December is one of the quietest months with only 154 species recorded during the month. It can be a good month for wildfowl with the chance of Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander and Ruddy Duck if inland waters freeze or some fly by Bewick’s Swans. A good selection of seabirds have occurred in December gales including Black-throated and Great Northern Divers, Leach’s Petrel, Little Auk, Grey Phalarope and Pomarine Skua. Other rarities have included Glaucous Gull and in the winters of 1940 & 1941, Cirl Bunting.
December 2008
December 31st
A freezing end to the year with day temperatures struggling to reach -2°C following a night time low of -4°C. Reports from New Passage included a Knot, 5 Snipe, 12 Lapwing and the large mixed flock of Wigeon and Teal. The adult male Merlin was seen early this morning on Northwick Warth. Two Short-eared Owls were seen over Aust Warth early afternoon where 3 Snipe, 2 Buzzards, single Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Stonechat were also seen. Sightings from Severn Beach involved 200 Dunlin, 30 Oystercatchers, 15 Curlew, single Redshank and Turnstone, 50 Shelduck and several Rock Pipits from the shore and reports from the almost completely frozen Orchard Pools included a Firecrest, 2 Tufted Duck, 9 Coot and a Green Woodpecker. The ice free square pool at Avonmouth Sewage Works produced an adult Mediterranean Gull with 100 Black-headed Gulls, 26 Gadwall, 24 Teal, 32 Shoveler, 6 Pochard and 28 Tufted Duck.
Coot, Severn Beach 31.12.8
December 30th
No change in the cold weather. Sightings from the shore at Severn Beach included a Merlin, 105 Redshank, 330 Dunlin, a Snipe, 15 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 2 Rock Pipits and a Stonechat. Eleven Black-tailed Godwits, 25 Redshank, a Snipe, 290 Wigeon, 95 Teal and a Gadwall were reported from the New Passage area. Another 430 Dunlin, 114 Wigeon, 140 Teal, 45 Redshank, 2 Stonechats and a Rock Pipit were reported from Aust Warth.
Rock Pipit, Aust Warth 30.12.8 © John Martin
December 29th
The cold spell continued with a day time maximum of just 3°C. A brief visit to New Passage produced 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Oystercatchers, 30 Redshank, 200 Wigeon, 100 Teal and 20 Shelduck. The cold weather caused some interesting visitors to Severn Beach gardens including a Coal Tit, male and female Blackcaps and 2 Stonechats! Additional sightings from Severn Beach included a drake Goldeneye, 3 Gadwall, 30 Redshank and a Peregrine from the shore near “the pipes” and 16 Gadwall, 5 Tufted Duck, single Shoveler, Teal, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, a pair of Sparrowhawks, 3 Bullfinches and 8 Long-tailed Tits at the Orchard Pools. Another 76 Oystercatchers and a Grey Wagtail were seen at Chittening Warth. Three Short-eared Owls were reported over Aust Warth (with the first 2 at the earlier time of 14.40) where 2 Ravens, 5 Rock Pipits, 3 Snipe and 2 Stonechats were also present. A Little Grebe, 41 Tufted Duck, 32 Gadwall, 23 Teal, 26 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, a Ruddy Duck and a Green Woodpecker were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Stonechat, Aust Warth 29.12.8 © John Martin
Blackcap, Severn Beach 29.12.8 © Ray Cottrell
December 28th
Another cold start and a bone chilling North East wind. Nine Black-tailed Godwits, 230 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 3 Turnstones, 90 Oystercatchers, 120 Wigeon, 100 Teal and 20 Shelduck were seen from New Passage. Another 500 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 200 Lapwing and 5 Grey Plover were seen from the north end of Northwick Warth. Sightings from Severn Beach included a drake Goldeneye, 6 Tufted Ducks and 3 Gadwall on the partially frozen Orchard Pools and 2 Stonechats, 25 Shelduck, 50 Curlew and 30 Redshank from the shore. A Short-eared Owl eventually showed on Aust Warth at 16.45 where 2 Peregrines showed earlier in better light.
Goldeneye, Severn Beach 28.12.8
December 27th
A bright and sunny day following cold night (-2°C) and a North East wind. The star find was an adult Ring-billed Gull that flew upriver close to shore at New Passage. This was part of a very heavy gull movement involving many hundreds of Herring, Lesser Black-backed, Great Black-backed, Common and Black-headed Gulls all heading upriver low into the stiff wind. The first 4 Bewick’s Swans since 2004 dropped briefly onto Northwick Warth before being flushed by dogs and heading off North. Other sightings from Northwick Warth included the first 3 White-fronted Geese of the year (that eventually headed North over Aust Warth), 20 Shelduck, 100 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 200 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 40 Oystercatchers, 70 Lapwing, a Jack Snipe and 11 Snipe. Reports from Severn Beach included 32 Shelduck, 40 Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew, 4 Turnstones, a Kingfisher and a Stonechat from the shore and nearby a Water Rail, 7 Tufted Duck and 8 Gadwall at the Orchard Pools. A bitterly cold afternoon visit to Aust Warth produced a male Merlin, 2 Peregrines, a Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 250 Wigeon and eventually a Short-eared Owl at 16.35 when most of the Owl watchers had just departed. Reports from Avonmouth Sewage Works included 22 Gadwall, 20 Teal, 23 Shoveler, 7 Pochard, 41 Tufted Duck, single Ruddy Duck and Snipe.
Bewick’s Swans, Northwick Warth 27.12.8
Bewick’s Swans, Northwick Warth 27.12.8
Bewick’s Swans, Northwick Warth 27.12.8
White-fronted Geese, Northwick Warth 27.12.8
December 26th
A cold but sunny day with a penetrating East wind. A brief low tide visit to the salt marsh at Severn Beach produced 2 Stonechats, single Snipe, Water Pipit and Rock Pipit. Two Short-eared Owls eventually appeared on Aust Warth at 4pm where 40 Lapwing and 2 each of Raven, Peregrine, Kestrel and cock Pheasant were also seen.
December 25th
A quiet day with few people out looking. Two Snipe, 2 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Ducks and 2 Kestrels were reported from the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach. A brief late afternoon visit to Aust Warth produced 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Ravens, a Peregrine and 2 Kestrels.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 25.12.8
December 24th
A Firecrest, 3 calling Water Rails, 10 Gadwall and 3 Tufted Ducks were reported from the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach. The usual 10 Redshank, 20 Oystercatchers, 150 Dunlin, 14 Common Gulls, 12 Shelduck, Wigeon and Teal flocks were seen from New Passage. Two Merlins (adult male and female/immature), at least 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Ravens, 2 Kestrels and a cock Pheasant were seen at Aust Warth.
December 23rd
A damp day with mist and drizzle. Sightings from Northwick Warth included the male Merlin before it was flushed by a Short-eared Owl, a Little Egret, 47 Oystercatchers, 10 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 16 Shelduck, the Wigeon and Teal flock, 20 Common Gulls and 2 Ravens. Two Water Rails, 6 Gadwall and a Tufted Duck remained on the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach. The adult male Merlin was relocated on Aust Warth where despite the drizzle, 4 Short-eared Owls, 2 Ravens, a Kestrel and a cock Pheasant were also seen.
December 22nd
An overcast but settled day. Sightings from New Passage involved just 79 Oystercatchers, 10 Redshanks, 19 Common Gulls, 17 Shelduck, the mixed Wigeon and Teal flock and a Peregrine that flushed everything. Reports from the Severn Beach shore included another 69 Oystercatchers, 19 Redshank, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls and a Stonechat and nearby 4 Gadwall and 2 Tufted Ducks remained at the Orchard Pools. An adult male Merlin, at least 2 Short-eared Owls, single Raven, Kestrel and Buzzard were seen at Aust Warth this afternoon. Two Green Sandpipers were seen on the Hoar Gout/VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
December 21st
A windy day with little to report. Reports from Severn Beach included a Water Rail, 5 Tufted Duck, a Raven, 4 Bullfinches and 3 Goldcrests from the Orchard Pools and 160 Turnstones and 5 Ringed Plover from the estuary.
A Peregrine, 34 Oystercatchers and 12 Shelduck were seen from New Passage. At least 2 Short-eared Owls, a Merlin, 2 Ravens and 2 cock Pheasants were reported from Aust Warth this afternoon. A Green Sandpiper, 18 Gadwall, 18 Teal, 32 Tufted Duck, 22 Shoveler, single Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woddpecker were seen at Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Goldcrest, Severn Beach 21.12.8
December 20th
Another breezy day. The 2 Firecrests were reported again from the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach where 6 Gadwall and 4 Tufted Ducks were also present. Sightings from the seawall at Severn Beach included 170 Turnstones, 100 Curlew, 60 Redshank, 30 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plover, 37 Oystercatchers, 20 Shelduck, 4 Rock Pipits and a Brambling. At least 3 Short-eared Owls were showing well over Aust Warth this afternoon where a Little Egret, 2 Peregrines, 2 Buzzards, a Kestrel, 2 Ravens and a Stonechat were also seen. Click HERE for map/aerial view of the Firecrest location marked by a red circle.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 20.12.8
Short-eared Owls, Aust Warth 20.12.8
December 19th
An increasingly breezy day. Sightings from Severn Beach involved 57 Oystercatchers, 15 Turnstones, 5 Redshank, 2 Snipe, 22 Shelduck and a Stonechat from the shore and 4 Tufted Ducks on the Orchard Pools. Another 12 Shelduck, 150 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 12 Oystercatchers, 17 Redshank, just 7 Dunlin and 5 Pied Wagtails were seen from New Passage. A Water Rail, a Stonechat and a Buzzard were reported from Aust Warth.
December 18th
A damp and grey day. A Water Pipit was seen with 15 Meadow Pipits and 4 Pied Wagtails on Northwick Warth where 3 Jack Snipe and 17 Snipe were flushed from the Grebe Pond. Sightings from New Passage included just 100 Dunlin, 25 Redshank, 7 Oystercatchers, 32 Curlew, 12 Shelduck and fewer Wigeon and Teal. Another Jack Snipe, 3 Tufted Duck and 8 Gadwall were seen at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach and sightings from the estuary involved 20 Shelduck, 60 Redshank and 30 Dunlin. The adult male Merlin was seen perched on Aust Warth mid afternoon before it once again flew off inland.
December 17th
Sightings from New Passage included 500 Dunlin, 100 Curlew, 12 Redshank, 12 Turnstones, 2 Lapwing, 12 Shelduck, 250 Wigeon, 150 Teal and a Peregrine. Another 200 Dunlin and 62 Redshank were reported from Severn Beach. Four Short-eared Owls were seen simultaneously over Aust Warth mid afternoon where other sightings included 2 Ravens, 2 Buzzards, a Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk, 100 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 30 Redshank, 20 Curlew, 2 Snipe, 2 Rock Pipits, 2 Stonechats and 2 cock Pheasants.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 17.12.8
December 16th
The male Merlin was seen at New Passage with the usual 500 Dunlin, 10 Redshank, 18 Oystercatchers, 14 Turnstones, 10 Shelduck, 250 Wigeon and 140 Teal. Reports from Severn Beach included 180 Dunlin, 35 Turnstones and 25 Redshank from the shore, 2 Tufted Duck and 4 Gadwall at the Orchard Pools and a Coal Tit was seen in a garden. Three Short-eared Owls, the male Merlin, a Peregrine, 2 Buzzards, 2 Ravens and a cock Pheasant were reported from Aust Warth.
December 15th
Sightings from New Passage included 200 Dunlin, 10 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 2 Shoveler, 250 Wigeon and 140 Teal.
Another 250 Dunlin and 30 Redshank were reported from the shore at Severn Beach and nearby there were 2 Water Rails, 2 Tufted Duck and 6 Gadwall on the Orchard Pools. Three Short-eared Owls were present over Aust Warth from 12.35 where 2 Snipe, single Peregrine, Raven and Stonechat were also seen.
December 14th
A bright and sunny day following a cold night (-2°C). Reports from Severn Beach included a Water Pipit, 3 Rock Pipits, 2 Stonechats, 150 Dunlin and 10 Shelduck from the shore, a Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, 6 Tufted Duck, 8 Gadwall, 9 Coot at the Orchard Pools and a male Blackcap in a garden. Sightings from New Passage included 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 500 Dunlin, 12 Redshank, 20 Oystercatchers, 6 Common Gulls, 250 Wigeon and 150 Teal. A male Merlin was seen nearby on Northwick Warth. Three Short-eared Owls, 2 Peregrines, single Stonechat and cock Pheasant were reported at Aust Warth.
Merlin, Northwick Warth 14.12.8 © Richard Bowerman
December 13th
A dreary grey and damp day following a night of torrential rain. Sightings from New Passage included the usual 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Lapwing, 20 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 600 Dunlin, 4 Turnstones, 8 Shoveler, 240 Wigeon, 150 Teal and 10 Shelduck. A Jack Snipe, 7 Snipe and 2 Water Rails were reported from the Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth. A Visit to the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach was eventful, producing 2 Firecrests together, the first Treecreeper and first Woodcock of the year, 3 Goldcrests, 6 Long-tailed Tits, a party of 5 Bullfinches, a Lesser Redpoll, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Water Rail and the usual 10 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck and 8 Coot. A male Blackcap in a Severn Beach garden was the first of the winter and another 28 Redshank, 31 Oystercatchers, 120 Dunlin and 40 Turnstones were seen from the shore here.At least 3 Short-eared Owls continued to show well on Aust Warth this afternoon where 2 cock Pheasants, single Kingfisher, Peregrine and Raven were also present. A Green Sandpiper, a Snipe, 34 Gadwall, 31 Tufted Duck, 11 Shoveler, 3 Pochard and 2 Green Woodpeckers were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works. Many thanks to Richard Bowerman for providing the excellent flight shot below of one of the very popular Owls.
Firecrest, Severn Beach 13.12.8
Firecrest, Severn Beach 13.12.8
Firecrest, Severn Beach 13.12.8
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 13.12.8 © Richard Bowerman
December 12th
An adult Yellow-legged Gull remained at New Passage where other sightings included 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 600 Dunlin, 85 Lapwing, a Knot, 30 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 250 Wigeon and 140 Teal. Nearby a Jack Snipe, 10 Snipe and a Water Rail were found around the Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth. Reports from Severn Beach involved 100 Dunlin and 40 Turnstones from the shore and 6 Tufted Duck and 8 Gadwall at the Orchard Pools.
At least 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Ravens, a Peregrine, a Kestrel, 3 cock Pheasants and 3 Stonechats were seen on Aust Warth this afternoon.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 12.12.8
December 11th
An icy start (-3°C) to a dry day. An adult Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Common Gulls, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 600 Dunlin, 20 Redshank, 54 Oystercatchers, a female Goldeneye, 200 Wigeon and 120 Teal were reported from New Passage. A Barn Owl and a Jack Snipe were seen on Northwick Warth early this morning. Eleven Gadwall and 3 Bullfinches were seen at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach. At least 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 cock Pheasants and Stonechat were reported from Aust Warth.
December 10th
Sightings from New Passage included 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 44 Lapwing, 60 Oystercatchers, 25 Redshank, 150 Dunlin, 200 Wigeon and 120 Teal. Four Tufted Duck and 4 Gadwall remained on the nearly frozen Orchard Pools at Severn Beach. At least 3 Short-eared Owls were seen over Aust Warth where a Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, a Snipe, a Stonechat and 3 cock Pheasants were also seen. A Green Sandpiper, 49 Tufted Ducks, 33 Gadwall, 24 Teal, 11 Shoveler, 8 Pochard, 2 Little Grebes and 2 Mute Swans were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 10.12.8
© Andy Rouse
December 9th
A return to frosty conditions this morning. Sightings from New Passage included 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 23 Redshank, 49 Oystercatchers, 150 Dunlin, 4 Turnstones and the usual Wigeon and Teal flocks. An immature male Merlin, 4 Short-eared Owls, 2 Buzzards, 2 Peregrines, a Kestrel, a Raven, a Kingfisher, 50 Teal and 3 cock Pheasants were seen at Aust Warth (the first 2 Owls appeared early at 12.45 pm).
December 8th
A frost free but damp day. Sightings from New Passage included 9 Black-tailed Godwits, a Knot, 130 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 20 Oystercatchers, 16 Common Gulls, 240 Wigeon, 120 Teal, single Shoveler and Peregrine. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was seen at New Pill, Severn Beach where other sightings from the shore involved 63 Redshank, 30 Dunlin, 48 Oystercatchers and 26 Shelduck. Nearby 5 Tufted Duck and 4 Gadwall remained on the Orchard Pools. Four Short-eared Owls were seen again over Aust Warth with the first appearing at 1.10pm and other sightings from here involved a Raven, a Snipe and 3 cock Pheasants. A Firecrest was the star find at Avonmouth Sewage Works, seen in Brambles within the Avon Wildlife Trust reserve where 3 Mute Swans, 33 Gadwall, 18 Teal, 37 Shoveler, 48 Tufted Ducks, single Stonechat and Goldcrest were also seen.
December 7th
A freezing (-5°C) and foggy start with the fog clearing by midday.The male Merlin, 2 Jack Snipe, 5 Snipe, a Water Rail, 240 Wigeon, 120 Teal, 150 Lapwing and a Stonechat were reported from Northwick Warth. A visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced 80 Oystercatchers, 70 Redshank, 40 Turnstones, 100 Dunlin, 4 Knot, 2 Snipe, 2 Ringed Plover, 40 Shelduck, 17 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, a Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipits and 2 Stonechats. At least 5 Short-eared Owls were seen from Aust Warth this afternoon along with a Little Egret, 2 Stonechats and a cock Pheasant and finally a Barn Owl appeared at dusk. Scroll down the page to December 5th to see some stunning Owl shots taken by and kindly supplied by Gary Thoburn.
December 6th
A cool, dry and sunny day. Sightings from New Passage included 30 Lapwing, 150 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 6 Curlew, 18 Oystercatchers, 250 Wigeon, 140 Teal, 10 Shelduck and 2 Stonechats. Five Snipe were flushed nearby from the Grebe Pond on Northwick Warth. Another 60 Oystercatchers, 20 Shelduck and 30 Turnstones were reported from Severn Beach. Three Short-eared Owls performed well over Aust Warth for the 40 plus observers. Other sightings from here included 2 Ravens, another 2 Stonechats and 3 cock Pheasants. A Water Rail, a Kingfisher, 17 Oystercatchers and 2 Chiffchaffs were reported from Chittening Warth.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 6.12.8
Stonechat, New Passage 6.12.8 © John Martin
December 5th
A visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced a Water Pipit, 2 Rock Pipits, 20 Shelduck, 200 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover and 30 Turnstones. A Jack Snipe, 17 Snipe, a Water Rail and 30 Lapwing were reported from Northwick Warth. Three Short-eared Owls were seen again on Aust Warth this afternoon where a Jack Snipe was flushed by one of the Owls and a Peregrine, a Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 2 Ravens, a Grey Wagtail, a Kingfisher and a cock Pheasant were also seen. A Great Crested Grebe, 28 Gadwall, 20 Teal, 11 Shoveler, 3 Pochard, 33 Tufted Duck, 3 Ruddy Duck, a Green Sandpiper and a Buzzard were reported from Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 5.12.8 © Gary Thoburn
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 5.12.8 © Gary Thoburn
Rock Pipit, Severn Beach 5.12.8
December 4th
A Knot, 150 Dunlin, 27 Redshank, 35 Lapwing, 15 Shelduck, 120 Wigeon, 100 Teal and 4 Common Gulls were reported from New Passage. Another 200 Dunlin and 30 Redshank were seen from Severn Beach and 5 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck and a Little Grebe remained at the Orchard Pools.
December 3rd
An icy start to the day. The male Merlin, just 30 Dunlin, 12 Turnstones, 5 Redshank and the usual Wigeon and Teal flocks were reported from New Passage. Another 500 Dunlin, 90 Redshank and a Knot were seen at New Pill, Severn Beach. Three Short-eared Owls were seen on Aust Warth from 1.30pm where the male Merlin put in an appearance along with 2 Kestrels, a Buzzard and a female Sparrowhawk. Sightings from Avonmouth Sewage Works included a Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebes, 30 Gadwall, 22 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, 51 Tufted Duck, 3 Ruddy Duck, 2 Chiffchaffs, single Green Sandpiper, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Grey Wagtail.
December 2nd
An adult Mediterranean Gull, 200 Dunlin, 35 Redshank, 22 Oystercatchers, 120 Wigeon, 100 Teal and a Peregrine were reported from New Passage. Sightings from Severn Beach included an unusual winter record of a Little Stint, 300 Dunlin, 36 Redshank, 50 Turnstones, 12 Shelduck and 2 Stonechats from the shore and 6 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Ducks and a Little Grebe remained nearby on the Orchard Pools. Three Short-eared Owls were seen again over Aust Warth (the first individual appearing at 1.05pm) where a male Merlin, 2 Ravens and 2 Kestrels were also seen.
December 1st
A frosty start to the month with a dawn temperature of -3°C. Sightings from New Passage involved just 200 Dunlin, 14 Oystercatchers, 12 Redshank, 120 Wigeon, 100 Teal and a Peregrine with prey being mobbed by a Kestrel. Another 230 Dunlin, 10 Redshank and 8 Shelduck were seen from the shore at Severn Beach and nearby 9 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Teal and a Little Grebe were present on the partly frozen Orchard Pools. Three Short-eared Owls were reported at Aust Warth this afternoon. Reports from Avonmouth Sewage Works involved a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Mute Swans, 3 Cormorants, 31 Gadwall, 20 Teal, 17 Shoveler, 4 Pochard, 48 Tufted Duck, 4 Ruddy Duck and a Chiffchaff.
