Snow and sleet after the mild, dry spell.
The long run of dry and mild weather ended with our first snow and sleet of the winter, it hasn't settled in the Severn Vale but the white blanket can be seen at elevation on the hills of the Forest of Dean and Cotswolds. A few notable species recorded over the last couple of days with long staying birds welcoming the new wintering arrivals.
Tuesday 19 November
The juvenile Spoonbill continues to stay, it was on the Dumbles foreshore at high tide this morning but retired to the South Lake later in the day. The newly found drake Green-winged Teal from yesterday was still on the Top New Piece floods and fleets today, it is a different bird to the one seen last week. At least thirteen Russian White-fronted Geese were on the Tack Piece with seven Bewick's Swans on the Rushy.
Three immature/female Common Scoters were floating on the Severn over high tide and a Red-breasted Merganser flew upriver hugging the far shore.
Monday 18 November
The three adult Dark-bellied Brent Geese were on the Severn as the tide flooded, they have been feeding on the Lower Dumbles and can be hard to spot among the larger Canada and Barnacle Geese. The usual collection of hybrid geese were also among including the large white Canada x Domestic goose hybrids, Snow x Bar-headed, Barnacle x Greylag and Canada x Barnacle. The Swan Goose, Pink-footed Goose and Ross's Goose of unknown origin also still on site daily, both are likely to be of captive/released origin.
A flock of 30 Ruff and a Ringed Plover on Top New Piece was very notable. Coal Tit again on the feeders but this time Kingfisher Hide.
Seven Bewick's Swans still on the Rushy.
