Despite the onset of winter and the decrease in hours of daylight, October is the month with the highest number of recorded species, with a grand total of 192. Rarities have included the only records of Black-necked Grebe (1996), Montagu’s Harrier (1991), Long-billed Dowitcher (1977), Red-necked Phalarope (2001), Black Guillemot (1998) and Yellow-browed Warbler (2001). Other national and local rarities recorded include Ring-billed Gull, Roseate Tern, Hooded Crow, Dartford Warbler, Ring Ouzel, Mealy Redpoll, Firecrest and Common Crossbill.
October 31st
The adult Mediterranean Gull was seen again at New Passage along with the usual Wigeon and Teal flock, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 45 Redshank, 65 Lapwings, 17 Dunlin. Four unidentified geese and 2 Stonechats were reported from Aust Warth. A “Commic” Tern was reported from Severn Beach in windy conditions.
October 30th
Sightings from New Passage included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 62 Redshank, 100 Lapwings, 15 Dunlin and 9 Common Gulls. A female Red-breasted Merganser and just 2 Dunlin were seen from Severn Beach. The Short-eared Owl and 2 Stonechats were still present on Aust Warth.
October 29th
A foggy start to the day. The Short-eared Owl was hunting on Aust Warth after the fog cleared but was mobbed by the local Kestrels and Crows. Other birds here included 2 Peregrines and 3 Stonechats. Sightings from Northwick Warth included the female Common Scoter, a male Merlin, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Grey Plover, 41 Lapwing and 50 Redshank. A visit to Severn Beach produced 40 Turnstones, 20 Redshank, 80 Curlew, 22 Oystercatchers, 4 Ringed Plover, just 5 Dunlin, 8 Gadwall, 2 Stonechats and 2 Rock Pipits. A Hawfinch flew over Aust Cliff.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 29.10.6
October 28th
A female Merlin was seen at Chittening Warth this morning along with 60 Curlew, 7 Stonechats, 12 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares. Another 3 Stonechats were seen at Severn Beach along with 2 Brent Geese and a Grey Wagtail. The only birds reported from Northwick Warth were 50 Lapwings, single Brent Goose, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit and Merlin. A male Merlin was seen to roost on Aust Warth at dusk.
October 27th
Sightings from New Passage today included a male Merlin, the female Common Scoter, the large Wigeon and Teal flocks, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 39 Lapwings, 72 Redshank and a Stonechat. A dark-bellied Brent Goose was found at Severn Beach. This evening there were another 2 Stonechats along with single Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl and Little Owl at Aust Warth. At least 200 Redwings flew over Aust Cliff this morning.
October 26th
A visit to Severn Beach this morning in windy conditions produced little more than 50 Turnstones, 30 Oystercatchers, a Grey Wagtail and a late Swallow heading North.
October 25th
A brief visit before the heavy rain arrived produced much of the same with the female Common Scoter, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 42 Redshank, 12 Oystercatchers, just 3 Dunlin and the large mixed Wigeon and Teal flock from New Passage. The 3 Stonechats remained at Aust Warth.
October 24th
Sightings from Northwick Warth today included 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Lapwing, a Golden Plover, just 10 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 16 Oystercatchers, 8 Snipe, the large flock of Wigeon and Teal, the female Common Scoter, a male Merlin and a Grey Wagtail. There were 3 Stonechats at Aust Warth where the Short-eared Owl and a Barn Owl showed well again at dusk.
October 23rd
There was a small amount of visible migration this morning including Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Reed Buntings, Skylarks and 20 Redwings all heading South. A female Merlin, 5 Grey Wagtails and 4 Stonechats were seen at Chittening Warth. The same or another female Merlin was seen at Northwick Warth along with the large Wigeon and Teal flock, a female Common Scoter, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 32 Lapwings and a Raven. A visit to Severn Beach produced 3 Stonechats. The Short-eared Owl showed well again at Aust Warth this evening along with a male Merlin, 70 Redshank and another Stonechat.
Long-tailed Tit, New Passage 23.10.6
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 23.10.6
October 22nd
A Little Auk was seen in the “burger bar bay” at Severn Beach early this morning, Other sightings from here included a Merlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, at least 100 Turnstones. Sightings from New Passage included a dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Common Scoter, 5 Black-tailed Godwits at least 400 Wigeon. A Short-eared Owl showed well again at dusk from the road on Aust Warth.
October 21st
Sightings from New Passage today included a Curlew Sandpiper, 110 Dunlin, 93 Redshank, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Lapwings, 3 Common Gulls, 400 Wigeon, a Wheatear and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. The Short-eared Owl and a Barn Owl were seen again at Aust. A Stonechat and a Rock Pipit were seen at Severn Beach and other reports today included a Jack Snipe and a Common Scoter.
October 20th
A quiet day with just 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 56 Redshank, 70 Dunlin, 30 Lapwings and a Wheatear reported from New Passage. A Merlin, 2 Stonechats and a Barn Owl were seen at Aust Warth.
October 19th
There were 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 62 Redshank, 39 Lapwing, just 10 Dunlin, a Golden Plover, 2 Ravens, a Peregrine, a late Swallow and a Grey Wagtail from New Passage today. A Short-eared Owl, a Merlin, 2 Snipe and 4 Stonechats were seen again at Aust Warth.
October 18th
The usual 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Redshank, 250 Wigeon, 220 Teal were seen from New Passage along with 20 Dunlin, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, single Wheatear and Kingfisher were seen from New Passage. Severn Beach was quiet this evening with just single Grey Plover and Rock Pipit to report. There was more interest at Aust Warth with 3 Barn Owls, a Short-eared Owl, a Merlin and 4 Stonechats all viewable from the road.
October 17th
Sightings from New Passage included 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Grey Plover, 30 Lapwing, 52 Redshank, 35 Dunlin, the usual 250 Wigeon, 200 Teal plus a lot of Chaffinches still heading North. There were 4 Stonechats at Aust Warth. An evening high tide visit to Severn Beach produced a Sanderling, 40 Dunlin, 20 Ringed Plovers, 35 Oystercatchers and a Grey Plover.
October 16th
A Little Egret was seen from New Passage along with 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 30 Redshank, 32 Lapwings, 250 Wigeon and the escaped White-cheeked Pintail. A Green Sandpiper and 16 Gadwall were seen at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach. There were 4 Stonechats on Aust Warth where a Short-eared Owl and a Barn Owl were seen at dusk. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
October 15th
A cloudy morning with a moderate North East wind produced at least 4000 Chaffinches, the first Brambling of the year, 9 Redpolls, 5 Siskins, 6 Redwings, a small number of Skylarks, Linnets, Reed Buntings and Wagtails all heading into the wind. Additional sightings from New Passage included the adult Mediterranean Gull, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 62 Redshank, 120 Dunlin, 40 Turnstones, 22 Lapwing and a Wheatear. There were 80 Dunlin, a Grey Plover, 2 Stonechats and a Wheatear at Severn Beach. Sightings from Aust Warth this morning included 3 Peregrines, 2 Stonechats and another Wheatear. A Short-eared Owl was seen hunting here late this afternoon.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 15.10.6
October 14th
An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen at Northwick Warth along with a Little Egret, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 32 Lapwings, 20 Turnstones, 150 Dunlin, 200 Teal, the escaped White-cheeked Pintail, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Stonechat. At least 200 Wigeon were seen at Aust Warth along with a Curlew Sandpiper, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Stonechats and a Peregrine. Reports from Severn Beach included 2 Grey Plover, 18 Ringed Plover, 70 Turnstones and 18 Gadwall. Of interest, a ringing report was received from the BTO of one of the adult Mute Swans that reared 6 young on the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach. It was originally ringed (Z48739) as a first year bird in Bristol City Docks on 21st November 1998.
October 13th
The highlight of the day was a Spotted Redshank at Northwick Warth where a Little Egret, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Grey Plover, 20 Lapwings, 51 Redshank, a Snipe, 100 Dunlin, a dark-bellied Brent Goose, 200 Teal, 100 Wigeon and an escaped White-cheeked Pintail were also seen. There was steady but light passage of migrants heading North East into the wind including several Redpolls. There were 110 Turnstones, 70 Dunlin and 4 Ringed Plovers on the shaft beach at Severn Beach
Brent Goose, Northwick Warth 13.10.6
October 12th
Sightings from Severn Beach this morning included a Little Stint, an adult Mediterranean Gull and 2 Wheatears. Another adult Mediterranean Gull was seen from New Passage along with 4 Grey Plovers, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, a Curlew Sandpiper, 300 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 19 Lapwing, 230 Teal, a Wheatear and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. There were 9 Canada Geese, 6 Stonechats and a Peregrine at Chittening Warth. A small amount of visible migration was noted today with a few Chaffinches, “Alba” Wagtails, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, Carrion Crows and of note, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, all heading South today. The drake Ring-necked Duck and 2 Green Sandpipers remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Wheatear, Severn Beach 12.10.6
October 11th
Sightings from the Northwick Warth area included a Curlew Sandpiper, 300 Dunlin, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Lapwing, 40 Redshank, 45 Wigeon, single Wheatear, Kingfisher and Little Grebe. There were another 40 Dunlin, 50 Turnstones and 7 Ringed Plovers at Severn Beach. There was an influx of Stonechats with 4 at Aust Warth, at least 10 at Chittening Warth along with 65 Meadow Pipits. The drake Ring-necked Duck and 2 Green Sandpipers remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
October 10th
Sightings from Severn Beach included 9 Canada Geese, 15 Ringed Plover, a Little Sint and a Clouded Yellow butterfly. There were 16 Gadwall nearby on the Orchard Pools. The Northwick Warth area produced 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Lapwing, 300 Dunlin, 38 Redshank, 3 Grey Plover, a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Wheatears, single Little Grebe and Grey Wagtail. Two Stonechats remained on Aust Warth.
October 9th
A Curlew Sandpiper remained at Severn Beach with 100 Dunlin and 10 Ringed Plovers. A brief visit to New Passage produced 80 Dunlin, 50 Redshank and 100 Turnstones. Two Stonechats remained on Aust Warth.
October 8th
An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen in the Northwick Warth area along with 2 Grey Plovers, 55 Redshank, 60 Dunlin,42 Oystercatchers, a Snipe, a Little Grebe (on the flash), 3 Pintail and 2 Wheatears. The wader roost at Severn Beach contained 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 180 Dunlin and 35 Ringed Plovers. There were 3 Stonechats, 3 Grey Wagtails and 130 Curlew at Chittening Warth. Another 2 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth.
October 7th
A visit to Severn Beach this morning produced an Auk species, a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 130 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plovers and 50 Turnstones. A Grey Phalarope was a great find here this evening and a “Commic” Tern. Sightings from Northwick Warth included a Merlin, 65 Redshank, 50 Dunlin, 4 Lapwings and a Wheatear. There were 4 Stonechats and an escaped White-cheeked Pintail at Aust Warth.
October 6th
Another windy day but a sea watch from Severn Beach only produced 2 Manx Shearwaters and a Fulmar. The flock of 140 Dunlin and 50 Turnstones were also seen here. There were 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 83 Redshank, 35 Dunlin, 115 Wigeon, 220 Teal and 40 Shelduck at New Passage.
October 5th
A wet and windy day. Sightings from New Pasage included 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 65 Redshank, 17 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plovers, single Shoveler, Lapwing and escaped White-cheeked Pintail. An evening sea watch from Severn Beach produced 2 Great Skuas and 2 Manx Shearwaters. The very flighty wader flock contained 150 Dunlin and a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper.
October 4th
The 3 Black-tailed Godwits remained off New Passage where other sightings included 3 Lapwings, 60 Redshank, 20 Dunlin, 240 Teal, 80 Wigeon, 40 Shelduck, a Kingfisher and 2 Wheatears. A brief visit to Severn Beach this evening produced 250 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plovers, 60 Turnstones and 15 Shelduck. There were 2 Stonechats, single Whinchat, Peregrine, Raven and Clouded Yellow at Aust Warth today and 4 Barn Owls were reported here at dusk
October 3rd
Sightings from the Northwick Warth area included 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Redshank, 30 Turnstones, 20 Dunlin, a Snipe, 80 Wigeon, at least 200 Teal, 40 Shelduck, a Raven and the unusual sight of a Little Grebe on the flash. The evening Severn Beach wader roost held at least 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a Little Stint, 270 Dunlin, 140 Turnstones and 30 Ringed Plovers. A male Stonechat was seen below Aust Cliff.
October 2nd
Sightings from the Northwick Warth area included the usual 2 Ruff, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, a Knot, 50 Dunlin, 30 Turnstones, 60 Redshank, 80 Wigeon, 4 Wheatears and a cock Pheasant. Another Curlew Sandpiper, 45 Ringed Plovers, 100 Dunlin and 120 Turnstones were seen at Severn Beach. The drake Ring-necked Duck, 4 Ruddy Ducks and 2 Green Sandpipers were seen on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 1.10.6
October 1st
A wet start to the month with a night and morning of torrential rain, thunder and lighting. There were still 2 Ruff, a Green Sandpiper and 2 Wheatears on Northwick Warth. Sightings from New Passage included 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 70 Redshank, a Knot, 60 Wigeon, 40 Shelduck, 250 Teal and the escaped White-cheeked Pintail. The Severn Beach waders roosted again on the rocky beach above the Severn Tunnel. The roost contained 6 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, 110 Turnstones, 220 Dunlin, 25 Ringed Plovers, a Common Sandpiper and a Wheatear. Two Whinchats were found on Aust Warth, 2 Rock Pipits and a Sedge Warbler were seen at Chittening Warth.
