November is still a month worth looking for birds. It has a respectable total of 161 species recorded during the month with a few surprise birds. The most interesting records include; Great Northern Diver (1984), Ring-necked Duck (2000), White-rumped Sandpiper (1998), Long-tailed Skua (1994), Woodlark, Shorelark, Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, Cory’s Shearwater (2000), Whooper Swan (1983) and Richard’s Pipit (1993), Dartford Warbler (2005) and Waxwing (2005). Other notable seabirds seen and “hoped for” in South West gales include Leach’s Petrel and Little Auk.
November 30th
A quiet end to the month. Sightings from Severn Beach included a female Goldeneye, 55 Oystercatchers, 70 Curlew, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Turnstones and 23 Gadwall. There were still 13 Black-tailed Godwits (including the colour ringed bird) at New Passage along with 600 Dunlin, 120 Lapwings, 40 Redshank, 10 Turnstones and 22 Common Gulls.
November 29th
Two adult Mediterranean Gulls, a male Merlin, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Lapwings, 40 Redshank, 1000 Dunlin, 10 Turnstones, 18 Common Gulls and 3 Shoveler were reported from New Passage. There were another 150 Turnstones, 50 Oystercatchers, 45 Redshank and 30 Dunlin at Severn Beach.
November 28th
Two Mediterranean Gulls (adult and 1st winter) were seen from New Passage along with 2 dark-bellied Brent Geese, a Little Egret, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 2000 Dunlin, 100 Lapwings, 40 Redshank and 12 Common Gulls. There were 2 Grey Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 52 Oystercatchers, 100 Dunlin and 60 Turnstones at Severn Beach. Two Stonechats remained on Aust Warth.
November 27th
Sightings from New Passage included the male Merlin, just 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2000 Dunlin, 56 Lapwings, 50 Redshank, 250 Wigeon and 200 Teal. Another 200 Dunlin, 60 Turnstones and a Peregrine were seen at Severn Beach. Two Ravens were seen feeding on a sheep carcass at Cake Pill on Aust Warth.
November 26th
A flock of 20 Kittiwakes and 3 Ravens were seen from Severn Beach. Sightings from New Passage included the male Merlin, 5 Black-tailed Godwits (including the Icelandic colour ringed bird), 2000 Dunlin, 70 Redshank, 5 Shoveler, 100 Teal, 60 Wigeon, 15 Common Gulls and another Raven. A visit to the Orchard Pools produced 2 Stonechats and a Chiffchaff. Another 2 Stonechats and a Little Egret were seen at Aust Warth.
November 25th
Much of the same today with the male Merlin, 2 Peregrines, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, 1000 Dunlin, 80 Lapwings, 40 Redshank, 100 Teal, 150 Wigeon and 13 Shoveler being seen from New Passage. There were just 2 Stonechats and 4 Ringed Plover reported from Severn Beach. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
November 24th
A morning visit to Northwick Warth produced 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 3000 Dunlin, 150 Lapwings, 60 Redshank, 40 Oystercatchers, 11 Snipe, a Jack Snipe, 230 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 6 Shoveler and a male Merlin. There were 20 Ringed Plover and 200 Turnstones at Severn Beach. A Stonechat was seen at Chittening Warth. The drake Ring-necked Duck was seen again on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Not the best picture of a Merlin but this does show a typical view of the bird on Northwick Warth and how small these wonderful falcons are. The bird can be found perched on any of the many posts.
male Merlin, Northwick Warth 24.11.6
November 23rd
Despite several days of moderate strength winds the only sea bird found today was a first winter Kittiwake from Severn Beach where 120 Turnstones and 80 Dunlin were also seen. Sightings from New Passage included a Little Egret, 115 Redshank, 53 Oystercatchers, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 165 Lapwings, 800 Dunlin, a Snipe and 4 Shoveler.
November 22nd
Sightings from New Passage included 2 Little Egrets, 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 800 Dunlin, 150 Lapwings,
30 Redshank, 22 Common Gulls, 2 Shoveler and a Kingfisher. There were 150 Turnstones, 80 Dunlin and 19 Ringed Plovers on the foreshore at Severn Beach and 21 Gadwall still at the Orchard Pools. Two Stonechats remained at Aust Warth.
November 21st
Sixteen Black-tailed Godwits, 500 Dunlin, 65 Lapwings, 35 Redshank, a Little Egret, a male Merlin and a Kingfisher were seen from New Passage. There were 14 Ringed Plovers and 40 Turnstones on the shore at Severn Beach and nearby, 21 Gadwall at the Orchard Pools.
November 20th
The Short-eared Owl was seen again this afternoon at Aust Warth. There were 18 Black-tailed Godwits (including a bird that was colour ringed as a chick at Svarfholl, Bakkadalur, NW Iceland on 12.07.06), 85 Redshank, 53 Oystercatchers, 1000 Dunlin, 200 Lapwings, 3 Grey Plover, 2 Little Egrets and a male Merlin. A visit to the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach produced 21 Gadwall, a Little Grebe and a Grey Wagtail. There were 2 Stonechats on the fore shore at Severn Beach.
November 19th
Sightings from New Passage included 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 1000 Dunlin, 80 Redshank, 200 Lapwings, a Grey Plover, 2 Shoveler, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Little Egret. Seventeen Gadwall were seen at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach. A Water Rail, 3 Stonechats and a Chiffchaff were present at Aust Warth.
November 18th
Little change with 22 Black-tailed Godwits, 84 Redshank, 57 Oystercatchers, 100 Dunlin, 5 Shoveler and a Great Black-backed Gull at New Passage today. Two Stonechats remained at Aust Warth.
November 17th
The Short-eared Owl, a male Merlin and 2 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth. Sightings from New Passage included the male Merlin, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Grey Plovers, 100 Dunlin, 120 Lapwing, 5 Shoveler and a Grey Wagtail. There were 22 Gadwall and a Shoveler at the Orchard Pools, another 11 Gadwall and 3 Stonechats at Chittening Warth.
November 16th
The Short-eared Owl was seen again at Aust Warth this morning when it was flushed from the salt marsh by a dog walker. Two Stonechats were also seen here. Sightings from New Passage included 20 Black-tailed Godwits (including a colour ringed and flagged individual), 250 Dunlin, 150 Lapwings, 60 Redshank, 4 Shoveler and a male Merlin. There were 22 Gadwall and another Shoveler on the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach.
November 15th
Another dismal day. The 18 Black-tailed Godwits, 100 Dunlin, 150 Lapwings, 32 Redshank, 25 Oystercatchers, 6 Shoveler, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Kingfisher were seen from New Passage. There were 180 Turnstones and 18 Gadwall at Severn Beach
November 14th
A wet day produced few birds. Sightings from New Passage included 18 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Dunlin, 150 Lapwing, 30 Redshank, 28 Oystercatchers and a male Merlin. There were 70 Turnstones at Severn Beach.
November 13th
There were 150 Turnstone, 100 Dunlin and no seabirds off Severn Beach in windy conditions. Another 200 Dunlin, 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 150 Lapwing, 30 Redshank and 28 Commons Gulls were seen from New Passage.
November 12th
Another quiet day. Sightings from Northwick Warth included the male Merlin, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Dunlin, 150 Lapwing, 50 Redshank, 2 Shoveler and a Peregrine. There were 140 Turnstones, 50 Oystercatchers, 70 Redshank, 80 Curlew, 200 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plovers, 22 Gadwall, single Stonechat and Rock Pipit at Severn Beach.
November 11th
Reports from New Passage included just 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 1200 Dunlin, 150 Lapwings, 46 Redshank and 4 Shoveler. Sightings from Severn Beach included a late Wheatear, 21 Gadwall and a Shoveler. A Peregrine and 2 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth. There was little coverage today due to the welcome distraction of Britain’s first Long-billed Murrelet seen off Dawlish in Devon. It was originally seen 4 days ago and reported as a Little Auk and only correctly identified later from pictures. Luckily it was relocated this morning and the 90 mile dash South was well worth it.
Long-billed Murrelet, Dawlish, Devon 11.11.6
Long-billed Murrelet, Dawlish, Devon 11.11.6
November 10th
A female Goosander was found amongst the Wigeon and Teal at New Passage before it flew off down the estuary. Other sighings from here included a dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Shoveler, 2000 Dunlin, 19 Black-tailed Godwits, 170 Lapwing, 54 Redshank, 17 Golden Plover, 8 Grey Plover, a male Merlin, single Peregrine and Grey Wagtail. The only reports from Severn Beach involved 8 Ringed Plover and a Stonechat.
Goosander, New Passage 10.11.6
November 9th
The star bird was seen by one lucky observer at Chittening Warth this morning; only the third ever Severnside record of Goshawk. It was watched being mobbed by a Buzzard before it drifted off South West. Other sightings at Chittening included 3 Stonechats, a Grey Wagtail and a Little Egret. A male Merlin, 3 Little Egrets, 2500 Dunlin, 126 Lapwing, 24 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Shoveler and a Kingfisher were seen from New Passage. There were 4 Ringed Plover and 18 Gadwall at Severn Beach. The Short-eared Owl was hunting again at Aust Warth this afternoon where other reports included 3 Stonechats, single Little Egret, Peregrine, Raven and Redpoll.
November 8th
With better viewing conditions today, 21 Black-tailed Godwits, 112 Lapwings, 2000 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 10 Oystercatchers, 7 Shoveler, a large Wigeon and Teal Flock and 15 Common Gulls were seen from New Passage. There were 70 Turnstones and 8 Ringed Plovers at Severn Beach. A Short-eared Owl was seen hunting again at Aust Warth late this afternoon. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
November 7th
Dense fog stopped play today. Many birds were heard on Northwick Warth but not seen! The only report from Severn Beach in poor viewing conditions was of 40 Turnstones and 7 Dunlin.
November 6th
A foggy day resulted in limited coverage today The large flock of 4000 Dunlin remained off New Passage along with 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Lapwings, 50 Redshank, the large Wigeon and Teal flock, 2 Shoveler, single Little Egret, Great Crested Grebe and Kingfisher. There were 20 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Ducks and another Kingfisher at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach. The Short-eared Owl and 2 Stonechats remained on Aust Warth.
November 5th
A good selection of birds were reported today including what was probably a Richard’s Pipit that called 3 times, but was not seen, while heading South over Northwick Warth at 9.25 this morning. Other sightings from here included 4000 Dunlin, 29 Black-tailed Godwits, 72 Redshank, 110 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, a Jack Snipe, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Common Scoter, 400 Wigeon, 200 Teal, a Kingfisher and a male Merlin. The Short-eared Owl continued to attract a crowd of observers at Aust Warth and showed well from mid afternoon along with 3 Stonechats. Sightings from Severn Beach were few with just 17 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Ducks, 4 Rock Pipits and 3 Siskins to report. Another Jack Snipe, 5 Rock Pipits, 2 Stonechats and a Chiffchaff were seen at Chittening Warth.
November 4th
The cold spell continued producing an impressive 4500 Dunlin, 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Grey Plover, 70 Redshank, 60 Lapwing, the female Common Scoter, 2 Shoveler, 300 Wigeon, 150 Teal and the equal record count of 5 Little Egrets on Northwick Warth. There were 4 Rock Pipits, a Water Pipit, a Jack Snipe, 50 Oystercatchers, 60 Turnstones, 30 Redshank and 100 Dunlin at Severn Beach. A Short-eared Owl was seen again this afternoon on Aust Warth but it failed to show this evening. Other sightings from Aust included 7 Snipe, 20 Redshank, 2 Peregrines, 2 Ravens, 3 Rock Pipits, 30 Skylarks, 2 Stonechats and a Fieldfare.
Stonechat, Aust Warth 4.11.6
November 3rd
Another cold morning with the usual female Common Scoter, male Merlin, a Little Egret, at least 1000 Dunlin, 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Redshank, 60 Lapwing, 12 Common Gulls, single Grey Wagtail and Yellowhammer being seen at New Passage. Severn beach remained quiet with just 12 Dunlin, 9 Ringed Plovers and 50 Turnstones. Two Short-eared Owls were seen at Aust Warth at dusk. Other birds here included 2 Peregrines, 2 Stonechats and a Kingfisher.
November 2nd
Another frosty morning with a slight increase in waders. Sightings from New Passage included a female Common Scoter, male Merlin, a Peregrine, 350 Dunlin, 97 Lapwings, 50 Redshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe and a Little Egret. There were 15 Ringed Plover, just 12 Dunlin and 55 Turnstones at Severn Beach. Another Peregrine and 2 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth. An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
November 1st
A cold and quiet start to the month with the first frost of the autumn. Sightings from New Passage included a female Common Scoter, a male Merlin, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 44 Dunlin, 48 Redshank, 67 Lapwings and 18 Oystercatchers. A visit to Severn Beach produced 11 Ringed Plover on the shore and 11 Gadawall and 2 Stonechats at the Orchard Pools. A Kingfisher and another 2 Stonechats were seen at Aust Warth. A Water Rail, single Chiffchaff and a Stonechat were present at Chittening Warth. The drake Ring-necked Duck remained on the square roadside pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
