September is one of the most exciting months to visit Severnside. The total of 179 species seen at least once in this month, is the third highest in the year. It is the time when most of the summer visitors will depart and a good selection of early winter visitors will arrive towards the end of the month. The weather can be very changeable, rain and gale force winds are to be expected, but calm warm days will also occur. Any West or South West gales will produce the usual seabirds but the more exotic have occurred; Sooty Shearwater (1974), Balearic Shearwater (1988), Long-tailed Skua, Sabine’s Gull. Other rarities that have appeared in September include; Red-crested Pochard (2 in 1996), Honey Buzzard (1996), Dotterel (1974), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985), Pectoral Sandpiper (1998), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (1989, 2003), Terek Sandpiper (1986), Red-rumped Swallow (1977), Wryneck (2003) and Rose-coloured Starling (2004). Local rarities have included Osprey, Hawfinch (1998), Willow Tit (1992), Nightingale (1999) and Ring Ouzel (2001).
September 30th
An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen from New Passage this morning. Other sightings from here and nearby Northwick Warth included 2 Ruff, 2 Golden Plovers, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, 60 Redshank, 3 Wheatears, 140 Linnets, a Raven and a steady passage of hundreds of Swallows heading East. There were 4 Curlew Sandpipers, a Little Stint, 400 Dunlin and 25 Ringed Plovers at Severn Beach.
September 29th
The Severn Beach waders once again roosted on the rocks above the Severn Tunnel. Sightings here included 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, 300 Dinlin, 50 Turnstones and 35 Ringed Plover. A Wheatear was also seen by “the pipes”. There were still 2 Ruff, 3 Snipe, 55 Redshank, 30 Turnstone, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Wheatear and a male Stonechat on Northwick Warth. A Barn Owl was seen this evening at Aust Warth. A Hummingbird Hawk-moth was seen below Aust Cliff and the drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
September 28th
The Severn Beach waders roosted on the rocky beach above the Severn Tunnel today. The roost contained 3 Curlew Sandpipers, a Little Stint, at least 250 Dunlin, 60 Ringed Plovers and 160 Turnstones. Other sightings here included 3 Rock Pipits, a Grey Wagtail and a Wheatear. Another very approachable Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 2 Knot, 55 Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Black-tailed Godwit, 33 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 255 Teal, 42 Wigeon, 50 Shelduck (plus the hybrid), 2 Wheatears and a Grey Wagtail were seen on Northwick Warth. There were 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 110 Dunlin, 55 Curlew, 45 Turnstones and 15 Oystercatchers at Chittening Warth.
September 27th
A thorough search of Northwick Warth produced 2 Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 65 Redshank, 8 Dunlin, single Curlew Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper, 3 Grey Wagtails and a Wheatear. Severn Beach was also quiet with just 40 Turnstones, 24 Ringed Plover and 12 Dunlin reported.
September 26th
One of the Pectoral Sandpipers remained on Northwick Warth where a Little Stint, 2 Ruff, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Turnstones, 65 Redshank, single Curlew Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper, 6 Wheatears, 2 Grey Wagtails, single Stonechat, Peregrine and Clouded Yellow butterfly were also seen. A Little Egret and just 23 Dunlin and 10 Ringed Plovers were seen at Severn Beach. Another 2 Stonechats and a Wheatear were found at Chittening Warth. The drake Ring-necked Duck and 2 Green Sandpipers were seen on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
September 25th
There were 2 Pectoral Sandpipers this evening on Northwick Warth (how do they find each other?) where 3 Ruff, a Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, 65 Redshank, 58 Shelduck (plus the hybrid), an escaped White-cheeked Pintail, 3 Grey Wagtails, single Wheatear and Raven were also seen today. The wader roost at Severn Beach contained 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, 200 Dunlin and 40 Ringed Plovers. The drake Ring-necked Duck was seen on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
September 24th
The Pectoral Sandpiper was still present on Northwick Warth along with 3 Ruff, a very approachable Little Stint, 2 Green Sandpipers, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Snipe, 52 Redshank, 80 Curlews, 4 Wheatears, 3 Grey Wagtails, a Yellow Wagtail and a Lesser Whitethroat. There were 2 Little Stints, a Curlew Sandpiper, 400 Dunlin, 40 Ringed Plovers, a Whimbrel, 5 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats and 3 Sparrowhawks at Severn Beach this morning.
Pectoral Sandpiper, Northwick Warth 24.9.6
September 23rd
A Pectoral Sandpiper was found in the salt marsh on Northwick Warth (ST 552872), only the second severnside record. Other sightings here included 3 Ruff, single Little Stint, Golden Plover, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 80 Curlew 50 Redshank, 15 Oystercatchers, 60 Turnstones, 50 Shelduck, 250 Teal, 100 Wigeon, 4 Wheatears, single Raven, Rock Pipit and Grey Wagtail. Sightings from Severn Beach this morning included 2 Little Stints, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 80 Ringed Plover, 250 Dunlin, single Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Peregrine, Hobby, Grey Wagtail and Wheatear. A Barn Owl was seen again on Aust Warth at dusk. A Manx Shearwater that had been taken into care was released just after high tide this evening at Severn Beach .
Pectoral Sandpiper, Northwick Warth 23.9.6
Little Stint, Northwick Warth 23.9.6
Manx Shearwater, Severn Beach 23.9.6
September 22nd
Sightings from Severn Beach this morning included a second winter Mediterranean Gull, 8 Curlew Sandpipers, 300 Dunlin and 100 Ringed Plover. This evening only the fifth severnside record of Kentish Plover (juvenile) was found here along with 2 Little Stints and a Whimbrel. Reports from the Northwick Warth area today included a Black Tern, 2 Little Sints, 3 Green Sandpipers, 32 Knot, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Ruff, 2 Snipe, 30 Turnstones, 50 Redshank, a Pintail, the usual Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, 2 Ravens and a Grey Wagtail. A Barn Owl was seen this morning and evening at Aust Warth.
John Martin kindly provided this digiscoped picture taken in very poor light.
juvenile Kentish Plover, Severn Beach © J.P.Martin
September 21st
Sightings from New Passage and Northwick Warth included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Little Stints, a Ruff, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Knot, 2 Green Sandpipers, 68 Redshank, 25 Turnstones, 300 Teal, 120 Wigeon, 50 Shelduck (plus the hybrid), 3 Shoveler, a Kingfisher and 2 Ravens. The morning wader roost at Severn Beach contained 8 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, 400 Dunlin and 100 Ringed Plovers. A Whinchat was found on Aust Warth.
September 20th
Sightings from Severn Beach today included 6 Curlew Sandpipers, a Little Stint, 300 Dunlin, 80 Ringed Plovers, 100 Turnstones and a Wheatear. There were another 2 Little Stints on Northwick Warth along with a Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, 55 Redshank, 300 Teal, 120 Wigeon, 50 Shelduck (with the hybrid), 2 Shoveler, 2 Ravens, 3 Grey Wagtails and a Kingfisher. There were 4 Black-tailed Godwits at Chittening Warth. The drake Ring-necked Duck and 4 Black-tailed Godwits were seen at Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Little Stint, Northwick Warth 20.9.6
September 19th
Sightings from Severn Beach included 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, 350 Dunlin, 100 Ringed Plovers, 8 Knot, 70 Turnstones and 10 Canada Geese. There were 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Knot, another 2 Little Stints, 45 Redshank, 300 Teal, 130 Wigeon, 50 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 2 Pintail and a Kingfisher in the Northwick Warth area.
September 18th
A visit to New Passage produced 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 41 Redshank, 6 Shoveler, 2 Pintail, 130 Wigeon, 305 Teal, 56 Shelduck with the hybrid, 4 Wheatears, a Raven and a Kingfisher. There were 3 drake Common Scoters off Severn Beach where the wader roost contained at least 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, 280 Dunlin and 70 Ringed Plovers. A Barn Owl was seen and a Little Owl was heard at Aust Warth. this evening. The drake Ring-necked Duck and 3 Green Sandpipers were seen on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
September 17th
Sightings from the New Passage area this morning included a Little Stint, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, a Grey Plover, 40 Redshank, 7 Snipe, 130 Wigeon, 280 Teal, 55 Shelduck (and the hybrid), 2 Shoveler, 2 Pintail, 2 Wheatears, single Whinchat and Kingfisher. The wader roost at Severn Beach contained 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, 380 Dunlin, 85 Ringed Plovers, 70 Turnstones. Other sightings here included 15 Gadwall and a Wheatear. At Aust Warth, a Little Owl and Tawny Owl were heard and the latter was seen briefly this evening.
September 16th
Sightings from the New Passage area today included an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Ruff, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Knot, 50 Redshank, 65 Turnstones, 2 Snipe, 80 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 2 Ravens, 2 Wheatears, single Kingfisher, Peregrine and Lesser Whitethroat. This afternoon there were 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Knot, 110 Ringed Plovers, 310 Dunlin, 120 Turnstones, a Whimbrel, a second summer Mediterranean Gull, 20 Wigeon, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Peregrine at Severn Beach. A flock of at least 200 Curlew roosted on Chittening Warth. At least one Barn Owl was seen and a Little Owl was heard at Aust Warth this evening.
Weasel, Severn Beach 16.9.6
September 15th
Sightings from New Passage included a Curlew Sandpiper, 43 Redshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits and 2 Pintail. Nearby, a Ruff, a Hobby and 10 Wheatears were found on Northwick Warth. There were 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Knot, a Whimbrel, 200 Dunlin, 120 Ringed Plovers, 100 Turnstones and 4 Wheatears at Severn Beach. A Stonechat was seen at Aust Warth where 2 Barn Owls performed well at dusk.
September 14th
A morning of heavy rain forced down a few migrants. The railway scrub South of Severn Beach produced 2 Redstarts, at least 25 Blackcaps, 6 Whitethroats and 6 Chiffchaffs. The wader roost here contained 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Knot, 250 Dunlin, 120 Ringed Plovers, 120 Turnstones and a Whimbrel. Three Wheatears and a Peregrine were also seen here. Sightings from New Passage included a Black-tailed Godwit, at least 40 Redshank, 50 Turnstones, 2 Pintail, 2 Grey Wagtails, 10 Blackcaps, 2 Wheatears, single Kingfisher and Spotted Flycatcher. This evening there were 3 Ruff, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpipers, 40 Wigeon, the hybrid Shelduck, 13 Wheatears, 2 Common Gulls and a Hobby on Northwick Warth. At dusk there was the impressive sight of 3 Barn Owls hunting together over Aust Warth.
September 13th
Wader sightings from Severn Beach included a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Knot, 300 Dunlin, 150 Ringed Plover and 75 Turnstones. The 2 Ruff remained on Northwick Warth where 45 Turnstones and 2 Wheatears were also seen. Sightings from New Passage included the adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Common Gulls, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, 42 Redshank, 36 Wigeon, at least 200 Teal, 2 Pintail, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Wheatear.
September 12th
The warm and settled weather continued. Sightings from Severn Beach this morning included 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 150 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, a Whinchat, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroats, a Reed Warbler and a Grey Wagtail. The adult Mediterranean Gull was seen again from New Passage along with 16 Common Terns, a Little Egret, 40 Shelduck and the hybrid, 250 Teal., 50 Wigeon, 4 Pintail, 36 Redshank a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ravens and 2 Grey Wagtails. The 2 Ruff remained on Northwick Warth where a Redstart was also found and 2 Barn Owls were seen at dusk.
Common Tern, New Passage 12.9.6
September 11th
A warm day (26°C). Sightings from Northwick Warth this morning included a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe, 200 Curlew, 25 Oystercatchers, 30 Redshank, 80 Teal, 40 Shelduck with the hybrid Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, 4 Pintail, 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Whinchat and a Hobby. A visit to Severn Beach produced 80 Dunlin, 50 Ringed Plovers, 2 Sanderling, a Whimbrel, 3 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats single Yellow Wagtail and Grey Wagtail. There was an adult Mediterranean Gull at New Passage this afternoon before all the birds were flushed by a hovercraft!
September 10th
There were a good variety and number of birds on Northwick Warth including 3 Ruff, a Little Stint, 9 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Knot, 2 Snipe, at least 200 Curlew, 40 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 30 Turnstones, 40 Shelduck with the hybrid, 80 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 5 Pintail, 3 Shoveler, a Little Egret, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Wheatears, single Peregrine, Hobby and Grey Wagtail. The Barn Owl was seen here again at dusk, hunting in front of the old refuse tip. Two Kingfishers and a Lesser Whitethroat were seen at New Passage. There just 30 Dunlin and 3 Ringed Plovers, single Snipe, Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher and Wheatear at Severn Beach. A Whinchat was seen at Chittening Warth.
Hobby, Northwick Warth 10.9.6
September 9th
Despite a very high tide and a North East wind, little was seen this morning other than 200 Dunlin and Ringed Plovers, 50 Turnstones, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Knot, 2 Whinchats and 4 Wheatears at Severn Beach. There were 70 Turnstones, 200 Curlew, 35 Redshank, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, single Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher from New Passage. This evening 2 Ruff, single Snipe, Tree Pipit and Whinchat were found on Northwick Warth along with a local rarity; a Barn Owl and then the first Severnside record of Nightjar, when a female was seen near the old Northwick Warth landfill site at Green Lane.
Ruff, Northwick Warth 9.9.6
September 8th
The Severn Beach waders included 200 Dunlin, 50 Ringed Plovers, 2 Sanderling, a Whimbrel, 31 Knot and 50 Turnstones. Two Wheatears and a Whinchat were also seen here. There were 2 Bar-tailed Godwits at Chittening Warth. Sightings at New Passage included 30 Redshank, 5 Turnstones, a Green Sandpiper, 75 Teal, 4 Ravens, single Grey Wagtail and Wheatear.
September 7th
Severn Beach produced a Little Stint, a mixed flock of 500 Dunlin and Ringed Plovers with single Sanderling and Wheatear. Nearby, there were 36 Knot, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits and 31 Oystercatchers at Chittening Warth. The New Passage area produced the usual 32 Redshanks, 2 Common Sandpipers, 45 Turnstones, 72 Teal, hybrid Shelduck, 5 Wheatears and a Kingfisher. Three Clouded Yellows were seen today.
September 6th
Visits to the Severn Beach wader roost today produced a juvenile Little Stint, 3 Sanderling, 29 Knot, at least 100 Turnstones, 300 Ringed Plover, 250 Dunlin and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits. An adult Mediterranean Gull, 36 Redshank, 16 Oystercatchers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 70 Turnstones, 78 Teal, 5 Pintail, the hybrid Shelduck, single Common Gull, Hobby, Raven, Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat and Wheatear were seen in the New Passage area.
September 5th
A good selection of birds were seen again today. A juvenile Little Stint, a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, a mixed flock of 500 Dunlin and Ringed Plovers, 70 Turnstones, 33 Knot, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Sanderling, a Snipe, an adult Common Tern, 11 Gadwall, 5 Wigeon, 3 Yellow Wagtails, and a Whinchat. Sightings from the New Passage area included 70 Curlew, a Black-tailed Godwit, 32 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Snipe, 78 Teal, a female Pintail, 2 Canada Geese, the hybrid Shelduck, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Wheatears, single Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher. There were 15 Oystercatchers, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 8 Knot and a Raven at Chittening Warth. Two Clouded Yellows were seen today.
September 4th
An adult Mediterranean Gull, 30 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 17 Turnstones, a Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Teal, 2 Ravens, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Wheatear, a Great Black-backed Gull and the hybrid Shelduck (last seen in June) were seen in the New Passage area. There were some good sightings at Severn Beach this evening including an adult Gannet that floated upriver and under the second severn crossing, a juvenile Little Stint, 12 Sanderling, 60 Turnstones, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Knot, a Whimbrel, 195 Dunlin, 135 Ringed Plover, 2 Wheatears and 2 Whinchats.
September 3rd
The strong South West wind continued but only produced 4 Scaup, a Fulmar, 2 Kittiwakes and a Common Tern from Severn Beach. Other sightings from here included 300 Dunlin and Ringed Plover, 30 Turnstones, 8 Gadwall, a Peregrine and 2 Wheatears. There were 30 Redshank, 15 Knot, 78 Teal and 4 Wheatears at New Passage.
September 2nd
A moderate Southerly wind this morning increased to a strong South West wind with rain this afternoon. Sea watching from Severn Beach produced a dark phase Arctic Skua that flew over the second severn crossing and continued up the estuary and an exhausted Razorbill floated down river mid afternoon. Other sightings from here included a mixed flock of 300 Dunlin and Ringed Plovers, 60 Turnstones, 20 Oystercatchers, 15 Knot and a Wheatear. There were 31 Redshank, a Common Sandpiper and 2 Wheatears at New Passage and a Yellow Wagtail was amongst the cattle on Northwick Warth.
September 1st
A 2nd winter plumage Mediterranean Gull was found at Severn Beach along with 15 Knot, 120 Ringed Plovers, 150 Dunlin, 90 Turnstones and 36 Oystercatchers. A visit to New Passage produced another 30 Turnstones, 35 Redshank, a Knot, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 30 Shelduck, 65 Teal, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Kingfisher. At least 3 Clouded Yellows were seen along the Severn Way, South of Severn Beach.
