Ross-on-Wye - walk along River Wye in northerly direction.
Brambling x 1 (could have been more with flock of chaffinch) - first of the year for me Little Egret x 2 Kingfisher x 2 Goosander x 8 (all female redheads) Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1 Grey Heron x 4 Buzzard x 3 Reed Bunting x 1 Long Tailed Tit x 5 Mute Swan x 50 Goldfinch x 20 Cormorant x 1 Woodpigeon x 60
In Forest of Dean area (Gloucestershire) - unfortunately dipped on sightings of Crossbill (Woorgreens/Crabtree Hill), Goshawk (New Fancy Viewpoint) and Hawfinch (Parkend and Nagshead RSPB). But nice to see flock of Redwing at Speech House Lake.
Enjoyable circular bird-watching walk south of Hereford. Started at village of Fownhope - along River Wye - Brockhampton - Capler Camp and return.
Red Kite x 1 Goosander (Adult Female) with 6 chicks Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1 Red-legged Partridge x 2 Yellowhammer x 1 Common Whitethroat x 3 (including 1 juvenile) Willow Warbler x 1 Willow Tit x 1 Chiffchaff x 4 Greenfinch x 2 Coal Tit x 1 Buzzard x 5 Kestrel x 1 Mute Swan x 3 Jay x 1 Magpie x 4 Cormorant x 1 Pied Wagtail x 3 Swift x 15 Swallow x 20 House Martin x 5 Goldfinch x 4 Blackbird x 14 Great Tit x 5 Blue Tit x 4 Chaffinch x 7 Robin x 5 House Sparrow x 25 Mallard x 10 Song Thrush x 4 Pheasant x 5M and 1F Carrion Crow x 25 Herring Gull x 3 Woodpigeon x 40 Collared Dove x 3
If you are thinking of going go on Tuesday. I can't go until Wednesday by which tie it will have gone!!
I was wrong - but close - it departed 3 hours after I arrived rather than 3 hours before as I'd feared. Good for me but heart breaking for those walking up the hill as I left....
Also present, Whinchat, Buzzard, Red Kite and a super Hobby. Followed up with 200+ Red Kite at Gigrin, Osprey at Dyfi and sunset in a Welsh Valley with displaying Black Grouse and 3 (2m) Hen Harriers quartering the moors. Not the worst days birding....
-- Edited by Rob Smallwood on Thursday 24th of May 2012 04:58:35 PM
21/05/2012 - An adult Cream-coloured Courser showed well today at Bradnor Hill having been found late yesterday. A real beauty and the first spring record for the UK as far as i'm aware. Considering it's only the second record in the last 30 or so years it was pretty quiet at the twitch this morning with approx 40 people there. Easy parking beyond the golf club and then a short walk up to the top of the hill. Also about were:
