Purple Heron at Coombe Hill

29 July - After a wait of 45 mins or so, excellent views of the immature Purple Heron as it flew in to feed fairly close to the hide at Coombe Hill - a smartly-plumaged bird with traces of the adult-type striping on the snake-like neck and a purplish-brown tinge to the wings. The bird was adept at moving and hiding in cover, and moved in a Bittern-like manner. Also 4 Little Egrets and 2 Curlews present, and a Hobby flew through. Photos JM.

Another Hobby

27 July - the fine weather continues, and a Hobby flew over Braydon Forest by the B4696 this afternoon.

Long-billed Dowitcher at Slimbridge

22 July - Excellent views of the adult Long-billed Dowitcher at Slimbridge, on South Lake from the observatory, with a flock of c150 Black-tailed Godwits. A smart bird, much smaller than the Godwits being Snipe-sized, and in finely barred rusty-red summer plumage. Also 30+ Redshank and a Common Sandpiper there. The 3rd record of LBD for Glos, and the first since 1984. Photos, 1-2 copyright Mark Dowie - record shots 3-4, JM.

Hobby and Red Kite

15 July - Today I actually saw some birds and it hasn't rained today yet....sunny in the morning and the evening, and I saw a Hobby fly over from the garden this morning, mobbed by Swallows, then at lunchtime a Red Kite soared overhead.....