July is the equal quietest month on Severnside with only 146 species having been recorded. It does have a more optimistic feeling to it than June, with the appearance of returning waders and in recent years the regular appearance of Little Egret, Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Herring Gulls (usually towards the end of the month). Unusual species seen have included dispersing Crossbill, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Goshawk and a Stone Curlew (1999). A strong July gale has yet to happen but could produce some real seabird goodies....
July 2008
July 31st
The adult Mediterranean Gull reappeared at New Passage this evening where other sightings today included at least 10 Common Sandpipers, 10 Turnstones, 5 Dunlin, 22 Redshank, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Herons, 30 Curlew, 200 Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull and 4 Grey Wagtails. An evening visit to the Severn Beach salt marsh produced 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Whimbrel, 5 Dunlin and 4 Grey Herons.
Little Ringed Plover, Severn Beach 31.7.8
July 30th
Sightings from New Passage included 6 Common Sandpipers, 12 Turnstones, 24 Redshank, 18 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 4 Oystercatchers, a Teal, 300 Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull and an adult Great Black-backed Gull. Two Black-tailed Godwits were seen flying south from Chittening Warth and a Whimbrel was seen at Severn Beach. Two Peregrines were reported from Aust Warth. Reports from Avonmouth Sewage Works involved 4 Green Sandpipers and a juvenile Grey Wagtail.
July 29th
A cooler day with a moderate strength South wind. Sightings from New Passage included an adult Common Tern, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Common Sandpipers, 20 Dunlin, 14 Turnstones, 15 Redshank, 6 Oystercatchers, a Kingfisher, 4 Grey Wagtails, 3 Garden Warblers, a Blackcap, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 5 Chiffchaffs. An afternoon high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 4 Whimbrel. Two Common Sandpipers were seen at Chittening Warth and 3 Green Sandpipers and another Common Sandpiper were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works.
July 28th
A hot (28°C) and humid day with thunderstorms from late afternoon. Sightings from New Passage involved just a Little Egret, 18 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Turnstones, 6 Oystercatchers, 120 Black-headed Gulls and an adult Common Gull. Two Green Sandpipers and a Common Sandpiper were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works and another Common Sandpiper and the first 2 Teal of the autumn were seen nearby on the Hoar Gout/VOSA pool
July 27th
Another scorcher (26°C). Sightings from New Passage included the Little Egret, 21 Redshank and 9 Turnstones. The adult Mediterranean Gull was seen with Black-headed Gulls hawking insects high above the Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth where other sightings included a Whinchat, juvenile Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats. A visit to Cake Pill at Aust Warth produced 2 Whimbrel, 27 Redshank and 5 Common Sandpipers. At least 112 Small Red-eyed Damselflies were counted at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach. A remarkable total considering the first few for South Gloucestershire were found here just 2 years ago.
Mediterranean Gull, Northwick Warth 27.7.8
July 26th
The hot spell continued. The adult Mediterranean Gull remained at New Passage where other reports included a Little Egret, 5 Common Sandpipers, 7 Turnstones, 18 Redshank, 7 Oystercatchers and a juvenile Dunlin. Reports from Severn Beach included 3 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Oystercatchers, 8 Dunlin and 10 Curlew. At least 8 Small Red-eyed Damselflies were seen at the Orchard Pools this afternoon.
Little Egret, New Passage 25.7.8
July 25th
A sunny and warm day with a good variety of sightings. The moulting adult Mediterranean Gull, a Greenshank, a Whimbrel, a Little Egret, 22 Redshank, 8 Turnstones, 4 Common Sandpipers, 7 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plover, 30 Curlew, 200 Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull and 3 Grey Wagtails were seen from New Passage. A search of Northwick Warth produced a Green Sandpiper, 4 Little Grebes, a juvenile Whinchat, juvenile Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers and Whitethroats, 4 Sand Martins and dozens of Swifts. Sightings from Severn Beach included 5 Whimbrel, 50 Curlew, 3 Common Sandpipers and 2 Ringed Plovers. A Kingfisher, another 8 Common Sandpipers and 26 Redshank were seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth.
Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 25.7.8
July 24th
Another scorcher with the temperature passing 26°C with an East wind. A Little Egret, 2 Common Sandpipers, 24 Redshank, 3 Oystercatchers, 50 Curlew, a Ringed Plover, 250 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Ravens were seen from New Passage. A Greenshank, 4 Dunlin and an Oystercatcher were reported from Severn Beach. Sightings from Avonmouth Sewage Works included 2 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Ruddy Duck, 6 Lapwings and 5 Green Sandpipers.
July 23rd
An even hotter day (25°C). The adult Mediterranean Gull, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 37 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Dunlin, 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Turnstones, 60 Curlew, a Kingfisher and 3 Ravens were reported from New Passage. Another 2 Common Sandpipers were seen at Aust Warth and 2 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach.
July 22nd
A sunny and warm day (23°C). Sightings from New Passage included the adult Mediterranean Gull, a Common Sandpiper, 22 Redshank, 10 Oystercatchers and 5 Ravens. A Green Sandpiper was found on one of the few remaining wet puddles on Northwick Warth. Just 4 Dunlin were reported from Severn Beach. Reports from Avonmouth Sewage Works involved 2 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Little Grebes, 3 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 12 Gadwall and 7 Tufted Ducks.
July 21st
An adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Common Sandpipers, 4 Turnstones, 22 Redshank, 12 Oystercatchers and a Grey Seal were seen from New Passage this morning. There were 3 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover at Severn Beach this evening.
July 20th
Sightings from New Passage included a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Turnstones, 20 Oystercatchers, 90 Curlew, 2 Shelduck broods, 240 Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull, 2 Grey Wagtails, the first 3 juvenile Yellow Wagtails of the autumn and at least 10 Swifts heading west. A visit to Cake Pill at Aust Warth produced 50 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 20 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpipers and another 18 Shelduck ducklings from 3 broods. Another 10 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach. Five Green Sandpipers and 2 Little Grebes were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Yellow Wagtails, New Passage 20.7.8
July 19th
Sightings from New Passage included 4 Common Sandpipers, 10 Redshank, 5 Dunlin, 24 Oystercatchers, 120 Curlew, 3 Ravens and 2 Grey Wagtails. Another 30 Curlew and 2 Whimbrel were reported from Severn Beach.
July 18th
Three Common Sandpipers, 10 Redshank and 6 Oystercatchers were seen from New Passage. Sightings from Severn Beach included 3 Whimbrel, 400 Black-headed Gulls and a Peregrine. An adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, a Great Crested Grebe and 2 Ruddy Ducks were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works.
July 17th
Sightings from New Passage today included 2 Common Sandpipers, 19 Dunlin, 10 Redshank, 12 Oystercatchers, 120 Curlew, 220 Black-headed Gulls, a Great Black-backed Gull and 5 Ravens. The best find of the autumn so far involved 2 Wood Sandpipers with 3 Green Sandpipers at Avonmouth Sewage Works in a working area not open to the public. The evening high tide produced 3 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin and 3 Whimbrel at Severn Beach.
Sanderling, Severn Beach 17.7.8
July 16th
Much the same today, at least the tides are getting bigger and bringing the birds closer. The usual Little Egret, 4 Common Sandpipers, 7 Redshank and 9 Oystercatchers were seen from New Passage this morning. A Little Ringed Plover, 6 Green Sandpipers and a Common Sandpiper were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works and nearby another Green Sandpiper and Little Grebe were found on the Hoar Gout/VOSA pool. Sightings from Severn Beach this evening included 110 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, 13 Redshank, 36 Dunlin and 2 Sand Martins.
July 15th
A Little Egret, 4 Common Sandpipers, 6 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers and 3 Grey Wagtails were reported from New Passage. An evening high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 2 Whimbrel, a summer plumaged Knot, a Redshank and 23 Dunlin.
July 14th
Reports from New Passage involved just 4 Common Sandpipers, 6 Redshank, 4 Oystercatchers and a single Dunlin. A flock of 24 Dunlin and a Sanderling were seen on the afternoon high tide at Severn Beach. Sightings from Avonmouth Sewage Works included a Little Ringed Plover, 5 Green Sandpipers, a Great Crested Grebe, 5 Little Grebes, 13 Tufted Duck, 11 Gadwall and at least 7 Reed Warblers.
July 13th
A Little Egret, 16 Redshank, 6 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 12 Oystercatchers, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 2 adult Great Black-backed Gulls and 2 Grey Wagtails were seen from New Passage. Just 24 Dunlin and 120 Black-headed Gulls were reported from Severn Beach.
July 12th
An afternoon high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 5 Sanderling, 50 Dunlin and 2 Redshank. Another 7 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpipers, 4 Redshank, 14 Oystercatchers and 40 Curlew were seen from New Passage.
July 11th
Reports from New Passage included 10 Black-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, 4 Common Sandpipers, 2 Turnstones, 7 Redshank, 14 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, at least 250 Black-headed Gulls and a Kingfisher. A Peregrine, 12 Curlew and a Redshank were seen at Severn Beach.
July 10th
A drier day and a small number of returning migrant waders. Sightings from New Passage included 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Sanderling, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Redshank, 8 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, at least 200 Black-headed Gulls, a Kingfisher and 2 Grey Wagtails. A Green Sandpiper was found this evening on puddles at Northwick Warth and 4 Sand Martins flew south. An adult Dunlin was seen at Severn Beach. Another 2 Common Sandpipers and 5 Kestrels (including a melanistic bird) were reported from Chittening Warth. At least 10 Green Sandpipers, a Little Ringed Plover and 4 Lapwings were seen on a “sludge lagoon” at Avonmouth Sewage Works (in a private area).
July 9th
A very wet day. The only species reported from New Passage were 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Redshank, 4 Oystercatchers, 12 Curlew and at least 200 Black-headed Gulls.
July 8th
A dry and breezy day. Sightings from New Passage included 7 Common Scoter, 4 Common Sandpipers, 5 Redshank, 8 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, at least 200 Black-headed Gulls, 3 young Ravens, a juvenile Sparrowhawk that perched on a cow, a Hobby and 2 Sand Martins. Reports from elsewhere involved a Hobby at Severn Beach, a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Common Sandpipers, 13 Gadwall (including 2 broods), 20 Tufted Ducks (plus one brood) and 2 Ruddy Ducks at Avonmouth Sewage Works.
July 7th
Sightings from New Passage included 8 Common Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 11 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, at least 100 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Grey Wagtails. Reports from Aust Warth included 2 Peregrines, another 2 Common Sandpipers, a party of 5 Shelduck ducklings and 3 Reed Warblers.
July 6th
A day of sunshine and heavy showers. Sightings from New Passage included the adult Mediterranean Gull, a Whimbrel, 8 Common Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 70 Curlew, 200 Black-headed Gulls, a Peregrine, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Stock Dove.
Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 6.7.8
July 5th
A morning visit to New Passage and Northwick Warth produced 2 Common Terns, 5 Common Sandpipers, a Whimbrel, 6 Redshank, 80 Curlew, 18 Oystercatchers, 150 Black-headed Gulls, a pair of Little Grebes with 3 young and 2 Shelduck broods. At least 3 Sand Martins were seen with the local House Martins and Swallows at Severn Beach.
Oystercatchers, Northwick Warth 5.7.8
July 4th
Three Common Sandpipers, 6 Redshank, 14 Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew and 160 Black-headed Gulls were seen from New Passage. Another Common Sandpiper and 18 Tufted Ducks were reported from the square pool at Avonmouth Sewage Works.
July 3rd
Sightings from New Passage today included the adult Mediterranean Gull, at least 100 Black-headed Gulls, an adult Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Whimbrel (calling and flying south), 120 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, 4 Common Sandpipers and 3 Grey Wagtails. Another 120 Black-headed Gulls, 12 Curlew and a Peregrine were reported from Severn Beach.
July 2nd
The adult Mediterranean Gull was relocated on Northwick Warth and was still present this evening with 200 Black-headed Gulls (including 8 juveniles). Other sightings here included 35 Shelduck, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 14 Oystercatchers and an impressive 170 Curlew. Another 3 juvenile Black-headed Gulls and 24 Curlew were reported from Severn Beach. Two Great Crested Grebes and a Little Ringed Plover were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Mediterranean Gull, Severn Beach 1.7.8
July 1st
A humid (25°C) and increasingly cloudy day with a Southerly wind. An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen at Severn Beach with 30 Black-headed Gulls (including 3 juveniles) on the evening high tide. Another 40 Black-headed Gulls (2 juveniles), 8 Oystercatchers, 26 Curlew and a Reed Warbler brood were seen at New Passage.
