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The varied habitats inthe Cotswolds support a good number of inland breeding birds. In a recentsurvey of the region, around 100 breeding species were recorded – including several locally uncommon ‘priority’ species under the Gloucestershire DiversityAction Plan, such as Grey Partridge, Lapwing, Tree Sparrow and Corn Bunting. Skylarks are widespread and there are good numbers of Redstarts, Tree Pipitsand Spotted Flycatchers, small pockets of Yellow Wagtails and Grasshopper Warblers and a few Curlews and Stonechats. Until recently, there were also Nightingales and Turtle Doves, but these appear to have gone now. The region now supports a very high population of Buzzards – possibly as great a concentration as anywhere in Britain – and we know of a few Hobby, Peregrine and Goshawk nesting areas, and are very hopeful that Red Kites will be proven to have bred here soon (adults and young were seen in the region in late summer 2011, following a large increase in numbers earlier in the year).
The region is also interesting in winter – with large winter thrush populations being widespread, finch flocks in arable stubble fields, and sometimes waxwing invasions. Short-eared Owls are seen most years, as are Merlins. Although not renowned as a migrant hotspot, certain areas are reliable for passage Wheatear, Whinchat and Ring Ouzel – and recent rarities have included Woodlark, Pallas’s Warbler, Wryneck and Hoopoe.
A list is here.
NCOS member Duncan Dine has also described the highlights of birding in the Cotswolds in 2011. Champagne Birding was his description. See if you agree - the article is here.
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