Waders and migrants

26 April - a good variety of waders seen in the CWP this morning - Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper and Redshank, pits 79, 82/3 and 95. Also a male Wheatear at 79 was new for the year. Many warblers now in full song including good numbers of Garden Warblers and Reed Warblers. 4 raptors seen including Hobby.
Later, at Blakehill Farm, a Yellow Wagtail flew over calling, my first of the year.

Swifts and Terns arrive

23 April - Cloudy/light showers today, 30+ Swifts feeding over CWP pit 16 this evening along with mixed hirundines. Also an Arctic Tern with 8+ Common Terns.

Gropper at Cleeve Hill

22 April - After a short search, a reeling Grasshopper Warbler E of the car park at the West Down section of Cleeve Hill. A first for Glos for me. Also Cuckoo, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat.

Duke of Burgundy

21 April - In the afternoon, a visit to Noar Hill reserve in Hampshire where Duke of Burgundy butterflies have emerged early this year due to the warm weather - 3 seen in total including an obliging territorial male in one of the chalk pits. Also a Dingy Skipper seen here, with good numbers of Brimstones and Orange-Tips. Later, at Magdalen Hill Down, a Grizzled Skipper and an early Brown Argus seen.

Glos rarities!

21 April - An amazing morning's birding in Glos. First thing, to Frampton again to join the crowds viewing 100 Acre - after half an hour, 13 of the 17(!) Glossy Ibis present flew round and dropped into the reeds. They had arrived the previous evening. 6 Little Egrets added to the exotic feel of things. Then, my journey in search of butterflies was interrupted by a call to divert me to Cleeve Hill - after a hike towards the washpool, the Stone Curlew was seen settled under a tussock, another very rare Glos species. Two new species for the county within a couple of hours.

The first Hobby of the year flew over CWP pits 82/83 in the evening.

Frampton migrants

19 April - a visit to Frampton-on-Severn, quite a few more summer migrants now in, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat and Garden Warbler all firsts for the year and Cuckoo new for the year as well - seen, not heard. A Whimbrel flew over calling and a Common Sandpiper flew up the canal. The Spoonbill present for the last couple of days had unfortunately decided to visit elsewhere this morning. Breeding waders settling in on the flashes - Redshank and Lapwing.

En route home I heard a singing Redstart at Ashleworth Ham, and my first Reed Warbler of the year at CWP pit 6 ( along with Cetti's and Sedge Warblers).

Nightingales!

15 April - warm and sunny again, a quick morning visit to Swillbrook produced the first singing Nightingale of the year, also Sedge and Willow Warblers have arrived in good numbers. No Cuckoo yet.

Pennine Excursion - Black and Red Grouse

14 April - sunset over the northern Pennines from the B6277 east of Alston. An excellent evening's birding around Langdon Beck, the highlight being 13 male and 1 female Black Grouse, including 11 males in the same field. The silence was punctuated by displaying Curlew and Lapwings, 2 Snipe were seen drumming, and at dusk 1 Red Grouse was seen in a patch of heather a 5 others heard. Later, a roding Woodcock flew over just W of Alston. A superb quiet and unspoilt piece of England, thinly populated and full of impressive rugged wide open views, especially during the current spell of fine weather.

Migrants trickle in

9 April - The first Willow Warbler heard singing today. Few visible migrants, perhaps due to the fine weather. 6 Little Ringed Plovers at one site, Redshank seen/heard at two locations. 1 Snipe seen, also a Jay seen in flight, scarce in the CWP.

Spring migrants and early butterflies

6 April - sunny and cool. Good numbers of Sand Martins arriving in CWP now, also Little Ringed Plovers back in both Wilts and Glos. Redshank and Ringed Plovers also present. Duck numbers still fairly high especially dabbling ducks. Little Egrets and Shelduck scattered around. Some early butterflies - Brimstone and Orange-Tip.