Bird News: August 2025

A Kingfisher was on Biddle Street Rhyne, Wemberham early morning on the 2nd and later three juvenile Stonechats were present nearby, presumably and hopefully from a fairly local nest. A Cormorant on one of the pylons was my first of the Autumn.

A report of three Barn Owls at dusk/dark on Congresbury Moor was most encouraging after a blank Spring and Summer. And continuing with Owls a Little Owl perched on a chimney in Kenn in full sunlight for at least an hour on the 10th. A Kingfisher has been seen on three occasions from Wemberham Lane, but not by me! A Reed Warbler was singing quietly by the Strawberry Line at Congresbury early morning on the 12th. Two Green Woodpeckers were calling much more noisily.

A flock of 300 large gulls had been moulting at Wemberham by the river, there was a long trail of feathers by the riverbank. A mixed flock of 150 Corvids was in an adjacent field. Otherwise only a Sand Martin with a few migrating Swallows and a Green Sandpiper of note were seen. More birds were in Goblin Combe where Emily recorded three Nuthatches in one tree as well as Marsh Tit, Treecreeper and two Sparrowhawks.

On the 22nd three Cattle Egrets were on Congresbury Moor along with a flock of 40 hirundines, mostly Swallows, but also one (late) Swift. Later a Hobby was calling from the pylons between Kenn and Kingston Seymour, it was joined by a second and followed by a flyover Red Kite.

On the 24th at 1130pm friends alighting from the Airport bus at Congresbury bridge were surprised and pleased to see a Barn Owl hunting. The following day the Swallow flock on Congresbury Moor had increased to 100 birds and the first Whinchat of the Autumn was found by Mark Savage. Later the same day I was surprised to have a Curlew fly over my head calling at the end of Wemberham Lane. 

One probably two Kingfishers were observed on the Little River (29th) after an apparent absence for a few weeks and a Red Kite flew over Rock Road playing field while a youth football match was in progress. The month ended with a very late Swift circling over Horsecastle.

Not in YACWAG territory but very notable was the arrival of a White tailed eagle from the Isle of Wight reintroduction scheme at Chew Valley Lake – thanks to Steve Rea for his picture and to the other photographers and members sightings. They are always very welcome at birds@yacwag.org.uk

Trevor Riddle