CWP, Frampton, Sharpness & WWT

Saturday 23rd - Sunday 24th January 2015
Siberian Chiffchaff, Shorncote, CWP
Saturday morning I visited the Cotswold Water Park but confined my time to Shorncote, one of the last few parts of CWP I still enjoy visiting. Not one but two SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFFS were present along the stream, along with up to a dozen common Chiffchaffs. Also seen, a Water Rail (others heard), two Cetti's Warblers (another heard), a Grey Wagtail and a Stonechat.
Siberian Chiffchaff - the same bird as the top photo - I didn't get a good shot of the other one
Male Black Redstart, Sharpness
Female Scaups from Robbie Garnnett hide, WWT
On Sunday I spent the morning with Andy and Mark, starting at Frampton. A Tawny Owl  was the highlight. At Sharpness a male Redstart was showing well. At WWT the highlights were two female Scaup on the Tack Piece, where I also counted c120 Black-tailed Godwits and the White-fronted Goose flock were present along with the five Greenland White-fronts. Two Avocets, 179 Black-tailed Godwits and 13 Redshanks were noted on South Lake. I spotted this Jelly Ear Fungus along the Holden walkway.
Jelly Ear Fungus, WWT
On Sunday afternoon I finally year-ticked Kestrel at Thrupp, after already ticking Merlin on 2nd. In the garden I saw a female Blackcap, the first of the winter, one of 15 species that visited the garden on Saturday.
Female Blackcap, garden

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