Sightings

The sightings featured cover an area roughly within a 10 mile radius of Swindon (not including The Cotswold Water Park or Blakehill Nature Reserve as they each have a dedicated website - see the links page for details), and for all the areas covered on the homepage Places to Visit section.

Thank you for all of your contributions throughout the year: once again loads of great sightings and photos.
I hope you enjoy the New Year and all the best for 2011.

31st: Badbury Hill - Great Spotted Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Nuthatch, Long-tailed and Marsh Tits all heard only. Seen, were a few Goldcrests and Coal Tits, a Jay, Treecreeper and Buzzard. There was a finch flock flying around, albeit out of sight all the time, which were either Siskins or Crossbills. Barbury Castle - A very brief view of a Short-eared Owl hunting on the northern flank of the hill at 4.45pm. A Tawny Owl was my final bird for 2010 (the eighth one this year!), seen on a fence post at the bottom of the track between the two approach roads. It flew into the trees after I drove past and called continuously for five minutes or so afterward. Steve Davies East Croft Coppice, Savernake Forest - 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Nuthatch, 3 Bullfinch, Coal Tit, Sparrowhawk. The Kennet at Stitchcombe and Axford - Green Sandpiper, Little Egret, Water Rail, 4 Bullfinch, 2 Shoveler, 58 Linnet. Large numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing in the area. Malcolm Royal

28th: Freshbrook - Up to 49 Waxwings seen in the vicinity of Gainsborough Way and Kilsyth Close on the 27th and 28th. Adam Whitehouse

27th: Greenbridge - A Snipe took off from the brook adjacent to Oxford Road and flew over McDonald's and beyond the retail park at 3:30pm. Nythe - Just as dusk set in, a Goldcrest was seen feeding on suet/seed fatballs on a birdfeeder. Grange Park - Close to the Tewkesbury Cross Roundabout, Whitehill Way there were 3 Waxwings perched in the tall trees at 1:30pm. Martin Adlam

Park North - 3 Waxwings in flight over Banwell Avenue. Matt Pringle Washpool, Chiseldon - 2 Marsh Tit, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker. Malcolm Royal

26th: Wootton Bassett - I am sure everyone has noticed the increase in gull numbers coming in to urban areas in this weather. I achieved a garden first today with 10 Black-headed Gulls picking up food put out for the thrushes. Bob Philpott Chilton Foliat - 52 Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, 70+ Wigeon, 75 Black-headed Gulls, 18 Gadwall, 8 Little Grebes, 6 Mute Swans, 4 Cormorants, 2 Green Sandpipers, Snipe, Water Rail, 2 Nuthatch, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Fieldfare. Stitchcombe - Water Rail, 3 Snipe, Little Grebe, Heron, 3 Cormorant, Treecreeper. Malcolm Royal

Coate Water - A walk around a busy Coate Water this afternoon produced sightings of a Teal and 3 Pochard amongst the crowd by the diving board. A Common Gull was out on the ice. A fine view of a Buzzard with pale underparts, a Song Thrush and a pair of Coal Tits. 10 Shovelers at the far end by the bridge. Grange Park - Plenty of Redwings about, a flock of 6 Long-tailed Tits and a Sparrowhawk. Richard Williams Stanton Park - Today 3 Water Rail in the lake overflow stream and a surprise Snipe. Graham Cox

Happy Christmas!

25th: Swindon - This lovely Great Spotted Woodpecker was the first ever on our feeder. An early x-mas present. Bob Shiret

Stanton Park - This afternoon 2 Green Woodpeckers; bird table taken over by a Squirrel and 4 Robins. Only a tiny area of ice free water on the lake, at first full of Black-headed Gulls and a pair of Mallards until a family of Mute Swans strode across the ice and took possession. 2 Water Rails still by the bridge. Trevor & Sue Clayson

Lydiard Park - Green Woodpecker, Treecreeper, 20 Redwing, 11 Fieldfare, Little Grebe. Matt Pringle

24th: Stanton Park - A constant traffic of birds around the feeding area, with most of the usual species present, including Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, 2 Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker. A fair number of Black-headed Gulls on the lake, along with a couple of Mallards, Swans and Moorhens. The Little Owl was "sunning" and around the back a Green Woodpecker gave superb views. Also today good views of the Water Rail at the bridge, Bullfinch and a few Siskins by the beehives. Steve Davies, Tony Martin

Freshbrook - A walk along Rowton Heath Way late afternoon produced no Waxwings but two Redwings were a nice bonus. Richard Williams

Ogbourne St George - 2 Red Kite. Coate Water - Hardly any ice-free water left now. 6 Common Gulls and 3 Herring Gulls amongst the Black-headed Gulls. 3 Teal on the ice. Chiseldon - In the garden today along with the regulars were one each of Pied Wagtail, Fieldfare and Redwing. Also 5 Rooks. Malcolm Royal

Lydiard Park - Lakes almost completely frozen over. 2 Little Grebes, a Pochard, 6 Tufted Duck, a pair of Mute Swans with 4 cygnets, 22 Canada Geese, Coots, Moorhens, Mallards and Black-headed Gulls on the 2 patches of ice free water. Numerous Redwings and Fieldfares, a small flock of Long-tailed Tits and a pair of Bullfinches. Trevor & Sue Clayson

23rd: Oakhurst - Quartering the Cricklade Railway behind the Oakhurst houses was this rather nice coloured Buzzard this afternoon. Bob Shiret

Swindon - Amongst the 17 species in the garden today were 5 Fieldfares - the first of this winter, a Redwing, a male Bullfinch and a male Blackcap. 60+ Redwings and 10+ Fieldfares in pyracantha on both sides of the railway by the Isis Trading Estate. Trevor & Sue Clayson

Stanton Park - A visit to the bird table area saw 7 Dunnocks, 9 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Chaffinches, 3 Marsh Tits, Nuthatch, 5 Blackbirds, many Blue Tits and Great Tits, and at least 9 Robins feeding happily together. Just a small amount of free water on the lake today. Maurice Carne

22nd: Oakhurst - Had about a dozen Redwings in the garden all day and one Fieldfare briefly; most years it is reversed. Bob Shiret

21st: Coate Water - 4 Goosanders (2 drakes), Shovelers and Grey Heron as well as usual ducks, grebes, Canada Geese, etc. A little flowing water near the diving board and also by the bridge. Felicity Cobb

Nationwide sports ground - A walk around the area this morning gave sightings of 1 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, mixed flock of Great Tits and Blue Tits, 1 Buzzard, 1 Wren and a noisy group of Magpies and many Goldfinches. Mike Ford Swindon - Yesterday's 23 Redwings in Devon Road gardens is now 38 and 4 Fieldfare feeding on neighbour's neglected apple tree and my cotoneaster. 24 House Sparrows eating millet seed off the lawn. No Chaffinches seen for more than five days. Derek Lyford

20th: Lawn - A first garden Redwing today. Felicity Cobb Stanton Park - This morning 2 Water Rails at the wooden bridge, Buzzard, flock of Long-tailed Tits, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Mallards, 3 Moorhens and a Little Owl. Graham Cox

Coate Water - Some free water around the diving board at an otherwise frozen Coate Water. 8 Shoveler, 5 Goosanders, 9 Tufted Ducks, 4 Moorhens plus large numbers of Coots, Mallards and Black-headed Gulls. Also seen several Pied Wagtails, Blackbirds, Robins and a Feral Pigeon that could not wait to be photographed!! Maurice Carne

Swindon - 39 Waxwings at various locations today (per WOS website). A female Blackcap in the garden on and off throughout the day along with 6 Redwings eating rosehips. Trevor & Sue Clayson

19th: Stanton Park - A quick visit on the way home from some christmas shopping proved very worthwhile. 2 Water Rails were feeding out in the open in the stream by the bridge. On the feeders a Nuthatch (plus more nearby), plenty of Coal Tits and a Marsh Tit. Elsewhere: 2 Treecreepers, a Jay, 3 Bullfinch, Long-tailed Tits, Goldfinches, 2 Mistle Thrushes and several Fieldfares flew over and a couple of Goldcrests. A very small patch of open water on the lake was occupied by a Common Gull, several Black-headed Gulls and a few Moorhens, amongst others.

Liden Lagoon - An even briefer visit produced a Grey and Pied Wagtail, a couple of Common Gulls with many Black-headed and a lone Teal in with all the usual residents. Steve Davies Coate Water - Today birds seen were 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 9 Goosander, Pochard, 5 Pied Wagtail, 11 Shoveler, 20 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Heron, 15 Robins, 2 Wrens, 3 Dunnocks, 4 Marsh Tits, 3 Nuthatches, 3 Jays, 2 Coal Tits, 4 Great Tits, 5 Blue Tits, a flock of Long-tailed Tits and a Water Rail by the small bridge on the path that leads to the bird table. A few Common Gulls and one Herring Gull amongst the Black-headed Gulls. Graham Cox, Malcolm Royal

Also at Coate a Harris Hawk at the Broome Manor end (obviously an escape but a beautiful bird nonetheless. The bird was first observed by Mike Ford on friday morning at the causeway bridge, who detected what looked like a ring on its leg - SD). Tony Martin

Swindon - A male and a female Blackcap in the garden today. Queens Park - A female Goosander and a few Redwings. Trevor & Sue Clayson

18th: Wootton Bassett - Today in the garden Goldcrest again and female Blackcap. Bob Philpott Coate Water - A Buzzard hunting from trees near the Jefferies' Oak and the Tawny Owl was in his usual residence. Felicity Cobb

Also at Coate: most of the activity near the diving board with a dozen or so Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, Shovelers and the usual residents. Lots of very tame Feral Pigeons too, which gladly ate out of my hand. Not too much else around the park, a Marsh Tit, Nuthatch and Treecreeper by the feeder, a Great Spotted Woodpecker around the back woods and a couple of Grey Herons alighting on the ice occasionaly. On the walk back home lots of Wrens seen, the odd Fieldfare, around 150 Lapwings(?) flew past over Hodson and a very close Grey Wagtail in the stream near the sewage works. There was also a huge corvid flock behind the Calley Arms at Hodson; at least 300 birds. In the garden a Redwing and 3 Dunnocks. Malcolm Royal, Steve Davies

Toothill - Understandably there was a lot of activity in the garden today with some 17 species recorded: 6 Black-headed Gulls (on the roof), 6 House Sparrows, 6 Rooks (on the roof opposite where they seem to sit for hours), 4 Chaffinches (including a record 3 males), 3 Woodpigeons, 3 Starlings, 3 Magpies, 2 Blue Tits, 2 Jackdaws, 2 Goldfinches, Collared Dove, Robin, Great Tit, Blackbird (female), Pied Wagtail and welcome returnees....1 Dunnock and 1 Greenfinch. Richard Williams

17th: Hinton Parva - A Tawny Owl seen sat on a branch over the road next to Badgerstown Stables whilse driving home. I've been spoilt as it's the seventh Tawny Owl I've seen this year! Steve Davies Wootton Bassett - The cold weather is bringing lots into the garden. Today included 2 Coal Tit and a Goldcrest in the cotoneaster viewable up to 6 inches from the rear window. Bob Philpott Swindon - 4 Waxwings at Sparcells still today (per WOS website). Also 12 Goldfinches plus Song Thrush and Robin. Richard Williams

16th: Liden School grounds - This morning at 9:35am (again), I heard and then saw a Waxwing heading towards Great Western Hospital. This time only a single bird but I'm wondering if anybody has checked out the hospital grounds! Also about Redpoll, Siskin, Redwing, Fieldfare and both Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers. A pair of Herring Gulls seem to have taken up residence on the back playing fields and a Common Gull is now a regular sight there as well. Martin Adlam Coate Water - Tawny Owl still present. On the thawing lake were a female Goosander, Shovelers and Gadwall. Bob Shiret

15th: Sparcells - Now 15 Waxwings present around car park of Oriental Buffet. Bob Philpott, Felicity Cobb Mouldon Hill - On the lake at dusk this afternoon there were 2 Water Rails in the middle of the lake on the ice. Bob Shiret

13th: Liden School grounds - 6 Waxwings flew overhead heading towards the Lagoon. Also about were both Redwing and Fieldfare roosting in the hedgerow and as they were leaving a flock of 50 Fieldfare flew over the top of them at around 6:50am. Both Siskins and Redpoll in the school grounds and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was very vocal in the tall trees. Martin Adlam Mouldon Hill - On a casual stroll around Mouldon Hill this afternoon was pleased to see a Water Rail on the frozen lake at the edge of the largest reedbed. Bob Shiret Liden Lagoon - Still some free water on the Lagoon, and there were 3 male and 6 red-head Goosanders. Nothing much else of note, just the usual wildfowl, Swans and Moorhens. Steve Covey

12th: Aldbourne area - 3 Buzzards and hundreds of Fieldfare between Liddington Hill and Aldbourne. At Stock Lane 3 Red Kite and 600 Woodpigeon in the trees. Cobham Frith, Savernake Forest - A quick walk around proved to be a good move with, amongst others, 6 Crossbill flying around constantly, a Marsh Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Red Kite, 2 Buzzard, Kestrel, at least 6 Jays and a large mixed flock of Long-tailed, Coal and Blue Tits, a few Siskins, Goldfinches and a Nuthatch. Elsewhere 5 or 6 Goldcrest were busy in the undergrowth and a Sparrowhawk tried unsuccessfully to catch a Coal Tit. Wilton Water - An end to the day by the water also proved to be worthwhile. A Little Egret was in the stream alongside the canal and a Water Rail flew out from the edge of the lake. On the lake were at least 16 Little Grebe, hard to count when they keep diving! Also 30 Gadwall, 40 Mallard, 20 Tufted Ducks, 2 Pochard, a few Wigeon briefly, 10 Moorhens, and in the fields 80 Canada Geese, 25 Greylag Geese, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a few Redwings and Fieldfare. Steve Davies Wootton Bassett - Sorrel Close at 09.15 today a single Waxwing on top of rowan type tree. Flew away when neighbour opened a door. Bob Philpott Sparcells - The 3 Waxwings were still present at 11:30am. They were in the car park of the Oriental Buffet, just off Pepperbox Hill, tending to perch in the Alders soaking up the sun. Martin Adlam

Toothill - A different wagtail in the garden today - a Grey Wagtail. Richard Williams Marlborough Downs - Seen on a walk from Avebury to Swindon today: Avebury - a Red Kite harassed by Crows, a Buzzard and a Meadow Pipit along Green Street; The Ridgeway - 100+ Linnets, small numbers of Yellowhammers, Goldfinches, Corn Buntings, Chaffinches, Redwings, Fieldfares and a pair of Reed Buntings; Barbury - A Buzzard, 10+ Fieldfares and an albino Pheasant; Barbury to Chiseldon - Numerous Redwings and Fieldfares, 20+ Greenfinch and 2 Jays. Chiseldon - 20+ Redwings and a Song Thrush by the allotments, a Grey Heron flying over and a Kestrel on a barn roof by On the Run. Coate Water - 10 Goosander (8m,2f), 10 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, a Grey Heron along with Mallards, Mute Swans and cygnets, Canada Geese, Moorhens, Coots and Black-headed Gulls on ice free water by the diving board at dusk. Trevor & Sue Clayson

11th: Ramps Hill, Brinkworth - 23 Waxwings flew west at 11.30am, 385 Redwings, 110 Fieldfares, a Skylark flying north-east. A new garden tick for me also - Waxwing. Ian Searle Coate Water - A Mandarin, several Moorhens, Goosanders and Mallards at the causeway. Also a female Tufted Duck with them, which was taking food. This is the first time I've seen a tuftie taking food - must have been hungry. Near the diving board was most of the action, including 25 Goosander, 15 Shoveler, 15 Tufted Ducks, several Gadwall and the usual melee of other birds feeding. Elsewhere: 1 Grey and 3 Pied Wagtails near the dam; Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers heard; Song and Mistle Thrush; Tawny Owl; Sparrowhawk, which flew out of bushes on the footpath between the hides; a Jay, Fieldfare and 15 Long-tailed Tits near the bottom hide. From the hide 40 Teal and a Fox which walked over the ice right in front of the hide. Barbury Castle - Short-eared Owl seen and heard briefly over the scrubby area. Steve Davies

Toothill - In the garden this morning 2 Pied Wagtails. Barnfield Road - One Grey Heron but not a Starling in sight! Richard Williams Lydiard Millicent - Today in the garden 2 male and 1 female Blackcap feeding together on apples. Also a male Pied Wagtail keeping all other birds from feeding on the meal worms. Paddie Adams

10th: Coate Water - At Coate today 6 male and 9 female Goosanders, male Mandarin, Kingfisher, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Shovelers, 10 Tufted Ducks, 3 Pochard and the Tawny Owl. On the mammal front 5 Grey Squirrels and a Roe Deer. Park North - At home 2 surprise birds 1 Coal Tit and 1 Chiffchaff. Graham Cox

9th: Coate Water - Mostly frozen, small area of free water around diving board. 50+ each of Canada Geese, Coots, Mallards and Black-headed Gulls. 8 Moorhens, 3 Tufted Ducks, 2 Pochards, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Mute Swans and 3 cygnets. Also seen 3 Pied Wagtails and 2 Roe Deer. Maurice Carne

8th: Swindon - In our garden today the cold weather brought in a total of 14 species. A Pied Wagtail, a Bullfinch, 8 Goldfinch, 4 Chaffinch, a Collared Dove, 14 Woodpigeons, a Robin, a Dunnock, 4 Blue Tits, 3 Great Tits, 3 Magpies, a Blackbird, a Starling and 30+ House Sparrows. Trevor & Sue Clayson Coate Water - Most ducks at the diving board end, including 6 male and 14 female Goosander, 15 Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Gadwall with a few Pochard. No Great Crested Grebes today but a male Mandarin duck with them. Tony Martin

7th: Liden - At an extremely cold and foggy Liden, it was not easy to see many birds, but I did come across a pair of Bullfinches, a few Siskin, a Green Woodpecker and a very sorry looking Woodpigeon; which let me get to within 2 foot of it as I took a couple of photos. Martin Adlam

4th: Coate Water - The only really clear area of water was around the island where there were several Shoveler, Wigeon and Gadwall that had joined the resident Tufted Duck and Mallard. All morning at Liden we have had several flocks of Redwing passing overhead and a party of 20 Siskin feeding in the Alders. Also about was a Green Woodpecker and one or two Goldcrests. Martin Adlam Chiseldon - Fairly quiet in the garden of late with just a Coal Tit, 2 Great Tits, 2 Dunnock a Robin, Blackbird and a Wren today. The Wren was very showy which made up for it a bit. Steve Davies

3rd: Coate Water - The Tawny Owl looking even more relaxed and peaceful than ever asleep in the sun in his usual hole. Many parts of the lake frozen again with the birds working round this. Interesting behaviour from Herons, hunting from positions on the ice by the edge of the melted water. Most wildlife on the main lake, including 10 Goosanders, fishing from areas free of ice. Many Black-headed Gulls, Mallards, some Cormorants,Teal and one Little Grebe. Robins, also, exhibiting laid back approach...there were 4, all feeding from the bird table (interesting collective behaviour). No aggression...or does this come later when food is not so scarce? Felicity Cobb Moredon Canal - Plenty of Redwings and Blackbirds and a few Mistle Thrush + Jay, Water Rail. Malcolm Royal Ramps Hill area of Brinkworth - 2 Cormorants flying north at 12.10pm, 350 Fieldfares, 150 Redwings, 2 Siskin flew south at 10am. Also a White Wagtail has been present all week feeding in a private garden. Ian Searle Marlborough - Another Waxwing today (per WOS Website).

1st: Coate Water - At a very cold Coate Water: 7 Goosanders, 9 Moorhens, 4 Herons, 2 Pied Wagtails, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Nuthatches. Also many Robins, Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Great Tits and a flock of 10-12 Long-tailed Tits. Tawny Owl still in residence. Maurice Carne Grange Park - 11 Waxwings again today (per WOS website).

30th: Grange Park - No luck on the Waxwings today but plenty of Sparrows, Chaffinches a flock of Goldfinches and a mixed tit flock. Plenty of berries around for the birds so hopefully will not yet desert the area. Felicity Cobb Windmill Hill Business Park, Hillmead - 11 Waxwings in the estate today (per WOS website).

29th: Grange Park - Ten Waxwings again today. Also a Mistle Thrush, the odd Starling and 80+ Siskin feeding in the Alders along the cycle path behind Lisle Close. Graham Cox, Tony Martin, Martin Adlam

28th: Grange Park - After checking through the BirdGuides website it seemed there were Waxwings in every county except ours. A call from Malcolm at 2pm, however, soon remedied that. Just off Sudeley Way in Grange Park we saw 10 Waxwings with some Starlings in a tall tree. They didn't stay for long though and we only got on them for a few minutes. Nearby were a Pied Wagtail, Siskins, Chaffinches and plenty of Sparrows. Malcolm Royal, Steve Davies, Pete Adams Barbury Castle - A quick stop-off on the way home. No owls were seen but we saw a flock of around 40 Linnets, a good number of Corn Buntings, 2 Skylarks overhead and plenty of Fieldfares and Redwings. Malcolm Royal, Steve Davies

Old Town cycle path - A Kestrel was hunting from wires over the fields this morning. Lawn - In the garden all the birds are hungry. The Fox has twice pulled over the birdtable containing feeders during the night to get at small pieces of cheese and peanuts left there. Pigeons are everywhere, swooping down onto food put out for smaller birds. Also Magpies and a couple of adventurous hungry Crows are gobbling everything put out, at speed. Felicity Cobb Nightingale Wood - This afternoon dozens of Redwing and Fieldfare, a distant Short-eared Owl, and 2 Foxes. Paul Crowley

Coate Water - Shelduck on the ice today, 30+ Goosander. All the ducks on the main lake include Tufted, Shoveler, Pochard and some Teal. On the feeder Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Great and Blue Tits. Robins, Dunnock, Nutchatch and a few Siskins by hide one. Tony Martin

Swindon - In the garden this morning a male Bullfinch and yesterday an acrobatic Magpie. Nightingale Wood - Numerous Fieldfares and Redwings, a flock of 20+ Goldfinches, 3 male and 2 female Bullfinches, 3 Lapwing flying over, a Kestrel and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Trevor & Sue Clayson

Draycot - Possible Merlin on road between Chiseldon and Ogbourne St George. Margaret Delpy

27th: Chiseldon - In the garden this morning 31 Chaffinch, 12 Woodpigeon, plenty of visits from Great, Blue, Coal and Marsh Tits, also some Goldfinch and a couple of Redwing. Coate Water - 28 Goosander (15m+13f), 18 Pochard, 2 Bullfinch and a Grey Wagtail. The main lake is 1/6 frozen over and the bottom lake almost completely frozen. Paul Crowley

26th: Coate Water - At Coate today 4 Roe Deer, 30 Cormorants, 70 Teal, 14 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, Kingfisher, 2 Little Grebes, 14 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Grey Herons, 22 Goosanders, Sparrowhawk, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. At the Jefferies Oak still a nice group of fungi. Graham Cox

25th: Coate Water - The regular large party of 200+ Jackdaw flew Northwest over the Lake at 14:30; no aberrant "pied" seen today. Earlier 3 Ravens were mobbed by a pair of Jackdaw as they passed overhead. Other birds noted between the island and diving platform were a female Goosander, 8 Cormorant, 13 Great Crested Grebe, 30 Canada Geese and 1 Common Gull. Martin Adlam

23rd: West Woods - A short walk was fairly quiet, although I was lucky enough to come across a small but lively tit flock with several Coal Tits, Long-tailed Tits and quite a few Blue Tits. A couple of Jays, a Nuthatch and a Marsh Tit were heard and 2 Treecreepers showed well. I picked up a Chiffchaff from its call and managed to track it down, which was a nice sight at this time of year. In the fields next to Lockeridge a Pied Wagtail, a Buzzard sat on a post and 2 Moorhens, surprisingly. A few Sparrows in the village too. Steve Davies Park North - Sparrowhawk sat on the fence at the bottom of the garden. Graham Cox

21st: Coate Water - 13 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, 9 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Pied Wagtails, 2 Common Gulls with Black-headed Gulls by the boat yard slip. 3 Jays, Water Rail, 27 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 14 Tufted Duck, a pair of Wigeon, 9 Pochard, 13 Goosander (9m, 4f), 2 Little Grebe, Redwing, Fieldfare, 40+ Jackdaws, 3 Buzzards, Goldcrest, and a late Swallow heading South. 20+ Black-headed Gulls by Hodson Road. Chiseldon - Large flock, c400 of Fieldfare with a few Redwing amongst them. A Green Woodpecker in the trees on the old railway embankment. Malcolm Royal, Trevor & Sue Clayson Swindon - A Grey Wagtail in our garden this morning. Trevor & Sue Clayson Barbury Castle and surrounding area - 250 Golden Plover, 2 Stonechat, 2 Buzzard, 25 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 45 Fieldfare, 30 Corn Bunting, and in a field off the B4005, c120 Lapwing. Paul Crowley

19th: Lydiard Park - Ad Winter White Wagtail feeding around the cafe area this morning. Chris Walker Coate Water - Jackdaw flocks still evident with parties of 30, 28 and 33 heading SE. At 14:10 a large party of 200+ crossed the lake and landed in the trees on the east bank. Ten minutes later they all took off and headed back west from where they came!! In amongst them was an aberrant "pied" bird which was mainly white with black blotches. Being different it was being continuously harassed by other Jackdaws. Other birds noted between the island and diving platform were a female Goosander, 7 Cormorant, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 101 Canada Geese, 2 Common Gull and 12 Tufted Duck (8 drakes). Also about were Redwing, Fieldfare, 7 Siskin, Treecreeper, a Chiffchaff calling, 2 Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, a party of 21 Long-tailed Tits and a Parakeet sp, which I couldn't see but heard quite distinctly from around the main car park at around 15:45. All in all a good afternoons birding with 46 species noted. Martin Adlam

15th: Coate Water - 17 Cormorants, 6 Herons, 12 Gadwall, 3 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Kingfishers, 5 Goosanders (3 female 2 male), 12 Tufted Ducks, 5 Moorhens, 32 Coots, Green Woodpecker, 3 Pied Wagtails, Tawny Owl. Also seen Water Rail, Redwing, 6 Robins, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 14 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Marsh Tits, 6 Coal Tits and 4 Nuthatch. Jay heard calling. Maurice Carne, Graham Cox

14th: Ridgeway, Round Hill Downs - Quite a reasonable turn-out of birds seen this morning during a BTO survey, from a fairly unpromising looking area. They included: Raven, 4 Marsh Tits, 2 Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, 50 Fieldfare/Redwings, Pied Wagtail, 6 Yellowhammers, 4 Corn Buntings - one of which briefly broke into song, 2 Buzzards and both a Song and Mistle Thrush. Finches included: 4 Bullfinch, around 30 Chaffinch, a few Goldfinch and a Brambling - perhaps a stray from yesterday's group. There were many Blackbirds to be seen, including quite a few in the garden at home, no doubt some of them are continental visitors. Steve Davies Toothill - A Grey Heron seen on top of a neighbour's roof this morning. Richard Williams Marlborough Downs: Four Mile Clump - 2 Red-legged Partridge, 20+ Linnets and numerous corvids. Barbury Down - 60+ Yellowhammers and 70+ Skylarks. Old Ridgeway - 3 Red-legged Partridge, 60+ Lapwing, 40+ Yellowhammers, 100+ Fieldfare and a Roe Deer. Coate Water - 20+ Fieldfare and 2 Roe Deer by the hide, a male and 4 female Goosanders, 2 Shoveler, 9 Tufted Duck, 20+ Teal, 30+ Mallard, 20+ Gadwall, 80+ Canada Geese, 7 Mute Swan, a Heron, 4 Great Crested Grebe, a Little Grebe and 17 Cormorants at dusk. Trevor & Sue Clayson

13th: Stock Lane, Aldbourne Chase - A large, mobile finch flock about 150 strong in the trees near Laines Dairy. Mostly Linnets with Goldfinches, Chaffinches, a Greenfinch or two and a female Reed Bunting. The star birds however, were 6 Bramblings. Also with them were: 7 Fieldfare, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Robins, a Wren, a Yellowhammer, a few Skylarks and a Dunnock. A Sparrowhawk was waiting patiently on a fencepost, keeping his eye on the proceedings, a Kestrel was nearby and a Red Kite was above Aldbourne.

Liddington Hill - Around the Shipley Bottom area were 60-70 Yellowhammers. A pair of Stonechats were a delight to see. On the way back 100 Fieldfare passed over and decided to stop off nearby, and whilse I was watching them a huge Rat appeared at my feet, less than a yard away, and quickly scarpered. 30 Linnets and a Buzzard were in the area too. Steve Davies

12th: Liden School grounds - This morning, and for a good couple of hours, 13 Magpies were quarrelling with a dozen or so Crows and Jackdaws in the hedgerow alongside the front playing fields. Why they were having such a confrontation was a mystery! Coate Water - This afternoon I noted 32 species at the lake between the island and the diving board, which included 5 Cormorant, 16 Great Crested Grebe, 83 Canada Geese, 11 Tufted Duck (8 drakes), 1 Common Gull, 2 Grey Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtails, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Redwing, 5 Siskins and a pair of Redpoll. A couple of interesting notes were a Great Crested Grebe in winter plumage diving down and collecting nesting material which included leaves, twigs and weed which it placed on a raft next to the island. The other note of interest was a Jackdaw perched in the tall trees on the island, which pursued any bird that came too close, which included a bewildered Mistle Thrush and a Black-headed Gull which it chased all over the lake for a good 3 or 4 minutes. Martin Adlam

11th: Liden School grounds - Despite the blustery conditions there were plenty of birds around with 2 Fieldfare, 15 Redwing, 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Siskins and a Redpoll. Also about was a Jay and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. A young Hedgehog was on its rambles early on and a Blue Tit has taken to roosting in one of the nest boxes placed around the school grounds. Martin Adlam

Axford - A pleasant circular walk from Axford to Briary Wood and back along the Kennet gave 32 species including: 20 Siskin, 25-30 Crossbill, many roving tit flocks including numerous Coal and Long-tailed Tits, Marsh and Willow Tit, 7 Brambling, Mistle Thrush, Redwing, Fieldfare, Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Jay, Raven, Buzzard, Red Kite, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Little Grebe, 10 Mandarin. Malcolm Royal

7th: Ramps Hill, Brinkworth - From this morning: 580 Fieldfare (including 130 heading west), 320 Redwing, Treecreeper, 3 Goldcrest, Little Owl, 4 Meadow Pipits, Green Woodpecker. Ian Searle Marlborough Downs: Avebury to Ogbourne St George via Marlborough - Sparrowhawk scattering 50+ Starlings in Green Street. Fyfield Down: 10+ Yellowhammers, 3 Meadow Pipits, a Kestrel, numerous Long-tailed Tits and huge flocks of mixed corvids. Trevor & Sue Clayson

6th: Hodson/Coate Water - Another nice walk to Coate and back produced similar observations to last week, including: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Jay, Marsh Tit, 20 Long-tailed Tits in total, a few Redwings, 2 Goldfinch, a Greenfinch and a Red-legged Partridge. On, or near the water: 40 Teal, 20 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 25 Cormorant and a Sparrowhawk quite close to the hide. On the way back 40 Canada Geese flew over at around 5.15pm heading for the lake to roost. I hear them going over most evenings and it was nice to see them for a change. Steve Davies

3rd: Swindon - A Great Spotted Woodpecker in our garden this morning. First since last spring. Trevor & Sue Clayson

31st: Hodson/Coate Water - A pleasant stroll to Coate and back produced: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Jays, Mistle Thrush, a good number of Long-tailed Tits, Great Spotted Woodpecker, several hundred Black-headed Gulls on the main lake and a Grey Wagtail near the causeway. From the lower hide: 30 Shoveler, 30 Teal, 20 Gadwall, around a hundred Lesser Black-backed Gulls with a few Herring Gulls. Steve Davies From this morning at Coate - Sparrowhawk, Grey Wagtail, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Redwing, Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, 2 Snipe, Kingfisher and Water Rail heard. Malcolm Royal

30th: Toothill - Results of a one hour Garden Birdwatch: 11 Starling, 8 House Sparrow, 7 Magpie, 3 Rook, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Robin, Blackbird and a bonus of a Grey Wagtail. Also seen today: from the house a flock of c120 Starlings flying West. Directly above the M4, Junction 16 - 3 Buzzards. Richard Williams Avebury - 45 Fieldfare, 26 Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipit, 3 Yellowhammer, 6 Tree Sparrow, Kestrel. Malcolm Royal

27th: Coate Water - From hide 2: two pairs of Ruddy Shelduck showing well with Water Rail in front of island then flew to right of hide. Shovelers in good numbers, 60+Teal with Gadwall. Tufted Duck and two Kingfishers flew past. Long-tailed Tits and Great Spotted Woodpecker at the back of the hide. Tony Martin

24th: Swindon - A Great Spotted Woodpecker in Wickes car park. Marlborough Downs - At Beckhampton 30+ Skylarks, a pair of Stonechats, Meadow Pipits and Linnets, 2 Buzzards and 11 Roe Deer. At Avebury 16 Fieldfares. On the way back to Swindon 100 Golden Plovers flying near Uffcott. Trevor & Sue Clayson

23rd: Chiseldon - After a long, quiet spell the birds have returned to the garden again. This morning, buzzing around the feeders, were: 2 Coal Tits, 4 Great Tits, 4 Blue Tits, 2 Dunnock, Robin, several Blackbirds eating Yew berries and a Greenfinch. In the trees above a very vocal flock of Goldfinches and the odd Chaffinch or two.

Nightingale Wood - 2 Snipe, Green Woodpecker, 2 Jays, plenty of Blue and Long-tailed Tits, Kestrel and a few Pied Wagtails, Linnets and Starlings passing over. Steve Davies

22nd: Liden School grounds - This morning 7 Redpoll took off from the hedgerow alongside Barrington Close. Also about several Redwing and a Sparrowhawk. Coate Water - This afternoon several flocks of Jackdaw, 60, 60, 50 being the largest, all heading southeast and then a large party of 120+ heading northwest, possibly birds gathering during the afternoon and then heading off to roost together! Also about Redpoll, Siskin plus 5 Fieldfare and 6 Redwing by the main carpark. Martin Adlam

21st: Swindon - A Grey Heron in the garden this morning. A garden first. Trevor & Sue Clayson

20th: Coate Water - 2 Shoveler, 3 Teal, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, 9 Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, pair of Mandarin, Heron, Cormorant, 2 Kingfisher, Water Rail, Snipe, 2 Jay, Cetti's Warbler, Tawny Owl, 2 Buzzard. Gulls - around 80 Black-headed and 1 Common on the main lake and a group of 300 or so on the nature reserve lake which were mainly Lesser Black-backed with a few Herring and Black-headed. Also a Roe Deer and a Fox. Malcolm Royal, Matt Pringle---Rushy Platt - Water Vole, Fox, Grey Heron.---Old Town railway path - 2 Grey Wagtail, 5 Fieldfare, Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker. Matt Pringle

19th: Coate Water - 9 Cormorants, 10 Gadwall, 2 Ruddy Shelducks, 8 Shoveler, 32 Black-headed Gulls, Little Grebe, 6 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Pochard. Maurice Carne

18th: Liden School grounds - This morning plenty of birds in and around the school with a flock of 25 Cormorants all heading towards Coate Water at 7:40am. On the front playing fields there were 61 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls with 54 Woodpigeon feeding alongside them. Overhead my first Fieldfare of the Autumn with 11 passing over, along with 5 Redwing, 3 Redpoll, 4 Siskin, a flock of 10 Meadow Pipit and several Pied Wagtails leaving a roost close-by. A Sparrowhawk passed through and was soon mobbed by 2 Crows. Also about are one or two Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Chaffinch. Martin Adlam---Coate Water - Birds seen today: 22 Cormorants, 4 Grey Herons, 3 Kingfishers, 14 Tufted Ducks, 35 Shoveler, Little Grebe, 8 Great Crested Grebes, 16 Gadwall, Green Sandpiper, Snipe, Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzards, 2 Pochard, 2 Jays and 30 Teal. 3 Roe Deer. Both Hornet nests still active and 2 Small Copper butterflies. Also various fungi still showing. Graham Cox

Nightingale Wood - 3 Jays, 2 Kestrel, Buzzard, Jack Snipe, 250 Starling, 10 Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting, 3 Roe Deer.---Barbury Castle - Barn Owl. Malcolm Royal

17th: Coate Water - 40 plus Cormorant, with many in trees, Canada Geese, Shovelers, pair of Ruddy Shelduck, 2 Kingfishers, Barnacle Goose at diving board end, 2 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, good numbers of Teal, Gadwall and 2 Roe Deer in field. A Fly Agaric mushroom just before the sand pit and a few Collard Doves. Tawny Owl in usual tree. 3 Marsh, 3 Coal, Blue and Great Tits, and 2+ Nuthatch at the feeder. Mute Swans with 4 cygnets, Mallards, Coots, Moorhens, Black-headed Gulls on the main lake, a Goldcrest by the causeway, Grey Herons, 5 Great Crested Grebes, a Little Grebe, Tufted Ducks, good numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A Treecreeper and Long-tailed Tits by the boardwalk. Richard Handley, Tony Martin, Trevor & Sue Clayson

Winterbourne Bassett - 2 Red Kites on field by main road at Rabson Manor at 1pm. Bob Philpott---Chiseldon - A Jay and a Grey Wagtail by the sewage works.Trevor & Sue Clayson ---Liddington Hill - Red Kite, Yellowhammers, Meadow Pipits, Linnets, a Corn Bunting, a Red-legged Partridge, a Raven and a Kestrel. Trevor & Sue Clayson, Paul Crowley---Russley Downs - Wheatear, Red Kite, 42 Goldfinch, c200 Linnet. Paul Crowley

16th: Barbury Castle - 3 Ring Ouzel that flew from the trees by the Ridgeway track. Also 35 Lapwing, 70 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 8 Herring Gulls. Bob Philpott, Malcolm Royal---Coate Water - 2 Little Grebe, 8 Mandarin, Tawny Owl, Grey Wagtail, Cetti's Warbler, Marsh Tit.---Chiseldon - 15 Fieldfare. Malcolm Royal

15th: Liddington Hill - Whinchat, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, 2 Ring Ouzel, 10 Mistle Thrush, 5 Redwing. Large number of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits overhead. Also 2 unidentified waders over heading North. Also an unidentified bee or wasp (Noon-fly - SD).---Barbury Castle - 2, possibly 4 Ring Ouzel and 50 Lapwing. Malcolm Royal

Mouldon Hill - 3 Crayfish seen in the River Ray, and two more in the River Cole at Nightingale Wood. Also a Kingfisher over the River Cole. Paul Crowley

14th: Fyfield Down - A Wheatear was first up this evening, seen only just after getting out of the car, followed by a large corvid flock around 300 strong and mostly Jackdaws, judging by the noise. 5 Mistle Thrushes were flushed down in the valley bottom and there was a reasonable amount of Skylarks and a few Meadow Pipits passing over; around 25 Skylarks made up the biggest group. A couple of Kestrels flew out of one of the copses and around 10 Yellowhammers were seen also. The best bird though was a male Merlin seen on a fence post just as I was heading back; albeit very briefly and in fading light. Also seen 2 Roe Deers, a Hare and some magnificent Parasol Mushroom specimens: some over 8" across. Steve Davies

Coate Water - Black-headed Gull swallowing an oversize item! Possibly a Walnut. Maurice Carne

Liden School grounds - This morning a flock of 60+ Golden Plover headed southwest.---Coate Water - This afternoon I managed 48 species with the pick of the bunch being a Blackcap, Chiffchaff, a flock of 22 Siskin, 2 Redpoll and a fly-by Kingfisher. Also a Lacewing, possibly Osmylus fulvicephalus, practiced its tightrope walking skills on my fishing line before flying off. Martin Adlam

Lacewing - Martin Adlam (on closer inspection the lacewing is in fact a
Caddis Fly, Halesus radiatus - SD)

Swindon - A mixed flock of 10 Long-tailed, a Coal, 5 Blue & 2 Great Tits and 5 Goldfinches on the feeders this morning. Trevor & Sue Clayson

13th: Hannington - A Red Kite just outside the village this morning. Steve Davies---Liden School grounds - Redpoll was flying around the school grounds again today along with 3 Redwing. Martin Adlam

12th: Liden School grounds - This morning before dawn broke a pair of Grey Herons were feeding on the front playing fields. Overhead still a good passage of Meadow Pipit and Skylark. A few more Redwings about, but mainly single birds. A pair of Siskins have now been joined by a Redpoll as they feed alongside a small flock of Chaffinches and Goldfinches to the front of the school. A huge flock of 100+ Jackdaws passed over the school at 7:10am, heading towards Coate Water. Martin Adlam---Coate Water - From hide 2: 10 Gadwall, 2 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 9 Tufted Ducks, 6 Teal, 11 Cormorants, 40+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Pochard, 6 Shoveler, 4 Great Crested Grebes.---Swindon - In my garden this morning a breakfast feeding frenzy, saw: 9 Collared Doves, 13 Starlings, 21 Sparrows, 3 Goldfinches, 2 Great Tits, Robin, Chaffinch, Blackbird and Dunnock. Also a brief visit by a flock of 10-12 Long-tailed Tits. Maurice Carne---Chiseldon - 2 groups of Pied Wagtails heading north over the village, totalled around 60 birds. Also many groups of gulls varying from 4 to 50, presumably heading for the roost at CWP. Total in around half an hour was approximately 450 birds. Malcolm Royal

11th: Hannington - A nice Angle Shades moth at work, on the Microwave Oven! Steve Davies

Upper Stratton - (From Saturday) Around thirty Starlings on the bird table with one becoming the unfortunate victim of a Sparrowhawk after having failed to avoid him! Mike Nicholls

Barbury Castle - Barn Owl. Malcolm Royal--- Coate Water - Butterflies include Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and a few Small Coppers. Female Migrant Hawker. Ducks include more Shovelers, 7 to 8 Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 2 Buzzards, 2 Jays and a Grey Wagtail. Tony Martin

10th: Liden Lagoon - A Grey Wagtail showed briefly on some rocks, also 2 Goldfinch, 2 Dunnock, 6 Cormorant, 3 Tufties and a Heron.---Martinsell Hill - 5, possibly 7 Jays seen; a flock of around 30, mostly Blue and a few Great Tits, with another flock of 10-15 further on; 2 Coal Tits and several Long-tailed Tits; 2 Treecreepers; Goldcrest; a flock of around 10-15 Chaffinches; a family party of 5 or 6 Nuthatch; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Chiffchaff; 2 Meadow Pipits and 3 Buzzards.---Wilton Water - A reasonable movement of Skylarks passing over as well as around 15 Redwings also moving around, 2 Grey Wagtails on one of the rafts, 2 or 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Yellowhammers, a couple of Coal and Marsh Tits, Great Spotted Woodpecker heard, another Jay, 75 Canada Geese and 1 Greylag in one of the adjacent fields and a Grey Heron in another. Lots of Hornets flying around also. Steve Davies

Coate Water - A few Siskins with the mixed flocks of Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long-tailed Tits and Goldcrests. A Water Rail was heard calling from the reed beds on the south bank and there was a Hornet around the childrens sandpit. Martin Adlam

8th: Liden School grounds - A pair of Siskins still present as well as a Chiffchaff. Also about were both Pied and Grey Wagtails.---Coate Water - A male Siskin was in amongst a mixed flock of Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long-tailed Tits and Goldcrests. A solitary but very mobile Common Sandpiper was seen at the dam end, as was a Kingfisher. Also about was a Chiffchaff singing and a Blackcap with a very subdued sub-song. Martin Adlam---Axford - Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Jay, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Heron, Mandarin, Buzzard, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk. Malcolm Royal

7th: Liden School grounds - Still plenty of Meadow Pipit and Skylark overhead as they move south and a pair of Siskins and two Chiffchaffs were around this morning. Martin Adlam

Coate Water - Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Snipe, 24 Shoveler, Cetti's Warbler. On the floodwater Snipe and around 70 Teal. Malcolm Royal

6th: Liden School grounds - This morning 3 Redwings seen overhead, plus several Pied Wagtails, possibly leaving a roost close by. Martin Adlam---Coate Water - Today down at hide 2 3 Moorhens fighting, Little Egret, 2 Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 20 Cormorants, 8 Gadwall, Little Grebe, Shoveler, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Buzzard and still some Swallows going through. In the field 2 Jays and 3 Small Coppers. Tony Martin

Chiseldon - Tawny Owl heard briefly in the garden again early evening. Also a Wren singing and a Blackbird muttering away. Steve Davies

5th: Liden School grounds - Overhead this morning small parties of Meadow Pipit and Skylark still moving south. A solitary House Martin has been around for the past two days and the flock of Goldfinches has now increased to 30+. Also about are Great, Blue, Coal, Long-tailed Tits and one or two Goldcrest foraging along the hedgerows. One of the two Chiffchaff still in the school grounds burst into song momentarily and a Blackcap has been heard briefly. Only one Great Spotted Woodpecker seen today. Martin Adlam

4th: Coate Water - On the bird front 22 Cormorants, Green Sandpiper, 3 Jays, 2 Buzzards, Green Woodpecker, Pied Wagtail, Cetti's Warbler, 6 Swallows, 12 Gadwall, Little Grebe, 2 Snipe and 2 Bullfinches. On the insect side 1 Migrant Hawker, 3 Small Coppers, 3 Commas, Brimstone, Red Admiral and 1 Speckled Wood. Also Hornets still active at the causeway and bottom hide. Graham Cox, Tony Martin

3rd: Coate Water - Tawny Owl in the usual place, Jay, 2 Little Grebe, 6 Great Crested Grebes, Snipe, 27 Lapwing, 24 Cormorant, 4 Herons, 10 Teal, 250 Canada Geese with one Barnacle Goose. Three of the Ruddy Shelduck showed, also 7 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 60 Swallows with House Martins and a Sparrowhawk trying to catch one. 2 Buzzards, Chiffchaff and Long-tailed Tits. Butterflies seen were 2 Red Admirals, 2 Speckled Woods, 2 Small Coppers and a Comma. Also seen was 2 Darter sp and Hornets still active on the causeway. Malcolm Royal, Tony Martin, Graham Cox

2nd: Coate Water - Little Grebe, Green Sandpiper, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, House Martin and a couple of Migrant Hawkers.---Chiseldon - In the garden today were a Red Admiral and a Southern Hawker. Malcolm Royal---Savernake Forest - A good selection of commoner species including a Kestrel, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Great Spotted Woodpecker plus mixed flocks of Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Coal Tit and Great Tit. Overhead a good passage of Skylarks moving south. Also Sulphur Tuft plus two toadstool sp and a Pale Tussuck Moth caterpillar. Disappointing news this Autumn is the quality of the Sweet Chestnuts. Despite an abundance of them, the nuts are shrivelled and lack substance. Martin Adlam

1st: Coate Water - 5 Ruddy Shelduck, 4 Little Grebe, around 200 House Martins and Swallows, Cetti's Warbler, Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal. Also a Common Tern on the diving platform. Malcolm Royal, Paul Crowley

30th: Wroughton Reservoir - 4 Little Grebe, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall. Malcolm Royal

28th: Coate Water - 150 Canada Geese, 7 Cormorants, 9 Gadwall, 4 Herons, 4 Mute Swans, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 25 Lapwings, Kingfisher, 6 Long-tailed Tits, Grey Wagtail, Little Grebe, Cetti's Warbler. Maurice Carne, Malcolm Royal---Toothill - Seen in the garden this morning an unprecedented 7 Collared Doves. Also this evening a small bat flying about. Richard Williams---Stratton - A couple of very confiding Pied Wagtails finding food in Sainsbury's car park. Steve Davies

27th: Badbury - Tawny Owl calling on and off from 10 till gone midnight. Malcolm Royal

26th: Shaftesbury Lake - A Grey Wagtail the only bird of note this morning.---Seven Fields Nature Reserve - Another Grey Wagtail, 10 Long-tailed Tits, House Sparrows and a Blackcap. Steve Davies

24th: Coate Water - A lot of Swallows along with a few House and Sand Martins, around 150 Black-headed Gulls, Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal. From wednesday - Chiffchaff, 2 Snipe, Swallows, Sand and House Martins, Little Grebe, Shoveler, Gadwall. Butterflies: Red Admiral, Large White and 6 Small Coppers. Also still some Darters and Migrant Hawkers, plus a Hornet. Malcolm Royal, Tony Martin

Wroughton Airfield - 3 Wheatear. Malcolm Royal---Liddington Hill - An evening walk from Folly Farm and then the other side of Liddington Hill up to the trig point produced 2 Chaffinches, 6 Goldfinches, 2 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels. A large flock of Black-headed, Herring and Lesser black-backed Gulls in surrounding fields. Richard Williams

22nd: Stanton Park - Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Chiffchaff, Wood Duck, Heron and a Grass Snake.---Chiseldon - This evening at home a young Hedgehog on the decking and a cricket in the kitchen. Malcolm Royal

21st: Chiseldon - Coal Tit very busy on the feeders again today. Steve Davies

Liden School grounds - For several minutes this morning, above the school playing fields, a Buzzard and Red Kite were being mobbed by a pair of Crows, before they all drifted towards Coate Water. An autumn passage of Meadow Pipit and Skylark was noted all morning, as many birds were seen moving south. In and around the School grounds, there were plenty of birds about with Great, Blue, Coal and Long-tailed Tits foraging along the hedgerows; a Chiffchaff called briefly, as did a Reed Bunting. Also about were 15 Goldfinch, a pair of Bullfinches and a departing pair of Swallows. Both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker are present and a Treecreeper has been a pleasant addition to the Liden List. Martin Adlam

Coate Water - From the second hide, duck numbers are starting to build up with 60+ Teal, 19 Gadwall, 22 Tufted Duck, 15 Shoveler and 2 Pochard. Also 138 Canada Geese, 9 Cormorants, 4 Grey Herons, Great Crested Grebe, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Snipe, 5 Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Swallow, House Martin, 2 Moorhens, 10 Jackdaws, Darter sp.. Malcolm Royal, Maurice Carne

20th: Savernake Forest - Very quiet at Thornhill this evening, although I still managed to see 7 Treecreepers, 2 Nuthatch, 2 Marsh Tits, 3 Coal Tits, 10 Chaffinch in a small flock and numerous Great and Blue Tits. More birds of the same species heard, as well as Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker, and a Tawny Owl. Steve Davies

Lawn - Lovely to see a flock of Long-tailed Tits and Blue Tits return to the garden. Felicity Cobb---The Ridgeway near Bishopstone - A large covey of Red-legged Partridge. I counted 170 and there were more going in and out of the crop. Also 62 Meadow Pipit, 3 Buzzard, Kestrel, 8 Long-tailed Tits and 3 Chiffchaff. Malcolm Royal

19th: Marlborough - On a trip to Portland this morning the first bird we saw was a Tawny Owl sat on the edge of the road just outside Marlborough eating its breakfast! Malcolm Royal, Steve Davies

18th: Toothill - Welcome returns today at home for a Robin, Great Tit and a flock of 5 Long-tailed Tits.---Greenbridge Leisure Park - Lots of Black-headed Gulls. Richard Williams---Chiseldon - 2 Coal Tits very active on the feeders this afternoon and occasional Great and Blue Tits also. Steve Davies

17th: Liddington Hill - This afternoon a Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 4 Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, Ring Ouzel, a couple of large groups of Swallows and House Martins plus a large mixed flock of Lesser Black-backed, Herring and Black-headed Gulls. Butterflies seen were a few Whites, Comma and a couple of blues. Also 1 Roe Deer. Malcolm Royal

Coate Water - 3 Grey Herons, 8 Gadwall, 7 Teal, Common Sandpiper, Sand Martins, Swallows, Kingfisher, mixed tit flock, Bullfinch and Tawny Owl. On the butterfly front 2 Small Copper, Comma and 6 Speckled Woods. On the small pond, 2 darters, and dragonflies making their last mating flights. Also 1 Roe Deer. Graham Cox

Swindon - At lunchtime a surprise sighting of a Kingfisher flying along the Hreod Burna in Elgin Drive, which is little more than a ditch at this point. Trevor & Sue Clayson

16th: Coate Water - Kittiwake still at bottom end of Coate with Little Grebe and 3 Shoveler. Tawny Owl has been showing all week. Tony Martin

15th: Coate Water - Fox at Coate today. Kittiwake still on main lake. Hide 2 - Green and Common Sandpiper, also Swallows, Sand and House Martins with Gadwall, Teal, Shoveler, Chiffchaff and Cetti's Warbler. Tony Martin, Maurice Carne

13th: Coate Water - Today a juvenile Great Crested Grebe, Feral Pigeon and a newly introduced Mute Swan cygnet. The Tawny Owl is still in the same tree he was seen in earlier in the year. Maurice Carne, Felicity Cobb

12th: Savernake Forest - Bracket, and other fungus starting to appear here and there. A Weasel ran across the road on the way home just outside the village. Steve Davies

Coate Water - Juvenile Kittiwake, juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Grey Wagtail, Tawny Owl, Swallow, Sand Martin, Nuthatch, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper. Malcolm Royal, Jon Mercer

South Leaze and canal area - c20 Swallows at South Leaze Farm, a flock of 40 Goldfinches feasting on the teasels by one of the new canal bridges, plus a Willow Warbler and 2 Herons in a field towards the old railway. Richard Williams---Chiseldon - American Signal Crayfish wandering around the village! Malcolm Royal

11th: Swindon - A single Swift over the garden this afternoon. Maurice Carne

10th: South Leaze - Little Egret and a couple of Swans. Quite a few Starlings in the building site. Steve Davies

Liddington Hill - Very quiet this evening with just a Kestrel being mobbed by a Crow and a congregation of 11 Magpies. Malcolm Royal

10th: Lydiard Park - A lot of Swallows flying low over the fields. About 100 House Martins generally moving as a group southwards. On the lake I counted at least 4 pairs of Little Grebe amongst the numerous Coot; the grebe calling. Bob Philpott---Coate Water - Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, in excess of 300 gulls, mainly Black-headed along with Lesser Black-backed and a few Herring. Plenty of Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins. Around 30 Teal and a dozen Gadwall. Some funghi also. Malcolm Royal, Maurice Carne

Liddington Hill - Wheatear, 3 Kestrel, 10 Red-legged Partridge. Malcolm Royal---Swindon - Grey Dagger Moth caterpillar in the garden. Maurice Carne

8th: Covingham - 2 late Swifts over Covingham this evening at about 7pm flying towards Stratton. Catrina Young

7th: Nightingale Wood - 44 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler and 14 Chiffchaff ringed at Nightingale Wood this morning. This time of year there are 1000's of Blackcaps moving through: 600 caught in the last 3 weeks including large numbers at Swindon STW. Graham Deacon---Coate Water - Juvenile Kittiwake on the Broome Manor end of the main lake. The bird was around for 20 minutes or so and then flew around and possibly landed further down the water. Lots of hirundines also, including Sand Martins.

6th: Coate Water - Osprey passing over main lake at about 10:15 being mobbed by Jackdaws, then flew south. Lots of Swallows over main lake and hide 2 area. 11 Cormorants, Common Tern, 12 Tufted Ducks, 4 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 8 Teal, 4 Grey Herons, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Green Sandpiper, 2 Great Crested Grebes + 1 young, Buzzard, Migrant Hawker, Forest Bug and Fox in field between hides. Butterflies seen were 2 Large White, 1 Small White and 6 Speckled Wood. Maurice Carne, Graham Cox, Stephen Edwards

5th: Lydiard Park - A lot of House Martins and a Swallow. On the water a lot of Coots, including pairs, and Mute Swans. Richard Williams---Chilton Foliat - 19 Gadwall, 8 Little Grebe, 6 Cormorant, Kingfisher and about 15 Trout by the road bridge. Malcolm Royal

4th: Chiseldon/Hodson - A lot of activity early on, although very quiet around lunchtime. A large group of Blackbirds and a Song Thrush in the woodland, a few singing Chiffchaffs here and there and a lone Whitethroat. In a single small tree by the sewage works: 4 Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Linnet, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blue Tit! Nearby a Grey Wagtail and Jay.

An inquisitive Marsh Tit on the return journey as well as 40+ 7-spot Ladybirds in a small area. Lots of second or third-generation Speckled Woods everywhere, a Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Red Admiral.---Coate Water - 3 Migrant Hawkers on the footpath and others seen elsewhere. Around 6 more Chiffchaffs, a Bullfinch pair with youngster, more Blackcaps, Comma butterfly, Cetti's Warbler heard from the top hide, and a Green Sandpiper, 2 pairs of Gadwall, a few Teal and 2 Stock Doves from the bottom hide. The (previously damaged) Hornet's nest is almost fully repaired. Steve Davies

3rd: Coate Water - 18 Cormorants fishing in a pack today. Kingfisher showed twice, only one Tern on main lake, 2 Buzzards over far trees and a Sparrowhawk over car park. A Red Underwing moth spotted on a post on the way back from the bottom hide. Tony Martin, Graham Cox

2nd: Coate Water - Very quiet around Coate. On the bird front: 4 Grey Herons, Grey Wagtail, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 2 tit flocks, 4 Cormorants, Buzzard. In the oaks and hedge at the bottom hide a pair of Spotted Flycatchers. On the butterfly front: 2 Large Whites, 2 Small Coppers, female Brimstone, 6 Speckled Woods and 1 Green-veined White. There were also a few dragonflies on the wing. Graham Cox

Liddington Hill - A very large mobile flock of at least 30 and probably up to 60 Yellow Wagtail, 10 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff, 12 Red-legged Partridge, Buzzard, Kestrel. Malcolm Royal, Paul Crowley, Graham Strevens

1st: Coate Water - At hide 2 a pair of Spotted Flycatchers, a nice Small Copper on the boardwalk fence, a Common Darter and still the Southern Hawker. Birds included Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Common Sandpiper, Sand Martin, Swallow, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Shoveler, Teal and Long-tailed Tits. Tony Martin

Nythe - Canary-shouldered Thorn moth - new to my garden (and the website - SD). Phil Deacon