April is the most productive month of the year in the number of species seen. At least one individual of 194 species have been recorded in April. A month when the last of the “winter” birds depart and most “summer” birds arrive. Birds to expect are at least three Tern species, Skuas, “ sylvia” Warblers, Common Redstarts, Whinchats, Yellow Wagtails with the chance of Pied Flycatcher, Grasshopper Warbler, Wood Warbler and Hobby. Rarer sightings include; Stone Curlew (2006), Slavonian Grebe (1989, 2000), Ring-necked Duck (1988), Sabine’s Gull (1990, 1992), Red-rumped Swallow (1988), Willow Tit (1988), Mealy Redpoll (2004) and Long-eared Owl (2006)
April 2009
April 30th
A wet end to the month with rain for most of the day. Reports from the shore at Severn Beach included a Common Tern, a Sanderling, 2 Whimbrel, a Curlew, 25 Shelduck, 3 Wheatears, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 2 Sedge Warblers. A Great Crested Grebe, 2 Gadwall and 2 Reed Warblers remained nearby at the Orchard Pools. A visit to Northwick Warth produced 4 Whimbrel, a Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 15 Shelduck and a Yellow Wagtail. A Snipe was flushed from the Sea Bank Pools, Chittening Warth.
April 29th
Another quiet day. Reports from Northwick Warth area included 20 Whimbrel, 30 Oystercatchers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler. Sightings from the shore at Severn Beach involved just 23 Shelduck, 2 Whimbrel, 7 Dunlin, a Turnstone, a Wheatear, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler. A Great Crested Grebe, a Little Grebe and 2 Reed Warblers remained at the Orchard Pools. A Coot brood, another Little Grebe, 6 Reed Warblers, 4 Sedge Warblers and 3 Lesser Whitethroats were reported from Chittening Warth.
April 28th
A Merlin was seen early morning at Severn Beach where other reports included a Peregrine, 8 Dunlin, 8 Black-headed Gulls, 5 flyover Yellow Wagtails, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler. A Great Crested Grebe, 2 Gadwall and 2 Reed Warblers remained at the Orchard Pools. At least 18 Whimbrel, 35 Oystercatchers, 30 Shelduck, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, single Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and Garden Warbler were reported from Northwick Warth and 2 Grasshopper Warblers were heard reeling on Aust Warth early morning.
Merlin, Severn Beach 28.4.9
Merlin with breakfast, Severn Beach 28.4.9
April 27th
A wet and windy start to the day with a few dry spells later. An early Manx Sheawater was seen in the murky weather from the shore at Severn Beach where a Knot, 4 Whimbrel, 7 Dunlin and 5 Ringed Plovers were also seen. A Great Crested Grebe and 4 Reed Warblers were reported from the Orchard Pools. Sightings from the Northwick Warth area included 56 Shelduck (plus a displaying ?hybrid Shelduck x Australian Shelduck), 22 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 35 Oystercatchers, 4 Lesser Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler.
Manx Shearwater, Severn Beach 27.4.9
Shelduck and hybrid, Northwick Warth 27.4.9
April 26th
Sightings from the shore at Severn Beach included at least 100 “Commic” Terns (on evening tide), a Sanderling, 25 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 11 Whimbrel, a Great Crested Grebe, 30 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 4 Black-headed Gulls, a Peregrine, a Wheatear, a Yellow Wagtail, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler. A Hobby, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Reed Warblers were reported from the Orchard Pools. A Peregrine, another Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Reed Warblers were reported from the Sea Bank Pools, Chittening Warth. Another 5 Whimbrel, 35 Oystercatchers, 18 Shelduck, a Raven and a Tree Pipit were seen from New Passage.
Whimbrel, Severn Beach 26.4.9
April 25th
The first April record of Woodcock was flushed at the Sea Bank Pools this morning and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard nearby at Chittening Warth. Sightings from the shore at Severn Beach included 9 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Whimbrel, a Sanderling, 13 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Brent Geese (one pale-bellied and 2 dark-bellied), 2 Canada Geese, 20 Shelduck, 22 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Peregrines, the first Swift of the year, 2 Wheatears, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler. Two Great Crested Grebes, a Little Grebe and 3 Reed Warblers remained at the Orchard Pools. A roosting Short-eared Owl was flushed from a ditch on Northwick Warth where other sightings included 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 9 Whimbrel, a Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 6 Dunlin, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 25 Shelduck, 6 Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Wheatears, 2 Sedge Warblers and 3 Lesser Whitethroats.
April 24th
A few new migrants on another dry day. Sightings from Northwick Warth included 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Whimbrel, 21 Oystercatchers, 2 Teal, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Wheatear and 3 Buzzards. The second Wood Warbler of the year was found at the Seabank Pools where other reports included single Cetti’s Warbler, Reed Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat and a Grasshopper Warbler was found across the road from here at Chittening Warth. An evening visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced another 15 Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, at least 10 Sanderling (first of the year), 8 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, a first summer Common Gull, single Wheatear and Lesser Whitethroat and nearby 2 Great Crested Grebes, a Little Grebe, 2 Gadwall and 2 Reed Warblers remained at the Orchard Pools.
Great Crested Grebes, Severn Beach 24.4.9
April 23rd
A warm day with a variety of migrants. Reports from the Severn Beach shore included 25 Whimbrel, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, a Black-headed Gull, single Cuckoo and Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Wheatears and 4 Redpolls. Nearby there were 2 Great Crested Grebes, a Little Grebe, 2 Gadwall and 2 Reed Warblers at the Orchard Pools. Migrants at Northwick Warth included another 3 Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Redshank, a male Whinchat, at least 10 Wheatears, a Yellow Wagtail, 4 Lesser Whitethroats and 2 Sedge Warblers. A Common Sandpiper and 2 Canada Geese were seen on the Hoar Gout pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works and a Cetti’s Warbler was heard at the Honda Pools.
Whimbrel and Bar-tailed Godwits, Severn Beach 23.4.9
Yellow Wagtail, Northwick Warth 23.4.9
April 22nd
Sightings from Northwick Warth included a Wheatear, just 7 Oystercatchers, 18 Shelduck and 2 Black-headed Gulls. A Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Reed Warblers were reported from the Sea Bank Pools at Chittening Warth. A visit to the shore at Severn Beach this evening produced 48 Whimbrel, 6 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 40 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Ducks, a Redpoll, 2 Whitethroats and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. Sightings from the Avonmouth Sewage Works area inckuded 3 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese, a Little Grebe, 10 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 6 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 8 Whitethroats and 3 Lesser Whitethroats.
April 21st
Sightings from Northwick Warth area included 6 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, a Little Egret, a Redshank, 32 Oystercatchers, 20 Shelduck, 2 Wheatears, 2 Garden Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, a White Wagtail and a light passage of Swallows and Sand Martins. A Little Ringed Plover and 2 Canada Geese were reported from the Avonmouth Sewage Works area. A Peregrine and a Short-eared Owl were seen at Aust Warth this evening.
April 20th
Another warm and sunny day. Sightings from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included single Greenshank, Little Egret, Whimbrel, Great Crested Grebe and Canada Goose, 15 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Teal, 30 Shelduck, 2 Black-headed Gulls and a Lesser Whitethroat. A Greenshank, another Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroats and 2 Sedge Warblers were reported from Severn Beach. A male Wheatear, 5 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats and 29 Shelduck were seen at Chittening Warth. A Short-eared Owl was seen at Aust Warth this morning and evening.
April 19th
A warm (18°C) and sunny day. A visit to Northwick Warth produced a Whimbrel, 3 Snipe, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler, 8 Buzzards and a Raven. Nearby a Tree Pipit, 3 Common Sandpipers and 4 Teal were seen at New Passage. An adult Little Gull, 9 Arctic Terns and 6 Whimbrel were reported from Severn Beach. Single Grasshopper Warbler, Reed Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were seen at Chittening Warth. A female Hen Harrier was reported heading North over Aust Warth at midday and a Short-eared Owl was seen perched on driftwood here early evening.
April 18th
A dry day with a strong North East wind. An adult Spotted Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Ringed Plover, 2 Canada Geese, 37 Shelduck, 6 Wheatears, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 4 Sedge Warblers were seen at Chittening Warth. Sightings from Severn Beach included 3 dark morph Arctic Skuas together, an adult Little Gull that flew off high inland, 12 Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, just 3 Dunlin and one Ringed Plover, 13 Black-headed Gulls, a female Merlin trying to catch a Wheatear, 3 Buzzards that flew in across the river from Gwent, 5 Whitethroats and 3 Lesser Whitethroats. Two Common Terns were seen from New Passage and a visit to Northwick Warth produced a Green Sandpiper, 2 Canada Geese, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Wheatears, 3 Buzzards and 2 Kestrels. A female Redstart and another Lesser Whitethroat were reported from the sheep fields at Aust Warth. Another Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper were seen at Avonmouth Sewage Works. Many hundreds of Swallows with Sand Martins, a few House Martins, many Goldfinches (1500/hour) with Linnets continued to head low North East into the wind.
Kestrel, New Passage 18.4.9 © Allan Chard
April 17th
A wet day with an influx of waders and some visible migrants despite the persistent rain.Two Sandwich Terns were seen heading upriver from Severn Beach where other sightings included a Little Egret, 280 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 6 Knot, 3 Whimbrel, 40 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 5 Redshank, 25 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 2 Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull, 9 Wheatears, at least 12 White Wagtails, 4 Tree Pipits, 4 Siskins, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler. Another Whimbrel, a Green Sandpiper, a Lapwing, 35 Oystercatchers, 9 Turnstones, 2 Canada Geese, 30 Shelduck, 4 Teal, 3 Buzzards, 7 Wheatears, a male Redstart and 3 Lesser Whitethroats were reported from the Northwick Warth area. A Short-eared Owl was seen on Aust Warth this evening. A steady passage of Swallows and Goldfinches with a few House Martins and Sand Martins heading North East continued all day.
Sedge Warbler, Severn Beach 17.4.9
Lesser Whitethroat, Severn Beach 17.4.9
April 16th
A day of mixed weather with mist, sunshine and showers. Two singing Grasshopper Warblers were heard at Severn Beach this morning where other reports from the shore included 2 Tree Pipits, a Yellow Wagtail, 5 Wheatears, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Ringed Plover, 4 Curlew and 25 Shelduck and nearby single Reed Warbler, Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk at the Orchard Pools. Another Grasshopper Warbler was found at Chitteniing Warth where Sedge Warblers, 4 Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Yellow Wagtail were also seen . Sightings from Northwick Warth included a Little Egret, 2 Whimbrel, a Green Sandpiper, 6 Snipe, 35 Oystercatchers, 6 Canada Geese, 30 Shelduck, 3 Teal, 2 Little Grebes, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Redpolls, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Whitethroat. A steady movement of Goldfinches and Swallows with a few House Martins and Sand Martins heading North East was observed for most of the day.
Whimbrel, Severn Beach 16.4.9
April 15th
Plenty of visible migration today. Another female Marsh Harrier was seen flying up river from Severn Beach this morning. A representative 2 hour count from Severn Beach and New Passage produced 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Tree Pipits, 110 Meadow Pipits, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 300 Goldfinch, 75 Linnet, 12 Redpolls, 5 Siskins, 150 Swallows, 40 House Martins and 50 Sand Martins. The first Reed Warbler of the year, 2 Gadwall and a Green Woodpecker were reported from the Orchard Pools. A female Merlin, 4 Buzzards, 4 Canada Geese, 30 Shelduck, 5 Teal, 35 Oystercatchers, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Wheatears and a Lesser Whitethroat were seen on Northwick Warth and another Lesser Whitethroat was singing in the Glen at New Passage. Two Short-eared Owls were still present at Aust Warth this evening. Reports from the Avonmouth Sewage Works area involved 2 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall, 2 Common Sandpipers, 60 Swallows, 10 House Martins, 2 Sand Martins, a Cetti’s Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat and a number of Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers. The visible migration continued until dusk with a steady flow of Swallows, House Martins and Goldfinches heading North East despite torrential rain and hail in a thunderstorm late afternoon.
April 14th
Some rain showers in the night grounded a few interesting migrants. The star bird was a singing Wood Warbler at New Passage early this morning where other sightings included a male Redstart, 3 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover. Nearby a Little Egret, 30 Oystercatchers, 30 Shelduck, at least 20 Wheatears, a Lesser Whitethroat and a flyover Tree Pipit were reported from Northwick Warth. Reports from Severn Beach included single Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Green Woodpecker and Lesser Whitethroat. A few Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps, Swallows and Sand Martins were reported throughout the area.
April 13th
Another fine day with a few more and interesting migrants. The highlight of the day was a female Marsh Harrier flying low, South over Northwick Warth where other reports included 3 Little Gulls, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, 35 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, 30 Shelduck, 6 Teal, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Cuckoo, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Redpoll and 4 Wheatears, A White Wagtail was seen on the beach at New Passage.
Two Short-eared Owls were reported this morning from Aust Warth where a Whimbrel, a Canada Goose, 2 cock Pheasants, 4 Ravens and 2 Peregrines were also seen. Sightings at Severn Beach included 35 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 2 Tree Pipits, 11 Redpolls (including probable Mealy Redpolls), 2 Siskins, a Whitethroat, a Wheatear, several Swallows and Sand Martins, singing Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers.
Whitethroat, Severn Beach 14.4.9
April 12th
Another fine spring but a lack of new grounded migrants. Three Whitethroats and 2 Sedge Warblers were reported from Chittening Warth. A Redstart remained at Aust Warth where a dark morph Arctic Skua was seen flying North East at 09.50 and a Yellow Wagtail, 3 Short-eared Owls, 2 Kestrels, 2 cock Pheasants, single Peregrine, Buzzard and Raven were also seen. Sightings from New Passage included a Little Egret, 4 Canada Geese, 30 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 30 Curlew, 35 Oystercatchers and a flyover Tree Pipit. Another Short-eared Owl was seen over the shore at Severn Beach this evening.
Arctic Skua, Aust Warth 12.4.9
a heavily cropped image of the first of the year. Most Skuas are seen further
South from Severn Beach and this individual flew across from Gwent before
heading off inland.
Short-eared Owl with Vole, Aust Warth 12.4.9
April 11th
A fine sunny day with a few new migrants. Sightings from Chittening Warth included 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Whitethroats and 2 Grey Plovers. Reports from Severn Beach included a Whitethroat, 25 Curlew and 50 Shelduck. An impressive 4 adult Peregrines were seen from New Passage (one was feeding on a kill while the others were involved in aerial combat).Other sightings from here included 10 soaring Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, 35 Redshank, 40 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, a Snipe, 30 Shelduck, 10 Teal, a Raven and 2 House Martins. Two male Redstarts and a flyover Tree Pipit were seen in the Aust Warth Sheep fields and at least 2 Short-eared Owls were hunting the shore from 5.15pm. Three Common Sandpipers were found on the Hoar Gout/VOSA pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works. Singing Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were heard again throughout the area.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 11.4.9
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 11.4.9
April 10th
The first Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat of the year were found at Chittening Warth this morning. Reports from the shore at Severn Beach involved a Yellowhammer flying south, 4 Wheatears, 2 singing Willow Warblers, at least 30 Swallows, 4 House Martins, 12 Sand Martins, 30 Shelduck, a Ringed Plover and 2 Black-headed Gulls and nearby the 2 Tufted Duck and 2 Gadwall remained on the Orchard Pools. Sightings from the New Passage area included 2 Canada Geese, 30 Shelduck, 10 Teal, 40 Redshank, 40 Oystercatchers, a Snipe, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Raven, several singing Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers. An adult female Merlin and at least 2 Short-eared Owls were seen at Aust Warth.
Wheatear, Severn Beach 10.4.9
April 9th
A day of rain showers with little coverage and therefore not much to report. Reports from New Passage involved 2 Canada Geese, 20 Shelduck, 10 Teal, 20 Redshank, 15 Curlew and 45 Oystercatchers. An evening visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced a Water Pipit, 2 Wheatears, 40 Shelduck and 3 Ringed Plovers.
April 8th
The Common Sandpiper, 30 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 38 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 2 Ravens, 2 Swallows, a House Martin and 3 Wheatears were seen from New Passage today. A pale-bellied Brent Goose (only third site record), 30 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall and 7 Ringed Plover were seen from the shore at Severn Beach and 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall and a Green Woodpecker remained at the Orchard Pools. The pale-bellied Brent Goose was relocated at Chittening Warth where a summer plumaged Water Pipit, 3 Short-eared Owls and 40 Curlew were also seen. A quick drive north from here to Aust Warth confirmed 3 Short-eared Owls still present along with 29 Shelduck and 3 cock Pheasants. An amazing evening with a total of six Short-eared Owls on the patch.
April 7th
The weather remained the same.The Common Sandpiper remained in the Pill at New Passage where 36 Redshank,
30 Oystercatchers, 38 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 2 Ravens and a Great Black-backed Gull were also reported. Reports from Severn Beach included 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall and a Green Woodpecker at the Orchard Pools and this evening a migrant Little Ringed Plover, 6 Ringed Plover, 20 Shelduck and 5 Black-headed Gulls were seen on the estuary.
A lot of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were heard singing everywhere today.
Little Ringed Plover, Severn Beach 7.4.9
April 6th
A southerly breeze for most of the day with rain by late afternoon produced a few migrants. Sightings from New Passage included a Common Sandpiper, 20 Redshank, 25 Oystercatchers, 14 Teal, 30 Shelduck, 3 Great Black- backed Gulls, 3 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Ravens and 9 Swallows. Two Wheatears were seen nearby on Northwick Warth and another was found at Chittening Warth. Two Gadwall and a Green Woodpecker remained at the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach and at least 2 Short-eared Owls and an immature Merlin were seen on Aust Warth this evening despite the wet weather. A small number of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were heard throughout the area.
April 5th
A quiet day with just a few Willow Warblers, Swallows, Siskins and a small influx of Blackcaps throughout the area being evidence of spring migration. A male Merlin, a Little Egret, 32 Redshank, 44 Oystercatchers, 30 Shelduck, 12 Teal and 8 Black-headed Gulls were reported from the New Passage area. A single summer plumaged Dunlin and 6 Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach. Sightings from Aust Warth this afternoon included 3 Short-eared Owls, 3 Pheasants, single Redpoll, Raven, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Kestrel and Buzzard.
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 5.4.9
April 4th
A Severnside rarity in the form of a Marsh Tit was reported on Northwick Warth this morning where other reports involved an immature Merlin, a Peregrine, 3 Buzzards, a female Wheatear, 2 Willow Warblers, at least 8 singing Chiffchaffs, 4 Snipe, 30 Redshank, 2 Shoveler, 40 Shelduck and 22 Teal. Two Knot, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank and 30 Shelduck were seen from the shore at Severn Beach. An evening visit to Aust Warth produced 3 Short-eared Owls (the first appeared at 6.30pm), a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, 2 Buzzards, a Raven, 3 Pheasants, 2 Sand Martins and 2 Green Woodpeckers. Another Willow Warbler and a Cetti’s Warbler were heard at Avonmouth Sewage Works.
April 3rd
A foggy morning with river mist lingering all afternoon. A male Redstart at New Passage and a male Yellow Wagtail at Northwick Warth were both surprise early migrants. Other reports from the New Passage area included 40 Shelduck, 24 Teal, 26 Redshank, 6 Snipe, small parties of Swallows, House Martins, Sand Martins passing through, 3 Wheatears, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Ravens, single Siskin and Green Woodpecker. A Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, 2 Kestrels and a Little Grebe were present at Chittening Warth and 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Swallows were reported nearby from the Avonmouth Sewage Works area.Two Tufted Ducks, 2 Buzzards and 2 Blackcaps were reported from the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach. Another 2 singing Blackcaps and 3 Pheasants were reported from Aust Warth.
Redstart, New Passage 3.4.9
April 2nd
Sightings from the New Passage area involved a female Wheatear, 2 Ravens, 4 Swallows, 30 Shelduck, 15 Teal and 25 Oystercatchers. Another 7 Swallows and 2 Sand Martins were reported from the sea wall at Severn Beach and the usual 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Buzzards, single Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen nearby at the Orchard Pools. A trickle of Swallows, Linnets and Meadow Pipits were seen over Aust Warth.
Buzzard, Aust Warth 1.4.9
April 1st
A dry and sunny start to the month. Sightings from the New Passage area included 2 Shoveler, 16 Teal, 28 Shelduck, 35 Curlew, 24 Oystercatchers, 10 Redshank, a Snipe and a Green Woodpecker. A Wheatear, a Peregrine and 10 Turnstones were seen from the shore at Severn Beach and 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 singing Blackcaps were reported nearby at the Orchard Pools.Two Little Ringed Plovers were seen again near Avonmouth Sewage Works. An evening visit to Aust Warth produced a male Merlin, An unusual white headed/white bodied Buzzard, 2 cock Pheasants, a Little Egret but no sign of any Owls by 8pm. At least 3 Brimstone butterflies were seen throughout the area today.
