19th February 2010

2 Red Kite – Ogborune Downs – Mike Ford

Red Kite, Raven – Oare Hill – Wes Parfitt

2 RUDDY SHELDUCK, 12 Goosander, 2 Shoveler, 35 Pochard, 12 Teal, 6 Gadwall & roosting Tawny Owl still - Coate Water – Graham Cox

 GREAT BUSTARD, 5 WHOOPER SWANS - Great Wishford, viewed from minor road between Little Wishford & Great Wishford south bank of River Avon

6 Snipe – Grittleton - Stewart Dobson

3 Woodcock, Red Kite, Barn Owl, Lesser Redpoll – Nightingale Wood, South Marston – Steve Davies

18th February 2010

50 Fieldfare – Chilmark – Peter Scutt

17th February 2010

JACK SNIPE, 30 Snipe – Stoke Common – Robin Griffiths

Snipe, 15 Meadow Pipit, 50 Fieldfare – Robin Griffiths

GREAT BUSTARD (flying to roost), HEN HARRIER (ringtail), PEREGRINE (with kill) - Stoford area – Bob Blamey

GREAT BUSTARD, 5 WHOOPER SWAN, 54 Mute Swan – Great Wishford – Mike Trew

Help RSPB to help Swifts

 

The population of the common swift (apus apus) in the UK has fallen by more than 47% during the last ten years and they have moved from green to amber on the lists of British Birds of Conservation concern, 3% more would have seen them red listed!

 

The RSPB, BTO and Swift Conservation groups in various parts of the Country have been working on the problem for a number of years but there has been no concerted action in the South West.

 

We don’t know all the reasons why numbers are falling, but we do know that their nest sites are at risk. Our Swifts nest in buildings, mostly built before 1940 tucked into gaps under eaves or cracks in walls. When we renovate and improve our properties the temptation is to seal the roof space and block any gaps in brick or stonework, some have been demolished entirely.

 

Swifts share our towns and villages and whilst their nest sites are unobtrusive and easily missed, their aerial acrobatics and screaming parties are unmistakeable.

 

Nationally the Species Conservation Team at RSPB HQ Sandy initiated a survey last year to try and ascertain the whereabouts of nest sites and/or screaming parties, thousands responded and the resulting inventory will be available on the National Biodiversity Network website shortly, the work will be ongoing.

 

It is hoped to extend this campaign to architects, developers and the building trades to try to ensure that nest sites are not disturbed during the breeding season and that urban biodiversity is enhanced by incorporating nest boxes for swifts in known sites or in suitable new build projects

 

In the Southwest the RSPB have been advocating the above and are in discussion with Exeter City Council and Devon Wildlife Trust on Swift conservation incorporated in the Exeter Wild City project. We have also agreed to co-operate with Dorset Wildlife Trust and their Swift conservation project.

 

Our first priority on their return in May is to make sure that the inventory in the South West is as comprehensive as possible and we hope that everyone who welcomes Swifts in the summer will help.

 

Surveying swift populations is an inexact science and all we need to know is the location of known nest sites and/or screaming parties, it shouldn’t take much time and details can be submitted on line at www.rspb.org.uk/helpswifts or by completing the questionnaire in the RSPB Swifts Information Leaflet and returning it by free post to us at Sandy.

 

It would also be extremely useful to be advised if any actual or potential cases of disturbance are taking place so that appropriate action can be taken.

 

Further information, leaflets etc from Stephen.fitt@rspb.org.uk or ‘phone 01392 432691.

16th February 2010

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (female) – CWP30 – Ken Cypher

4 SMEW (1 male) – CWP29 – Ken Cypher

9 BARNACLE GOOSE, Green Sandpiper – CWP97 – Ken Cypher

15th February 2010

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE - still at Inglesham, either just inside or outside Wiltshire depending on your luck, at SU207988 – Graham Deacon & Graham Cox

20000 Starlings, 11 Little Egret, 3 Snipe – Swindon STW - Matt Prior

MERLIN (female), 2 Red Kite, 30 Yellowhammer – Rockley Down – Mike Burdekin

Tawny Owl – roosting at Coate Water – Graham Cox

GREAT BUSTARD - Great Wishford – Bob Blamey

14th February 2010

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE - Inglesham (SU206987) - Mark Coller

Water Rail, Snipe, Lesser Redpoll, 6 Reed Bunting – Nightingale Wood, South Marston – Phil & Graham Deacon

2 Red Kite, Raven, 53 Yellowhammer, 75 Chaffinch, 3 Marsh Tit, 300 Wood Pigeon – Aldborne area – Steve Davies

10 Goosander – Coate Water – Steve Davies

2 Blackcap – in a Devizes garden – Anthony Mitchell

2 Raven – Roundway Hill – Anthony Mitchell

GREAT BUSTARD, 5 WHOOPER SWAN - Great Wishford - Rita & Mike Burstow, Graham Cox

HEN HARRIER (ringtail), MERLIN, Red Kite – Stoford area – Brian & Ann Bray

MANDARIN (male) – Shearwater – Carole Mitchell

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (female) – CWP30 – Barry Mitchell

2 Red Kite – Manningford Abbots – Tom & Jean Smith

2 SMEW (pair), 4 Red-Crested Pochard, 200 Wigeon, 2 Goosander – CWP29 – Trevor Clayson

32 Red-Crested Pochard – CWP30 – Trevor Clayson

25 Red-Crested Pochard – CWP28 – Trevor Clayson

40 Lapwing – Kent End, CWP – Trevor Clayson

3 Goosander – CWP64 – Trevor Clayson

3 Goosander – CWP38 – Trevor Clayson

13th February 2010

50 Lapwing – Pertwood – John Osborne

10 COMMON CROSSBILL, 2 WILLOW TIT, 4 Marsh Tit, 2 Red Kite, Raven, 40 Goldfinch – Ogbourne St George – Phil & Graham Deacon

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE - still in the Inglesham / Lechlade area by the River Thames with Canada Geese but seemingly the flock is absent much of the time

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (redhead), SMEW (redhead), 26 Goosander – CWP30 - Jon Mercer

5 WHOOPER SWAN - Great Wishford - Keith & John Simpson, Malcolm Royal

GREAT BUSTARD – Great Wishford – Keith & John Simpson, Malcolm Royal

2 HEN HARRIER (ringtails), 3 Red Kite – Stoford area – Keith & John Simpson

50 Fieldfare- 30 Goldfinch – Stratton Wood – Felicity Cobb

SMEW (male), Pintail, Ruddy Duck, Goldeneye – CWP74 – Ken Cypher

Raven, 16 Goldeneye – CWP68 - Ken Cypher

Red Kite – Ogbourne St George – Malcolm Royal

PEREGRINE, Kinglisher – Langford Lakes - Malcolm Royal

2 Barn Owl – Haxton Down - Malcolm Royal

2 HEN HARRIER (male & ringtail), SHORT-EARED OWL - Yarnbury Castle - Peter Jones

12th February 2010

PINK-FOOTED GOOSE - Inglesham - Malcolm Royal

2 Blackcaps – in a Hilperton Marsh garden – Pete Truscott

14 Snipe – Stoke Common - Robin Griffiths

JACK SNIPE - Blakehill and present for 2 weeks - Robin Griffiths

GREAT BUSTARD (male), 5 WHOOPER SWANS, 2 Black Swans, 54 Mute Swans – still in the Langford & Stapleford area - Chris Oliver & Phil Cooper

Little Egret – Stratford sub Castle – Shayne Ford

Little Owl – Pickwick, Corsham – Brian Edge

Little Owl – Trowbridge - Mike Trew

11th February 2010

3 SMEW (1 male) – CWP30 - Len Ingram

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