A few Glos Scarcities

2 March - with the forecast being a sunny day today, then return to cloud and damp for a few days, I decided to head out early, starting with another try for Hawfinch photography at Parkend. A couple of hours here resulted in 3 visits by a female Hawfinch, unfortunately I was in the wrong place first time, but, hopefully, finally got some decent shots in good light. This location is becoming very popular and there were 6 cars here by 9am, all behaving and using the vehicles as a hide........ also, a Dipper was on rocks by one of the bridges in Parkend, and two groups of Crossbills flew over.

Beautiful spring-like weather at Slimbridge, and wildfowl in full courtship mode.....only 23 Bewick's Swans left (also some Whitefronts) and they will doubtless start their epic migration soon.

Good views of the Spotted Redshank, posing alongside some Commons, also 20+ Avocets back for the spring, and 3 pairs of Oystercatchers. Knot, Ruff, Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit also present. Down the road, the flock of Waxwings in Frampton was still present and trilling away noisily, though flighty, and 2 Cattle Egrets were in fields on the Fretherne Road (alongside 5 Littles). Late afternoon, in view of the fine weather, I headed out again I went to a local site for Owls and was rewarded not only with Barn Owl in good light, but also 2 Short-eared Owls, with quite close views at times.

Amazingly, without really trying too hard, I saw 86 species in Gloucestershire today........