January 2009

January is a slightly better month than December, the daylight hours slowly lengthen resulting in a monthly total of 158 species. Like any of the mid winter months it can be good for wildfowl sightings if inland waters freeze, with the chance of Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander and Ruddy Duck or some fly by Bewick’s Swans. Seabirds seen in gales have included Cory’s Shearwater (2004), Storm Petrel, Leach’s Petrel, Little Auk, Red-throated Diver (1991,1993) and Grey Phalarope. Other January birds include; Great Grey Shrike (2004) and Shorelark (2004), Waxwing (1958), two Common Cranes that flew over Severn Beach (2000), two Whooper Swans (2005) and a few rare sightings of Hen Harrier.

January 2009

January 31st
A cloudy day with an East wind. Sightings from Severn Beach included the first ever January record of Little Stint, at least 115 dark-bellied Brent Goose (a record count obtained from photographs of 2 separate flocks), an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Water Pipit, a Black-tailed Godwit, 90 Redshank, 50 Curlew, 60 Turnstones, 90 Oystercatchers, 80 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 7 Knot, 6 Snipe, 40 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 500 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, a Stonechat, 5 Rock Pipits, a Coal Tit and a male Blackcap. Nearby there were 4 Tufted Duck and 2 Gadwall on the Orchard Pools. A Little Egret, 30 Redshank, at least 500 Dunlin, 30 Shelduck, 300 Wigeon and 70 Teal were reported from New Passage. A visit to the Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth produced 4 Jack Snipe and 20 Snipe.

Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Severn Beach 31.1.9

January 30th
Much of the same today with 300 Dunlin, 25 Redshank, 32 Lapwing, 53 Curlew, 17 Oystercatchers, 32 Shelduck, 10 Shoveler, 300 Wigeon, 90 Teal and 8 Common Gulls reported from New Passage. Sightings from Severn Beach involved 200 Dunlin, 75 Redshank, 12 Oystercatchers, 22 Shelduck and a Stonechat from the shore and 2 Firecrests, 3 Tufted Duck and 3 Gadwall at the Orchard Pools. The first Cetti’s Warbler of the year, 30 Oystercatchers, 45 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, a Kestrel and 2 Stonechats were reported from Chittening Warth. An adult Mediterranean Gull, a Great Crested Grebe, 21 Gadwall, 11 Teal, 11 Shoveler, 26 Tufted Duck, 2 Ruddy Duck, 120 Black-headed Gulls and a Common Gull were seen at Avonmouth Sewage Works.

January 29th
Reports from New Passage included 300 Dunlin, 25 Redshank, 12 Oystercatchers, 4 Turnstones, 32 Shelduck, 7 Shoveler, 300 Wigeon and 90 Teal. Severn Beach was also quiet with just 50 Redshank, 26 Oystercatchers, 2 Stonechats and a Great Black-backed Gull reported from the shore and 10 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Ducks and a Great Spotted Woodpecker present at the Orchard Pools.

January 28th
Sightings from New Passage included the first Little Egret of the year, 1000 Dunlin, 50 Lapwing, 25 Redshank, 19 Oystercatchers, 4 Shoveler, 24 Shelduck, 150 Wigeon and 70 Teal. Reports from the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach involved 10 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Ducks, 2 Mistle Thrushes and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. A Sparrowhawk and a cock Pheasant were seen at Aust Warth.

January 27th
A frosty start to the day followed by light rain in the afternoon. Sightings from New Passage included 1000 Dunlin, 50 Lapwing, 30 Oystercatchers, 20 Redshank, 50 Curlew, 6 Shoveler, 5 Gadwall, 30 Shelduck, 150 Wigeon and 50 Teal. The Firecrest was reported near the Orchard Pools early afternoon, along the cycle track (signposted to Gloucester) and 2 Gadwall and 5 Tufted Duck were present on the pools.

January 26th
A Firecrest was still present in brambles around Orchard Pools at Severn Beach this morning where a Chiffchaff, 2 Siskins, 4 Gadwall and 2 Tufted Ducks were also seen. Sightings from New Passage included 600 Dunlin, 62 Redshank, 60 Lapwing, 35 Oystercatchers, 70 Curlew, 9 Shoveler, 35 Shelduck, 70 Teal and 140 Wigeon. Nearby there were 3 Jack Snipe, 21 Snipe, a Water Rail, single Stonechat, Redpoll and Siskin on Northwick Warth. Two Stonechats, single Peregrine, Raven, Buzzard and Kestrel were reported from Aust Warth. An adult Mediterranean Gull, 28 Gadwall, 5 Teal, 11 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, 18 Tufted Ducks, 3 Common Gulls, a Grey Wagtail and 5 Chiffchaffs were seen at Avonmouth Sewage Works.

Firecrest, Severn Beach 26.1.9

January 25th
Two Firecrests and 5 Bullfinches were seen at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach this morning. The usual 600 Dunlin, 50 Curlew, 32 Oystercatchers, 32 Redshank, 30 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 200 Wigeon, 50 Teal and 6 Common Gulls were seen from New Passage. A Jack Snipe was flushed by a dog walker at Aust Warth. A Great Crested Grebe, 14 Gadwall, 26 Tufted Duck, 15 Shoveler, 3 Pochard and 3 Chiffchaffs were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works.

January 24th
Sightings from New Passage included 600 Dunlin, 20 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 24 Lapwing, 5 Shoveler, 34 Shelduck, 200 Wigeon and 50 Teal. A Peregrine was seen on Northwick Warth early morning and later on Aust Warth where 2 Stonechat were also present. A Short-eared Owl and 2 Stonechats were seen on the Severn Beach salt marsh this afternoon.

January 23rd
A wet night followed by a windy day and little to report. Just 52 Oystercatchers, 70 Curlew, 34 Shelduck, 2 Redshank, far fewer Wigeon and Teal and a Chiffchaff were reported from New Passage. Ten Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck and a Shoveler were seen on the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach. One Short-eared Owl remained at Aust Warth.

January 22nd
Much of the same today with 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 25 Redshank, 60 Turnstones, 80 Lapwing, 40 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler and a mixed flock of Wigeon and Teal being reported from New Passage. At least 60 Oystercatchers and 20 Turnstones were seen from the shore at Severn Beach and 6 Tufted Ducks, 5 Gadwall and 2 Shoveler remained on the Orchard Pools. A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Warth from 1.20pm and a Merlin was also seen briefly.

January 21st
Two Black-tailed Godwits, 45 Redshank, 35 Turnstones, 28 Oystercatchers, 30 Lapwing, 46 Shelduck and the mixed Wigeon and Teal flock were reported from New Passage. Sightings from Severn Beach involved just 29 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew and 24 Shelduck from the shore and 7 Tufted Duck and 6 Gadwall at the Orchard Pools. Another 110 Lapwing were seen at Chittening Warth. Three Green Sandpipers, a Great Crested Grebe, 18 Gadwall, 15 Teal, 11 Mallard, 21 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, 26 Tufted Duck and a Chiffchaff were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works.

January 20th
A dry and sunny day. Reports from New Passage involved 35 Redshank, 23 Oystercatchers, 50 Lapwing, 53 Curlew, 20 Dunlin, 6 Turnstones, 44 Shelduck, 350 Wigeon and 70 Teal. Sightings from the shore at Severn Beach included 250 Lapwing, 110 Turnstones, 3 Ringed Plover, 40 Oystercatchers, 18 Redshank, a Snipe and 20 Shelduck and nearby 10 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck and 4 Shoveler remained on the Orchard Pools. A Short-eared Owl was seen on Aust Warth from 2pm where 2 Ravens, single Buzzard, Kestrel and Peregrine were also present.

Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 20.1.9 © Jerry Hawker

Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 20.1.9 © Jerry Hawker

January 19th
A day of showers. Just 200 Dunlin, 80 Lapwings, 56 Curlew, 14 Oystercatchers, 42 Shelduck, 3 Shoveler, 400 Wigeon and 100 Teal were reported from New Passage. A Kittiwake and 85 Redshank were reported from the shore at Severn Beach and nearby a Woodcock, 2 Bullfinches, 12 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck and 2 Shoveler were seen at the Orchard Pools. Another 5 adult Kittiwakes and 3 Gadwall were reported from Chittening Warth. A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Warth from 2.40pm where a Kestrel, another 50 Redshank and a Kingfisher were also seen. Reports from Avonmouth Sewage Works included 14 Gadwall, 11 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 13 Tufted Duck and a Chiffchaff.

January 18th
Sightings from the shore at Severn Beach included a Knot, 95 Turnstones, 50 Redshank, 4 Ringed Plover and 2 Stonechats. No seabirds were reported despite the overnight gales. At least one Common (Mealy) Redpoll was present with at least 3 Lesser Redpolls at the Orchard Pools where 2 Bullfinches, a Siskin, 2 Buzzards, a Kestrel, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Shoveler were also seen. Reports from New Passage involved 200 Dunlin, 16 Oystercatchers, 42 Shelduck and the Wigeon and Teal flock. An adult Mediterranean Gull (a different individual to 13th Jan.) was seen in a flooded field with 500 Black-headed Gulls at Southworthy Farm near New Passage. A Short-eared Owl showed over Aust Warth at 3.15pm.

Lesser Redpoll, Severn Beach 18.1.9

January 17th
A day with an increasing strength wind with gales forecast for later tonight. Reports from New Passage involved 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 50 Curlew, 100 Lapwing, 300 Dunlin, 35 Shelduck, 5 Shoveler and the mixed flock of Wigeon and Teal. Three adult Kittiwakes, 60 Turnstones, 40 Oystercatchers, 80 Dunlin and a Stonechat were seen from the shore at Severn Beach and nearby 8 Tufted Duck, 5 Gadwall and 2 Shoveler remained on the Orchard Pools. A Jack Snipe, at least 15 Snipe and a Water Rail were reported from Northwick Warth. Two Short-eared Owls appeared over Aust Warth from 1.30pm.

Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 17.1.9 © Allan Chard

January 16th
Much the same today with 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 350 Dunlin, 100 Lapwing, 17 Oystercatchers, 12 Redshank, 49 Curlew, 3 Snipe, 6 Turnstones, 32 Shelduck and the large mixed flock of Wigeon and Teal were seen from New Passage. Sightings from the Severn Beach shore included 73 Redshank, 50 Turnstones and 2 Stonechats and nearby 10 Tufted Duck, 5 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 2 Shoveler and 3 Stock Doves were seen at the Orchard Pools. A Short-eared Owl was reported at Aust Warth from 2.30pm.

January 15th
Reports from New Passage included 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Dunlin, 25 Redshank, 21 Oystercatchers, 100 Lapwing, 4 Snipe, 31 Shelduck, 3 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall and the mixed Wigeon and Teal flock. Another 26 Redshank and 70 Curlew were seen from the shore at Severn Beach and nearby 5 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck and 2 Shoveler remained at the Orchard Pools. A morning high tide visit to Aust Warth produced at least 1000 Wigeon, 140 Teal, 40 Redshank, 30 Turnstones and a cock Pheasant. A Ruddy Duck, 14 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 20 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 11 Teal, a Little Grebe and 2 Chiffchaffs were seen at Avonmouth Sewage Works.

January 14th
A frosty (-1°C) and foggy morning. When the fog cleared, the male Merlin, 350 Dunlin, 85 Lapwing, 6 Redshank and 26 Shelduck were reported from New Passage. Reports from Severn Beach included 16 Redshank, just 12 Dunlin, 10 Turnstones and 17 Oystercatchers from the shore and 8 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler and 6 Tufted Ducks at the Orchard Pools. Two Short-eared Owls, 2 Peregrines, 2 Kestrels and a Buzzard were seen at Aust Warth.

January 13th
A day of sunshine and showers. A high tide (13.85 metre) covered the salt marsh at Aust Warth this morning causing a feeding frenzy of Crows eating voles. At least 20 Carrion Crows were catching the voles easily with each drop onto the wet marsh. The tide also forced the 2 Short-eared Owls from their roost site and other sightings from here included 2 Ravens, 2 Kestrels, a Buzzard, 40 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 100 Teal, 300 Wigeon, 6 Shoveler and 2 Gadwall. An adult Mediterranean Gull appeared at New Passage late morning where 170 Lapwing, 500 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, 10 Turnstones, 22 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler and the large mixed flock of Wigeon and Teal were also seen. Reports from Severn Beach included 22 Redshank, 36 Turnstones, 10 Dunlin and 2 Stonechats from the shore and 6 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler and 5 Tufted Ducks at the Orchard Pools. A Woodcock was flushed from leaf litter at Sea Bank Pools, Chittening Warth.

Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 13.1.9

Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 13.1.9

Carrion Crows, Aust Warth 13.1.9

January 12th
A grey, wet and breezy day. Sightings from New Passage involved 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Dunlin, 36 Oystercatchers, 4 Turnstones, 4 Lapwing, 34 Shelduck and the usual Wigeon and Teal. Just 21 Redshank and 40 Dunlin were reported from the shore at Severn Beach and nearby 10 Tufted Duck, 14 Gadwall and 2 Shoveler were seen on the now ice free Orchard Pools. Two Short-eared Owls were performing over Aust Warth from 3pm where a male Merlin and a Snipe were also seen.Two Little Grebes, a Great Crested Grebe, 18 Gadwall, 20 Teal, 26 Shoveler, 20 Tufted Duck, 2 Cormorants, single Pochard and Ruddy Duck were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works.

January 11th
The first warm day since Christmas with an afternoon temperature of +10°C. Sightings from New Passage involved 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 400 Dunlin, 30 Oystercatchers, 10 Redshank, 2 Shoveler and the large mixed flock of Wigeon and Teal. Three Lesser Redpolls were reported from the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach this morning and the Firecrest was relocated here mid afternoon. A male Merlin and 2 Ravens were seen at Aust Warth.

January 10th
Another -4°C dawn with a powdering of snow but forecasts are now for warmer weather. At least one Firecrest and 2 Bullfinches were found at the frozen Orchard Pools at Severn Beach and an early morning visit to the estuary here produced a Water Pipit, 3 Rock Pipits, 20 Meadow Pipits, 3 Skylarks, 2 Stonechats, 5 Ringed Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Oystercatchers, 120 Curlew, 140 Redshank, 300 Dunlin, 8 Snipe, a Lapwing, 20 Shelduck, a Sparrowhawk and a male Merlin. Sightings from New Passage included 15 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Dunlin, 20 Oystercatchers, 12 Redshank, 2 Shoveler and a mixed Wigeon and Teal flock. Another male Merlin, 2 Ravens and a Sparrowawk were reported from Aust Warth this morning and at least 2 Short-eared Owls were hunting here at 4pm. Two Little Grebes, only 12 Gadwall, 28 Teal, 38 Shoveler, 20 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 3 Ruddy Duck, 240 Black-headed Gulls and 11 Common Gulls were seen at Avonmouth Sewage Works.The first Barn Owl of the year was seen over the coast road outside Sea Bank Power Station, Chitening Warth just before 9pm this evening.

Stonechat, Severn Beach 10.1.9

January 9th
Winter continued with ice and fog this morning. Three Black-tailed Godwits, 600 Dunlin, 26 Oystercatchers, 12 Redshank, 10 Lapwing and the large flock of Wigeon and Teal remained off New Passage. Five Tufted Ducks remained on the almost completely frozen Orchard Pools at Severn Beach and 40 Redshank, 100 Dunlin and 20 Shelduck were seen from the sea wall here. A Short-eared Owl was seen over Aust Warth from 4 pm where a Raven and 2 Snipe were seen earlier.

January 8th
A warmer day following a cold night. A male Merlin, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Redshank, 200 Dunlin, 20 Oystercatchers, a female Pintail and several hundred Wigeon and Teal remained off New Passage. Sightings from the shore at Severn Beach involved 24 Shelduck, 63 Oystercatchers, 35 Redshank and 40 Dunlin and nearby there were 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall and 4 Lesser Redpolls at the Orchard Pools.

January 7th
Another frosty start with the night temperature dropping to at least -8°C. Reports from New Passage included 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Dunlin, 20 Redshank, 18 Oystercatchers, 10 Lapwing, 2 Turnstones, a Knot, a Peregrine, the large flock at least 1000 Wigeon and Teal, 4 Pintail and 2 Great Crested Grebes. Sightings from Severn Beach involved 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 9 Curlew, 150 Dunlin, 60 Redshank, 20 Oystercatchers, 5 Ringed Plover, 4 Turnstones, 25 Shelduck, 8 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 75 Black-headed Gulls, a Buzzard, 3 Fieldfare, 7 Redwing and a Stonechat from the shore, nearby a Woodcock, 2 Snipe and 3 Gadwall from the Orchard Pools and a male Blackcap was feeding in a garden. Another 220 Dunlin, 37 Oystercatchers, 17 Redshank, 3 Snipe, a Water Rail and a Peregrine were reported from Chittening Warth. Three Snipe, single Kestrel, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Little Owl and Stonechat were seen at Aust Warth. Four Ruddy Duck, 60 Teal, 30 Tufted Duck, 36 Gadwall, 51 Shoveler and 18 Lapwing were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works.

January 6th
A severe overnight -7°C frost and another cold day. At least 1070 Wigeon were counted between New Passage and Aust Warth where 300 Teal, single drake Gadwall, drake Goldeneye, Coot (on the river again), the male Merlin, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Dunlin, 4 Turnstones, 7 Oystercatchers and 2 Buzzards were also seen. Reports from Severn Beach included 27 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall, 16 Redshank, 34 Oystercatchers, a Knot, 3 Ringed Plover, 60 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 2 Snipe, a Stonechat and a Chiffchaff. Another 6 Snipe, 81 Oystercatchers, 5 Rock Pipits and a Stonechat were seen at Chittening Warth. A Peregrine and a Snipe were seen at Aust Warth this afternoon.

January 5th
Another bitterly cold day with dusting of snow at dawn. The male Merlin was seen again early morning on Northwick Warth where other sightings included 240 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 14 Shoveler and a Gadwall. Sightings from Severn Beach included 40 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 11 Oystercatchers, 250 Black-headed Gulls, 6 Common Gulls, 7 Curlew, 25 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall and 4 Tufted Duck. The male Merlin, a Peregrine, another 280 Wigeon, 180 Teal, 40 Redshank, 100 Dunlin, a Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Snipe were reported from Aust Warth. Reports from Chittening Warth included a Woodcock, 3 Snipe, single Buzzard and Kestrel, 3 Rock Pipits and 4 Stonechats and nearby 3 Little Grebes, 3 Mute Swans, 36 Gadwall, 30 Teal, 54 Shoveler, 7 Pochard, 30 Tufted Ducks and 140 Black-headed Gulls were present on the unfrozen Square Pool at Avonmouth Sewage Works and another 120 Black-headed Gulls and 6 Common Gulls were roosting on the frozen Carp Pool.

some of the many Wigeon, Northwick Warth 5.1.9

January 4th
Another -6°C night followed by a cloudy cold day. The male Merlin and 4 “grey geese” thought to be White-fronted Geese, 350 Lapwing, 200 Dunlin, a Knot, a Jack Snipe, 400 Wigeon, 140 Teal, a Tufted Duck and a Stonechat were seen at Northwick Warth this morning where the cold weather also produced the unusual sight of 2 Coot floating on the River Severn. A Short-eared Owl showed on Aust Warth from 15.30. Reports from the unfrozen Square Pool at Avonmouth Sewage Works included 26 Gadwall, 22 Teal, 28 Shoveler, 7 Pochard, 48 Tufted Duck, 8 Common Gulls and 100 Black-headed Gulls and another 300 Black-headed Gulls were roosting on the frozen Carp Pool within the reserve.

Merlin, Northwick Warth 4.1.9 © Richard Bowerman

January 3rd
A frosty (-5°C) dawn followed by blue sky and sunshine. Two Peregrines, 100 Curlew, 60 Oystercatchers, 80 Turnstones, 60 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 50 Shelduck, a Water Rail, 2 Rock Pipits, 3 Reed Buntings and a Stonechat were reported from the shore at Severn Beach. An Avocet was found roosting with 100 Redshank on Aust Warth and seen later at Northwick Warth and New Passage. Other reports from Northwick Warth included a total of 9 Black-tailed Godwits, a Grey Plover, 3 Knot, 30 Turnstones, 80 Dunlin, a Snipe, 650 Wigeon, 230 Teal and a drake Goldeneye. Additional sightings from Aust Warth this afternoon included 2 Short-eared Owls, the male Merlin, a Peregrine, a Kestrel, 2 Snipe, a cock Pheasant, 2 Rock Pipits and 4 Stonechats.

Avocet, New Passage 3.1.9

January 2nd
A cold night (-2°C) with a warmer afternoon of a balmy +3°C. An adult winter Mediterranean Gull, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Dunlin, 20 Redshank, 300 Wigeon and 100 Teal were reported from New Passage. The male Merlin was seen on Northwick Warth this morning where a flock of 11 Bullfinches was a good count. The male Merlin was later relocated at Aust Warth where 2 Short-eared Owls, a Peregrine, 2 Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, a Raven, a Green Woodpecker, 30 Lapwing, another 200 Wigeon and 3 flyby Goosanders (2 drakes & a redhead) were also seen. A Little Grebe, 21 Gadwall, 26 Teal, 18 Mallard, 11 Shoveler, 6 Pochard, 37 Tufted Duck, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Kingfisher were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works.

                                                                              Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 2.1.9 © Richard Bowerman

January 1st
At least 78 species were seen on an overcast freezing day with the hint of sleet. An adult Mediterranean Gull, an Avocet (flying down river off Northwick Warth), a Jack Snipe, a Woodcock (flushed from a New Passage garden), 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Dunlin, 2 Turnstones, 90 Lapwing, 9 Snipe, 4 Oystercatchers and a Rock Pipit were reported from the New Passage-Northwick Warth area. The male Merlin and 70 Oystercatchers were seen at Chittening Warth. A search of Severn Beach produced 2 Water Pipits, 4 Rock Pipits,10 Meadow Pipits, 2 Skylarks, 3 Reed Buntings and 2 Stonechats in the salt marsh and 750 Dunlin, 160 Turnstones, 20 Curlew, 60 Redshank, 5 Ringed Plover, a Knot and a Peregine on the shore. A Coal Tit, female Blackcap were seen in a Severn Beach garden. Nine Coot remained on the frozen Orchard Pools.At least 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Ravens, a Stonechat and 10 Redwings were seen at Aust Warth this afternoon. Amazingly in a repeat of early last year, a Long-eared Owl appeared here at dusk, showing on the fence line before disappearing inland towards the sheep field hedges.The usual 25 Gadwall, 30 Teal, 6 Pochard, 42 Shoveler, 28 Tufted Duck, a Little Grebe and a Chiffchaff were seen at the unfrozen square pool at Avonmouth Sewage Works.