June is the quietest month on Severnside with a total of only 141 species seen. Strong south ewes or west wind can produce a good selection of seabirds including Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Fulmar and Storm Petrel. The first parties of young Shelduck appear. June has had some rarities including Franklin’s Gull (1988) and Alpine Swift (1999).
June 2003
June 30th
The month ends on a quiet note with just 12 Curlew and 6 Oystercatcher at Chittening Warth. Low cloud and humid weather produced several hundred Swifts low over the railway station.
June 29th
Much the same as recent days except for 2 Peregrine at Chittening Warth, 2 Tufted Duck on the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach and a Kingfisher at New Passage.
June 28th
The birding still remains quiet in the very warm settled weather. Several parties of fledged young were seen this morning including Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat. At least 21 young Shelduck were present at Northwick Warth. This evening there were at least 120 Curlew and 12 Oystercatcher roosting at New Pill, Chittening Warth and a single adult Ringed Plover was seen at Severn Beach.
June 27th
At Severn Beach there were still 80 Black-headed Gulls with 65 Curlew and 10 Dunlin. There were at least another 100 Curlew roosting on Northwick Warth this evening.
June 26th
Eighty Black-headed Gulls, 10 Curlew and a single Ringed Plover were present at Severn Beach on the early evening high tide.
June 25th
The same as yesterday but a dead Grey Heron was found near the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
June 24th
Much the same as yesterday with an additional sighting of a Sand Martin at the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach.
June 23rd
The number of Curlew has increased to 70 birds, with most of these present at Chittening Warth. There was also an increase in Black-headed Gulls with at least 60 present. A single Ringed Plover was at Severn Beach.
June 22nd
Four Sanderling, single Ringed Plover and Peregrine were seen at Severn Beach.
June 21st
Much the same as yesterday except for the presence of a single Ringed Plover at Severn Beach. There were 2 Coot broods on the Grebe Pond, Northwick Warth. Swallows were feeding young at New Passage where there was also a family of Pied Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail.
June 20th
Very little to report on Severnside today with 30 Curlew and 20 Oystercatcher just worthy of a mention. Off the patch , a Great White Egret was a welcome distraction this evening at Chew Valley Lake and was the first Avon county record. I managed to get these record shots through the heat haze at long range.
Great White Egret, Chew Valley Lake 20.6.3
June 19th
The strong gusty wind produced 8 Manx Shearwater off Severn Beach late morning. At Northwick Warth there were 40 Curlew, 20 Oystercatcher, a Peregrine and a second brood of 8 young Shelduck joined the earlier brood of 10.
June 18th
No new birds today, just 6 Curlew off Severn Beach along with the large flock of Mallard and Shelduck. No seabirds could be found in the moderate strength west wind.
June 17th
This morning there were 4 Bar-tailed Godwit at Severn Beach with 30 Curlew and 12 Oystercatcher in the area. At least one Fulmar was present of Severn Beach this evening in a moderate strength south west wind.
June 16th
A few more Curlew were seen today with at least 20 present. This evening there was just a single Dunlin at Severn Beach. A flock of 120 Mallard were present at Chittening Warth.
June 15th
High tide this morning at Severn Beach produced 2 Eider (adult and first summer males), 25 Dunlin that flew upriver and 2 Curlew. A Kingfisher was seen at New Passage. This evening there were 8 Curlew, 7 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, one Ringed Plover and more surprisingly, an early juvenile Black-headed Gull.
June 14th
An early morning high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 5 Sanderling and 8 Curlew. A flock of at least 200 juvenile Starlings were feeding here on the salt marsh. A Hobby flew inland over Severn Beach early afternoon and 30 Black-headed Gulls this evening was the first sizeable flock for several weeks.
Sanderling, Severn Beach 14.6.3
June 13th
Lesser Whitethroats were feeding young on Northwick Warth. At Severn Beach there were 5 Curlew and the local Buzzards gave excellent views perched on poles along the rail track.
June 12th
The usual 12 Oystercatcher were seen at New Passage with a Curlew. The 10 young Shelduck ducklings are still present at Northwick Warth. Three more Curlew were seen at Chittening Warth. Gadwall were on the Orchard Pools, Severn Beach plus a single Sand Martin with the usual Swallows and House Martins.
June 11th
The Shelduck brood remained “intact” at Northwick Warth. Two Curlew were seen at Chittening Warth and at least 12 Oystercatcher remained in the area.
June 10th
Moderate strength south west wind produced a Great Crested Grebe off Severn Beach. The first Shelduck brood (10) of the year were seen on Northwick Warth.
June 9th
There were 12 Oystercatcher on Northwick Warth. A pair of the local Buzzards showed well along the railway line at Severn Beach.
June 8th
The appearance of the first Mallard ducklings of the year at the Orchard Pools was the only notable event. Moderate strength south west winds failed to produce any seabirds on the early afternoon high tide.
June 7th
There were more fledged Whitethroats and Lesser Whitethroats seen at Severn Beach this morning. A Hobby was watched catching a dragonfly at Severn Beach early afternoon. Three Curlew were still present in the area.
June 6th
A similar day to yesterday except for the appearance of a fine drake Common Scoter off Severn Beach over the high tide.
June 5th
A typical early June day with just 20 Oystercatcher on Northwick Warth and a Curlew at Chittening Warth. A few fledged broods of Whitethroat were seen.
June 4th
The only notable birds for the time of year were single Wheatear and Curlew at Severn Beach.
June 3rd
Just 4 Ringed Plover and one Dunlin on Severn Beach and 20 Oystercatcher were seen on Northwick Warth. With so little happening on Severnside, the Black Lark on Anglesey was too much of a temptation for me this morning and the Turkestan Shrike in Somerset this evening! An excellent day “off the patch”.
Black Lark, Anglesey, North Wales 3.6.3 Turkestan Shrike, Porlock, Somerset 3.6.3
June 2nd
At least 24 Oystercatcher and 2 Curlew were present on Northwick Warth this afternoon. Four local Buzzards were making the most of the fine weather. The evening high tide produced 3 Dunlin and a Ringed Plover on Severn Beach.
Sanderling, Severn Beach 1.6.3
June 1st
A high tide visit at Severn Beach this morning produced 3 Dunlin, single Sanderling and Ringed Plover. The surprise bird was a first summer Mediterranean Gull, one of only two gulls seen! A peregrine flew inland over the beach. A large flock of 150 Swift passed over Severn Beach late morning in front of a heavy rain shower. This evening no waders could be found on the beach.
