A wide variety of passerines can be found on migration. Typical rarities include Spoonbill, Osprey, Spotted Crake, Aquatic Warbler and Little Bunting, and the Booted Eagle recently paid us a visit. The permit also gives access to nearby Blagdon Lake and Barrow Gurney Reservoirs which are worth a look, especially in autumn and winter. This steep-sided river valley runs right through western Bristol alongside the A4 to Avonmouth, and can be overlooked from the Clifton Downs on the east or from Leigh Woods on the west. Other raptors regularly reported here include breeding Buzzard and Sparrowhawk, while Red Kite, Osprey and Goshawk are reported from time to time.
Ravens breed here every year.
Oldbury Power Station, which also has a woodland reserve where Brambling and Tree Sparrow can be found in winter. One recent winter up to seven Long-eared Owls roosted beside the Power Station. The riverside itself is unpredictable but should turn up ducks and waders, sometimes including stray geese and Bewick's Swans from nearly Slimbridge, Glos. Do visit at high tide when the waders have been pushed off the vast offshore mudflats. There are a number of bays and estuaries south of Avonmouth that can provide good riverside birding.