Paul's Birding Diary

Monday 31st May 2010 Two Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries (above) were at Burnt Log, Forest of Dean, today. Also several Common Blues , a Green-veined White , a Speckled Wood and a Broad-bodied Chaser . Birds of note were a Wood Warbler , two Tree Pipits , a Siskin and a distant Cuckoo calling. Another Tree Pipit was at Moseley Green on the clear-fell area opposite The Rising Sun.

Sunday 30th May 2010 This somewhat tattered Pearl-bordered Fritillary was at Chedworth Nature Reserve this afternoon. Also c6 Common Blues , c5 Dingy Skippers , a Green-veined White , a Comma , a Peacock and a Red Admiral .

Friday 28th May 2010 I carried out my early breeding survey for the BTO Atlas on SO51F at Redbrook in the Wye Valley this morning. A total of 34 species were recorded, the highlights being a Spotted Flycatcher (above) in Bunjups Wood, and a pair of Dippers flying up and down the main street in Upper Redbrook as they carried food to their nest. At least nine Banded Demoiselles were along the Wye. At Boys Grave car par in the afternoon, a pair of Spotted Flycatchers were present, the male in full sing for a period.

Thursd ay 27th May 2010 I managed to get to WWT and back in my lunch hour today to see the SPOONBILL on the Top New Piece (photos) ; well worth it.

Sunday 23rd May 2010 Above: Dingy Skipper A scorching hot sunny day, with temperatures reaching 29 o c, and a visit to Stinchcome Hill for butterflies produced c15 Dingy Skippers , two Grizzled Skippers , two Green Hairstreaks , two Brown Argus , c6 Common Blues , a Holly Blue , a Small Tortoiseshell , three Brimstones , two Speckled Woods , c30 Small Heaths , a Comma and a Small White . Also numerous Forester moths and a Burnet Companion . On the bird front, just two Whitethroats and a Skylark were noted. Below: Brown Argus, Grizzled Skipper, Forester and Burnet Companion Below: the view from Stinchcombe Hill

Saturday 15th May 2010 This Lesser Whitethroat (above) posed nicely for me as it sang near the Holden Tower at WWT Slimbridge this morning. A Yellow Wagtail was still with cattle on the Tack Piece, but the high tide was very quiet. A visit to the Prestbury Hill Bill Smyllie reserve late morning produced seven Duke of Burgundy butterflies (above) and a Green Hairstreak (below) , plus a Peacock , six Speckled Woods , two Orange Tips , Small Whites and Large Whites . Birds included three singing Tree Pipits . Also, less glamourous, were hundreds of St. Mark's Flies ( Bibio marci) on the wing:

Friday 14th May 2010 A Cuckoo at Hockley Hill was the highlight of my early morning BBS survey at SO7713 around Clarke's Farm, Hardwicke, this morning. A Sedge Warbler at the pond near Madam's End Farm was an interesting record and good numbers of Whitethroats and Yellowhammers were noted, plus a Lesser Whitethroat and a Brown Hare . A quick visit to WWT Slimbridge at lunchtime produced a Whinchat at Middle Point but other than that things were pretty quiet at low tide. A Yellow Wagtail was on the Tack Piece amongst the cattle.

Saturday 8th May 2010 A bird race around the count with Andy and Mark to see how many species we could record produced a total of 95 despite the cold (8 o C max.), N/NE wind and virtually constant rain - even when the sun came out for 30 seconds, it was still spitting with rain! Here are the highlights: Quedgeley Common Sandpiper - one on canal near Rea Bridge Highnam Wood Nightingale - one in song Speech House Redstart - one male Cannop Ponds Mandarin - 14 Siskin - seven on feeders Parkend Dipper - one on Cannop Brook Hawfinch - two near church Pied Flycatcher - singing male near church RSPB Nagshead reserve Pied Flycatcher - two males and a female Wood warbler - singing male along short trail return path Goldcrest - one singing male Tidenham Chase Stonechat - one male Tree Pipit - one singing male Beachley Point Rock Pipit - one Whitethroat - seven singing males Whimbrel - two WWT Slimbridge Bar-tailed Godwit - two at Middle Point Dunlin - c10 at Middle Point Ringed...

Monday 3rd May 2010 In a brisk northerly wind with sunshine and increasing showers, from WWT Slimbridge Middle Point a first-summer KITTIWAKE flew down-river at high tide at 11.40am; a possible adult Kittiwake was seen at 12.45pm flying upriver very distant into the rain off Awre. Also this morning four Bar-tailed Godwits , six Whimbrels , 140 Dunlin , 30 Ringed Plover , a Little Egret , a Wheatear on the cross-fence and two singing Sedge Warblers , two singing Reed Warblers and a singing Reed Bunting plus a few Swallows and Swifts .

Saturday 1st May 2010 The morning high tide at Fretherne produced little of note in the warm, sunny and almost wind-less conditions. Apart from the 20+ Whimbrels and a fly-by group of six Dunlins , the main interest was eight Wheatears. The Wheatears included an individual showing characteristics of Greenland Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe leucorhoa (above) . Below: Whimbrel