First vismig session of the season on the Severnside patch produced Crossbill, Redpoll, Siskin, Red Kite and 1,200 Woodpigeon with @j-dunning.net. Grounded migrants included my first LRPs of the year and a free-wheeling flock of 226 Knot on the estuary. Spring sure comes early nowadays #ukbirding
First vismig session of the season on the Severnside patch produced Crossbill, Redpoll, Siskin, Red Kite and 1,200 Woodpigeon with @j-dunning.net. Grounded migrants included my first LRPs of the year and a free-wheeling flock of 226 Knot on the estuary. Spring sure comes early nowadays #ukbirding
Well done mate. Bet you're chuffed to bits!
I commenced March with a brilliant Black-throated Thrush in Hampshire in 2025. This year, I kicked off the same month by spending quality time with Cornwall's ninth Ross's Gull in Newlyn Harbour. My eighth Ross's Gull seen in the British Isles. Pics: Deena Sharpe (left) & Lee Fuller #ukbirding
A late afternoon and 3rd visit of the day to Pilning Wetland produced another early Spring migrant; a Little Ringed Plover on the 1st sentry pool plus the 2nd Cattle Egret of the year. Must be a chance of Sand Martins in the next few days......
March 2nd:
New arrivals Northern Wheatear and Little Ringed Plover on Severnside today takes the S. Glos 2026 Year List too a creditable 140! 😉
📸 @severnsidebirds.bsky.social
www.thebirdsofsouthgloucestershire.co.uk
#UKbirding
#Southglosbirds
I commenced March with a brilliant Black-throated Thrush in Hampshire in 2025. This year, I kicked off the same month by spending quality time with Cornwall's ninth Ross's Gull in Newlyn Harbour. My eighth Ross's Gull seen in the British Isles. Pics: Deena Sharpe (left) & Lee Fuller #ukbirding
What a bird!
February was a quieter month, spent mostly on the Severnside patch battling inclement weather. A self-found Hooded Merganser rendered the effort worthwhile, while Merlin, Little Stint, Kittiwake and Barn Owl represented sound additions. Avon year list: 132. Pics: @brithompson.bsky.social #ukbirding
February was a quieter month, spent mostly on the Severnside patch battling inclement weather. A self-found Hooded Merganser rendered the effort worthwhile, while Merlin, Little Stint, Kittiwake and Barn Owl represented sound additions. Avon year list: 132. Pics: @brithompson.bsky.social #ukbirding
No idea, mate!
The now annual Forster’s Tern has reappeared in the harbour this evening, several weeks earlier than previous years. More typically it’s been appearing in late March. Wonder how long it will hang around?? @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social
📸 Joe Parker
I spent this evening blundering around Severn Beach in the dark with a couple of fellow patchers. Two male Tawny Owls heard, one seen. I reckon you deserve a Goshawk for all that 'meandering' 😁
Spring migration coming soon to an urban sprawl near you. Hang on in there mate, variety is at hand!
Hooded Merganser
Hooded Merganser
Hooded Merganser - first view of its unringed legs!
Hooded Merganser #ukbirding
The Hooded Merganser that turned up on Pilning Wetland on Monday was not on anyone's radar - @andy-1963.bsky.social caused a panicked scramble from Severnside patchers to get to it before the light faded. Did the right thing for its credibility by summarily disappearing after a day of feeding!
A short trip off patch to Slimbridge WWT today with Lyra. We saw this cracking adult Eurasian Spoonbill as well as my first Ruff of the year. Also, got in on the Asian short clawed Otter action! Back to migrant hunting on Severnside tomorrow. Spoonbill pic: @christeague1.bsky.social #ukbirding
On this day last year, I enjoyed a successful outing to Somerset, seeing Kentish Plover and Rosy Starling. These took my UK year list to 204. A modest 160 so far in 2026 as I keep it mostly local #ukbirding
If you can arrange for any of those to turn up on Severnside, I will be forever grateful!
Fantastic images mate!
A hypocrite confesses, and has dreams of walking unwalked paths. My blog about failing to find Goshawks and why that's more than OK. #ukbirding #birds
Among those I know in my area, concerns over carbon footprint/cost etc are causing more birders to explore local patches. This necessarily shifts the focus from 'twitching' birds found by others to finding your own. Hopefully, the spirit of exploration will flourish long into the future.
So long as success is measured in terms of the number of rare/scarce birds 'ticked', busy workers/parents with limited time, will continue to travel to see birds found by others. Working a patch assiduously and finding your own takes time, an increasingly scarce commodity these days.
Now that Severnside's female Hooded Merganser has departed, the task of submitting the record to BBRC can begin. These brilliant images, captured by Bristol birder @brithompson.bsky.social, showing unringed legs and a full set of primaries, will hopefully serve to support the submission #ukbirding
Funny you should mention bread, Bri. I once saw wild Hooded Mergs coming to bread in Florida!!
Cheers mate. Another loada clerical work to do!
Newlyn: yesterday’s young Ross’s Gull on Tolcarne beach.
Same thing happening on the Severnside patch, near Bristol. Jack. We usually see a notable uptick in Stonechat numbers during March.
Now that Severnside's female Hooded Merganser has departed, the task of submitting the record to BBRC can begin. These brilliant images, captured by Bristol birder @brithompson.bsky.social, showing unringed legs and a full set of primaries, will hopefully serve to support the submission #ukbirding
It's been a top day on the Severnside patch, with birders coming from far and wide to pay their respects to the Hooded Merganser. Great to see so many familiar faces and meet some new ones along the way. Glad to say the Merg behaved impeccably as well! Pic: @rose-setter.bsky.social #ukbirding
Best shot I've seen so far, mate!
