Good sites for Gulls around Bristol?

[Rhodes Family]

Hi there,

Over the Xmas break, I am hoping to get out and about birding – more specifically; going after gulls. I live near Bristol in the South West and I was wondering if any locals know of good hot spots/roosting sites. I have heard that I should look for sewage outfalls and landfill sites in particular.

Does anyone know of accessible landfill sites around Bristol, and if possible, to the west side of the city (Avonmouth/Clevedon way?) I have heard of a large wintering Black-Headed Gull roost at Portbury....any other good locations?

Cheers & a Merry Christmas,
Alex

[thebeard]

i've not been down there much, but i hear chew valley lake is pretty good for gulls, although you need a permit for some of the area apparently. up here in notts the best gull roosts are on large expanses of open water, and it is on these that the rarer species occur, so keep a look out on these types of habitat.

[Naturenutz]

yes chew valley is very good,you can pull in at one of the roadside viewing layby's without charge.Take some bread .Very Early mornings large flocks of gulls fly up the river avon from portbury towards the suspension bridge and return just before dusk,some stop on the mudbanks under the avonmouth bridge.However chew is by far your best bet.There is a landfill site at aust,on the coastal path between the 2 severn bridges but i think its hard to get a good view .

[Rhodes Family]

Okay, well thanks for the info so far...i shall try my luck around the place - i know CVL (Herriots Bridge) is a good bet....there are B-Headed and Common Gulls there during the winter.

Thanks again,
Alex

[basquesteve]

St Augustine's Parade early dawn clearing up the mess from late night revellers

An ex Bus Driver

[tom00_uk]

along the cut or there is a dump at the interchange and near avonmouth there a a few outfalls

astrazenica have a number of lagoons you can visit as well