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The birds of
South
Gloucestershire
2019
2018
2017
Cors Dyfi & Gilfach Farm 27th June 2016
We went to Cors Dyfi near Machynellth to see Monty & Glesni the two Ospreys. We saw also saw quite a few Common Lizards along the boardwalk including a pregnant Female. On a railing near the observation hide was a larvae of a Drinker Moth. Monty & Glesni were both around the nest site feeding their 2 chicks, Ceri and Tegid. After spending some time in the hide we made our way back to car. We saw a Male Reed Bunting singing on top of small tree. The 2 Water Buffalos that graze on the reserve were showing well from the boardwalk. At the feeders we saw a very bright Male Lesser Redpoll with Siskins and Chaffinches. From the visitor centre were some more feeders that attracted Grey Squirrels, Great Tits, Blue Tits & Juvenile Robins. On our way back through the valley we had a unexpected bonus of seeing Red Kites soaring and swooping down in the fields. Our final port of call was at Gilfach Farm. Me & Mum walked down the valley. We saw Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Small Pearl-
(On 21st July, Ceri the female chick passed away. 3 days after she fall from the larch perch, her first night roosting away from the nest. She was 57 days old. We all hoped she would make it, but she must have injured herself more than was thought. A very sad time for all at Dyfi.)
Ospreys
Red Kites
Red Kites
Common Lizard
Reed Bunting [Male]
Common Lizards
Beautiful Demoiselle [Male]
Small Skipper [Male]
Ringlet
Small Pearl-
Red Kite
Scotland 12th -
12th -
13th -
14th -
15th -
Gannet [Adult]
Gannet [Juvenile]
Gannet [Adult]
Gannet [Juvenile]
Common Guillemot [Summer]
Shag
Green Tiger Beetle
Common Eider [Female]
Hooded Crow
Hooded Crow
Common Guillemots & Manx Shearwaters
Manx Shearwater
Common Seals
Common Gull
Common Gull
Common Seals
16th -
17th -
Black Guillemots
Black Guillemots
Rock Pipit
The Jacobite, 62005
62005 Lord of the Isles
Commando Memorial
Glen Nevis
On the footplate of 45407
On the footplate of 62005
The Jacobite arriving at Mallaig
Forest of Dean 6th June 2016
We went for walk around the Forest of Dean today and we saw plenty of Dor Beetles crossing the path. A pair of Hawfinches came down to drink from one of the ponds. Wren & Goldcrests were also bathing in the puddles. A Common Chiffchaff was hidden in dense bushes. On the heathland we saw a Tree Pipit, Female Broad-
Broad-
Hawfinch [Male]
Dor Beetle
Hawfinch [Male]
Hawfinch [Female]
Chiffchaff
Wild Boar [Female]
Tree Pipit
Wild Boar [Female]
Green Tiger Beetle
London WWT & Otmoor RSPB 4th June 2016
We went to London WWT at Barnes to see if the Little Bittern was still present. We headed straight for the Wildside area where the Little Bittern was but sadly no sign. We had a brief view of a Jay in the reeds and a Male Common Pochard. In the grounds were Southern Marsh & Bee Orchids. Also saw a pair of Egyptian Geese before they took off. From the Wader Scrape Hide we had a good view of the Sand Martin nestbank and one point we saw lots of them perched on the bank. We saw a few Ring-
On the way home we popped into RSPB Otmoor to look for Turtle Doves. We spotted our first Turtle Dove singing up on a telegraph pole. The last time we saw Turtle Doves was in the Camargue in May 2014. The song of the Turtle Dove is one of the classic sounds of Summer. We don't often see them much in Britain, as they are in decline, which is of course due to habitat loss & mass hunting in the Mediterranean. Down by the gate we saw a few Linnets and a Male Bullfinch. We saw our first Hobby of the year perched on a wooden fence on the reserve. We saw about 3 in total. In the same area we saw the Turtle Dove perched singing. On the gate bars I spotted a Cardinal Beetle. We also spotted a Marsh Harrier flying around the reserve. It was a Female as it had white crown. Snipe were drumming everywhere and we heard lots of Cuckoos. After waiting for a while the Turtle Dove eventually came down to the ground to feed. It was a bit tricky at times trying to photograph it through the bars of the gate, as we didn't want to move close and scare it off. As we were getting excellent views of Turtle Doves, we couldn't tear ourselves away but time was getting on. We had a quick look on the feeders but not a lot on them, except the usual garden birds but we did see a rather special mammal which was a young Fallow Deer Buck. Also we saw somebody doing a Brown Hairstreak survey and we had the privilege of a view of 2 larvae feeding on Blackthorn leaves. We possibly might go back when the Adults are on the wing. On the path back to the car park was a another larvae, this one was a Drinker Moth. On our way home we spotted another Deer. This was a Muntjac Buck which immediately clocked us and started to walk away into a small bush. A very good day indeed!
Common Pochard [Male]
Southern Marsh Orchid
Bee Orchid
Egyptian Goose
Long-
Ring-
Common Blue [Male]
Bullfinch [Male]
Marsh Harrier [Female]
Fallow Deer [Pricket]
Brown Hairstreak [Larvae]
Muntjac [Male]
Hobby
Turtle Dove
June 2016