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. 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 and Manx Shearwaters.
July 2012
July 31st
A slight increase in wader numbers today. An adult Mediterranean Gull, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Whimbrel, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Redshank, 12 Turnstones, 95 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers and 13 Oystercatchers were seen from New Passage. A Common Sandpiper and 3 Peregrines were reported at Aust Warth.
July 30th
The only reports received were of 17 Dunlin, 3 Turnstones, 26 Redshank and a Common Sandpiper at New Passage and another Common Sandpiper, a Canada Goose and a flyover Raven at Aust Warth.
July 29th
A breezy day with rain in the morning followed by a sunny afternoon. Once again the sightings were from the Northwick Warth area where an adult Mediterranean Gull (an individual with a white face), 220 Black-headed Gulls, a Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Turnstones, 2 Common Sandpipers, 23 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 30+ Redshank, a juvenile Little Grebe, 2 Sedge Warblers and a Yellow Wagtail were seen.
July 28th
Combined reports from the New Passage area included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 6 Common Terns, a Greenshank, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Sanderling, 3 Turnstones, 30 Redshank, 29 Dunlin, 18 Oystercatchers, 200 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 6 Willow Warblers and a Garden Warbler. Another 6 Dunlin and 90 Black-headed Gulls were seen at Severn Beach,
July 27th
The heat wave continues with temperatures peaking at 27°C. Combined reports from New Passage on morning and afternoon visits included an adult Sandwich Tern, an adult Mediterranean Gull (a different bird from yesterday), 200 Black-headed Gulls, a juvenile Common Gull, 41 Redshank, 24 Dunlin, 3 Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers, a Common Sandpiper and a Yellow Wagtail.
July 26th
A hot day with temperatures exceeding 28°C. A brief afternoon visit to New Passage produced just an adult Mediterranean Gull, 100 Black-headed Gulls, 31 Redshank, 8 Oystercatchers, 3 Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper.
Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 26.7.12
July 25th
Another scorching day with nothing reported.
July 24th
An even warmer day with just a Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper and 2 Redshank seen at Aust Warth.
July 23rd
A hot (26°C) and sunny day. The only reports involved a Little Egret, 4 Lapwing, 15 Dunlin, 16 Redshank and 40 Pied Wagtails at Northwick Warth and a Common Sandpiper at Aust Warth.
July 22nd
Another fine summer day. Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult and 2nd summer), a juvenile Black Tern, 2 Little Egrets, a Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit, 130 Curlew, 7 Turnstones, 14 Redshank, 14 Dunlin, 2 Lapwing, 36 Oystercatchers, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls, 200+ Black-headed Gulls and a Garden Warbler.
Mediterranean Gull, Northwick Warth 21.7.12 © John Martin
July 21st
A warm and sunny day at last. An adult Mediterranean Gull, a Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Redshank, single Turnstone and Dunlin, 24 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, 4 Grey Herons, a Teal, 300 Black-headed Gulls, single Wheatear and Tree Pipit were seen at Northwick Warth this morning.
Mediterranean Gull and Black-headed Gulls, Northwick Warth 21.7.12
July 20th
An adult Mediterranean Gull was reported at Severn Beach early afternoon. A Little Egret, 12 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel, 205 Curlew, 33 Oystercatchers and at least 250 Black-headed Gulls were seen from New Passage this evening.
July 19th
Just a Black-tailed Godwit, 35 Oystercatchers and 100 Black-headed Gulls were reported from New Passage.
July 18th
The moderate strength wind continued but still no seabirds were reported. A high tide visit to New Passage produced 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 25 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers and 40 Curlew.
Green Woodpecker, Severn Beach 18.7.12 © Rod Holbrook
July 17th
Another breezy day. Thirteen Redshank were seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth. A Hobby was seen harassing the flock of juvenile Starlings at New Passage and a Peregrine was seen at Severn Beach.
July 16th
A windy day but no seabirds were reported. A brief afternoon visit to New Passage produced 10 Redshank and the first 3 Sanderling of the autumn.
July 15th
Combined sightings from the Northwick Warth area included 2 Little Gulls (adult and 1st summer) flying inland south east at 3.30 pm, 2 Little Egrets, 25 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 20+ Oystercatchers, 4 Curlew, a Garden Warbler and 2 Siskins. A 4th year Gannet flew down river close to shore at Severn Beach where other sightings included a Black-tailed Godwit, 37 Dunlin, 90 Curlew, 10 Oystercatchers and at least 200 Black-headed Gulls.
July 14th
At least 15 Redsahnk, 22 Oystercatchers, 3 Curlew and a Common Sandpiper were seen at New Passage and another Common Sandpiper, a Turnstone and a Kingfisher were seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth.
July 13th
Five Common Sandpipers remained at New Passage. Another 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 Redshank were seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth. The pair of Stonechats were still present at the Tesco Pool in Severn Beach.
July 12th
A brief afternoon visit to New Passage in heavy rain produced 5 Common Sandpipers and 6 Redshank.
July 11th
A Common Sandpiper, 4 Dunlin, 8 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 15 Oystercatchers and 200 Black-headed Gulls were reported from New Passage. A Redshank was seen at Aust Warth and a pair of Stonechats were seen at the Tesco Pool in Severn Beach. Today marks the 10th anniversary of this website with now over 160 pages online, more than 1,188,000 page views and 22 new species added to the “patch” list in that time. Many thanks to all the website visitors and especially those who have taken the time to contribute their sightings and pictures.
July 10th
No reports were received today.
July 9th
A Common Sandpiper was seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth and nearby a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel, 33 Curlew, 15 Oystercatchers, 20 Shelduck and 140 Black-headed Gulls were seen from New Passage.
July 8th
An adult Mediterranean Gull, 90 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 50 Curlew, 18 Oystercatchers, 50 Shelduck, 5 Shoveler and 2 Teal were seen at Northwick Warth.
July 7th
Another wet day after a very wet night. Sightings from Northwick Warth this morning included 2 Mediterranean Gulls (summer plumaged adult & 1st summer), 120 Black-headed Gulls, a Whimbrel, 70 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, a Peregrine, 60 Shelduck, a flyover Tree Pipit heading south and at least 80 low flying Swifts.
July 6th
The only report received was of 4 Common Sandpipers at Aust Warth.
July 5th
The first dry and warm day for some time. An evening visit to New Passage produced 13 Common Sandpipers, 3 Lapwing, 50 Curlew, 15 Oystercatchers, 50 Black-headed Gulls and 60 Shelduck.
Common Sandpipers, New Passage 5.7.12
July 4th
Fourteen Common Sandpipers were seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth this morning. Three Shelduck broods, 4 flyby Common Scoters, a Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpipers and 50 Black-headed Gulls were seen from Northwick Warth. Another 3 Common Sandpipers, a Common Scoter, 30 Black-headed Gulls and 45 Curlew were seen at Severn Beach this evening.
July 3rd
Another day of rain. Reports from Northwick Warth included 2 Black-tailed Godwits, at least 3 Common Sandpipers, 80 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers,75 Shelduck and 2 Shoveler. Another 6 Common Sandpipers were seen at Aust Warth.
July 2nd
A wet day. Four Little Ringed Plover were flushed by dogs on Northwick Warth.
July 1st
Another breezy day produced 6 Gannets off Severn Beach early morning and a dark morph Arctic Skua, a Common Scoter, 15 Black-headed Gulls and 50 Curlew on the evening tide. Sightings from New Passage included 2 Common Sandpipers, a Redshank, 3 Curlew, 12 Oystercatchers, 50 Shelduck and 30 Black-headed Gulls.
