April is the second 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 2011
April 30th
A sunny day with a strong north east wind. Combined reports from Severn Beach on the morning and evening tides included a dark morph Arctic Skua, 110 Arctic Terns, 2 Commic Terns, a Kittiwake, 8 Black-headed Gulls, a Curlew Sandpiper, 1640 Bar-tailed Godwits, 20 Whimbrel, 4 Knot, 4 Grey Plover, a Sanderling, 2 Common Sandpipers, 90 Dunlin, 25 Ringed Plover, 12 Turnstones, 7 Yellow Wagtails, a White Wagtail, 5 Tree Pipits, 3 Wheatears and at least 10 Swifts. Another 120 Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Commic Terns, 40 Shelduck, 5 Teal, 3 Gadwall, 3 Yellow Wagtails, a Raven and a Swift. The minimum number of Bar-tailed Godwits seen on Severnside today was 1760.
Curlew Sandpiper, Severn Beach 30.4.11
A bonus bird found while trying to photograph a Sanderling. Only noticed the leg ring when downloading the pictures.
Bar-tailed Godwits, Severn Beach 30.4.11
A steady passage of Godwits was noted this evening with at least 10 groups flying in off the estuary and heading off
inland low over the village.
Bar-tailed Godwits, Severn Beach 30.4.11 © Allan Chard
April 29th
A grey and gloomy start brightened by the presence of a few waders. Early morning and evening high tide visits to Severn Beach produced 650 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Arctic Skuas (pale and dark morph), 33 Whimbrel, 2 Grey Plover, 30 Dunlin, 15 Ringed Plover, 15 Turnstones, single Swift and Yellow Wagtail. An additional 600 Bar-tailed Godwits were feeding/roosting off Northwick Warth this morning and several hundred more flew straight over heading north east. Other sightings at Northwick Warth included 40 Shelduck, 5 Teal, a drake Gadwall, 5 Whimbrel, 8 Curlew, a Common Sandpiper, a steady passage of Swallows and a Swift into the cold north east wind. At least 120 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8 Whimbrel, 2 Yellow Wagtails and a Little Egret were seen at Chittening Warth. One Little Ringed Plover was seen again. A minimum of 1500 Bar-tailed Godwits were seen on Severnside today.
Bar-tailed Godwits, Severn Beach 29.4.11
Bar-tailed Godwits, Severn Beach 29.4.11
One of the many flocks dropping out of the sky. This group landed on “Spoonbill Island” at 7 this morning,hence the poor light
Arctic Skua, Severn Beach 29.4.11
April 28th
A Red Kite was seen drifting north over Severn Beach at 07.45 this morning and an evening visit produced at least 120 Bar-tailed Godwits, 22 Whimbrel, 20 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 2 dark morph Arctic Skuas and a Peregrine.
Arctic Skua, Severn Beach 28.4.11
April 27th
The cool north east wind continued. A female type Merlin, just 6 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin and 3 Oystercatchers were reported from Severn Beach. A Common Sandpiper and a Wheatear were seen at Aust Warth. An evening visit to Northwick Warth produced 60 Shelduck, 5 Teal, a drake Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 2 Whimbrel and a Wheatear. One Little Ringed Plover remained today.
April 26th
A sunny but cooler day due to a stronger north east wind. Reports from Severn Beach involved just a Little Egret, 10 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover and a Peregrine from the shore and 2 Tufted Duck and 6 Reed Warblers at the Orchard Pools. A brief afternoon visit to Northwick Warth produced at least 90 Shelduck, a drake Wigeon, single Whimbrel, Curlew and White Wagtail and at least 4 singing Lesser Whitethroats. Another 2 Tufted Duck, a Little Egret, calling Cetti’s Warbler and 3 Canada Geese were reported from Hoar Gout/VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works. Two Little Ringed Plovers were seen today.
April 25th
A Grasshopper Warbler, a Whinchat, 2 Wheatears, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, a Reed Warbler, 30 Shelduck, 2 Whimbrel and 3 Ravens were reported in the Northwick Warth area. The only report from Severn Beach involved 5 Ringed Plover, single Yellow Wagtail and White Wagtail. A Red-legged Partridge, 11 Sedge warblers, 3 Reed Warblers and a Lesser Whitethroat were seen at Chittening Warth this morning.
White Wagtail, Severn Beach 25.4.11
April 24th
Another warm and hazy day with a north east breeze. The star find was a Turtle Dove in scrub along the Severn Way at Severn Beach (the first Severnside record since September 2003!). Combined reports from Northwick Warth involved 5 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adults & 3 1st summer), a Whimbrel, 6 Dunlin, 60 Shelduck, 5 Teal, a Cuckoo, 2 Grasshopper Warblers (one trapped and ringed), 8 Sedge Warblers (trapped), 6 Reed Warblers (trapped), 6 Lesser Whitethroats (one trapped), 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Wheatear and the 2 Ravens. Other sightings at Severn Beach included a dark morph Arctic Skua, 24 Black-headed Gulls, a different Cuckoo, 5 Common Sandpipers (at Orchard Pools), 20 Turnstones, 2 Ringed Plover, 9 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. A Cuckoo and more Reed and Sedge Warblers were seen around Old Passage at Aust Warth. A Little Egret and a Cetti’s Warbler were reported from Hoar Gout/VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Cuckoo, Northwick Warth 24.4.11
Cuckoo, Severn Beach 24.4.11
Grasshopper Warbler, Northwick Warth 24.4.11
April 23rd
The heat wave continues. Combined reports from Severn Beach included another 3 Arctic Skuas (2 dark, 1 pale), 2 Sandwich Terns, a first summer Mediterranean Gull, at least 60 Common Gulls, 32 Black-headed Gulls, 18 Whimbrel, 5 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Gadwall, the first Hobby of the year, 2 Peregrine, 2 Wheatears, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Reed Warblers, 8 Yellow Wagtails and a Grass snake. Two Grasshopper Warblers, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 3 Lesser Whitethroats were reported from Northwick Warth. Another 4 Reed Warblers were seen and heard at Aust Warth and a Little Egret was feeding on the Hoar Gout/VOSA Pool near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Reed Warbler, Aust Warth 23.4.11 © Vic Savery
Sedge Warbler, Aust Warth 23.4.11 © Rod Holbrook
April 22nd
Another warm (23°C) day with hazy sunshine and river mist. A few hours sea watching at Severn Beach this morning produced 3 Arctic Skuas, 2 Sandwich Terns, a Common Tern, at least 35 “Commic” Terns, a Gadwall, a Little Egret, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, at least 50 Whimbrel (total of 4 flocks) and birds on the beach included a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 3 White Wagtails and 3 Wheatears, while flyover migrants included a Tree Pipit and 3 Yellow Wagtails. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 70 Shelduck, 8 Teal, 2 Gadwall, a reeling Grasshopper Warbler, a Redstart, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 8 Sedge Warblers, a Wheatear, a Redpoll and 2 Ravens. Another reeling Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, a Lesser Whitethroat, single Sanderling and Whimbrel were reported at Chittening Warth this morning.
Whimbrel, Severn Beach 22.4.11
April 21st
Another hot day with river mist and a north east wind. Perfect conditions for some spring sea watching. Combined reports from Northwick Warth included a singing Grashopper Warbler, 6 Tree Pipits, single Yellow Wagtail and Wheatear, 2 Ravens, 5 Whimbrel, 125 Shelduck and 5 Teal. Two Black Terns, at least 60 Arctic Terns, 2 dark morph Arctic Skuas, a Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 6 Whimbrel, 9 White Wagtails, 4 Yellow Wagtails, single Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat, Tree Pipit and Red-legged Partridge were seen at Severn Beach. Another 2 Wheatears were seen at Aust
Warth.
Grasshopper Warbler, Northwick Warth 21.4.11
April 20th
The fine weather continued. Severn Beach produced the best birds today with a fine male Ring ouzel, a Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Yellow Wagtails, a Tree Pipit, a Wheatear and a Grey Plover, 24 Turnstones, 6 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover being reported this morning and a Barn Owl was seen and heard along the seawall south of Riverside Park this evening. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included at least 62 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, a Grey Plover, 21 Whimbrel, 2 Ravens, a Whinchat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Redpoll, at least 7 Yellow Wagtails and 60 Meadow Pipits. Another 30 Shelduck, 3 Gadwall, 2 Wheatears and a Tree Pipit were seen at Aust Warth. Three Ravens and a Common Sandpiper were seen at Chittening Warth.
April 19th
A warm day with an afternoon temperature of 23°C. Combined totals for Severn Beach included 44 Whimbrel, a Grey Plover, 8 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover, 9 Knot, 3 Curlew, 3 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 7 Wheatears and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. Another 7 Wheatears, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, single Peregrine and Common Sandpiper were reported at Aust Warth A late afternoon visit to New Passage produced an impressive 130 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, 2 Ravens and a Yellow Wagtail.
April 18th
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included 30 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 2 Gadwall, a Common Sandpiper, a Raven, 5 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Sedge Warblers, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Raven. Sightings from Severn Beach included a Great Crested Grebe, a Whimbrel, 9 Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover, 9 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Wheatears and a Lesser Whitethroat. A Little Egret and a Common Sandpiper were reported from Chittening Warth. Another 4 Wheatears were seen at Aust Warth. Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Whitethroats were seen and heard throughout the area.
Willow Warbler, Severn Beach 18.4.11 © Richard Ford
April 17th
Another fine sunny day after dawn mist. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included a Great Crested Grebe, 45 Shelduck, 8 Teal, 2 Gadwall, drake Wigeon, 2 summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, 12 Curlew, 14 Oystercatchers, 13 Redshank, 10 Dunlin, 2 Ravens, 3 Tree Pipits, 3 Wheatears, single Brambling, Siskin, Yellow Wagtail and Lesser Whitethroat. Reports from Severn Beach involved a Whimbrel, 5 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, a Grasshopper Warbler, at least 10 Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Wheatears, another 2 Tree Pipits, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Redpoll and a Peregrine. Three Whinchats were reported at Aust Warth. Two Little Ringed Plovers were seen this morning and a Grey Seal was seen off Severn Beach this evening.
Black-tailed Godwits, Northwick Warth 17.4.11
April 16th
A warm and sunny day with a good variety reported. Reports from Severn Beach included a male Merlin, a female Eider,
at least 20 Whimbrel, a mixed flock of 35 Ringed Plover and Dunlin, a Grey Plover, 27 Black-headed Gulls, 6 Whitethroats, single Lesser Whitethroat, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included 3 Greylag Geese, 40 Shelduck, 12 Teal, a drake Wigeon, drake Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 2 Common Sandpipers, 12 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, a Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Sedge Warblers, a Reed Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Wheatears and 2 Ravens. Two Wheatears, single Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat were seen at Aust Warth and another Lesser Whitethroat was heard at Sea Bank Power Station, Chittening Warth.
Eider, Severn Beach 16.4.11
April 15th
Combined reports from Severn Beach involved a reeling Grasshopper Warbler, at least 8 Wheatears and 6 Whitethroats, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a mixed flock of 10 Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Another 11 Wheatears, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 4 House Martins, 12 Swallows, 3 Sand Martins, 2 Ravens and 3 Common Sandpipers were seen in the Northwick Warth area.
Common Sandpiper, New Passage 15.4.11
April 14th
A settled day with a few more reports received. Sightings from the Northwick Warth area included a drake Common Scoter drifting up river, at least 60 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 22 Redshank, 5 Ravens, 3 Wheatears, 4 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers and a Whitethroat. A Short-eared Owl was flushed by a dog walker on Aust Warth where the Common Scoter, 19 Oystercatchers, 16 Curlew and another Whitethroat were seen. At least one Whitethroat, a Wheatear, 9 Oystercatchers and 55 Curlew were seen along the costal strip at Severn Beach and 2 Little Grebes, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Sedge Warblers and a Reed Warbler were reported nearby at the Orchard Pools. A Little Ringed Plover was seen again today. Many thanks to Rod for the superb image below.
Whitethroat, Aust Warth 14.4.11 © Rod Holbrook
April 13th
A cloudy morning and wet afternoon. A brief evening visit to Northwick Warth produced just the usual 70 Shelduck, only 5 Teal, 21 Redshank, 15 Swallows and a Sedge Warbler.
April 12th
Another sunny day with a cool South west breeze. The only reports from Severn Beach involved a singing Whitethroat near the railway station, 2 Ravens on the seawall and 2 Little Grebes on the Orchard Pools. At least 100 Shelduck, 28 Teal, 3 Wheatears and 20 Swallows were seen on Northwick Warth. A Little Ringed Plover was a new arrival today.
Little Ringed Plover, Severnside 12.4.11
April 11th
A cooler day with a west breeze. The only reports from New Passage involved a drake Gadwall, 30 Teal, 60 Shelduck and a Wheatear. A Yellow Wagtail was seen at Severn Beach this evening.
April 10th
Yet any another day of sunshine and temperatures passing 20°C. Reports from Northwick Warth included a Little Egret, 5 Greylag Geese, 65 Shelduck, 30 Teal, 2 Ravens, a male Redstart, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers (trapped and ringed), 5 Wheatears, a Yellow Wagtail, a House Martin, a Sand Martin and 4 Swallows. Two Great Crested Grebes, a Peregrine, 40 Curlew, just a single Ringed Plover, 3 Wheatears, single Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Yellow Wagtail, Redpoll and Sand Martin and 3 White Wagtails were seen from the shore at Severn Beach. Two Little Grebes remained at the Orchard Pools. Another 4 Wheatears, a Sedge Warbler and 10 Shelduck were reported from Chittening Warth. A Short-eared Owl, a Common Sandpiper, a Yellow Wagtail, at least 40 Meadow Pipits and 4 Wheatears were seen at Aust Warth.
Little Grebes, Orchard Pools 10.4.11 © Vic Savery
Grass Snake, Orchard Pools 10.4.11 © Vic Savery
April 9th
A warm and sunny day. Combined reports from Northwick Warth involved 25 Teal, 65 Shelduck, 20 Redshank, a Snipe, 2 Shoveler, 2 singing Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Wheatears, a Tree Pipit, 2 Ravens, several flyover Redpolls, 4 Buzzards and a local scarcity in the form of a Red-legged Partridge. Another 2 Wheatears were seen on the rocks at New Passage. Another Whitethroat, 4 Wheatears, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Redpolls, 2 Whimbrel, 26 Curlew, 2 summer plumaged Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 2 Ravens and a White Wagtail were reported from the shore at Severn Beach and nearby another Sedge Warbler, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebes and 2 Swallows were present at the Orchard Pools. Single Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler and another 4 Wheatears were reported at Chittening Warth. Six Canada Geese were seen at Aust Warth. Two Cetti’s Warblers were reported from the Avonmouth Sewage Works area. A Polecat was seen very well this morning on the Severn Way footpath south of Severn Beach.
Whitethroat, Northwick Warth 9.4.11
Wheatear, New Passage 9.4.11 © Allan Chard
April 8th
Another fine dry and sunny day. Combined reports from Northwick Warth included a Yellow Wagtail, 4 Wheatears, 5 Swallows, at least 90 Shelduck, 14 Teal, 20 Redshank, 2 Ravens and a Kingfisher. A Cetti’s Warbler remained near the VOSA Pool at Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Raven, Northwick Warth 8.4.11
April 7th
Another fine day but fewer new migrants. Combined reports from Northwick Warth involved 150 Turnstones, 30 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 60 Shelduck, 12 Teal, a drake Gadwall, 3 Wheatears and at least 20 Swallows. Another 30 Shelduck, 45 Curlew, a Peregrine, female Sparrowhawk and 4 Swallows were seen from the shore at Severn Beach and nearby 6 Tufted Duck and 4 Little Grebes were seen on the Orchard Pools. A Stonechat and Merlin were reported at Chittening Warth. Numerous Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps were seen and heard throughout the area. A Cetti’s Warbler was heard again near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
April 6th
A warm (20°C) day finally produced a few of the early migrants reported elsewhere in the region. At least one male Redstart was found on Northwick Warth where 13 Wheatears, 10 singing Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 28 Swallows, 20 Oystercatchers, 20 Turnstones, 20 Redshank, 30 Curlew, 30 Shelduck, 15 Teal, 2 Wigeon and the drake Common Scoter were also seen. A Reed Warbler, another 2 Willow Warblers, a Wheatear and 3 Swallows were seen at Severn Beach.
Common Scoter, Northwick Warth 6.4.11 © Don Smith
April 5th
A day of rain and drizzle should have produced more than was reported with a good variety of migrants seen elsewhere. Another brief afternoon visit to Northwick Warth produced the drake Common Scoter, 35 Teal, 20 Redshank, 2 Ravens, 10 Swallows, numerous singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps and a Wheatear.
April 4th
The only report involved the drake Common Scoter, 45 Teal and 55 Shelduck from New Passage in a 5 minute visit after work this evening.
April 3rd
A calm and sunny start to the day. The drake Common Scoter, Barnacle Goose, 2 Canada Geese, 30 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 40 Shelduck, 25 Oystercatchers, 20 Curlew, 45 Redshank, 5 Turnstones, 2 Ravens, a Wheatear, 10 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 5 Swallows and 4 Sand Martins were reported from the Northwick Warth area. Combined reports from Severn Beach involved 30 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 3 Oystercatchers, 25 Turnstones, 2 Ringed Plover, 52 Curlew, male Sparrowhawk, 9 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warblers, 3 Swallows and a singing Coal Tit. Four Buzzards and 4 Pheasants were seen at Aust Warth. Another 2 Willow Warblers and 2 Wheatears were reported from Chittening Warth.
Common Scoter, Northwick Warth 3.4.11
April 2nd
Overnight rain showers with a southerly breeze produced a few migrants today. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area produced the drake Common Scoter, Barnacle Goose, 2 Canada Geese, 100 Shelduck, 30 Teal, 40 Curlew, 20 Redshank, 15 Oystercatchers, 30 Turnstones, a Dunlin, 7 Wheatears, a Swallow, 3 Sand Martins, early Tree Pipit and Yellow Wagtail, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, numerous Chiffchaffs, a singing Coal Tit and 2 Ravens.Two Sandwich Terns were seen flying over the seawall at Severn Beach and down river this morning. Other sightings from here included another 6 Common Scoter, 2 Gadwall, 30 Shelduck, 47 Curlew, 2 Ringed Plover, a female Merlin, male Sparrowhawk, 3 Wheatears, 4 Swallows, 4 Sand Martins, 5 singing Blackcaps, many Chiffchaffs and another Coal Tit. Reports from the Avonmouth Sewage works area included a singing Cetti’s Warbler, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall and the first Coot brood of the year. Two Little Ringed Plovers were seen this morning.
Little Ringed Plovers, Severnside 2.4.11
April 1st
Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included the drake Common Scoter, Barnacle Goose, 2 Canada Geese, 60 Shelduck, 60 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 90 Turnstones, 20 Oystercatchers, a Dunlin, 2 Ravens and a Wheatear. Two Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach.
