SEVERNSIDE BIRDS






























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Following two of the quietest months of the year, August can be an interesting month with a total of 169 species having been recorded during this month. The numbers and variety of waders increase, as do the numbers of migrating warblers, Whinchat and Wheatears. Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls are expected. Rarities in August have included Slavonian Grebe (1996), Red Crested Pochard (1998), Goshawk, Osprey, Sabine’s Gull, Kentish Plover, White-rumped Sandpiper (1995, 2001), Grey Phalarope, Wryneck (1976,1984 and 2003), Marsh Warbler (2009) and Red-backed Shrike (2003).

August 2010



August 31st
The first Ruff of the year was reported at Aust Warth where a Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank, 10 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Garden Warblers, 2 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaffs and single Lesser Whitethroat and Wheatear were also present. The adult Mediterranean Gull, a Little Egret, 2 Knot, single Bar-tailed Godwit and Ringed Plover, 75 Redshank, 80 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 70 Turnstones, at least 100 Teal, 20 Wigeon, 4 Shelduck and a Kingfisher were seen from New Passage. A Hobby, a Snipe, a Redstart, at least 20 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and 4 Whitethroats were seen on Northwick Warth. Just 7 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 3 Wheatears and 2 Whitethroats were reported from Severn Beach. Five Little Grebes were seen on the VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

August 30th
A fine sunny day. A Wryneck was trapped, ringed and released on Northwick Warth this morning and later showed several times on the target mound. A Grasshopper Warbler was also caught and at least 2 Redstarts, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Whitethroats, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 8 Blackcaps, several Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers, 4 Tree Pipits, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, at least 9 Yellow Wagtails, 20 Pied Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 5 Wheatears, a Raven, a Hobby, 9 Snipe and a Green Sandpiper were seen in the area. An adult Mediterranean Gull, a Little Egret, 2 Knot, a Golden Plover, 65 Redshank, 60 Turnstones, 3 Dunlin, 30 Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew, 9 Wigeon, 75 Teal and a flyover Redpoll were seen from New Passage.

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                                                                                          Wryneck, Northwick Warth 30.8.10

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                                                                                    Wryneck, Northwick Warth 30.8.10

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                                                                                  Grasshopper Warbler, Northwick Warth 30.8.10

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                                                                                             Tree Pipit, Northwick Warth 30.8.10

August 29th
A dry and breezy day. Sightings from New Passage included the adult Mediterranean Gull, a Little Egret, 70 Turnstones, 75 Redshank, 4 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 250 Black-headed Gulls, an influx of 115 Teal and 10 Wigeon. Nearby there were 6 Black-tailed Godwits, single Greenshank, Whimbrel and Green Sandpiper, 31 Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew, at least 35 Yellow Wagtails, 15 Pied Wagtails and 3 Wheatears on Northwick Warth. Just 9 Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderling, 2 Dunlin, 150 Black-headed Gulls and a Wheatear were reported from Severn Beach.

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                                                                                           Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 29.8.10

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                                                                                                  Sanderling, Severn Beach 29.8.10

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                                                                                   Yellow Wagtail, Northwick Warth 29.8.10  © Allan Chard

August 28th
An adult Mediterranean Gull, a Little Egret, 60 Redshank, 50 Turnstones, 4 Canada Geese, a Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 5 Cormorants, a Kingfisher, a Lesser Whitethroat and Sparrowhawk were seen at New Passage this morning. Nearby the first Little Stint of the year, a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Snipe, 110 Curlew, 300 Black-headed Gulls, 8 Teal, 14 Yellow Wagtails, 30 Pied Wagtails, 10 Wheatears and 12 Sand Martins were reported from Northwick Warth. Another Little Egret, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Whimbrel, 15 Redshank, 9 Shelduck, a Wigeon and a Wheatear were seen at Aust Warth. The only reports from Severn Beach involved a Sanderling, 4 Ringed Plover, a Little Egret and a Wheatear.

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                                                                               Greenshank, Northwick Warth 28.8.10 © Andy Jordan

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                                                                                Greenshank, Northwick Warth 28.8.10 © Andy Jordan

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                                                                                  Yellow Wagtails, Northwick Warth 28.8.10

August 27th
A mainly dry day with a north east breeze. The Wood Sandpiper remained on Northwick Warth where other reports included a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, 8 Snipe, a Little Egret, 5 Teal, 3 Wigeon, at least 32 Yellow Wagtails, 40 Pied Wagtails, 16 Wheatears, 70 Swallows and 2 Sand Martins. Another 2 Greenshank, 16 Redshank and 3 Common Sandpipers were seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved 3 Sanderling, 10 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, a Wheatear and 4 Whitethroats.

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                                                                                       Greenshank, Northwick Warth 27.8.10

August 26th
Another horrible wet day with a north east breeze but a few decent sightings. The star find was a juvenile Wood Sandpiper frequenting “the flash”  on Northwick Warth where other sightings included 2 Greenshank, 2 Snipe, a Little Egret, 3 Gadwall, 3 Wigeon, a Swift, 40 Swallows, 20 House Martins, 6 Sand Martins, 37 Yellow Wagtails, 60 Pied Wagtails and 9 Wheatears. Nearby 55 Turnstones, 50 Redshank and 2 Ringed Plover were seen from New Passage. Another 33 Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderling and 6 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach.

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                                                                                Wood Sandpiper, Northwick Warth 26.8.10 ©  Tony Scott

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                                                                                      Wood Sandpiper, Northwick Warth 26.8.10

August 25th
A wet day with continuous heavy rain from late morning. Three Sanderling, 40 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin and a Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach. Reports from the Northwick Warth area involved a Common Sandpiper, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 33 Oystercatchers, 13 Curlew, 54 Redshank, 16 Turnstones, 5 Snipe, at least 15 YellowWagtails, 20 Pied Wagtails, 15 Meadow Pipits and 2 Wheatears. Two Greenshank, 9 Redshank and 4 Common Sandpipers were seen at Aust Warth and 4 Little Grebes were reported on the VOSA Pool.

August 24th
Another windy day. The only reports received involved 2 Fulmars, 3 Sanderling, 3 Whimbrel, 40 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin, 30 Oystercatchers and 110 Curlew from Severn Beach on the evening high tide. One of the Fulmars was exhausted and was rescued from the surf and taken into care.

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                                                                                               Fulmar, Severn Beach 25.8.10

August 23rd
A breezy day with some heavy rain showers. Reports from the Northwick Warth area included a Little Egret, 17 Oystercatchers, 35 Curlew, 40 Turnstones, 14 Yellow Wagtails, 30 Pied Wagtails, 10 Meadow Pipits, 10 Wheatears, 2 Redstarts, 2 Spotted Flycatchers and 3 Wheatears. A Common Sandpiper, 17 Curlew, 8 Redshank and a Turnstone were reported from Cake Pill at Aust Warth. An evening sea watch from Severn Beach produced 5 Common Terns, a Little Egret, 3 Sanderling, 30 Ringed Plover,10 Dunlin, 6 Turnstones, 100 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 30 Oystercatchers and 10 Shelduck. A Little Egret remained on the VOSA Pool at Hoar Gout.

August 22nd
A dry and mainly sunny day. Combined reports from the New Passage area involved a Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Turnstones, 30 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 10 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, 2 Grey Herons, 12 Shelduck, 15 Teal, 70 Mallard, 4 Gadwall, a Shoveler, 350 Black-headed Gulls, single Peregrine, Wheatear, Whinchat and Spotted Flycatcher, at least 12 Yellow Wagtails, 11 Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warblers, 12 Blackcaps, 3 Sedge Warblers and 5 Reed Warblers. A Little Egret, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Ringed Plover, a Redstart, 10 Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 8 Blackcaps were reported from Severn Beach. Sightings from Chittening Warth included a Yellow Wagtail, 13 Whitethroats, a Blackcap, 3 Sedge Warblers and 2 Reed Warblers. Another Little Egret, a Green Sandpiper, a Lapwing and 8 Teal were seen on the VOSA/Hoar Gout pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

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                                                                                            Little Egret, Hoar Gout 22.8.10

August 21st
Another wet day with a thunderstorm late afternoon. Reports from the New Passage area involved a Little Egret, 60 Turnstones, 5 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 30 Redshank, a Knot, a Whimbrel, 40 Curlew, 12 Teal, 5 Shelduck, 60 Mallard, 7 Yellow Wagtails and 5 Wheatears. Another Whimbrel, 3 Ringed Plover and a Redstart were seen at Severn Beach. Three Common Sandpipers were seen at Aust Warth and a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper were seen on the VOSA Pool.

August 20th
A humid morning and heavy rain from mid afternoon. A wet evening visit to Northwick Warth produced 2 Little Egrets, a Common Sandpiper, 29 Redshank, 80 Curlew, 50 Turnstones, 15 Teal, 5 Shelduck, 60 Mallard, 7 Wheatears, 5 Pied Wagtails and 50 Linnets. A Whimbrel was seen at Severn Beach and a Green Sandpiper remained at the VOSA Pool.

August 19th
Combined reports from the New Passage area involved 3 Little Egrets, 60 Redshank, 11 Dunlin, 16 Turnstones, 4 Ringed Plover, 4 Oystercatchers, 4 Curlew,  11 Teal, 70 Mallard, 7 Yellow Wagtails (feeding around the cows and big brown bull) and a Wheatear. A Greenshank, a Whimbrel, a Redshank, 6 Common Sandpipers and 80 Black-headed Gulls were seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth and another 3 Whimbrel, 3 Curlew and a Turnstone were seen at Severn Beach. A Green Sandpiper, 2 Lapwing and 3 fishing Cormorants were seen at the VOSA Pool.

August 18th
A maianly dry day with a moderate strength south west wind. A Little Egret, a Black-tailed Godwit, 34 Turnstones, 29 Redshank, 6 Oystercatchers, 8 Curlew, 2 Ringed Plover and 11 Teal were seen from New Passage. An evening visit to Northwick Warth produced a Redstart, 2 Wheatears and 8 Sand Martins. Another 20 Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstones and a Dunlin were reported from Severn Beach and nearby 15 Dunlin, 19 Oystercatchers, 38 Curlew, 350 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, a Kestrel, 3 Whitethroats and a Blackcap were seen at Chittening Warth. A Green Sandpiper, a Lapwing, 3 Gadwall and 4 Teal were reported near Avonmouth Sewage Works on the VOSA Pool.

August 17th
The only report was from the Northwick Warth area in the rain this morning involving just 50 Turnstones, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 30 Pied Wagtails, 15 Meadow Pipits, 2 Wheatears, 3 Blackcaps and a Kestrel.

August 16th
Another sunny day with a north east breeze. Sightings from New Passage included the adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Little Egrets, a Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 20 Redshank, 25 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, 2 Dunlin, an adult Common Gull, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 10 Teal and a Peregrine. An evening visit to Northwick Warth produced 20 Teal, 4 Snipe, 2 Wheatears, a near summer plumaged male Redstart, a Whinchat, 2 Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler. A Greenshank, 4 Redshank and a Whimbrel were seen from shore at Severn Beach and nearby 5 Teal were present on the Orchard Pools. The first 3 Wigeon of the autumn and 2 Common Sandpipers were found in Cake Pill at Aust Warth. The Little Egret and Green Sandpiper remained on the VOSA Pool.

August 15th
A mainly sunny day with a moderate strength north east wind. Early morning reports from the Northwick Warth area involved the adult Mediterranean Gull, single Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Little Egret, 120 Curlew, 50 Redshank, 40 Oystercatchers, 38 Turnstones, 5 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 240 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Canada Geese, 10 Teal, 60 Mallard, 20 Shelduck, a Whinchat, at least 5 Yellow Wagtails, 21 Pied Wagtails, 2 Tree Pipits, 2 Redstarts, 2 Wheatears, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Kingfisher. Sightings from Severn Beach involved 45 Dunlin, 35 Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 6 Shoveler, a Teal, 40 Mallard, 3 Wheatears, a Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroats and 6 Blackcaps. Two Ravens, 200 Black-headed Gulls, a juvenile Common Gull and 70 Curlew were seen at Chittening Warth. A Little Egret and Green Sandpiper remained at the Vosa Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

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                                                                                   Redstart, Northwick Warth 15.8.10

August 14th
A day of heavy rain showers and a light north east breeze. Sightings from Severn Beach this morning involved a Greenshank, 50 Dunlin, 35 Ringed Plover, 6 Gadwall, 40 Mallard, 10 Shelduck, a Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroats and 4 Blackcaps. Reports from Northwick Warth involved an adult Mediterranean Gull, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, 110 Curlew, 70 Redshank, 52 Turnstones, 60 Oystercatchers, 6 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, a Peregrine, 5 Kestrels, 340 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Teal, 58 Mallard, 27 Shelduck, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 26 Pied Wagtails, 35 Meadow Pipits, a Wheatear and 30 Linnets. A Little Egret and 4 Little Grebes were seen on the VOSA Pool.

August 13th
An adult winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull, a Little Egret, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Whimbrel, 120 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 40 Turnstones, 30 Redshank, 12 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Peregrine, 2 Kestrels, 5 Yellow Wagtails and a Wheatear were reported from New Passage. Another 4 Common Sandpipers and 3 Whimbrel were seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth. There was little improvement at Severn Beach with just 2 Whimbrel, 55 Ringed Plover and 40 Dunlin being seen over the morning high tide. A Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Teal, 2 Lapwing, a Green Sandpiper and 4 Little Grebes were seen on the VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

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                                                                       Ringed Plover and Dunlin, Severn Beach 13.8.10 © Allan Chard

August 12th
Reports from Northwick Warth this morning included 7 Black-tailed Godwits, single Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper and Little Egret, 45 Oystercatchers, 50 Redshank, 50 Turnstones, 10 Dunlin, 120 Curlew, 350 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Kestrels and a Yellow Wagtail. Sightings from Severn Beach over the morning high tide involved 60 Ringed Plover, 40 Dunlin and 5 Turnstones.

August 11th
A change back to fine and settled weather. Sightings from New Passage over the morning high tide involved the usual 40 Redshank, 35 Turnstones, 8 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 110 Curlew and 35 Oystercatchers. Nearby a Water Rail, a Reed Warbler and 2 Wheatears were seen on Northwick Warth. Combined reports from Severn Beach included a Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, 60 Ringed Plover, 45 Dunlin and a Wheatear. Another 5 Common Sandpipers, a Whimbrel, 3 Turnstones, 3 Dunlin and 3 Redshank were seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth.

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                                                                                  Water Rail, Northwick Warth 11.8.10
                      Despite the recent rain most of the freshwater pools on Severnside have exposed muddy areas, perfect conditions
                              for locating a skulking Rail or Crake......

August 10th
Very wet weather for most of the day resulted in little coverage. Sightings from New Passage involved a Common Sandpiper, 35 Turnstones, 40 Redshank, 6 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 110 Curlew, 40 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Herons, a Hobby, single Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler. At least 60 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover, 3 Wheatears and 2 Ravens were reported from Severn Beach. Four Common Sandpiper, 10 Dunlin and a Whimbrel were seen at Aust Warth. Three Teal, a pair of Little Grebes (plus 4 young) and 2 Lapwings were seen on the VOSA Pool.

August 9th
A dry morning followed by a wet afternoon. An early morning visit to the coastal scrub at Severn Beach produced 4 Tree Pipits, a Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 20 Blackcaps, 15 Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler and 2 Chiffchaffs. Sightings from the shore here included a Little Egret, a Whimbrel, 30 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, a Turnstone and 250 Black-headed Gulls. Reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area involved 48 Redshank, 35 Turnstones, 35 Oystercatchers, 70 Curlew, 8 Dunlin, 2 Teal, 2 Kestrels, 2 Wheatears, a Tree Pipit, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats and a Sand Martin. Three Common Sandpipers were seen at Aust Warth and a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons and 2 Lapwing remained on the VOSA Pool.

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                                                                                 Ringed Plover and Dunlin, Severn Beach 9.8.10

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                                                                                   Juvenile Tufted Duck, New Passage 9.8.10
                                  An unusual sight here at this time of year but this individual is of suspect origin with a blue plastic leg ring.

August 8th
Sightings from New Passage involved 2 Common Sandpipers, 40 Redshank, 38 Turnstones, 8 Dunlin, 12 Curlew, 4 Oystercatchers, 5 Teal, 60 Mallard, 30 Shelduck, 300 Black-headed Gulls, single Kingfisher, Tree Pipit and Willow Warbler. A Little Egret, 3 Whinbrel, at least 85 Ringed Plover, 70 Dunlin, a Turnstone and 200 Black-headed Gulls were seen at Severn Beach. Four Grey Herons and 3 Lapwing were seen on the VOSA Pool.

August 7th
A wet morning followed by a warm and humid afternoon. Sightings from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included a Little Egret, 2 Whimbrel, 40 Curlew, 28 Redshank, 32 Turnstones, 4 Oystercatchers, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Grey Heron, 300 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Wheatears, 40 Meadow Pipits and a Lesser Whitethroat. An influx of waders was noted at Severn Beach with a very flighty mixed flock of 140 Dunlin and Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Oystercatchers, 50 Curlew, 300 Black-headed Gulls and a Peregrine. A Little Egret, a Little Grebe and 3 Lapwing remained on the VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

August 6th
The only reports involved 12 Ringed Plover and 8 Dunlin at Severn Beach and at least 300 Black-headed Gulls at New Passage.

August 5th
An adult winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull, 300 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Little Egrets, 45 Redshank, 20 Turnstones, 5 Oystercatchers and 2 Dunlin were seen from New Passage. Another Little Egret, 10 Ringed Plover and 4 Dunlin were reported at Severn Beach. Reports from Chittening Warth involved a Grey Heron, 3 Oystercatchers, 7 Curlew and 110 Black-headed Gulls. Nearby a pair of Tufted Duck, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons and 3 Lapwing were present on the VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

August 4th
A day of frequent heavy showers. Reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth involved only single Little Egret and Grey Heron, 250 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Kestrels, 3 Blackcaps and 2 Chiffchaffs. Another 2 Little Egrets and a Grey Heron were seen at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach. Just 2 Lapwing were seen on the VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

August 3rd
The only reports from New Passage involved 11 Turnstones, 42 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, just one Dunlin, 300 Black-headed Gulls, single Kestrel and Grey Heron. A Little Egret and 2 Lapwings remained on the VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

August 2nd
Reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area involved a Black-tailed Godwit, 38 Redshank, 16 Turnstones,
4 Dunlin, 2 Oystercatchers, 22 Curlew, a Grey Heron, 300 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Kestrels and a Wheatear. Five Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons were seen from Severn Beach. A Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Lapwing and a Green Sandpiper were seen on the VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.

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                                                                                     Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 1.8.10

August 1st
Sightings from New Passage included the adult Mediterranean Gull, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 16 Turnstones, 6 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers, 250 Black-headed Gulls, a Great Black-backed Gull, 55 Shelduck and 9 flyby Canada Geese. A Whimbrel, 2 Ringed Plover and 250 Black-headed Gulls were seen from Severn Beach.