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