Evesham and District

For those of us that travelled to Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Brandon Marsh we had a very pleasant morning with sunny spells and thankfully no rain. To start with the birding was quiet, with little activity in the wooded area and the first couple of ponds had low water levels. When we got to the East Marsh Pool things got more interesting. The pool was full of fish (we think probably roach or rudd) and a variety of birds were feeding on them including grey heron, little egret and cormorant, sometimes very close to the hide. We also had very good views of a kingfisher and great white egret.

There were lots of dragonflies about so we were hoping we may see a hobby. At the far end of the reserve, just as we were thinking of leaving our wishes were fulfilled as a hobby performed for us, taking and eating dragonflies on the wing. 

I attach a full bird list from my own notes, but there may be a few species missing. Steve has taken some fabulous photos that you can see below.

In October we are going to Chew Valley Lake, which is in the Bristol Airport area and Clifton Pits is our November outing.

Image: Puffin - Steve Cockbill

In April we had our weekend away to Pembrokeshire. We were treated to glorious sunshine throughout the trip. We travelled down via WWT Llanelli where the best star birds were an adult breeding plumage Mediterranean and adult little gull. We stayed overnight in Haverfordwest and the next day went on a pre-booked boat trip to Skomer Island. Here we saw many thousands of puffins, guillemots and razorbills with kittiwakes, fulmars and gannets. We also had outstanding views of a short-eared owl.

Image: Razorbills - Steve Cockbill

Some of us also went on an evening boat trip out into St Bride’s Bay where we saw a raft of many hundreds Manx shearwaters waiting for darkness before they returned to their burrows, before being treated to a glorious sunset. On the Sunday we returned to England via RSPB Newport Wetlands where we great views of many species of warblers, heard a cuckoo and spotted a peregrine perching on an old industrial building. The weekend was finished with views of a spotted flycatcher while we had our lunch before setting off for home.

Many thanks to all those attending for making this a successful, friendly and enjoyable trip. Thanks to Steve Cockbill for the photographs. This was a trip originally arranged by Geoff Bryant who recently met his untimely death. I am sure he would have enjoyed it and our thoughts go out to his family and friends.

RIP Geoff

A small party of us braved a very unfavourable forecast and made the trip to Middleton. The rain held off until, as with our November visit, we reached the only hide on the site. There was plenty of evidence of spring. We were lucky enough to hear the bittern booming and had charming views of both wren and long-tailed tit nest building. Herons and little egrets were sitting on the nests in the trees and early returning (or perhaps overwintering) warblers such as blackcap and chiffchaff were singing. Avocets, oystercatchers, redshanks and little ringed plovers were back to their breeding grounds. Also, at the last screen an early swallow flew past. However, there were still signs of winter with good numbers wigeon and teal about and we had great views of male and female goldeneye.

Unfortunately, the forecasted wet weather meant none of us took a camera so there are no photographs from this trip.

We gathered at Parkend to look for the Hawfinches. To start with the main activity was greenfinches and the occasional nuthatch. Eventually a single bird appeared, posed for a few seconds and the disappeared into a yew tree. Unfortunately, that was the last we saw of it. We then had a rather muddy walk along the brook looking for dippers, but river levels had risen after the overnight rain and there were few perching points for the birds. We did find two grey wagtails.

The weather didn’t help us at the next stop, New Fancy View raptor viewpoint. Low cloud and damp conditions meant birds of prey were not up soaring or displaying. Despite the lack over birds, much was to be enjoyed with the views across the forest.

We moved on to Cannop Ponds where we had good views at least twelve mandarin ducks amongst the trees at the water’s edge and male and female goosanders. Thanks to Geoff Bryant And Stuart Ablett for the photos.