Bird News: November 2024

The low water levels in the Wemberham Rhyne system attracted several Little Egrets, Herons and a Great Egret as well as a Grey Wagtail and a couple of Green Sandpipers. Two Goosanders on the River Yeo (2nd) were early winter arrivals. A few Redwings and Meadow Pipits were around in small groups but two flocks of Chaffinches heading north totalled 250 birds. At Claverham a pair of Tawny Owls and a Little Owl were calling. The count at the Kenn Moor Reserve on the 3rd recorded 27 Snipe.

There were five Marsh Tits at Goblin Combe on the 4th, with a couple of Mistle Thrushes Green Woodpeckers as well as Nuthatch , Bullfinch, Nuthatch and Goldcrests. A Black Redstart was photographed on Eaton Park,Yatton and on the 7th the Gang Wall/ Wemberham area featured a Peregrine perched on one of the pylons – they have been notable for their absence over the last eight months. Parties of Fieldfares and Redwings were present, a Kingfisher was on the river and both Woodpeckers were recorded. On the same day just to the south on Congresbury Moor a Great Egret was on the river and a Siskin flew over calling.

On the 11th a Tawny Owl was calling for an hour very early on the 11th in the middle of Yatton. Later that day nine Snipe were seen on the Congresbury Moor Reserve. There was a report of three Barn Owls fighting by Kenn Moor Road presumably a resident pair and an intruder. Just as surprising was a sighting of a Beaver on Blackditch, Kenn Moor!

A Water Rail called from a ditch on the Strawberry Line and a Kingfisher was seen again on the river on Congresbury Moor while a Woodcock was seen in Kings Wood.

A Red Kite over Littlewood on the 21st May have roosted there, it’s the first record for the Reserve. We were checking the Nestboxes in Stowey Reserve the following day and saw a small mixed flock of Greenfinches, Goldfinches and Siskins. Both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers called and a very bright Chiffchaff was present.

A Firecrest was in the small park in Horsecastle, Yatton, the first local record for some time. At Congresbury, 27 species were recorded on a section of the Strawberry Line. Winter thrushes have been present in very low numbers so a group of 70 by the Little River on the 30th. was by some way, the biggest to date. The Snipe count at Kenn Moor revealed 34 Snipe and one Jack Snipe.

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

Trevor Riddle