The Forest etc ..........

8 Mar - The forecast was for a dry morning then rain later, so I decided on 1 more visit to Parkend for one of my favourite birds, the Hawfinch. Amazingly, on arrival , I was the only one parked up apart from 2 mountain bikers in bright clothing ...... despite this, Hawfinches were much in evidence around the yew trees, both dropping to the ground and in flight, and on 4 occasions 1 or 2 Hawfinches dropped to the ground, very close - amazing to see them fixing me with a beady eye while hopping on the ground and warily feeding on sunflower seeds - unfortunately they fly at the slightest disturbance, but superb views (approx 10 birds in the area) especially of the amazing silvery bill and the chestnut plumage. Also Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch and Coal Tit around. I dropped into Ashleworth Ham then Slimbridge on the way home. At Ashleworth, I located the distinctive drake Green-winged Teal among the large dabbling duck flock on the fairly extensive floods. A bonus was a drake Garganey at Saul flashes, Frampton, thanks to Mike King aka Gloster Birder. Slimbridge itself was fairly quiet, but 7 Avocets were on the pools and the Water Rail in the open from Willow hide. Strangely subdued on the Rushy without the recently-departed Bewick's Swans........ overall a good morning.