Paul's Birding Diary

Friday 28th - Saturday 29th November 2015 Greater Scaup, WWT Slimbrige I have caught up with the five Greenland White-fronted Geese at WWT Slimbridge, and the obliging female Greater Scaup , the latter providing some nice photo opportunities.       Today I carried out a Winter Random Square Survey which just happened to be the square encompassing Coombe Hill Meadows. Aided by Andy and Mark, we totalled 43 species including: Cetti's Warbler 1 Stonechat 2 (pair) Shoveler 7 Shelduck 2 Teal 23 Wigeon 122 Mallard 26 Canada Goose 18 Water Rail 1 Hashtag Science!

Thursday 12th - Sunday 22nd November 2015 Shag, Sharpness Saturday felt very cold in the biting wind as I carried out a Winter Random Square Survey at Brand Green, near Upleadon. Only 25 species in two hours, mainly counting Wood Pigeons and Carrion Crows, but there was a nice flock of 50 Linnets in a stubble field. The square included part of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust's Collin Park Wood nature reserve, which I've never been to before. This a beautiful wood, with Small-leaved Lime, Sessile Oak and Wild Service Tree, although not many birds on my visit, I must go back in the spring. Shag, Sharpness In the afternoon, news of a Shag at Sharpness found by Andy Jordan provided motivation to venture back out into the cold. I've seen a few Shags in the county, but they are always nice to see. It was still present on Sunday when I went back with Andy and Mark, where other highlights included a Rock Pipit , a Kingfisher , a pair of Stonechats , and at the NedWe...

Sunday 1st November 2015 Richard's Pipit, Selsley Common After getting the county tick in the bag in a quick visit on Saturday with Mark, we returned for a longer look at the RICHARD'S PIPIT on Sunday. It took longer to locate on the return visit, but we had good views on and off as it foraged in the long grass, before being flushed by walkers and perching briefly in a tree. Dix Pips typically prefer feeding in long grass The long hind-claws can be made out in this shot This Skylark was less shy The north end of the common where the Dix Pipit was feeding Fog cloaked the vale all day On 17th October I went south of the border with Mark to see the Red-necked Grebes at Waterhay in Wiltshire, and got some good views.