Bird News: July 2025

The month started with several reports of Kites attending grass cutting operations and one over the Strawberry Line, Yatton on the 3rd. Swifts seem to be doing reasonably well in Congresbury and 11 were over Horsecastle, Yatton on the 7th. The next day a group of 24 Swallows was around Duck Lane Kenn.

The Kenn Swallow flock increased to 35 the next day and a Kingfisher was a welcome sight on the Little River. Swallows were also flocking in Wemberham Lane along with a few House Martins. On the evening of the 11th a dozen Swallows were feeding directly above Smarts factory roof. Two days later there were 70 Swallows there some drinking in flight by dipping in to Wemberham Rhyne and oblivious to Jill and myself. A juvenile Stonechat by the Strawberry Line (10th) was a welcome sight.

On Congresbury Moor (14th) the resident male Kestrel was noisily seeing off a Heron whilst two of his young perched close by. Most bird song is finished by now but a Green Woodpecker called and a couple of Blackcaps sang on the Strawberry Line. Swallows at the ‘Wemberham’ roost were joined by two Swifts at the pre roost feeding on the 20th. Not quite in the YACWAG area but notable was a singing Yellowhammer at Backwell Common the next day. If any of our Claverham or Cleeve members sees or hears a Yellowhammer do please tell us. 14 Greenfinches visited a members garden in Yatton and birds continued to call and sing.

A Peregrine was over Congresbury (near Cobthorn) on the 21st and it stooped vertically after unseen prey, most likely a pigeon. On the Strawberry Line (Congresbury) a Tawny Owl was present with three Cattle Egrets nearby. Two juvenile Tawny Owls were calling soon after dark on the 24th by Wemberham Lane and a Barn Owl by Cooks Lane, Kenn was a rare sighting this year. A Kingfisher was on the Yearling ditch, nearby.

On the evening of the 25th 180 Starlings were on the high voltage cables by Wemberham Lane along with (much to my surprise) 20 Swallows. The Starlings departed to roost and Swallow numbers increased until I counted 160 on the cables with more flying around feeding, at least 250 Swallows altogether.

Finally Jon Thobroe’s found a Willow Emerald damselfly by the Gang Wall and some of his pictures are attached. Jon has found some details on the British Dragonfly Society website : the species arrived in East Anglia in 2009 and has recently arrived locally. They lay their eggs in tree branches near water and spend a lot of time in and around trees.

Thanks to Jon and Mark for the photos, and to everyone who sent in sightings, they are always very helpful and appreciated.

Your sightings and pictures are always very welcome at birds@yacwag.org.uk.

Trevor Riddle