January

On the first day of 2022, me & Dad popped to Oldbury Power Station to look for the Black Redstart. We managed to see a 1st Winter/Female type briefly through the double fence, before flying towards the back of the power station. The Adult Male was much more elusive.

Slimbridge WWT 2nd January 2022

We went to Slimbridge WWT to see the Glossy Ibis. The Adult Glossy Ibis had been feeding in the entrance fields to the reserve by the Dutch Barn since 31st December 2021 & gave excellent views. It had a bit of a fly round before landing back in the field. A single Feral Barnacle also feeding in the field. We decided not to go into the centre that day, but instead went to look for the Cattle Egrets. We had a tip off that they were feeding in the field near Slimbridge Village. There was at least 10 individuals including a Little Egret. They then flew down in to the Sheep field. We had a quick look around Sharpness for the Black Redstart along the Dock Road, but nothing.

Glossy Ibis [Adult Winter]

Glossy Ibis [Adult Winter]

Cattle Egret [Adult Winter]

Cattle Egret [Flock Winter]

Weston-super-Mare 3rd January 2022

After dipping out on the birds at Weston old Airfield in April 2021, me & dad went back to try to see the Penduline Tits. One bird showed briefly as soon as we arrived feeding on the reedmace near the main path, but then flew across to the reedbed by the main pond, where they remained throughout the rest of our visit. Other supporting birds included Stonechats, Reed Buntings & a Little Egret.

Penduline Tit [Male]

Stonechat [Female]

Stonechat [Male]

Little Egret [Winter]

Reed Bunting [Female Winter]

Stonechat [Female]

Slimbridge WWT 7th January 2022

We went back to see the Glossy Ibis, which was still feeding in the entrance fields by the Dutch Barn. This time, we went into the Wildfowl Wetland Centre for a look around. Plenty of Bewick's Swans were on the Rushy Pen. Also Pintail, Common Pochards & Common Teal. A couple of captive American Wigeons were on the bank at the back of the pen. We went to the Martin Smith Hide and saw a few Eurasian Wigeons swimming in front & grazing on the bank. A Brown Rat foraged beneath the feeder at the Willow Hide. Five to Six Common Teal showed very well close to the hide. From the Estuary Tower Hide, I had a scan for the Dark-bellied Brent Geese, but only Canada & Barnacle Geese. I managed to spot the Ross's Goose in the far distance with another flock of Geese.

The Common Gull was still present on the South Lake from December 2021.

Glossy Ibis [Adult Winter]

Bewick’s Swan [Adult]

Eurasian Wigeon [Pair]

Brown Rat [Adult]

Common Teal [Male]

Common Gull [Adult Winter]

Portishead 9th January 2022

We went Battery Point, Portishead to see some Purple Sandpipers. About 9-10 showed very well in excellent sunlight. This was the first time we had seen them for a few years. A very obliging Rock Pipit was feeding close by.

Purple Sandpiper [Adult Winter]

Rock Pipit [Adult Winter]

Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir 12th January 2022

We went to Eglwys Nunydd Reservoir near Port Talbot in Glamorgan to see the Pacific Diver. This was the 2nd time that one has seen on inland reservoir. We saw it in the south west corner of the reservoir. The bird is aged as a Juvenile by the white scaly pattern on the feathers. Unlike the Black-throated Divers, they don't have a white patch to the rear of the body. Some individuals have a dark chin strap, this Juvenile lacks one.

In the afternoon, we popped to Kenfig NNR where we obtained distant views of a Male Ring-necked Duck.

Pacific Diver [Juvenile]

Weston-super-Mare & Chew Valley Lake 13th January 2022

We went back to Weston-super-Mare to get more views of the Penduline Tits. This time we only got distant views of all three birds feeding on the reedmace at the back of the main pond. The Stonechats & Reed Bunting still put in their appearance. Surprisingly at least 4-6 Bearded Tit showed reasonbly well unlike the Penduline Tits.

Reed Bunting [Female Winter]

Reed Bunting [Female Winter]

Stonechat [Female]

Bearded Tit [Male]

We went to Chew Valley Lake to look for the Jack Snipe, which had been regularly seen at Stratford Hide. Despite a thorough search through, we only saw the slighty bigger Common Snipe. The Male Kingfisher showed very well at Herriott's Bridge in the failing daylight.

Common Snipe [Adult]

Common Snipe [Adult]

Kingfisher [Male]

Cotswolds 15th January 2022

We went to Hazleton & saw loads of Brambling feeding in the field along with Common Pheasant, 2 Jays, Yellowhamer, Goldfinch, Chaffinch & Linnet. Also we had some Red Kites & a brief view of Short-eared Owl on the way home.

Brambling [Male Winter]

Bramblings, Chaffinches & Goldfinches

Brambling [Male Winter]

Bramblings

Yellowhammer [Female]

January 2022