Another Med Gull in CWP

15 Mar - a quick look at the roost on pit 16 produced a 2nd winter Med Gull, with black and white primary tips, moulting into summer plumage, obviously a different bird to the adults seen last week.

Hen Harrier on the Levels

14 Mar - a quick look at Greylake RSPB revealed that the 2 Spoonbills had flown off, but a ringtail Hen Harrier (pic) gave very good views as compensation, hunting low over the marshes and flushing many duck and also 10 Little Egrets, with 3 more Little Egrets seen flying to roost. A Snipe and a Curlew were by the hide, and a Cetti's warbler sang by the car park.

Smew at CWP - winter drake

14 Mar - this excellent photo of one of the drake Smew in the CWP this winter was taken by, copyright, Tom Mabbett.

Med Gull fest!

7 March - another adult Mediterranean Gull, this time with a complete hood, in the roost on pit 16 - after I'd drawn a blank on pits 74 and 12. Goldeneye, Shelduck and Shoveler on pit 74. Med Gull really is one of my favourite birds.

Med Gull again at CWP

6 March - the ad Med Gull was on pit 74 this evening (in Wilts!) before flying off towards pit 16. Also - a Peregrine hunting the gull flock, and Shoveler, Goldeneye and 2 Shelduck. A Dunlin and 2 Golden Plovers were on the bund.

Forest of Dean, and CWP gull roost......

5 Mar - a morning trip to the Forest of Dean in sunny but cold weather. 5 Hawfinches (pic) were in the holly bushes opposite Speech House, and 3 Goshawks displaying at New Fancy View, also 2 pairs Crossbills and a few Siskins there. A Dipper was nest building by the Fountain Inn at Parkend. Also seen - Ravens, Buzzards, Coal Tit, Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
A quick visit to pit 12 at CWP in the evening produced excellent views of an adult Med Gull with an almost complete hood - unfortunately no camera!