David Minshall

We must have wandered in a little after you. Didn’t see the Heron or Buzzard either. Two Little Grebe were quite active, but somewhat distant. Lovely day to be out.

©Steve Rogers

February 13th:

For anyone remotely interested - A checklist of The Birds Of South Gloucestershire has been updated inline with the BOU Avi List. 😉

Find it here:
www.thebirdsofsouthgloucestershire.co.uk/Publications...

#UKbirding
#Southglosbirds

@runnelstone.bsky.social

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #DivingForFood, birds that dive under water for food. It was a joy watching this Little Grebe diving for food to feed it's chick at Hestercombe House & Gardens, Somerset (August 2025). #somersetbirding #ukwildlife #birds @robcrank68.bsky.social

Reed Bunting (male) perched on a branch

Reed Bunting (female) perched in reeds

Reed Bunting (female) perched in reeds

Reed Bunting (female) perched on a branch

Reed Bunting; one male and three female. All photos taken at Teifi Marshes, near Cardigan, 10.02.26. I was struck by the colour variation of the females. Possibly associated with birds moulting at different times and the late winter transition into breeding plumage. #birdingwales #ukwildlife #birds

Grey Wagtail. Hayfield, Peak District. May 2024

Whinchat. Sugar Loaf, near Abergavenny. June 2024

A couple of pictures for today’s #BirdOfTheDay theme, #Birds&Bugs (set by Alan). A Grey Wagtail at Hayfield in the Peak District, and a Whinchat seen while descending Sugar Loaf, near Abergavenny. May and June 2024 respectively. #birds #ukwildlife @alan678.bsky.social

The #BirdOfTheDay theme is #OddCouples, two different birds in one capture… .. This Oystercatcher and Curlew were photographed at Lamplighters Marsh, Bristol (03.01.26). #avonbirds #ukwildlife #birds @alan678.bsky.social

I just finished reading a chapter about Manx Shearwater and Skomer, in Stephen Rutt's book 'The Seafarers'. An enjoyable read and learning lots...

Song Thrush with a red berry in its bill

Redwing with a red berry in its bill

Theme for #BirdOfTheDay set by Alan is #birds&berries. Here's two pictures taken at Lamplighters Marsh, Bristol - a Song Thrush (03.01.26) and a Redwing (31.12.25) #avonbirds #ukwildlife #birds @alan678.bsky.social

The Stonechat is often seen perched prominently, sometimes popping up from its perch to catch a passing insect. This female was photographed in the early morning sunlight at Lamplighters Marsh, Bristol, yesterday. (04.02.26) #avonbirds #ukwildlife

Nice to see the heronry by the River Avon at Pill becoming active again. Passed by briefly yesterday (04.02.26) and there were at least a dozen Grey Heron perched in the trees. #avonbirds

A Dunnock tucked amongst brambles at Lamplighters Marsh (Bristol). Sometimes nicknamed "Hedge Sparrows" but they're not true sparrows and of a differnet family. Their thin pointed bill is a helpful quick way of distinguishing them from a sparrow with its chunky finch like bill. (04.02.26) #avonbirds

Not best positioned at tree top level for good views (or photos for that matter!), but nonetheless nice to spot a Greenfinch at Lamplighters Marsh (Bristol) this morning. #avonbirds #ukwildlife

Quite a high tide this morning - I took a wander to Lamplighters Marsh (Shirehampton) at high tide and some of the Avon riverside that I often walk was inaccessible. I'm glad you were able to see the Purple Sandpiper and get some nice pictures.

Enjoyed watching a flock of around 20 Linnet flitting in search of seeds from trees and shrubs and down to ground level a few days ago. This small finch displays a lot of subtle colour variation, the male including more red during the breeding season. Lamplighters Marsh, Bristol. 30.01.26 #avonbirds

Right, I'm going to scour around now and find some more dishes to wash...

Washing a few dishes.. watching out the kitchen window. The usual charm of Goldfinch about... a Robin perched in the fuchsia. Male Blackcap flits in then off next door. A Chiffchaff hops about plant to plant. A Wren disturbs the Robin, then a second Wren emerges - a pair, lovely! #bristolbirding

This Wigeon seen at New Passage on the Severn Estuary this morning fits nice with today's #BirdOfTheDay them of #openbeak (set by Alan). Sooo many of them - their 'chatting' lovely to listen to. Someone recorded over 550 there recently. 02.02.26 #avonbirds #ukwildlife #birds @alan678.bsky.social

Oystercatcher on the River Avon, at Avonmouth, this morning. (01.02.26) #avonbirds #ukwildlife #birds

That was a big yawn!! Great Black-backed Gull on the River Avon, Bristol, this morning. (30.01.26) #avonbirds #ukwildlife #birds

Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly, Ham Wall, Somerset (14.05.25)

Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly, Dunster Castle, Somerset (01.06.25)

Migrant Hawker dragonfly, Lower Failand, North Somerset (10.08.25)

Willow Emerald, damselfly, Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve, North Somerset (11.08.25)

I enjoy learning about and photographing #damselfly & #dragonfly. 2025 I assisted with dragonfly surveys at Portbury Wharf NR, Portishead. Now booked on ID training mid-March, nicely timed for their re-emergance. Visiting Avalon Marshes Centre, Somerset, for training. @wildportishead.bsky.social

The Purple Sandpiper overwintering at Battery Point, Portishead, are interesting to watch browsing the rocky headland. They're also completely unperturbed by the breaking waves... eventually moving on a little as the rocks submerge under the rising tide. (27.01.26) #avonbirds #ukwildlife #ukbirding

Great Spotted Woodpecker in Eastwood, Portishead, playing hard-to-get and remaining high in the trees. Pictured from below really does show off the long sharp pointed bill. Second picture shows areas of bark broken from the trees, result of foraging for insects. (27.01.26) #avonbirds #ukwildlife

This Coal Tit catching a little of the morning sunshine in Eastwood, Portishead, was a delight. (27.01.26) #avonbirds #ukwildlife

This Rock Pipit was one of six seen today at Woodhill Bay, Portishead (27.01.26). And, it's nicely timed with Alan's #BirdOfTheDay theme today of #BrownIsBeautiful celebrating subtle brown tones in birds. #avonbirds #ukwildlife @alan678.bsky.social

A Common Sandpiper on muddy shoreline of the River Avon

A Common Sandpiper on muddy shoreline of the River Avon

A Common Sandpiper on muddy shoreline of the River Avon

The Avon has a large tidal range. When tide is out waders along shore line can be quite distant for good views. As tide rises birds are brought closer to the banks, but more easily disturbed. Great then seeing a Common Sandpiper quite close today. Lamplighters Marsh NR, Bristol. 25.01.26 #avonbirds

avonbirding.blogspot.com

Check out the Avon Birds blog, compiled by the Bristol Ornithological Club.

Did the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch today, and we were also delighted to find a Chiffchaff in our Bristol garden. Bonus was also a Goldcrest...

Common Sandpiper in flight over the River Avon

Common Sandpiper in flight over the River Avon

Common Sandpiper in flight over the River Avon

Redshank and Common Sandpiper besides the River Avon

The Common Sandpiper is a small wader seen now and again on the banks of the River Avon. I was pleased to catch a few photos today of one in flight. Lamplighters Marsh NR, Bristol (23.01.26). The last picture is a Redshank and Common Sandpiper at the same location, last year. #avonbirds #ukwildlife

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #TailsUp (thanks Rob) - this Robin was at Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, nr Cardigan. The posturing was due to what appeared to be a territorial dispute with another. (Sept 2023) #birdingwales #ukwildlife #birds @robcrank68.bsky.social

I was there about 3 hours before low tide today and a good amount of the shore line was exposed.