Bird and Moth sightings from Weston-super-mare and Brean Down 2009.

Avon Bird Report 2009 addendum

All sightings below are by P.Bowyer unless stated otherwise.

31st December

Weather: 3 degrees, cloudy, 13mph NE wind, 1001mB
Ashcombe Park: A quiet end to the year with 1 Firecrest around the tennis court area this morning and mid-day singing occasionally.

Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus Ashcombe Park

30th December

Weather: 4 degrees, cloudy , 10mph NE wind, 990mB
Ashcombe Park: 2 Firecrests this morning showing well.
Weston STW: 55 Coot, 30 Gadwall, 30 Pochard.

29th December

Weather: 4 degrees, cloudy , 10mph NE wind, 990mB
Ashcombe Park: 2 Firecrests this morning showing well.
Weston STW: 55 Coot, 30 Gadwall, 30 Pochard.

28th December

Weather: -2 degrees, Partly cloudy , 9mph E wind, 1004mB
Weston STW: Quiet this morning. 34 Pochard on UV pools. A flock of 80 Fieldfare around the wildfowl lagoons. A couple of Water Rail around the Rhynes and along the River Axe.

27th December

Weather: 5 degrees, Partly cloudy , 15mph W wind, 997mB
Sand Point: An hours sea watch this morning between 9:30 and 10:30 produced 120 Herring Gull west, 55 Black-headed Gull west, 3 Lesser Black-back Gulls west, 1 Common Gull west, 1 Great Black-back Gull east and 50 Kittiwake (17 up channel and 33 down channel).

24th December

Weather: Mild, 5mph SE wind and cloudy
Weston STW: Little coverage today. The chiffchaff and yellowhammer still present. The milder weather seems to have significantly reduced the numbers of birds heading south.

23rd December

Weather: -5 degrees, cloudy , 2mph SW wind, 990mB
Weston STW: Another morning with more southerly migration. All heading south were: 5 chaffinch, 32 skylark, 235 lapwing, 150 black-headed gull, 2 brambling, 300 golden plover, 6 goldfinch, 2 redwing, 80 herring gull, 6 stock dove, 2 greylag, 200 woodpigeon, 3 meadow pipit, 3 common snipe, 5 cormorant. Around the sewage works were: 300 skylark, 2,000+ woodpigeon, 1 adult mediterranean gull, 1 chiffchaff, 1 yellowhammer. At the Axe Estuary waders included 1 spotted redshank, 1 knot and a sanderling along with good numbers of dunlin.

22nd December

Weather: -1 degrees, cloudy with snow, 6mph SW wind, 985mB
Weston STW: Continuing evidence of snow displacement. The star arrival was a Common Crane on the bank of the Avon side of the River Axe next to the sewage works but soon flew off. It was relocated on Red Road but flew high south at 10:10am. Other birds moving south were 400 lapwing, 20 golden plover, 10 skylark, 10 chaffinch and 30 black-headed gulls.
Also, 30 Shoveler, 80 Wigeon, 15 Pochard on the UV pools.
The Black Redstart at a private site in Worle was still present today.
This is the third Common Crane in Weston. The last was when two were seen flying north over Weston on 6th May 2002 having previously spent the morning in the Berrow area. Today the favour was returned!

Juvenile Common Crane in flight along Red Road, Somerset and on the bank of the River Axe in Avon.

 

21st December

Weather: 0 degrees, cloudy, 7mph SE wind, 989mB
Weston STW: Evidence of snow displacement this morning. In just half an hour 60 Golden Plover, 150 Lapwing, 20 Chaffinch and 50 Black-headed Gulls seen heading south. Half of the UV pools frozen over. A Chiffchaff lingering around the UV perimeter along with 3 Cetti's Warbler. The Skylark numbers have increased dramatically with around 100 present. Hundreds if not thousands of Woodpigeons including some Stock Doves still around the stubble fields on Bleadon Level.

20th December

Weather: -2 degrees, sunny, 7mph WSW wind, 1001mB
Sand Point: Highlight being an adult Mediterranean Gull flying down channel. Otherwise little vis mig, just a few gulls trickling through and 2 Lapwing up channel.

19th December

Weather: -4 degrees, sunny, 7mph WSW wind, 1016mB
Sand Point: Bird of the day would have been the Little Grebe on the tide line off Sand Point as it was a patch tick but seeing the family party of 5 Bewick's Swans (2 adults, 3 juvs) made my morning. The Dunlin flock was estimated at around 1,500.

Bewick's Swans in Sand Bay 19th December 2009

13th December

Weather: 4 degrees, partly cloudy, 10mph NE wind, 1029mB
Weston STW: 400 Woodpigeon high south and 2 Brambling amongst Chaffinches in the stubble fields. 10+ Stock Dove amongst the many Woodpigeons.

8th December

Sand Point: Only birds of note were 2 redpoll south and 13 curlew down channel

Axe Estuary: The 3 Bar-tailed Godwits roosted amongst the Oycs on Black Rock over high tide.

Weston STW: 2,000+ Woodpigeon feeding in the field opposite the model racing track

Some of the many Woodpigeons Columba palumbus on Bleadon Level 8th December 2009

6th December

Sand Point: 40 Common Gull, 20 Herring Gull, 50 Black-headed Gull, 1 Cormorant, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 30 Kittiwake, 1 diver sp up channel, 1,200 Dunlin down channel (including a flock of 1,000), 2 Great Skua, 12 Shelduck, 1 Greenfinch. Biggest surprise of the morning were 35 Guillemot flying down channel, then flew upchannel, they looked to be heading to an area of rough water off Middle Hope which is where I lost them (presumed landed).

Great Skua Stercorarius skua Sand Point 6th December 2009

5th December

Sand Point: 1 Great Northern Diver upchannel around 8:45am

Anchor Head: 7 Purple Sandpipers

Axe Estuary: 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Golden Plover

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Axe Estuary 5th December 2009

All 7 Purple Sandpipers Calidris maritima Anchor Head 5th December 2009

3rd December

Sand Point: 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers down channel, 1 Great Skua down channel, 20 Kittiwakes up channel.

Red-breasted Mergansers Sand Point 3rd December 2009

2nd December

Anchor Head: Black Redstart and 4 Purple Sandpiper (Birdguides). Black Redstart has now been recorded at Anchor Head for 4 successive winters.

1st December

Sand Point: Back to normal after last weeks excitement (which was better than the whole of this years spring migration). Vis mig down channel included: 20 curlew down channel, 40 starling, 15 meadow pipit, 10 chaffinch, 3 goldfinch, 2 greenfinch, 1 brambling, 7 redwing, 1 song thrush, 1 dunlin, 5 woodpigeon. 20 wigeon sat on the sea then flew up channel.

29th November

Anchor Head: 7 Purple Sandpipers (A.Clark)

Sand Point: With winds swinging SSE and pleny of rain, it was pretty quiet here this morning with just a Chiffchaff of note.

28th November

Sand Point: Another good mornings birding. When I first sat down an Arctic Skua was close inshore but straight away drifted off north. 2 Great Northern Divers flew down channel. Both flew over the point. A juvenile Shag flew in and landed on the shoreline at the point. It drifted off half way down the point and was joined by another juvenile! 200 Kittiwakes went up channel. Down channel were 2 Brent Geese, 150 black-headed gulls, 5 curlew and 40 common gull.

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus Sand Point 28th November 2009

Dark-bellied Brent Goose Branta bernicla Sand Point 28th November 2009

2 Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis Sand Point 28th November 2009

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer Sand Point 28th November 2009

27th November

Sand Point: A much quieter morning with only 8mph SW winds. 2 Great Skua lingering distantly offshore, seen together at one stage. 1 Fulmar (first one this week) and only 9 Kittiwake of which 2 were close in enough to photograph. A Snow Bunting flew over calling mid morning (heard only). 50 Black-headed Gulls down channel.

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Sand Point 27th November 2009

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Sand Point 27th November 2009

26th November

Sand Point: in 3 hours between 8:15 and 11:15 heading down channel were 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Shag, 1 Arctic Skua, 2 Great Skua, 1 Goosander, 7 Grey Plover, 100 Kittiwake (80 upchannel), 2 Gannet upchannel, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 150 Black-headed Gulls, 50 Common Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Curlew, 7 Shelduck, 20 Woodpigeon, 9 Meadow Pipit, 5 Goldfinch, 8 Greenfinch.

Leach's Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa Severn Beach 25th November 2009

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer Sand Point 26th November 2009

24th November

Sand Point: heading down channel were 1 Great Northern Diver, 90 kittiwake (40 went upchannel in one group), 30 grey plover (in one flock including 1 knot and 1 redshank), 100 black-headed gull, 100 common gull, 40 herring gull, 14 dunlin

23rd November

Anchor Head: 140 kittiwake, 3 great skua

22nd November

Anchor Head: heading down channel between 1:45 and 3pm were 71 kittiwake, 1 adult winter mediterranean gull, 110 common gull and 4 curlew.

Sand Point: 1 Northern Wheatear

Anchor Head: 5 Purple Sandpipers (A.Clark).

19th November

Anchor Head: 1 auk sp and 7 kittiwake.

17th November

Sand Point: 1 Wheatear

15th November

Sand Point: 6 Little Gulls up channel, 44 kittiwake down channel, 1 wheatear at the point (7th day)

Moth trap: beaded chestnut, blair's shoulder knot, cypress carpet, 5 light brown apple moth.

12th November

Sand Point: Wheatear at the point still.

11th November

Sand Point: 1 Wheatear at the point (Birdguides)

Ashcombe Park: Firecrest singing in trees north of skateboard ramp.

Moth trap: Feathered Thorn.

10th November

Sand Point: 1 House Martin, 4 Golden Plover

Axe Estuary: 1 Spotted Redshank, 330 Dunlin, 40 Ringed Plover

9th November

Sand Point: 1 wheatear, 1 golden plover

Anchor Head: 3 Purple Sandpiper

Brean Down: 2 Black Redstart (SOS)

Axe Estuary: No sign yesterdays reported Wilson's Phalarope by 2 non-birders. 136 dunlin, 1 knot, 1 spotted redshank

8th November

Late news received about a Wilson's Phalarope on Uphill beach around 10am. 2 Purple Sandpipers (P.Moon) were at Anchor Head this morning.

6th November

Sand Point: 1 Goosander

Lesser Whitethroat in Severn Road (Birdguides)

5th November

Ashcombe Park: 1 Firecrest

4th November

Weston STW: 1 adult Mediterranean Gull

1st November

Weston STW: 1,100 Black-headed Gulls west, 200 Starling west, 2 Golden Plover west. 1 Green Sandpiper at Brean Cross Sluice.

Anchor Head: 8 Common Scoter south.

31st October

Garden moth trap: Large Wainscot new for garden

30th October

Cloudy with a 7mph SE wind. A crossbill was heard calling at Worlebury Hill

Moth trap: Autumn Green Carpet, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Cypress Carpet, Beaded Chestnut.

Red-green Carpet Chloroclysta siterata

29th October

Warm, cloudy and 8mph SE wind. Brean Down produced 200 redwing, 50 starling, 150 chaffinch, 2+ crossbill, 5 fieldfare, 20 meadow pipit, 1 redpoll, 1 siskin, 1 skylark, an influx of around 20 robin, 1 bullfinch, 15 song thrush, 4 brambling, 2 reed bunting. 1 Merlin at the fort briefly before flying south.

Weston STW: A Pintail present this afternoon on the UV pools. A good year in weston for this species.

Pintail Anas acuta

28th October

Warm cloudy with 6mph SW wind. At Sand Point heading west were 1335 starling, 1080 chaffinch, 60 greenfinch, 62 meadow pipit, 9 siskin, 3 redpoll, 10 song thrush, 1 mistle thrush, 1 fieldfare, 6 redwing, 1 grey wagtail, 6 brambling, 6 goldfinch, 11 reed bunting, 1 curlew, 1 pied wagtail, 25 woodpigeon, 21 jackdaw, 8 black-headed gull, 1 common gull, 3 skylark, 5 linnet, 2 bullfinch. 11 blackbird, 5 song thrush were at the point and a goldcrest and 3 chiffchaff at the car park

Brean Down per A.Hockey 1 black redstart at the fort.

27th October

Cloudy with a 10mph SE wind. Axe Estuary between 7 and 8:30 heading south were 287 chaffinch, 60 redwing, 44 linnet, 227 black-headed gull, 500 starling, 10 meadow pipit, 6 greenfinch, 3 brambling, 3 reed bunting, 1 mistle thrush, 1 fieldfare, 1 bullfinch, 4 song thrush, 1 skylark. A dark bellied Brent Goose came in/off the sea with shelduck landing o.o.s at the estuary mouth but 10 minutes later flew west behind Brean Down. 248 Lapwing on the estuary.

26th October

Partially cloudy with a light WNW wind. At Brean Down per R.Musgrove and myself: 1 Firecrest, 2 goldfinch, 7 reed bunting, 42 meadow pipit west, 57 chaffinch west, 2 siskin, 14 woodpigeon south, 2 redpoll south, 2 yellowhammer, 1 brambling, 2 pied wagtail, 115 starling north, 2 mistle thrush east, bullfinch at fiddlers point, 6 (4male, 2 female) blackcap and 3 chiffchaff.

2 Clouded Yellow on Brean Down today.

Firecrest copyright R.Musgrove and Yellowhammer

25th October

Partially cloudy with strong SW wind. Little to report today but 7 Crossbills flow north over Ashcombe Park this morning and in Weston Woods per A.Hockey 2 Firecrests were between the water tower and the ancient fort on the artificial path.

At Brean Down per N.Cashburn/C.Constance (weekendbirder): 1 Great Northern Diver down Channel from Trigg Point plus a juvenile Gannet. Also 5 Crossbills over and 1 Firecrest (photo copyright N.Cashburn) 500 YRds back along track near cattle Drinking troff.

23rd October

Partially cloudy with a light south-westerly. Vis mig heading west over Sand Point with many then turning and heading south. Many high altitude flocks went through unidentified but what could be identified were: 1,150 starling, 910 chaffinch, 181 woodpigeon, 26 greenfinch, 10 goldfinch, 6 reed bunting, 25 meadow pipit, 6 house sparrow, 2 song thrush, 3 brambling, 1 fieldfare, 1 skylark, 1 grey wagtail

19th October

Cloudy with moderate SSE wind. Axe Estuary: Vis mig here involved virtually all birds moving south. 50 minute count produced: 735 starling, 229 chaffinch, 1 grey wagtail, 3 skylark, 63 meadow pipit, 19 song thrush, 9 reed bunting, 7 goldfinch, 24 greenfinch, 11 pied wagtail, 31 woodpigeon, 6 siskin, 25 linnet, 20 lapwing, 1 mistle thrush, 25 black-headed gull.

Sand Point per A.Hockey: 1 ring ouzel, 1 wheatear1 g.s. woodpecker and 100 meadow pipit on middle hope and a chiffchaff at sand point.

18th October

Mainly clear with a SSE wind. At Brean Down my dog scored again by flushing a Woodcock from the line of trees before the trough on the saddle (area between the two humps). 1 male Merlin 10 Redpoll and a Ring Ouzel (R.Musgrove). Also 6 siskin, 7 brambling, 40 chaffinch east, 34 linnet east, 8 swallow east, 6 pied wagtail south, 7 goldfinch east, 30 starling north, 1 grey wagtail. On the ground a handfull of redwing, song thrush and blackbird. 6 chiffchaff, 5 blackcap, 3 goldcrest and 2 bullfinch.

Weston STW: Continues to look like groundhog day with just a female Pintail of note perhaps one of two from the 14th.

Axe Estuary: 1 Curlew Sandpiper (per SOS). No sign this evening but 5 dunlin and a grey plover amongst 300-400 redshank

Sand Point BOC migration watch per P.Gregory et al: 450 Chaffinch, 350 Starling, 110 Redwing, 100 Woodpigeon, 30 Fieldfare, 30 Meadow Pipits, 20 Goldfinch, 10 Linnet, 8 Greenfinch, 5 Skylark, 4 Brambling, 4 Reed Buntings, 3 Pied Wagtails, 2 Pintail, 2 Song Thrushes, 3 Siskin, 2 Redpolls, 1 Grey Wagtail. Also present 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps ad 3 Chiffchaffs. 3 Grey Plover were the only waders of note on this evenings high tide.

17th October

Partially cloudy with a northerly wind. At Brean Down: 1 Ring Ouzel, 60 Redwing, 25 Song Thrush, 10 Blackbird, 13 Brambling including a flock of 8 north, 22 Reed Bunting, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker attempting to fly west from the fort out to sea, 5 Siskin, 35 Greenfinch, 13 House Sparrow in two groups high north, 3 Redpoll, 1 Goldcrest, 60 Skylark north, 1 Pied Wagtail, 30 Chaffinch, 70 Goldfinch, 20 Linnet, 1 Wheatear, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Fieldfare, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap.

15th October

100% cloud and light SSE wind. Brean Down: 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Brambling, 30 Song Thrush, 20 Redwing, 30 Reed Bunting, 70 Starling north, 60 Linnet east, 4 Blackbird high south, 57 Meadow Pipit east, 10 Chaffinch, 1 Snipe high west

Sand Point per B.Blake: 1 Dartford Warbler between fort and point, 11 Redwing, 2 Redpoll, 1 Brambling, 1 Swallow, 20+ Reed Bunting.

14th October

Bright sunny morning with very light easterly. Brean Down: Combined estimated totals with several birders present this morning: 1 Ring Ouzel photo1, photo2 by the farm but elusive until mid morning at least. Before light many Song Thrush and Redwing around the east end of the down and a few mixed flocks of Redwings and Song Thrushes coming in/off the sea, estimates around 100 Redwing and 100 Song Thrush. 4 Brambling, 4 Fieldfare, 60 Swallow, 20 Siskin, 1 Snipe, 150 Meadow Pipit, 10 chiffchaff, 10 blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 80 chaffinch, 10 Redpoll, 10 Greenfinch, 30 Goldfinch. A Merlin in/off from the north, 40 Linnet, 25 Skylark

Weston STW: 2 female Pintail on the UV pools.

13th October

Clear sky and a virtually windless morning. At Brean Down per R.Musgrove: 08.30 - 13.30 5-7 Ring Ouzel, 50+ Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Redwing, 43 Linnet (mainly east), 50 Chaffinch, 31 Goldfinch, Bullfinch male by fort, 6 Redpoll sp, 8 Siskin, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Dartford Warbler in the bushes before the fort, 11 Skylark, 80 Meadow Pipit, 5 Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcap, 12 Swallow, 6 Alba Wagtail

Middle Hope: A small amount of passage noted: 1 Brambling, 15 Redwing, 15 Song Thrush, 4 Siskin, 3 Reed Bunting, 10 Skylark, 1 Redpoll, 2 Pied Wagtail. A Firecrest at the car park this afternoon per P.Gregory.

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus Copyright R.Musgrove

12th October

Clear sky and moderate northerly wind. At Brean Down reasonable vis mig considering the conditions: 14 swallow south, 70 skylark north, 100 meadow pipit, 20 chaffinch north, 10 greenfinch west, 16 redwing (south and west), 1 grey wagtail east, 2 pied wagtail north, 8 redpoll, 65 goldfinch east, 4 siskin north, 10 reed bunting north. On the ground 1 dartford warbler, 20 song thrush, 3 chiffchaff and a blackcap

Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata

11th October

Cloudy with drizzle and a brisk westerly wind. A Redwing was at Ashcombe Park early morning.

10th October

Clear sky with light westerly. Brean Down: 227 swallow south, 3 house martin south, 37 skylark west, 9 pied wagtail north, 54 chaffinch west, 10 reed bunting north, 50 linnet (10 north), 100 meadow pipit (15 south), 1 great spotted woodpecker west with skylarks, 5 siskin north, 10 migrant blackbird, 10 song thrush, 1 goldcrest, 2 chiffchaff, 2 blackcap, 1 redpoll (heard only), 1 wheatear, 23 greenfinch west, 65 startling west and a probable Crossbill (heard distantly).

Weston STW: A Merlin high south-east was the only highlight.

9th October

Cloudy with a ESE wind. At Brean Down some light passage seen: 55 Swallow (including a flock of 50), 1 Siskin, 20 Reed Bunting, 20 Pied Wagtail, 30 Chaffinch, 30 Meadow Pipit. On the ground 15 Song Thrush, 2 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest

8th October

A north-east wind and clear sky. Brief searches today produced little of note. 2 Green Sandpipers were together on the somerset side of the River Axe. 3 restless Wheatears were on Middle Hope prior to dusk and a Little Owl was calling on the south side of Swallow Point caravan park in Sand Bay.

5th October

Brean Down: wind swinging from westerly of north-westerly early morning and cloudy. Per A.Warne 387 Swallow , 42 House Martin, 400+ Meadow Pipit, 21 Skylark, 40+ Chaffinch, 15 Pied Wagtail, 5 Wheatear, 1 Tree Pipit, 20 - 30 Chiffchaff.

Moth trap: 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart, 1 Large Ranunculus, 2 Feathered Ranunculus, 1 Cypress Pug, 1 Cypress Carpet, 1 Blair's Shoulder Knot.

4th October

Weston STW: Cloudy but bright with a light Westerly wind. 75 Skylark west, 25 Reed Bunting west, 35 Swallow south-east, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 3 Water Rail.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus

3rd October

Weston STW: 16mph WNW and cloudy. A trickle of Swallows and a House Martin heading at speed south-east. All the wildfowl on the UV pools flushed by shooters.

Moth trap: 1 Angle Shades, 1 Silver Y, 5 Blair's Shoulder Knot, 3 Feathered Ranunculus, 1 Common Marbled Carpet, 1 Pale Mottled Willow, 1 Cypress Carpet, 1 Large Yellow Underwing, 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing.

1st October

Brean Down: moderate NNW wind and 80% cloud. Vis mig counts included 154 Swallow, 16 Reed Bunting, 4 Skylark, 49 Linnet, 27 Meadow Pipit, 17 Chaffinch, 8 House Martin, 4 Pied Wagtail, 10 Goldfinch. 2 Wheatear by the arrow.

30th September

Brean Down: 100% cloud cover and light variable wind. A very calm day almost felt like being indoors. Vis mig up on yesterday: 1 Redpoll north, 1 Siskin north, 32 skylark (21 north, 11 south), 50 Swallow south, 30 Meadow Pipit (mostly south and on the deck), 25 Reed Bunting (north and on the deck), 50 Linnet north, 20 chaffinch north, 10 greenfinch south, 4 great tit north, 33 jackdaw north. Little on the ground with 3 wheatear, 15 chiffchaff, 10 blackcap and a goldcrest.

Weston stw: Yesterdays first Gadwall of the autumn was joined by three more today. Otherwise little change.

Moth trap: 2 Lunar Underwing and 5 Blair's Shoulder-knot the highlights.

29th September

Brean Down: Clear sky and W wind. Rather quiet this morning with a few birds heading NW out to south wales: 16 skylark, 5 reed bunting and 4 pied wagtail. A flock of 50 meadow pipits came in/off the sea heading east but this was the only passage from Wales.

Weston STW: No sign of the Blue-winged Teal today.

28th September

Weston STW: Partially cloudy with a moderate NW wind. A Blue-winged Teal on the UV pools mid morning plus at least 2 water rail and a kingfisher.

Moth trap: 3 Blair's Shoulder Knot, 3 Cypress Carpet, 2 Feathered Ranunculus

27th September

Brean Down: clear sky becoming cloudy for a short period around 9am and a light N wind. A day of Reed Bunting movement with 35+ moving north. Also, 17 skylark (10 lingering around the trig), 3 wheatear, 2 siskin north, 1 great spotted woodpecker high NW, 2 Jay east, only 100 swallow by 9:30am but picking up later, 20 house martin, 25 chaffinch NW, 150 meadow pipit.

26th September

Brean Down: Light variable wind and 100% mid level layered cloud. A Brent Goose came in/off the sea and eventually headed south over Brean beach. Other sightings involved 25 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush east, 5 Reed Bunting north, 3 Grey wagtail south, 1 skylark south, 6 wheatear, 17 chaffinch north, 22 pied wagtail mainly north, 1,000 swallow south, 20 house martin south, 1 sand martin south, 1 goldcrest, 15 blackcap and 10 chiffchaff.

Weston STW: Rather quiet other than many swallows through from Brean Down, 2 water rail on the UV pools, 300 redshank and 2 dunlin

Moth trap: Blair's Shoulder Knot, 5 Cypress Pug, 2 Cypress Carpet, 2 feathered ranunculus

25th September

Weston STW: per A.Hockey 1 whinchat, 2 grey wagtail, 6 chiffchaff, 1 blackcap and 10 black-tailed godwit over. Also recorded 1 greenshank , 1 water rail on the UV pools plus a notable passage of black-headed gulls in from the east.

24th September

Brean Down: Clear sky and a light W wind: 16 reed bunting north, 30 swallow east, 3 grey wagtail north, 5 skylark south, 1 wheatear, 50 linnet, 100 meadow pipit, 15 chiffchaff

Sand Point per A.Hockey: 2 blackcap, 4 chiffchaff, 1 snipe over with an un'id'd wader, 1 mistle thrush and 8 raven.

Moth trap: 1 Lunar Underwing.

23rd September

Brean Down: Low cloud and drizzle mid morning with a light WNW wind. The Wryneck was still present but extremely wary and elusive. Also a Merlin flew strong NW out to sea. A good passage of hirundines on both sides of the mid morning drizzle continuing into the evening. Otherwise 10 chiffchaff, 2 common whitethroat and 10 blackcap

Uphill: 1 Knot

Weston STW: 49 Pochard, 1 Water Rail, 3 Sedge Warbler

Moth trap: 1 Rush Veneer, 16 Feathered Ranunculus, 3 Large Ranunculus, 1 Pale Mottled Willow, 1 Cypress Carpet, 1 Cypress Pug, 2 Common Marbled Carpet, 2 Garden Carpet, 2 Silver Y

Wryneck

22nd September

Moth trap: 1 Large Ranunculus, 1 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, 6 Feathered Ranunculus and a Silver Y

20th September

Brean Down: A ligth northerly wind with 90% cloud cover. A pick up in vis mig but less in the way of grounded migrants: 1 Yellow Wagtail east, 6 Grey Wagtail, 700 Swallow, 400 House Martin, 600 Meadow Pipit, 4 Wheatear, 2 Redstart, 4 Skylark east, 9 Pied Wagtail east, 120 Linnet, 2 Tree Pipit, and singles of Goldcrest, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Little Owl. I was asked by a grockle if I saw the flock of Ospreys (3) that went through Brean last weekend.

Sand Point per P.Gregory: Quiet with 1 Tree Pipit and 2 Wheatear the highlights. A Cetti's Warbler was in the car park area.

19th September

Brean Down: Light NE breeze and 100% cloud cover. The Wryneck put in a few brief appearances early morning only. Otherwise some leftovers from yesterdays fall together with a handfull of new birds: 4 Redstart, 30 Chiffchaff, 40 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 7 Reed Bunting north, 9 Wheatear, 3 Common Whitethroat, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Goldcrest, 70 Linnet through, 300 Meadow Pipit, 500 Swallow, 200 House Martin, a single flock of 22 Skylark north, 1 Willow Warbler.

A Tree Pipit over the garden at 05:30 this morning whilst checking the moth trap was a new garden bird.

Moth trap: Not great results but 3 Feathered Ranunculus, 4 Common Marbled Carpet, Brimstone the most notable.

18th September

17th September

Moth trap: 2 Feathered Ranunculus and a Common Marbled Carpet

15th September

Brean Down: 12mph NE wind and 100% cloud cover. Quiet again today although a promising feel to the day. 6 Wheatear and a good passage of hirundines with the occasional small group of Mipits. Interestingly there was a NNW movement of Swallows as well as the easterly movement.

Weston STW: 1 female Pintail, 29 Wigeon and 100+ Sand Martin at the UV pools.

Sand Martin Riparia riparia

14th September

Brean Down: 10mph NE wind and 100% cloud. The Swallow movement took an hour and a half to get going this morning which would suggest this movement goes on throughout the night on clear nights. Highlight of the day was Brean's second Corncrake flushed by my dog along a track next to the footpath at Fiddler's Point. She was highly rewarded. Otherwise, 2 Wheatear and 40 Blackcap (Per R.Musgrove).

Weston STW: 18 Wigeon and 20 lingering Sand Martin.

Moth trap: Light Emerald, Copper Underwing, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Silver Y the highlights of last nights catch.

13th September

Brean Down: 8mph NE wind and clear sky. A slight drop in Swallow numbers with a sample count showing 900 per hour compared to 1,450 per hour yesterday. An upturn in night migrants with 6 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 15 Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear and 20 Blackcap including a group of 10 in one elderberry bush. Meadow Pipit numbers were similar to previous days and Grey Wagtails reached 5 heading north.

Axe Estuary: 1 Whimbrel, 4 Knot, 33 Teal

A Yellow Wagtail was a welcome addition to my urban garden list whilst checking the moth trap.

Moth trap: Run from midnight on produced 1 Feathered Ranunculus, 1 Cabbage, 3 Pale Mottled Willow, 5 Cypress Pug, 2 Eudonia angustea.

12th September

Brean Down: 10mph NNE wind and clear sky. A distinct lack of overnight migrants compared to yesterdays count. Vismig was comparable however with 5 Greylag east over the fields towards the Axe Estuary where they were seen to drop, 4,500 Swallow, 100 Sand Martin, 280 House Martin, 200 Meadow Pipit, 6 Grey Wagtail, 10 Pied Wagtail and 3 Tree Pipit. Grounded were 3 Wheatear and 20 Chiffchaff.

11th September

Light to moderate NE wind, clear sky. At Brean Down 1 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Redstart, 4 Tree Pipit, 30 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 200 Meadow Pipit, 1,200 Swallow east, 80 House Martin east, 15 Sand Martin east, 2 Wheatear, 1 yellow wagtail, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Grey Wagtail.

At Weston STW: 11 Wigeon, 1 Tree Pipit

Moth trap: A Snout was the only moth of interest.

Redstart and Eurasion Wigeon

10th September

Light NNE wind and clear sky. Quiet on middle hope this morning with just couple of wheatear and 6 grey wagtail

Per A.Hockey: Probable Marsh Harrier over Brean this morning, also a good spattering of common migrants. Yesterday on Sand Point 10 wheatear, 5 blackcap, 2 chiffchaff, 3 whitethroat.

Moth trap: The usual suspects plus Angle Shades and a couple of Celypha lacunana.

8th September

Moth trap: Gold Triangle, Small Dusty Wave, 3 Square-spot Rustic, Pale Mottled Willow, 2 Rush Veneer, 2 Flounced Rustic.

7th September

Weston STW: SW wind with cloud and a slight pickup in migrants: 3  snipe south, 30 lapwing, 4 sand martin, From the sluice black-tailed godwit, 3 yellow wagtail, 20 mipit, 400 redshank included 1 turnstone and 10 dunlin. 65 pochard still on UV pools.

Moth trap: 2 rush veneer, 1 silver y and 8 cypress pug were the highlights.

6th September

Weston STW: Winds changing to SW not the most productive for weston: 1 Tree Pipit, 65 Pochard on UV pools and a Knot amongst redshank.

Moth trap: 4 rush veneer, 1 silver y, 1 light emerald were the highlights

5th September

Brean Down: Clear sky and a full moon meant good overnight conditions. A lighter westerly than the previous two days: 7 Wheatear around the trig, some feeding whilst others roosted in the long grass. A light westerly passage of hirundines along with 3 grey wagtail and 5 chaffinch. In the bushes 15 blackcap, 10 chiffchaff, 1 willow warbler, 1 goldcrest, 2 lesser whitethroat and 4 common whitethroat. A redstart moved quickly through heading west. A few Silver Y and Rush Veneer were noted around the farm area.

4th September

A Pied Flycatcher seen at a private site in the east of Weston per J.Packer.

Brean Down. Brisk westerly wind and mainly clear skies. 5 Tree Pipit including a flock of 4 that came in from the east and landed in trees near the trig. 6 wheatear (4 at trig, 2 at fort).

Weston STW: 1 Grey Phalarope, 1 adult Mediterranean Gull, 40 Pochard, 95 Coot.

Grey Phalarope Weston STW 4th September 2009

Moth trap: 1 Silver Y, 1 Flounced Rustic were the only noteworthy.

1st September

Weston STW: A brief visit to the UV pools produced 20 Pochard and 6 Teal. A lone Sand Martin also present

Moth trap: 3 Eudonia angustea, celypha lacunana, Rush Veneer were the only noteworthy captures.

31st August

Weston STW/Axe Est: Cloudy with a southerly wind. 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Tern south and then flew high east, 2 Wheatear, 2 Swift, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Snipe south, 100+ House Martin over UV pools.
Per A.Hockey: Sand Point/Middle Hope: Tree Pipit and 18 Wheatear

Moth trap: Year ticks included Feathered Ranunculus, Small Square-spot, Flounced Rustic, Small China Mark. Also Dark Sword-grass, 4 Rush Veneer, Silver Y, 2 Double-striped Pug, 2 Lime-speck Pug, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Copper Underwing, Small Emerald, Common Marbled Carpet, Garden Pebble, Pale Mottled Willow, Common Wainscot

30th August

Middle Hope: A wind swing to southerly bring cloud throughout the morning. No visible migration with few migrants around: 4 yellow wagtail, 2 wheatear, 2 whitethroat.

Moth trap: 3 Rush Veneer, 8 Cypress Pug, 2 Copper Underwing,

29th August

Brean Down: Some evidence of overnight migration with migrants having filtered off the mendips into a direct westerly wind. Mainly in the trig point region: 8 wheatear, 1 tree pipit, 1 redstart and 1 grasshopper warbler. A great spotted woodpecker around by the top of the steps. A Shag flew close in south-west past the fort.
Per A.Hockey: 5 Swift, 2 Wheatear and a few Sand Martin at Weston STW

Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis

28th August

Nearly interesting this morning with a couple of adult winter Mediterranean Gulls amongst Black-headed on the River Axe. A Knot was amongst the Redshank at the Axe Estuary. Duck counts on the UV pools came to 13 Pochard, 6 Shoveler, 2 Teal and 100+ Mallard. Otherwise a sea watch early morning produced no sea birds after last nights strong winds.

27th August

Small southerly passage of Sand Martins and Swallows over Weston STW

Moth trap: Meal moth (garden tick), Celypha striana, shuttle-shaped dart, 3 copper underwing, yellow shell, 5 cypress pug, 3 orange swift, 2 Pale-mottled Willow, 30 Large Yellow Underwing. Migrants included 2 Rush Veneer and a Silver Y

Meal Moth

26th August

5 Swift, a few Sand Martins and Swallows amongst good numbers of House Martins over the UV pools late morning.

Moth trap with first time using a T8 26mm blacklight blue UV tube 2ft 18W. The results were good but need UV protection for the eyes. Garden tick Prays fraxinella. Also, 2 Copper Underwing, 7 Square-spot Rustic, 3 Cypress Pug, 2 Double-striped Pug, 3 Orange Swift, Dusky Thorn, 3 Garden Carpet, 2 Scoparia Ambigualis

25th August

Brean Down: Quiet with just 60 House Martins and a Wheatear.

23rd August

Sand Bay/Point: 6 Yellow Wagtails (5 in marsh and 1 around the point), 1 wheatear, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and a Rush Veneer discovered at the point.

Moth trap: 2 garden ticks this morning: Dark Sword-grass and Toadflax Pug. Also, 20 Large Yellow Underwing, Heart and Dart, Lesser Yellow Underwing, 12 Setaceous Hebrew Character, 1 Cypress Pug, 1 Square-spot Rustic, Celypha striana, 2 Yellow Shell, Yellow-barred Brindle.

22nd August

Sand Bay/Point: 90 Ringed Plover, 40 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Tree Pipit, 200 hirundines, 1 whimbrel, 1 wheatear, 130 curlew, 5 little egret, 15 chiffchaff, 5 whitethroat, 5 blackcap

Moth trap with 8w actinic: 4 Orange swift, 4 cypress pug, 1 canary-shouldered thorn, 3 copper underwing, 1 uncertain, 1 brimstone, 10 willow beauty, 2 lime-speck pug, 4 garden carpet, 1 emerald sp, 3 marbled beauty, 2 blastobasis adustella, Scoparia ambigualis, Oegoconia Quadripuncta

Tree Pipit and Pyrausta purpuralis

20th August

Waste ground mothing produced a nice Pyrausta purpuralis. Others included Garden Tiger, Orange Swift, Cypress Pug, Cochylis hybridella plus a few other unid'd micros.

19th August

Moth trap: Running the Actinic last night produced 20 Large Yellow Underwing, Cypress Pug, Least Yellow Underwing, 5 Willow Beauty, Common Wainscot, Cydia splendana, Double-striped Pug, Cabbage, Garden Carpet.

18th August

Moth trap: A good count of 25 Willow Beauty. Also Lathronympha strigana, 2 cypress pug, 2 orange swift, 3 square-spot rustic, cabbage, pyrausta despicata , Small-dusty Wave

17th August

9 Swift and a few Sand Martins over Weston STW UV pools this morning.

16th August

Sand Bay/Point: A fairly unproductive morning with just 2 Wheatears at the point.

Moth trap: Year ticks included Black Arches and 2 Cypress Pug. Also, Turnip, Cabbage, Square-spot Rustic, Small-dusty Wave, Rush Veneer. I put the trap out at the wasteground and although numbers were good nothing of particular interest: 4 Eudonia Pallida, Orange Swift, Garden Tiger, Pale Prominent.

15th August

Brean Down: A Yellowhammer and a few Swallows over were the only birds of interest.

Moth trapping again on nearby wasteground proved productive with Swallow Prominent, Old Lady, Blood-vein, Latticed Heath, Shaded Broad-bar, Garden Tiger, Straw Underwing, Copper Underwing, Silver Y, Gothic, Orange Swift, Straw Dot

14th August

Moth trap: No year ticks but a f.stramineola Dingy Footman. Also 2 Double-striped Pug, 2 Orange Swift, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Leek Moth, Yellow Shell were amongst the highlights with good numbers of Riband Wave and Large Yellow Underwing.

13th August

Moth trapping on nearby wasteground last night produced Rosy Rustic, Common Wave, Vapourer, Willow Beauty, Common Swift, Silver Y, Lime-speck Pug, Flame Shoulder, Dingy Footman, Setaceous Hebrew Character and good numbers of yellow underwings, rustics and minors. Micro's included Ringed China-mark, Eucalybites auroguttella, Cochylis atricapitana, Aspilapteryx tringinpennella, Gypsonoma dealbana, Plum Tortrix.

12th August

Moth trap: Year ticks included 2 Garden Tiger, other highlights: Gothic, Heart and Club, 7 Silver Y , Pale Prominent, 2 Garden Carpet, Agriphila geniculea, Blastobasis Adustella, 2 Marbled Beauty, Several Lesser broad-bordered yellow underwing, 2 Cabbage Moth, Agriphila straminella

11th August

A surprise sighting of Silver-washed Fritillary (record shot) in Ashcombe Park this morning.

10th August

Moth trap: Year ticks were Small Rivulet, Spilonota ocellana, Agriphila geniculea, Amblyptilia acanthadactyla. Also Cochylis atricapitana ,Vine's Rustic, diamond back moth, 2 yellow-barred brindle, Small Dusty Wave, canary-shouldered thorn, bright-line brown-eye, marbled beauty, 2 leek moth, 4 willow beauty, 2 double-striped pug.

9th August

Walking the dog this evening I managed to collect a Small Waved Umber in a discarded fag packet on the railway bridge on winterstoke road.

Another good haul of moths last night at Brean Down (full list still being compiled) plus an unexpected surprise of Greater Horseshoe Bat in the nets. Highlights included 10 Annulet (2 mating on grass stem), 1 Devonshire Wainscot, Dark Swordgrass, Small Pheonix, Iron Prominent, Ear Moth, Gold Spot, Oak Eggar, Tawny Speckled Pug, Mullein Wave and loads of Drinker. Micro's included Eudonia Mercurella, Ancylis Badiana, Eucosma Campoliliana, agonopterix alstromeriana, Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix, trachycera advenella, hook-marked straw moth.

Greater Horseshoe Bat

8th August

A willow warbler singing in Ashcombe Park this morning was an interesting record. 2 Dark Bush Cricket were found in the park also now featured in the header photo.

7th August

Moth trap: canary-shouldered thorn (year tick), Paraswammerdamia Lutarea, Carcina Quercana, 4 ruby tiger, 4 willow beauty, august thorn, 2 poplar hawkmoth, double-striped pug,

6th August

A brief visit to Weston STW produced some migrants including several hirundines and 3 shoveler. Diving ducks were upending like dabblers last time I visited the pools but today the levels have risen drastically scuppering any chance of any autumn mud.

Moth trap: 3 dingy footman, acleris laterana, white-shouldered house moth, ruby tiger, 2 dark arches, 1 leek moth, 3 mother-of-pearl, 2 common rustic, common carpet, 3 flame shoulder, 2 buff ermine, straw dot, yellow-tail, small emerald, 5 blastobasis adustella, 2 lesser broad-bordered yellow underwing, Ypsolopha Scabrella, 4 Light Brown Apple Moth,

5th August

50 swift hawking over hutton moor playing fields at lunch time and still 33 hawking nearby over my garden in the evening

4th August

Hummingbird Hawkmoth in P.Gregory's garden

2nd August

Moth trap: Year ticks were Vapourer, Yellow Shell, Leek Moth, Cydia Splendana. Also, august thorn, early thorn, straw dot, single-dotted wave, buff ermine, large yellow underwing, lesser broad-bordered yellow underwing, clay

31st July

Moth trap: Year ticks included Yellow-tail, August Thorn, Pale Prominent, Batia Unitella and 2 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing. Also, 2 buff ermine, garden carpet, scalloped oak, 3 clay, shuttle-shaped dart, flame shoulder, 7 minor sp, 2 common rustic, mother of pearl, small magipe,

28th July

Sand Point per A.Hockey A juv Wheatear and a Common Sandpiper

Moth trap: Year ticks were 3 Ruby Tiger, Wormwood Pug, V-Pug, Ypsolopha Scabrella and c.10 Blastobasis Adustella. Also, 2 straw dot, 2 scalloped oak, diamond-back moth, broad-barred white, swallowtail, 2 buff ermine, common rustic, small emerald, single-dotted wave, 4 light brown apple moth, dagger, smoky wainscot and silver y.

26th July

Moth trap: Not a bad night with year ticks including: Herald, Common Wainscot, Gothic and Rush Veneer. Also, 1 Knotgrass, 2 cabbage moth, 7 common rustic, 2 common footman, single-dotted wave. Micro's: mother of pearl, diamond-back moth, 3 Oegoconia Quadripuncta, Carcina Quercana, Straw Dot.

25th July

Sand Bay/Point: 1 Whimbrel at the point plus 5 teal and a small number of dunlin and ringed plover in the bay.

24th July

Brean Down: An evening moth trapping started off with 3 Mediterranean Gulls over the car park just after 8pm consisting of an adult an 2 juveniles. Also a common sandpiper was heard at the fort on two occasions. Moth tally was somewhat reduced by the brisk westerly winds but nevertheless Devonshire Wainscot, 2 garden tiger, ruby tiger, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet/Twin-spot Carpet, brown-line bright-eye, rush veneer, diamond-back moth, silver y, straw underwing, rosy minor, drinker, 4 species of yellow underwing, dark arches, scarce footman, crescent dart, smoky wainscot, marbled green, common rustic, clay were amongst the most noteworthy

Later a search along the approach road to weston sewage works produced Yellow-tail, dingy footman, smoky wainscot, scalloped oak, purple thorn, Chilo phragmitella, Small Fan-footed Wave, single-dotted wave .

21st July

Moth trap: july highflyer (year tick), 2 marbled green (year tick), 3 common/lesser common rustic, buff-arches, 5 silver y, scalloped oak, 2 single-dotted wave, buff ermine, 2 small emerald, snout, straw dot, 2 shuttle-shaped dart, doubled-striped pug, currant pug, 2 lesser yellow underwing, light arches, 2 dark arches, uncertain.

18th July

The grasshopper warbler still reeling in the marsh and a juvenile wheatear moulting into first winter at the point.

Moth trap: 2 lesser yellow underwing, 5 silver y, 2 diamond-back moth, eyed hawk-moth, poplar hawk-moth, 2 clay, 3 dark arches, uncertain

16th July

Sand Point/bay: A grasshopper warbler reeling in the marsh. Lots of Red Admirals on the wing.

15th July

Moth trap: 4 silver y, 3 cabbage moth, smoky wainscot, clay, flame shoulder, cypress carpet

13th July

Weston STW: The Bittern has been seen three times by staff at the sewage works recently.

Moth trap: Year ticks were Rosy Footman, Euzophera pinguis, Swammerdamia caesiella, Orchard Ermine. Also, Scalloped Oak, 7 Buff Ermine, 2 Clouded Border, 2 Smoky Wainscot, Clay, Mother of Pearl, Pseudargyrotoza conwagana, 2 Silver Y, 1 Diamond-back Moth, 5 Uncertain, 5 Dark Arches, 20-plume moth, lime-speck pug, swallowtail moth, lesser yellow underwing.

12th July

Brean Down: Walking over the down for the first time in 6 weeks was great therapy. A heavy westerly passage of herring and lesser black-back gulls noted. Several Ringlet and a couple of Grayling butterflies were on the wing.

11th July

Weston STW: Little of note on the bird front. A teal on the UV pools was probably the most noteworthy. A probable Essex Skipper was seen along with many Gatekeeper and a few Small Skipper.

Moth trap: 2 Coronet were year ticks. Otherwise a fairly productive catch consisting of 2 Early Thorn lackey, smoky wainscot, 4 silver y, 5 diamond-back moth, 2 shuttle-shape dart, 2 scalloped oak, 5 common emerald, 20 dark arches, 1 poplar hawkmoth, 1 clouded silver, 1 double-striped pug, 1 lime-speck pug, garden carpet, single-dotted wave, garden pebble, small magpie, 3 uncertain, 2 commn footman, 2 buff ermine, 2 dot moth, light arches, marbled beauty, 3 bright-line brown-eye and snout.

9th July

No sign of Bittern 04:30 to 07:00. 6 Dunlin in sand bay and 3 pochard at weston stw.

8th July

Weston STW: A Bittern (N.Workman) present on the UV pools flew from one end to the other at 12:20 and then flew towards the wildfowl lagoons at 13:20. This is the first sighting in Weston since the 1860's

No sign of the Bittern between 16:00 and 20:00. 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult per M.Ponsford) and juvenile)), Common Gull, 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 Sand Martins this evening.

Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris

6th July

Moth trap: A Knot Grass was the only year tick in the trap this morning.

5th July

Garden tick: Juvenile Mistle Thrush in and around the garden at 6am for 10 mins whilst checking the moth trap.

Moth trap: Year ticks: double lobed, dun-bar, shuttle-shaped dart, early thorn. Also 30+ diamond-back moth, 3 silver y, 3 marbled beauty, peach blossom, 3 poplar hawk-moth, 1 elephant hawk-moth, poplar grey, large yellow underwing, lesser yellow underwing, willow beauty, bird-cherry ermine, cypress carpet, 4 scalloped oak, minor sp, 2 garden pebble, clouded silver, clouded border, 5 common emerald, mottled rustic, twenty-plume moth, 3 reddish light arches.

3rd July

Moth trap: A good result in the moth trap after more favourable conditions. Year ticks included Peach Blossom (also garden tick), Pretty Chalk Carpet (also a garden tick), Buff-tip, Square-spot Rustic, Smoky Wainscot, Marbled Beauty. Also recorded 3 common emerald, grey/dark dagger, 3 scalloped oak, small magpie, single-dotted wave, snout, mottled rustic, clouded border, light arches, dot moth, cloaked minor, 2 silver y, 12+ dark arches, 3 garden carpet, 2 elephant hawk-moth, 3 bee moth, 2 uncertain, reddish light arches, clay, peppered moth, 3 lackey, large yellow underwing, lesser yellow underwing, 3 common footman, 3 buff ermine, cabbage moth, flame, setaceous-hebrew character, 2 lime-spec pug, 3 diamond-back moth, turnip moth.

1st July

Moth trap: An interesting collection of moths with year ticks including Double Square-spot, 2 Turnip, 1 Common White Wave, 1 Short-cloaked Moth and a Diamond-back Moth. Also recorded were Snout, 3 Lackey, 3 Minor sp, 2 Flame, 1 Small Emerald, 5 Dark Arches, 1 Clay, 1 Mottled Rustic, 1 Scalloped Oak, 4 Small Bloodvein

30th June

Sand Bay/Point: A northerly movement of Swallows noted this morning with 35 heading north and another 30 hanging around on bushes in the bay. Other species on the move were a Swift, 2 meadow pipits and a Grey Wagtail.

Weston STW: An adult summer Mediterranean Gull flying around the UV pools briefly late morning.

29th June

Moth trap: Year ticks included 2 Dot Moth and a Cloaked Minor. Also recorded were 1 Clay, 2 Cypress Carpet, 3 Lackey, 2 Light Arches, 1 Peppered moth, 2 flame, 2 Buff Arches, 2 Snout, Common Footman, Small Bloodvein.

28th June

Weston STW: 1st summer Mediterranean Gull again on UV pools, also 2 female Pochard.

Moth trap: Light Arches the only year tick.

27th June

Moth trap: A Clay was the only year tick.

26th June

Moth trap: Not being able the check the trap until late afternoon I lost a lot: Year ticks included: Fan-foot, Common Footman, Common Emerald, Snout. Also, 4 Dipleurina lacustrata, 2 Elephant Hawk-moth, Single-dotted Wave, Angleshades, Buff Arches, Cypress Carpet, 3 Small Bloodvein, 2 Flame

25th June

Sand Bay: 5 Swift and a Grey Wagtail were part of a post breeding movement this morning. Also a Lesser Whitethroat present near the toilet block.

24th June

Weston STW: 17 sand martin flew east in two groups (12 and 5).

Moth trap: Year ticks included Clouded Silver, Common Carpet, Blackneck, Dingy Shears, Peppered Moth, Reddish Light Arches, Green Oak Tortrix, Bird-cherry Ermine. Also, Buff Arches, 2 Eyed Hawk-moth, 3 Flame,

23rd June

Sand Bay/Point: A Nuthatch was a big surprise circling twice over the point before heading east. Other migrants included 3 Siskin north over sand bay and a Swift through. A Reed Warbler sang on the north side of the ancient fort. In the bay 48 Curlew and a Redshank. 4 juv Black-headed Gulls were amongst 300 adults.

Moth trap: A good catch in ideal conditions: Year ticks included 2 Blue-bordered Carpet, 1 Silver-ground Carpet, 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing, Broad-barred White. Also 1 silver y, 8 elephant hawk-moth, lackey, cypress carpet, 2 Buff Arches, 1 Buff Ermine, 1 Middle-barred Minor, Magpie and Small Magpie, Small Bloodvein, Spectacle, Figure of Eighty.

22nd June

Weston STW: 2 female Pochard on UV pools

Moth trap: Year ticks included 1 Lackey, 1 Small Blood-vein, 3 Yellow Shell, 3 Large Yellow Underwing. Others included 2 Uncertain, 1 Spectacle, 2 Swallowtail, 1 Elephant Hawk-moth, 1 Heart and Club.

20th June

A report of a Red Kite on the national grape vine of one flying over the town quarry.

Moth trap: 2 Swallowtail Moths were the only year ticks.

17th June

Weston STW: A 1st summer Mediterranean Gull feeding on the UV pools with Black-headed Gulls late morning. At the Axe Estuary a light passage of Black-headed Gulls heading up river.

Moth trap: Year ticks included Treble Brown Spot, Single-dotted Wave, Bee Moth and Scalloped Oak. Also 2 Elephant Hawkmoth, 2 Small Square-spot, 1 Dark Arches, 2 Riband Wave, 1 Pale Mottled Willow

16th June

Weston: A Siskin flew over my house at 6am.

Sand Bay: 1 Swift was the only migrant recorded.

Moth trap: Year ticks included Small Dusty Wave, Small Square-spot, Buff Arches. Others were 1 cypress carpet, 1 dark arches and good numbers of heart and dart.

14th June

Weston STW: Extremely high grass pollen this morning. 5 Redshank circled the UV pools mirroring yesterdays influx at the Brue . One bird looked like a juvenile from the photos. 1 Gadwall and the female Pochard on the UV pools.

13th June

Weston STW: 1 1st summer Mediterranean Gull circled the UV pools drifting west near mid-day. The female Pochard still present. 12 Stock Dove in the fields. A Banded Demoiselle in rhynes east of the UV pools. Also on the wing several 5-spot and 6-spot Burnets.

Moth trap: 1 middle-barred minor, 3 dark arches, 2 marbled minor, 2 pale-mottled willow, 1 elephant hawkmoth, 2 cypress carpet, 1 flame shoulder, many heart and dart, 1 heart and club, 4 bright-line brown-eye, 1 Cabbage Moth

Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens

12th June

Weston STW: The only migrant of note today was a female Pochard on the UV pools.

11th June

Moth trap: New for the year were singles of Lychnis, flame, cypress carpet, barred yellow, Heart and Club. Also, 23 heart and dart, 1 eyed hawkmoth, 1 buff ermine

9th June

Moth trap: New for the year were Willow Beauty and Elephant Hawkmoth. Also several heart and dart, straw dot, green pug, common pug.

8th June

Sand Bay/Point: Cloudy with NE wind. Migration still in evidence. 26 Swift, 2 House Martin, 1 Swallow and 1 Redpoll all moving up channel. 1 Reed Warbler singing at the point was probably a new migrant. In sand bay, no small waders but 1 curlew and 150+ black-headed gulls.

7th June

Weston STW: 2 2nd summer Mediterranean Gulls in field on left 50 yds through the blue gates with imm Common Gull and several Black-headed Gulls. 100 Swift over UV pools plus good numbers of Swallow, House Martin and a Sand Martin

6th June

No sign of the American Wigeon today although the duck numbers were down so the bird may have been elsewhere in the area. It will be looked for over the next few days.

Sand Bay: 216 Black-headed Gulls including the first juvenile of the year, 14 days earlier than last year.

5th June

Weston STW: 70 mallard, 1 American Wigeon, 1 drake pochard. Also several Red-eyed Damselflies and a few Red-veined Darters.

Sticking my neck out a bit, I would say this bird is American Wigeon. It was attacked by a Coot at one stage and the brief wing flap I saw showed white axillaries. There is a dark line along the base of the bill and the grey head pattern with darker streaking hints americanas to me.

Sand Bay: 70+ black-headed gull, 5 dunlin, 4 sanderling, 1 great black-back gull, 1 curlew

Moth trap: 1 eyed hawkmoth, 1 white ermine, 15+ heart and dart, 4 bright-line brown-eye, 2 green pug, 1 spectacle, 1 poplar grey 1 riband wave, 1 Treble Lines

Adult female American Wigeon Anas americana Weston Sewage Works 5th June 2009

Adult female American Wigeon Anas americana Weston Sewage Works 5th June 2009

4th June

Moth trap: 1 Ingrailed Clay, 1 Mottled Rustic, 1 Angleshades, 1 Currant Pug, 1 Garden Carpet, 18 Heart and Dart, 2 Flame Shoulder, 1 Cabbage moth.

3rd June

Moth trap: lime-speck pug, white ermine, buff ermine, spectacle, figure of eighty, magpie, currant pug, small fan-footed wave, tawny marbled minor, 1 green pug, 7 heart and dart.

2nd June

Moth trap: 1 clouded-bordered brindle, 1 figure of eighty, 1 treble lines, 3 small magpie, 1 green pug, 4 heart and dart, 1 bright-line brown-eye

31st May

Brean Down. Clear sunny day with brisk NNE wind: 45+ Black-headed Gulls; a good number for the time of year in weston bay and a few over brean beach. 1 siskin, 5 house martin and 20 swift.

Weston STW: 60 Mallard, 18 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 20 Black-headed Gull and a Cockatiel!

Moth trap: 1 poplar hawkmoth, 1 common swift, 1 flame shoulder, 1 hear and dart, 1 silver y, 1 uncertain, 2 common marbled carpet, 1 bright-line brown-eye, Straw Dot, Rustic Shoulder-knot, Cabbage moth + a few unid'd

30th May

Brean Down: Warm sunny day with moderate ENE wind. Some migration recorded today with 2 spotted flycatcher, 1 grasshopper warbler, 1 garden warbler 4 Black-headed gulls past the fort and 50 swift. Insect wise 200+ Painted Lady, 3 Small Heath and 2 Silver Y.

29th May

Sand Point: 1 siskin

Moth trap: 1 bright-line brown-eye, 2 spectacle, 1 yellow-barred brindle, 1 light emerald, 3 common marbled carpet, 3 common pug, 1 cabbage moth, 1 pale tussock, 1 cinnabar, 2 setaceous hebrew character.

28th May

Axe Estuary: 5 Bar-tailed Godwits (4 winter, 1 partial summer) with Oystercatchers. The first weston record this year!

26th May

Anchor Head: Between 14:00 and 14:40 12 Manx Shearwater, 1 Arctic Skua and 1 Fulmar.

25th May

Moth trap: 10 common marbled carpet, 1 cabbage moth, 1 flame shoulder, 1 setaceous hebrew character, 1 garden carpet, 2 brimstone, 1 pug sp.

24th May

Weston: 36 Painted Lady counted flying north over my garden in weston at lunch time. Per C.Constance 70-100 Painted Lady at Brean Down between 12 and 3pm.

Brean Down: Light northerly wind and fog. 2 Gannet fairly close in past the fort heading north west, 1 whinchat along the track to the farm, 4 lesser whitethroat, 1 cetti's warbler, 3 swallow, 2 house martin, 4 swift, 1 raptor possibly buzzard sp or marsh harrier. Butterflies included 2 orangetip, 3 painted lady, and good numbers of wall brown.

23rd May

Weston: 5 Black-headed Gulls west over weston at 6:15pm

Brean Down: SE wind and dominant mid level altocumulus. Many Speckled Yellow on the wing plus good numbers of Wall Brown.

Moth trap: 4 Common Marbled Carpet, 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character, 1 Yellow-barred Brindle, 1 Flame Shoulder, 2 Brimstone, 1 pug sp.

20th May

Sand Point light-moderate S wind with partial cloud and good visibility: 1 tree pipit west, 5 redpoll west, 18 swallow west, 13 house martin west, 2 swift both high north, 1 mute swan flew strongly down channel, 1 wheatear at the point, 2 siskin west, 310 herring/lbb gull west. Nearly all were lesser black-back gulls coming from the east and south-east.

19th May

Sand Point moderate S wind, cloud but good visibility: 1 spot fly north side of the trig point, 1 willow warbler working quickly west, 1 tree pipit west, 60 House martin hawking along the point, 2 sand martin with the house martin, 15 swallow

Weston STW: 1 whinchat dropped in from the south by UV pools and then flew out of site. Also 4 sand martin, 40 swift.

18th May

Sand Point strong S wind: 29 goldfinch west, 4 house martin west, 20 swallow west, 1 spotted flycatcher on north side feeding, 1 redpoll.

17th May

Brean Down stong SSE wind: per C.Constance 1 Tree Pipit,1 Spotted Flycatcher,1 female Goldcrest,1 Yellow Wagtail,30+Swallow,10 House Martin, 1 Common Gull

16th May

Sand Point strong S wind per P.Gregory: 1 Hobby + 1 over Worle

15th May

Brean Down Cloudy with poor visibility and light variable wind changing moderate southerly with heavy rain around 8:30am: 1 yellow wagtail at the fort (photo), 1 tree pipit at the fort, 2 wheatear at the fort, 1 grasshopper warbler near fiddlers point, 1 turnstone past the fort and good numbers of hirundines hawking at the end of the down before moving out to sea ahead of the heavy shower.

Anchor Head in 21mph WSW this afternoon: 200+ manx shearwater, 6 kittiwake, 5 fulmar, 2 gannet

Moth trap: 4 common marbled carpet, 1 angleshades, 1 flame shoulder, 2 shuttle-shaped dart, 1 cabbage moth

14th May

Brean Down light ENE wind and heavy cloud: 2 wheatear, 15 redpoll, 18 kittiwake north in one flock, 2 spotted flycatcher (R.Musgrove), 1 whinchat, 5 black-headed gull, 2 turnstone, 3 tree pipit, 2 siskin, 3 garden warbler, 6 sand martin amongst good numbers of house martin, swallow and swift

Axe Estuary: 10 dunlin, 2 sanderling and 2 ringed plover

Sand Bay: 54 dunlin, 14 sanderling, 5 ringed plover

13th May

Moderate NW with heavy cloud and light rain.

Sand Point: 118 dunlin, 43 ringed plover, 9 sanderling, 100 swift heading north-east, 24+ redpoll. In the afternoon: 28 redpoll, 137 swift, 134 swallow, 199 house martin, 1 sand martin, 3 sanderling north, 16 small wader north, 2 wheatear.

Axe estuary: 26 dunlin 1 sanderling and 15 black headed gull south

12th May - evening update

Sand Bay: 22 Ringed Plover, 16 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling and a Little Stint until 9pm at least roosting on the high tide.

Little Stint Calidris minuta Sand Bay 12 May 2009

Brean Down: 9 Lesser Redpoll in trees by reservoir. 9 swift, 4 house martin, 1 siskin north.

11th May

Sand Point: 1 Manx Shearwater, 7 Lesser Redpoll. Light passage of curlew, shelduck, swift and swallow.

Anchor Head: 44 Manx Shearwater mostly heading north 8:15 - 8:45.

10th May

News from Brean Down per C.Constance: 10/5/09 ;5.30-8.30am, Brean Down today,1 Spotted Flycatcher in the only tall tree on left as road starts going up hill,1 Tree Pipit,1 Siskin,1 Whinchat,1 Lesser Redpoll,3 Northern Wheatear(1 female prob Greenland Race),2 Lesser Whitethroat,2 Garden Warbler,73 Swallow,10 House Martin,2 Sand Martin, most hirundines heading west,1 (m) Pheasant, and 1 Acro.

10th May

Sand Point: 2 Guillemot sat distantly on the sea off the point. They then flew north towards the welsh coast. Also 8 wheatear (7 in sand bay and 1 on point), 1 hobby, 1 grasshopper warbler in sand bay, 1 cuckoo north east of the trig point, 2 siskin, 3 lesser redpoll. Waders in sand bay included 12 ringed plover and 9 dunlin.

Moth trap: 1 Waved Umber, 3 Common Marbled Carpet, 1 Shuttle-shaped Dart, 1 Flame Shoulder, 1 Brimstone, 1 Garden Carpet, 1 Early Grey, 1 grey/dark dagger, 1 pug sp.

Waved Umber Menophra abruptaria

9th May

Sand Bay this evening: 7 ringed plover, 2 sanderling, 1 dunlin, 4 wheatear.

Brean Down: 5 tree pipit most heading north from the fort, 3 wheatear, 2 Dunlin south, 1 cuckoo above the reservoir, 1 redpoll north, 1 siskin north

Sand Point: 3 gannet up channel (P.Gregory), 2 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat in sand bay (P.Moon), Grasshopper Warbler (P.Gregory, P.Moon).

7th May

Sand Point in moderate WSW winds by 08:45hrs: 4 wheatear, 30 house martin, 10 swift, 100 swallow, 8 lesser redpoll, 100 goldfinch, 3 tree pipit, 15 whimbrel.

6th May

Anchor Head: 2 Common Scoter south, 2 Arctic Skua north, 3 Fulmar south, 2 Whimbrel south, 2 Mute Swan south.

5th May

Anchor Head: Arctic skua, 5 ganne,t 33 Kittiwake, 10 fulmar by 8.30.

4th May

Anchor Head: 7:30pm - 8:15pm: 26 manx shearwater south, 4 gannet north, 30 kittiwake north, 5 fulmar mostly south, 5 swift north. 1st year common gull north mid-day.

Brean Down: 2 yellow wagtail west, 1 hobby west, 10 swift through, 5 lesser redpoll through, 1 siskin, 1 grey wagtail, 4 whimbrel north, 2 mute swan south, 3 tree pipit, 20 swallow west. The common whitethroat with the aberant song from last year has returned and singing back at fiddlers point.

3rd May

Sand Point moderate SW swinginng NW by 9am: 1 dark phase Arctic Skua (record shot) flew north past the point giving good scope views. 1,000+ herring and lesser black-back gulls feeding in the channel. 1+ grasshopper warbler, 4 redpoll. 1 chaffinch in/off the sea. 10 whimbrel in sand bay. 300 swallow, 10 house martin, 1 sand martin, 1 swift. Good numbers of green-veined white and speckled wood on the wing.

Weston Wood: 9+ lesser redpoll above wood lane.

Moth trap: 1 poplar hawkmoth, 1 knot grass, 1 brimstone

2nd May

Sand Point moderate SW wind: 35 Commic terns flew distantly up channel at 07:25. 16 Redpoll with at least 7 lingering around the clapper gate. 1 fem wheatear at the point, 2 grasshopper warbler ; the regular bird plus a male reeling east of the trig point. Moderate passage of c.150 swallow and 5 house martin and around 50 goldfinch. Passage of swallows and 5 swift mid morning over Worle (P.Gregory).

1st May

Sand Point in a light-moderate SW wind: 160 goldfinch all flying west, 10 swallow west, 2 meadow pipit in from the south, 2 tree pipit west, 9 linnet, 2 house martin west.

Weston STW: 1 common sandpiper on UV pools, 1 cuckoo, 2 whimbrel north

30th April

Sand Point: 8mph SSE wind. 1 hobby, 1 gropper reeling in sand bay, 9 yellow wagtail through including a flock of 6. Also 200 swallow, 30 house martin, 3 redpoll, 1 siskin, 2 sand martin, 15 whimbrel, 1 cuckoo (record shot) in bushes by fort

29th April

sand point: 11 redpoll including a flock of 8, 1 garden warbler, 3 tree pipit, 1 grasshopper warbler (the usual bird in sand bay), 2 lesser whitethroat

28th April

Sand Point: 1 Hobby (photo) hawking over the trig area. The bird appears to be the same one as seen on 24th and 22nd. 2 Grasshopper warblers (photo) reeling in sand bay, 1 tree pipit over, 1 yellow wagtail over, 1 wheatear in sand bay. Also 3 redpoll, 2 lesser whitethroat and 10+ whimbrel.

A.Hockey - R.Banwell: 1 yellow wagtail in cattle field nr priory and 24 whimbrel on the R.Banwell.

27th April

Anchor Head: A dark phase Pomarine Skua flew steadily north past Anchor Head at 14:23hrs quite close in, low over the water. The birds large size and broad wings suggested Great Skua at first but with the lack of upper wing flashes and the structure all wrong for this species there was only one possibility. Despite being more common than Pied Flycatcher on the patch, Pomarine Skua records have virtually never been accepted in Weston.

26th April

Brean Down: 3 wheatear, 2 tree pipit, 4 yellow wagtail, 2 redpoll

P.Gregory - Sand Point: 1 garden warbler, 1 reed warbler, 3 tree pipit

Weston STW: 1 garganey (A.Hockey), 4 swift, 1 cuckoo (A.Hockey, M.Ponsford), 2 house martin

Garganey Anas querquedula Weston STW 26th April 2009

25th April

Sand Point: 43 Whimbrel, 1 cuckoo (P.Gregory, B.Blake, A.Hockey), 1 Wheatear (A.Hockey), 1 Tree Pipit (P.Gregory), 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Redpoll

Moth trap: 2 early grey, 2 brimstone

24th April

Sand Point: 14+ whimbrel, 1 hobby (photo), 2 Whinchat, 3 lesser whitethroat, 2 grasshopper warbler, 15 lesser redpoll, 150 goldfinch, 150 swallow, 20 sand martin, 2 tree pipit, 2 mute swan, 2 siskin , 13 wheatear, 1 great black-back gull

Whinchat Sand Bay 24th April 2009

23rd April

Sand Point: 2 Tree Pipit, 3 gropper still from yesterday, 4 lesser whitethroat, 2 wheatear (J.Gutsell), 4 whimbrel (1 per J.Gutsell), 2 redpoll

Moth trap: 4 brimstone, 1 knot grass (photo), 1 grey pug (photo)

22nd April

Sand Point: 1 Hobby, 1 crossbill, 7 tree pipit, 1 wheatear, 230 goldfinch, 15 linnet, 80 house martin, 20 sand martin, 5 grasshopper warbler, 200 swallow, 8 redpoll, 4 whimbrel, 1 lesser whitethroat, 1 siskin.

21st April

Sand Point: 1 Garden Warbler (J.Gutsell), 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 grasshopper warbler, 3 whimbrel, 40 swallow, 2 house martin, 80 goldfinch, 10 linnet, 1 siskin

Anchor Head: 1 Greylag north, 6 Fulmar north, 3 Tern sp. north, movement of Swallows north approx. 160 per hour.

20th April

Sand Point: 1 wood warbler, 1 gropper, 3 tree pipit, 15 Lesser redpoll, 1 Lesser whitethroat, 1 brambling, 2 wheatear, 2 siskin, 1 yellow wag, 1 cuckoo (J.Gutsell, A.Hockey), 1 Sedge Warbler (J.Gutsell), 1 Redstart (A.Hockey).

19th April

brean down: 105 goldfinch, 15 swallow, 1 tree pipit, 1 white wagtail all north. 1 garden warbler above water res singing

p. gregory - sand point: 4 whimbrel, 3 whitethroat, 2 siskin

18th April

brean down: all north: 110 swallow, 60 goldfinch, 3 house martin, 2 siskin, 1 sand martin, 1 white wagtail. 2 grasshopper warbler

17th April

brean down: 20 swallow, 4 house martin, 2 grasshopper warbler, 2 wheatear and 1 siskin

16th April

Brean Down: 3 lesser whitethroat, 12 grasshopper warbler, 15 Whitethroat, 5 tree pipit, 1 wheatear, 3 lesser redpoll, 2 siskin, 20 goldfinch, 100 swallow, 3 sand martin

Tree Pipit

15th April

brean down: 240 swallow, 50 goldfinch, 29 sand mrtin, 10 house mrtin, 15 meadow pipit, 3 white wagtail, 4 wheatear, 2 grasshopper warbler, 1 lesser redpoll, 1 whimbrel 2 tree pipit

14th April

brean down: 20 swallow, 20 willow warbler, 10 house martin, 4 grasshopper warbler , 3 whitethroat, 1 wheatear. redstart on accomodation road

moth trap: 1 common quaker, 2 hebrew character

13th April

Brean Down: 3 grasshopper warbler, 3 whitethroat, 4 tree pipit, 7 sand martin.

Wick: 1 cuckoo west

12th April

Brean down: 1 tree pipit and 2 common whitethroat

Weston stw: 3 pochard, 160 redshank, 1 sedge warbler

moth trap: 1 early grey, 2 hebrew character

11th April

Brean Down: 1 Saker, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Common Whitethroat, 30 swallow

10th April

Brean Down: 1 grasshopper warbler, 1 tree Pipit, 1 redpoll, 1 whitethroat, 1 yellow wagtail, 20 willow warbler, 60 swallow, 20 house martin, 2 sand martin, 1 wheatear

M.Ponsford - Weston STW: Grasshopper warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and Lesser Redpoll

9th April

Brean Down: 1 Whitethroat (photo), 1 Yellow Wagtail, 10 Swallow, 1 Wheatear, 2 House Martin, 15 Willow Warbler

8th April

Anchor Head: 4 Purple Sandpiper on rocks. Sea watch 8:15 - 9:00 1 Great Skua, 7 Kittiwake, 5 Gannet, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Swallow

N.Workman - Sand Point: 1 male Redstart by toilet block.

7th April

Brean Down: 3,000 Herring/Lesser Black-back Gulls west, 45 Swallow, 5 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin, 1 Wheatear, 20 Willow Warbler, 4 Siskin

6th April

Brean Down: 1 Redstart, 3 Tree Pipit, 1 Redpoll (photo), 30 Willow Warbler, 1 Brambling

A.Hockey - Sand Point: 25+ Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear, 50 Swallow, 11 Sand Martin, 3 White Wagtail

5th April

Brean Down: 1 Redstart, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 House Martin, 20 Willow Warbler, 1 Redpoll, 2 Swallow

Redstart

4th April

Brean Down: 1 Ring Ouzel, 1,500+ Herring/Lesser Black-back Gulls west

P. Gregory - Sand Point: 1 Tree Pipit, 4 Siskin

Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus

3rd April

Brean Down: 40+ willow warbler, 10 chiffchaff, 5 blackcap, 30 linnet (grounded), 30 meadow pipit (grounded)

Weston STW: 1 1st winter common gull, 6 sand martin, 2 snipe

2nd April

Brean Down: 1 Fieldfare in/off at the fort and headed east over the down. All heading north: 3 swallow, 200 meadow pipit, 150 Goldfinch, 2 siskin

1st April

Brean Down: 3 wheatear, 1 willow warbler, 1 swallow, 10 chiffchaff, 2 blackcap

Weston STW: 70 sand martin, 1 house martin, 1 wheatear, 1 lapwing

31st March

Ashcombe Park: 2 Redwing (1 singing), 1 Blackcap

30th March

Weston STW: 6 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow. Late afternoon: 20 hirundines over UV pools.

29th March

Brean Down: 1 wheatear, 3 chiffchaff

24th March

M.Ponsford - Weston STW: 1st winter Little Gull still present

23rd March

Anchor Head: 3 Fulmar, 6+ Kittiwake between 8 and 8:30am

Weston STW: 1st winter Little Gull photos, 29 Tufted Duck

Little Gull Larus minutus

22nd March

M.Ponsford - Weston STW: 1st winter little gull, 3 whooper swans on r.axe.

21st March

Weston STW: 1 grey partridge, 1 female pintail (MSP), 11 shoveler, 5 gadwall, 5 chiffchaff

19th March

Weston STW: 3 adult Whooper Swans circled UV pools and flew low SE, 8 Sand Martin, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Water Rail, 11 Shoveler

Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus Weston STW 19th March

Sand Martin Riparia riparia

18th March

Brean Down: 1 Crossbill, 1 Fieldfare, 6 Siskin, 100 Meadow Pipit, 50 Linnet, 1 Wheatear, 1 Chiffchaff

Weston STW: 27 Tufted Duck, 4 Shoveler

17th March

A.Hockey - Sand Point: 3 Wheatear, 7 Sand Martin, 1 Chiffchaff

Ashcombe Park: 1 Chiffchaff

Hutton Moor Fields: 3 Siskin north

15th March

Brean Down: 1 male Wheatear (photo), 50 meadow pipit, 1 grey wagtail, 1 siskin, 1 coal tit

A.Hockey - Weston STW: 10 Sand Martin over

Weston STW: 1 singing Chiffchaff

14th March

Weston STW: 2 Sand Martin north, passage of Herring Gulls and Black-headed Gulls west.

D.Webber - Weston Airfield: 3 Wheatear at 4pm.

11th March

Weston STW: 15 Tufted Duck, 7 Shoveler, 11+ Pochard, 2 Water Rail

7th March

Brean Down: 1 Siskin over

Weston STW: 1 female Goldeneye

6th March

Weston STW: 1 female Goldeneye, 7 Shoveler, 1 Water Rail, 1 Merlin flew across Accomodation Road.

5th March

Ashcombe Park: 30 Redwing

4th March

Weston STW: Female Goldeneye on UV pools, 5 Shoveler. Passage of Black-headed Gulls west.

3rd March

Weston STW: Female Goldeneye on UV pools, 1 Golden Plover east.

Weston: 2 singing male Blackcap.

1st March

Weston STW: Female Goldeneye on the UV pools. Also 13 Pochard, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler and Gadwall down from 7 to 4.

Female Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

28th February

Brean Down: 17 Grey Plover south, 190 Herring/Lesser Black-back Gulls in from the south-east, 4 Ravens in/off from the north-west and headed inland, 6 Stonechat, 10 Rock Pipit in the cove. 1 Knot amongst roosting Dunlin on Black Rock.

27th February

Weston STW: In 45 mins 70 Herring, 30 Black-headed, 15 Lesser black-back and 10 Common Gulls through. Birds were coming in from south and east. On UV pools 7 Gadwal, 2 Shoveler. 30 Curlew on River Axe were new in migrants.

22nd February

Brean Down: 2 Kittiwake north, 230 Herring Gull west, 30 Lesser Black-back Gulls west, 3 Common Gulls west.

21st February

Sand Bay: 57 Snipe

Sand Point: 30 Meadow Pipit

13th February

Photos of Corn Bunting as seen on Birdforum website.

12th February

Sand Bay: 1 Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra, 100 Snipe, 1 Jack Snipe

6th February

Axe Estuary: 80 Common Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe

5th February

Weston STW: 200+ Skylark, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Redpoll over, 11 Golden Plover north.

4th February

Weston STW: Red Kite Milvus milvus north

3rd February

Weston-super-Mare town: Southerly passage noted of 60 Redwing, 80 Lapwing and 25 Skylark.

1st February

Sand Bay: 2,000 Dunlin, 2 Knot, 10 Snipe

13th January

Anchor Head: 1 male Black Redstart, 7 Purple Sandpiper

11th January

River Axe: 3 Goosander (1 drake), 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper

10th January

AH: Weston STW: Drake Goosander over Uphill quarry heading inland, Black Redstart on STW buildings, Common Sandpiper Brean Cross Sluice.

3rd January

Sand Bay: 2 water pipit (neither the bird in photo below), 200 Knot, 1 Great Black-back Gull

Weston: 1 male Blackcap Hutton Moor Road

1st January

Sand Bay: 2 Water Pipit, 1,500 Dunlin, 20+ Knot, 4+ Grey Plover

Anchor Head: 4 Purple Sandpiper, Blackcap (PAG)

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta