SNOW BUNTING AT CLEEVE HILL

 

This afternoon I had originally planned to go over to Blenheim  to see if I could spot some bramblings amongst the finch flocks that had been reported there. However, I  thought I'd just check the Glos birds twitter sightings before I left 'just in case' and was drawn to a report that a snow bunting was still at Cleeve Hill near Cheltenham where it had been for a few days and it gave a precise location. These birds, which breed mainly in Scandinavia,  are usually found near the coasts of the UK during the winter so it would be a  great opportunity  to see one nearer to home especially as  I've never seen a snow bunting before.  I knew where Cleeve Hill was  so I swiftly changed my plans especially as  I know that they can be very confiding and often feed in the open which would make it easier to find and might provide some  good photo opportunities. 

I drove the 40 minute journey to Cleeve Hill and parked in the carpark which is right next to the hill. I was unsure exactly where to find  the 'dew pond' so was relieved to find it marked on a map of the reserve at the entrance gate. It was only a 100 yards or so  away so I  headed in that direction I thought it meant. I noticed a couple of people ahead who had stopped for a chat, and thought Id check the exact location with them when I caught up with them. But  I didn't need to.. they were standing at the edge of a fence surrounding a pond, and there was the snow bunting feeding on the grass a few yards in front of them!! 

One of the people, who was walking her dog, soon left, and it was just me and the other person, who was also there for the snow bunting. 

The snow bunting was feeding on the grass quite happily for a while, before it flew up onto a fence post  then onto the barbed wire.  There was ample time to watch and take photos, as it  moved to various positions on different posts, wires, and the ground, never being more than a few metres away. We soon realised that some seeds had been left out for it, which was perhaps why it felt no need to go elsewhere. The weather had been gloriously sunny all day, but after watching the bird for an hour or so, it had started to become a little chillier and I made my way back to the car. It hadn't been much of a walk today but it was great to see such a beautiful little bird  at close quarters and I felt quite satisfied with my afternoon's outing! 

Dew pond at Cleeve Hill. 

FARMOOR

 It was very still and peaceful at Farmoor this afternoon. 

I walked the length of the causeway where there were good numbers of coots on the water with great crested grebes amongst them. There was a little egret preening on one of the rafts at the far end, with several little grebes in that area too .Sadly, the great northern diver reported over the weekend had gone and I couldn't see the female scaup among the tufted ducks that I saw. 

 I made my way down to the Shrike Meadow hide but that was quiet apart from some  tits on the feeders so I then went on to the  Pinkhill Meadow hide. The feeders were busy here, including a reed bunting but my hopes of seeing a water rail feeding beneath them did not materialise. 

Walking back over the causeway, I thought the silhouetted birds and boats against the late afternoon sky made some nice photos. 

IT'S AUTUMN

 The autumn colours are beautiful at the moment and I have been out on several occasions this week enjoying the exceptionally mild temperatures.

On Thursday I had a stroll around the lake at Coate Water, whilst the following day I joined the local U3A birders group walk at Lydiard Park.  

Today, however, I went over to Slimbridge hoping to see some of the newly arrived Bewick swans. So far there have been 10 arrivals and my first point of call at the Rushy Hide allowed me to see a few of them. There were a good range of birds on the ponds here including pintails and a lone avocet. Further along the walkway I spent some time watching some redwings feeding on berries and some fieldfares higher in the tree tops. I also saw a chiffchaff along the edge of the reeds; not where I was expecting to find it, I have to admit. 

There were a range of geese to be seen from the estuary tower, including, greylags, canada geese, barnacle geese, a Ross's goose, and a hybrid bar headed. Despite scanning the greylags I couldn't spot the white fronted geese though. 

I heard the water rail calling from near the willow hide but it didn't appear; something to look forward to on a future visit hopefully. 

autumn at Coate water

black swan and mute swan at Coate

Lydiard house

Canada geese heading for the lake at Lydiard Park

Newly arrived Bewick swans at Slimbridge

fieldfare

chiffchaff

redwing

long tailed tit

Hybrid goose amongst Barnacle flock

Bewick cygnet

pintail

Bewick swan