Paul's Birding Diary

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-front...

Friday 15th January 2016 Penduline Tit, Horsbere Brook FSA, Gloucester I spent Friday afternoon watching two male PENDULINE TITS at the Horsbere Brook Flood Storage Area in Gloucester. Penduline Tit is not only a county tick but also a lifer, one that has eluded me on more than one occasion previously. Also here were two Stonechats , a Chiffchaff , a Reed Bunting and 30 Snipe . On a very cold weekend I also saw a Great Grey Shrike at Horse Lawn in the Forest on Saturday, but very little about in the forest finch-wise. I did year-tick Marsh Tit , Mandarin and Little Grebe at Cannop Ponds.

Saturday 2nd January 2016 Grey Phalarope - almost a record shot! Happy New Year everyone! My New Year's birding got off to an excellent start on Saturday morning with a visit to WWT Slimbrdge. Two SCAUPS and two Egyptian Geese on the Rushy, and GREENLAND WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, LITTLE STINT , Ruffs and Peregrine on the Tack Piece were just the appetizer. Mike phoned just as I got to the Holden Tower at 9.35am to say James had found a GREY PHALAROPE on the Top New Piece, so it was straight to Zeiss Hide. By the time I made it round, the Phal had gone into hiding right underneath a tree in which a MERLIN was sat. The Merlin eventually flew off, but the Phal apparently stayed in hiding. Eventually it re-appeared but somehow it had sneaked to the other side of the scrape. I watched it for a while as it emerged into view several times and made the occasional flight. After dipping three previously in Glos, Grey Phalarope is a long-awaited addition to my county list. I finished off...