SEVERNSIDE BIRDS






























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July is the quietest month on Severnside with only 146 species having been recorded. It does have a more optimistic feeling to it than June, with the appearance of returning waders and in recent years the regular appearance of Little Egrets, Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls (usually towards the end of the month). Unusual species seen have included dispersing Crossbill, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Goshawk and a Stone Curlew (1999). A spell of strong SW or W wind usually produces a few Storm Petrels.

July 2011



July 31st
Another warm (24°C) day. Combined reports from the New Passage area included 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult and juvenile), 100 Black-headed Gulls, at least 6 Common Sandpipers, a Little Egret, 70 Dunlin, 20 Oystercatchers, 43 Redshank, 45 Turnstones, 180 Curlew, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Tree Pipits, single Wheatear, Redstart, Raven and Hobby, 3 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Whitethroats and 5 Blackcaps. Sightings from Aust Warth involved a Little Egret, a Whimbrel, 6 Common Sandpipers, 16 Redshank, 10 Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 4 Ravens, 2 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, a Wheatear, 3 Whitethroats and 100 Linnets. Just one Ringed Plover and 3 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach.

July 30th
A warm and dry day. Reports from the New Passage area involved a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 150 Black-headed Gulls, a female Common Scoter, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Canada Geese, at least 65 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 50 Redshank, 35 Turnstones, 20 Curlew, 2 Ravens, 5 Yellow Wagtails, a Kingfisher, a Tree Pipit, 4 Wheatears, a Sedge Warbler, Reed Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, at least 5 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs and a Redstart. An afternoon visiit to Severn Beach over the high tide produced a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, a Whimbrel, 2 Sanderling, 6 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover and a Wheatear. Two Peregrines, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a family of Whitethroats were seen at Aust Warth. Another Wheatear and 5 Whitethroats were reported from Chittening Warth.

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                                                                          juvenile Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 30.7.11

July 29th
A wet morning. Once again the New Passage area was the most productive area with a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 2 Little Egrets, at least 3 Common Sandpipers, a Sanderling, 45 Redshank, 12 Dunlin, 35 Turnstones, 8 Curlew, 200 Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull, 5 Teal (first of the autumn), a Yellow Wagtail, a Kingfisher and 2 Ravens. An additional 3 Little Egrets, 10 Dunlin and 150 Black-headed Gulls were seen from Severn Beach. Another 4 Common Sandpipers, 16 Redshank and 7 Curlew were reported from Aust Warth.

July 28th
A fine sunny day. Combined reports from New Passage included 3 Mediterranean Gulls (adult & 2 juveniles), 250 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Common Sandpipers, 50 Redshank, 28 Turnstones, 11 Dunlin, 8 Curlew, 4 Canada Geese, single Wheatear, Kestrel, Raven and Grey Wagtail. Another 200 Black-headed Gulls and and 20 Oystercatchers were present at Severn Beach on the evening high tide.

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                                                                                Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 28.7.11

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                                                                       juvenile Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 28.7.11

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                                                                                  Dunlin, New Passage  28.7.11  © Vic Savery

July 27th
Combined reports from the New Passage area included 2 Common Sandpipers, 45 Redshank, 25 Turnstones, 6 Dunlin, 12 Curlew, a Common Gull, 4 adult Shelduck and 2 broods of at least 20 ducklings, single Peregrine and Kestrel. A high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 5 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin, 20 Oystercatchers and 120 Black-headed Gulls. The Garden Warbler was seen again at Aust Warth.

July 26th
Yet another juvenile Mediterranean Gull (a fresher plumaged individual than yesterday), was seen at New Passage this evening where other reports included 120 Black-headed Gulls, a Snipe, 45 Redshank, 40 Curlew, 2 Common Sandpipers, 25 Turnstones, 4 Dunlin, 7 Oystercatchers, a Peregrine and 2 Grey Wagtails. A female Redstart, a Garden Warbler, a Grey Wagtail, a juvenile Peregrine and 4 Common Sandpipers were reported at Aust Warth. Another 200 Black-headed Gulls, 9 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach.

July 25th
Another mainly sunny and warm day. Two more juvenile Mediterranean Gulls appeared at New Passage this evening where other sightings included 5 Common Sandpipers, an influx of 55 Redshank, 20 Turnstones, 2 Dunlin, 7 Oystercatchers and up to 300 Black-headed Gulls. The juvenile Redstart remained at Aust Warth where a Lesser Whitethroat and 6 young Chiffchaffs were also seen.

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 J                                                                      juvenile Mediterranean Gulls, New Passage 25.7.11

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                                                                           juvenile Mediterranean Gulls, New Passage 25.7.11

July 24th
Combined reports from the New Passage area included 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 150 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Common Sandpipers, 11 Dunlin, 30 Curlew, 22 Turnstones, 8 Oystercatchers, a Redstart and 4 Ravens. At least 100 Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers, 12 Dunlin and 5 Ringed Plover were seen from Severn Beach. The juvenile Redstart was reported again at Aust Warth.

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                                                                                 Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 24.7.11

July 23rd
A good selection were seen at Aust Warth including a Little Egret, a Black-tailed Godwit, a juvenile Redstart, a Whinchat, a family group of 4 Green Woodpeckers, at least 2 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps and a Pheasant. Reports from the New Passage area involved 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Dunlin, 10 Turnstones, 8 Oystercatchers, 20 Redshank, 2 Redstarts and a Raven. At least 4 Reed Warblers and 3 Whitethroats were seen at Chittening Warth.

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                                                                            juvenile Redstart, Aust Warth  23.7.11  © Vic Savery

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                                                                       juvenile Green Woodpecker, Aust Warth  23.7.11  © Vic Savery

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                                                                              Whinchat, Aust Warth 23.7.11 © Vic Savery

July 22nd
Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area involved 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult & juvenile), 140 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Lapwing, 21 Curlew, 24 Redshank, 10 Turnstones, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Ravens, 3 Grey Wagtails, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Goldcrests. At least 16 Dunlin and 9 Oystercatchers were seen at Severn Beach.

July 21st
A summer plumage Mediterranean Gull, 120 Black-headed Gulls, 16 Curlew, 3 Oystercatchers, a Common Sandpiper and 2 Grey Wagtails were reported from New Passage. Another Common Sandpiper and a Little Egret were seen at Aust Warth. Two Kestrels were seen hunting again over Chittening Warth.

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                                                                     Common Sandpiper, New Passage 21.7.11 © BOC Sightings

July 20th
An evening visit to New Passage between heavy rain showers produced 6 Common Sandpipers, 3 Dunlin, 15 Redshank, 15 Turnstones, 9 Oystercatchers, 12 Curlew and 7 Grey Herons. Three Kestrels remained at Chittening Warth.

July 19th
Another quiet day. Four Common Sandpipers, 40 Black-headed Gulls, single Redshank and Kestrel were seen at Aust Warth. Combined reports from New Passage involved 3 Common Sandpipers, a Lapwing, 7 Redshank, 3 Dunlin, 22 Curlew, 5 Turnstones and 100 Black-headed Gulls. Two Grey Herons, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, single Green Woodpecker and Buzzard were seen at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach.

July 18th
Three Common Scoters were reported off Severn Beach this morning. Sightings from the New Passage area included 2 Common Sandpipers, a Redshank, 30 Curlew, 8 Oystercatchers, 4 adult and 18 juvenile Shelduck and 330 Black-headed Gulls.

July 17th
Another breezy and increasingly wet day. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was seen in flight at Aust Warth this morning where other reports included 50 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 60 Curlew, at least 4 Common Sandpipers, 4 Redshank and 2 Ravens. A brief visit to New Passage produced another 2 Common Sandpipers, 5 Dunlin, 9 Redshank, 15 Oystercatchers, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Ravens and 2 Grey Wagtails. A windy evening sea watch at Severn Beach produced a Storm Petrel flying down river close to shore at 7.20pm, a Common Scoter and at least 40 flyby Curlew.

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                                                                 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, Cake Pill/Aust Warth  17.7.11

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                                                                                     Storm Petrel, Severn Beach  17.7.11

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                                                                                  Common Scoter, Severn Beach  17.7.11

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                                                                                 Grey Wagtail, New Passage 17.7.11 © Vic Savery

July 16th
A wet morning and breezy afternoon. Combined reports from New Passage included a Common Sandpiper, 10 Turnstones, 5 Redshank, 10 Oystercatchers, 60 Curlew and 200 Black-headed Gulls.

July 15th
Morning reports from Aust Warth included a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 40 Black-headed Gulls, a Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Common Sandpipers, 5 Redshank, 4 Ravens and a juvenile Redstart. Combined reports from New Passage involved 3 Common Sandpipers, 6 Dunlin, 17 Curlew, 8 Oystercatchers, at least 54 mixed size Shelduck ducklings and 300 Black-headed Gulls. Another Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin and 50 Black-headed Gulls were seen from the shore at Severn Beach and nearby a Little Egret and Grey Heron were present at the Orchard Pools. Three Kestrels and 2 Buzzards were reported at Chittening Warth this afternoon,

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                                                              Pilning Wetland under construction July 2011 © John Luke

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                              and how it will hopefully look after the first phase of work due for completion in 2012.
                                         An additional 2 or 3 similar size wet areas will be added in phase 2.

July 14th
An adult Mediterranean Gull, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Common Sandpipers, 13 Redshank, 11 Turnstones, 12 Oystercatchers and 6 Curlew were seen from New Passage. Four Ringed Plover were reported from Severn Beach.

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                                                                                  Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 14.7.11

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                                                                                 Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 14.7.11

July 13th
A juvenile Little Ringed Plover was found roosting with 5 Ringed Plover at Severn Beach. At least 200 Black-headed Gulls were seen from New Passage. A Little Egret, a pair of Shelduck with 24 half grown young, and a pair of Moorhen with 2 chicks were seen at Cake Pill, Aust Warth.

July 12th
Combined reports from New Passage included 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpipers, 17 Curlew, 4 Redshank, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Ravens, a Kingfisher, 2 juvenile Grey Wagtails, 5 Sand Martins, a Green Woodpecker and 2 Goldcrests. A Little Egret, a Grey Heron, a Great Black-backed Gull and 65 Black-headed Gulls were seen at Aust Warth. Two juvenile Mediterranean Gulls, 40 Black-headed Gulls and 6 Ringed Plover were seen this evening at Severn Beach.

July 11th
At least one Black-tailed Godwit, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Redshank, 11 Turnstones, 10 Curlew, a Grey Heron, 35+ Mallard, several Shelduck broods and at least 120 Black-headed Gulls were seen from New Passage. Reports from Severn Beach involved 10 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover and 8 Oystercatchers.

July 10th
Three Summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Redshank, 6 Curlew, 2 Oystercatchers, 150 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Ravens and a Yellow Wagtail were seen at New Passage. Three Dunlin and 8 Ringed Plover were seen on the afternoon high tide at Severn Beach.

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                                                                               Black-tailed Godwits, New Passage 10.7.11

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                                                           Wardens building, Pilning Wetland 10.7.11
                           The steel frame of the upper floor went up today. When completed it will have an impressive view from the 360
                            degree walk around viewing balcony.

July 9th
A breezy day with sunshine and showers. A Common Tern flew down river from Severn Beach. Just 3 Common Sandpipers and a Raven were reported from New Passage.

July 8th
Still slow at the moment but 6 Ringed Plover (4 juveniles) were new arrivals at Severn Beach. Just 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Turnstones, 8 Curlew, 6 Oystercatchers, single Redshank and Raven were seen from New Passage.

July 7th
Another day of showers. A brief afternoon visit to New Passage produced just one Turnstone, 4 Oystercatchers, 6 Curlew and the usual Shelducks and Black-headed Gulls.

July 6th
A day of heavy rain showers. A Little Egret was seen at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach. Combined reports from New Passage involved just 7 Turnstones, 8 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, 100 Black-headed Gulls and a Raven.

July 5th
Combined reports from New Passage included 11 Turnstones, a Dunlin, 8 Oystercatchers, 10 Curlew, 3 Shelduck broods (at least 45 young), at least 200 Black-headed Gulls and a juvenile Yellow Wagtail. Three Kestrels were hunting over Chittening Warth.

July 4th
The first juvenile Yellow Wagtail of the autumn was seen at New Passage where other sightings included a Whimbrel, 3 Curlew, 7 Turnstones, 4 Oystercatchers, 2 Shelduck broods and 120 Black-headed Gulls. A Common Sandpiper and at least 10 Reed Buntings were reported from Chittening Warth. Another 2 Common Sandpipers were seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth.

July 3rd
Another warm and sunny day. Combined reports from New Passage involved a flyover Greenshank, a Little Egret, 5 Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 40 Curlew, 100+ Black-headed Gulls, 70+ Shelduck including 2 different sized broods of ducklings, a Kingfisher, a Coal Tit and 2 flyover Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Two Greenshanks, at least 6 Common Sandpipers, 20 Shelduck including the brood of 18 young and at least 50 Swallows were seen at Cake Pill on Aust Warth.

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                                                 Pilning Wetland Reserve on Northwick Warth progressing.......
   The Grebe Pond has been enlarged and deepened. Additional scrapes and pools will be created and several areas of the sheep fields are being       prepared for winter flooding.

July 2nd
A hot day with little reported. Combined sightings from the New Passage Northwick Warth area included a Little Egret, 4 Lapwing, 3 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 5 Turnstones, 6 Oystercatchers, a Redshank, 100+ Black-headed Gulls, 2 Ravens, 8 Sand Martins and a good number of juvenile Swallows. A group of 18 Shelduck ducklings, 6 Curlew, 3 Redshank and Common Sandpipers were seen at Aust Warth. Another 60 Curlew and 30 Black-headed Gulls were present at Severn Beach.

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                                                                Swallow, New Passage 2.7.11

July 1st
No reports were received.