins. On the log today were 3 CHIFFCHAFF, 4 BLACKCAP, 4 LINNET,just 1 WHEATEAR in the sheep fields, 5 BUZZARDS, 4 Skylark, the GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER at it"s nest tree. Fantastic views of a male CUCKOO on telephone wires , I have yet to hear him call yet.6 Swallow over, a male Sparrowhawk soaring overhead.In the top fields 3 PIED WAGTAILS were kept company by a rather smart WHITE WAGTAIL. Lets hope that the late arrivals are just that and not a sign of a greater problem.

Comings and Goings

Ok ,so the plan was up early and out to see if today could be as productive as yesterday , I did"nt quite manage to get out as early as I wanted and the walk was delayed by the arrival of Buster the dog who is a complete pain in the arse . The owner is a lovely person but has no control over the dog. So when Willow and myself got going it was evident that there had been some departures and arrivals overnight. 5 BLACKCAP, 6 CHIFFCHAFF, 3 WILLOW WARBLER, male REDSTART,COMMON WHITETHROAT made the log this morning and the back up cast of male Yellowhammer,at least 4 singing LINNET, 4 singing SKYLARK , GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER, 3 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE, 3 STOCK DOVE, were nice additions. There were still 4 PIED WAGTAILS in the top fields along with 2 male WHEATEAR ,its been a good spring for these so far.There were at least 8 BUZZARDS around along with just 2 SWALLOW over north. But a big suprise was a displaying LAPWING over the top fields, it flew off towards Ashleworth after 10 minutes so who knows , I doubt that they would breed here but who knows ? ,. The final bird of the walk was a stunning YELLOW WAGTAIL low over a field , it dropped into the long grass , I think they bred last year so lets hope they do so again this year. There is still a lack of Whitethroats , so if they are coming it had better be soon as I am getting a little concerned .

After The Rain

Well since the drought was annouced it has just poured down! today was a mixture of heavy rain and hail ,so when I went out it was with not much hope of seeing anything at all but it turned out to be bloody fantastic. As soon as the rain etc had passed over it turned out to a fantastic evening and it was evident that migrants had somehow made it through. 8 SWALLOW north, in the hedgerows 3 CHIFFCHAFF, BLACKCAP, 1 WILLOW WARBLER, a male REDSTART in brief song. A nice suprise was a male CUCKOO being harrased by the local CROWS. In the top fields were 8 male WHEATEAR ,a patch record, fantastic ! Around the margins were 2 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE,BUZZARD, female KESTREL, male SPARROWHAWK, 4 STOCK DOVE,3 SKYLARK, and 6 LINNET .Wagtails continue to pass through with 9 PIED WAGTAILS in the top fields. The highlight for me was the sighting of the first HOUSE MARTIN over the village.I am full of optimism for tommorrow so up early am to see whats about .See you tommorrow.

Highs and Lows

The weather here is typical April , showers, windy and generally unsettled, as predicted this has stalled migration to a lesser or greater degree, with Whitethroat and House Martin still absent in the local vicinity( although I have seen both nearby,but not on the patch). However a circuit of the area still produced a few birds, the stars being 4 stonking male WHEATEARS , in the top fields. We still have 2 singing WILLOW WARBLERS , 3 singing CHIFFCHAFF, 3 singing BLACKCAP, 3 singing SKYLARK.5 STOCK DOVE, a male YELLOWHAMMER, 6 LINNET over, a flock of 8 PIED WAGTAIL. In the blustery conditions just 2 BUZZARD today, a RAVEN low over the fields, a male GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER near to a likely nesting hole. The numbers were provided by 130 plus LESSER BLACK BACKED GULLS on the sheep fields. Lets hope I can bring some better news in the next few days ,the weather is supposed to calm down by Sunday .

Highs and Lows

Well today must rank as the latter, these cold winds will be holding up any new migrants , at least that is what I am telling myself as there is still no sign of our local Whitethroats and House Martins. On the upside the WILLOW WARBLER continues to sing as does CHIFFCHAFF and BLACKCAP. A single SWALLOW over the garden was nice as was the local GREATER SPOTTED WOODPECKER.Around 6 BUZZARDS were about , with a superb display flight put on by one pair.A single MEADOW PIPIT was with a small flock of 9 PIED WAGTAIL (probable migrants?) . With the weather looking to more Autumnal than Springlike for the rest of the week it will hard going over the next few days, but who knows what will turn up ?

After the lords Mayor show.

After the excessës of yesterday it was a bit like after the lords mayors show today. I did not get out until 10 am having been to Ashleworth , plenty of action there , the same cannot be said of here.A singing BLACKCAP was a nice start,a bit further up the road a SAND MARTIN was a nice suprise,3 BUZZARD generally being given a kicking by the local crows, a couple of singing SKYLARK, PIED WAGTAIL over, and just 3 MEADOW PIPIT today the rest having moved on .The nicest suprise came when a CURLEW was heard calling from the direction of Staunton, 2 RED LEGGED PARTRIDGE,1 singing WILLOW WARBLER and a singing CHIFFCHAFF completed todays line up. Down the road at Ashleworth I managed to see the first REDSTART and WHITETHROAT of the year and it was heaving in WILLOW WARBLER , CHIFFCHAFF, and BLACKCAP. The next few weeks are going to be great, so remember to keep your eyes and ears peeled .

MIGRANTS STILL MOVING

Went for a quick dash around early evening and found the earlier Yellow Wagtail ( or is this another one !)with a flock of 40 plus Pied Wagtail , also 20 plus Meadow Pipit . Both Willow and my wife were not impressed , but I tried to export some of my enthuiasm all the same A House Martin over Tewkesbury was my first trhis spring so our local birds can"t be far away .

Spring is spinging, I had a feeling today might a good day, and in the event I was not wrong, as soon as I had stepped out the door I could hear singing Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Willow Warbler , the latter being a spring and autumn passagge migrant in the local vicinity , but breeding just down the road at Ashleworth and in the flood meadows . There was 10 Linnet today, also 2 Ravens calling and flying low around the area. It was good to see and hear at least 9 Skylarks, a confused Little Owl called a couple of times and 6 Buzzards soared overhead. It was nice to see a flock of 14 migrant Meadow Pipits , we will soon not see anymore until late August /early September, 6 Stock Dove were on territories, just 1 Pied Wagtail over. The best birds came towards the end of the walk, with a pair of Yellowhammer in the same area that they bred last year , the male being splendid in the brightest yellow. Swallow were passing over and it appears that the first local birds are back, with a total of 8 being seen this morning. A Greater Spotted Woodpecker was calling from a dead tree, but this was eclisped by the two male Wheatears on fence posts , one of my favourite birds , finally 1 Yellow Wagtail flew over north calling. It could be even better tommorrow , but I"m going to take a early morning look at Ashleworth Ham,maybe the first Whitethroats and House Martins will be back in Tirley tommorrow, lets see in the morning

Patch Birding, The above can be tough,so I went out this afternoon not expecting great things , and in the event things were a bit better than I expected,2 singing Blackcap with 4 Chiffchaffs in the hedgerows were signs of spring.There was at least 10 Buzzards in the area, with 2 passing high to the north west possibily being migrants.3 Swallows were feeding above Town Street farm with another passing due north, 2 Pied Wagtail passed over. There was just one singing Skylark today, the usual small Linnet flock were about, maybe they will breed again this year.2 Greater Spotted Woodpeckers were calling, Stock Dove, Bullfinch, and a flock of 18 Goldfinch made up the supporting cast. Finally 2 female Sparrowhawks passed over, one high from the south east passing directly to the north .All the resident birds seem to be busy proclaiming their breeding territories, with Greenfinch being quite noticable. Lets hope for some TIRLEY magic tommorrow.

A quick dash up the road this evening in order to try and give a little coverage of the area which has been sadly lacking due to work etc turned up 2 Little Owls calling at 6.35pm. 2 singing Blackcap were obvious arrivals , but just one Chiffchaff. Red Legged Partridge were calling and the now resident small flock of Linnet were around, Hopefully work etc will slow down and I will be able to give a better account of what is happening in the next day or so .

Tirley Twittering: quick update

Tirley Twittering: quick update: A quick evening walk produced another 2 Swallow feeding in the fields near to our house and what appears to be a "new "Chiffchaff singing ne...

quick update

A quick evening walk produced another 2 Swallow feeding in the fields near to our house and what appears to be a "new "Chiffchaff singing near the centre o the village, just shows even in this poor weather migrants are still arriving.

Hello
Welcome to the first and maybe the last posting on here, brought about really by a number of fellow birders asking where Tirley Sandpits nature reserve is ?  Well the answer is there is no reserve , in fact theres not much of anything really,! Over the last 10 years I have walked the surrounding farmland on an almost daily basis noting and reporting the sighting on Mike Kings gloster birder sight. The area benefits from the Malverns to the north and the River Severn to the east, Ashleworth Ham and Coombe Hill nature reserves in close proximity .
So with my trusty companion Willow , I will try to keep you informed what birds pass through and the general ornithological feel of what is going on .
So heres goes ,
9th April, The weather was more like October really , quite a contrast  really after all the hot weather of recent days , anyway having trudged the hedgerows in the drizzle and heavy wind, I managed to find a fine male Wheatear on a fence post followed almost instantly by a Swallow heading west. 4 singing Skylarks kept going in the rain, 1 Meadow Pipit sprang from the grass. We still only have 2 singing Chiffchaff but maybe we will have more to come. A small group of 8 Common Gull on pasture , Buzzard , and 4 Linnet and a flock of 10 Greenfinch made up the best of the rest.
Lets see what the next few days bring
                             Mark