page views

July is the quietest month on Severnside with only 147 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 2013



31st July
Reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included a moulting adult Mediterranean Gull, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Dunlin, 22 Redshank, 8 Turnstones, 5 Lapwing, a Golden Plover, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, single Peregrine and Hobby.

     
                                                                                 Mediterranean Gull, New Passage 31.7.13

30th July
A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpipers, 27 Dunlin, 6 Turnstones, 38 Redshank, 200 Black-headed Gulls, single Hobby and Kingfisher were reported from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area today.

29th July
A day of heavy rain showers with thunder and lightning. Reports from the Pilning Wetland included 2 Green Sandpipers, single Little Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Whimbrel, Tufted Duck and Shoveler, 5 Teal, 30 Curlew and 7 Little Grebes (2 adults &3 downy young on the Grebe Pond and 2”older” juvenile birds on the 1st sentry box pool).Three Common Sandpipers and 2 Kestrels were reported at Aust Warth. A Raven was seen at Chittening Warth.

28th July
Reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth involved 18 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 26 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Turnstones, 6 Little Egrets and 10 Teal. Four Common Sandpipers were seen at Aust Warth. Another Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons and 9 Gadwall were reported at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach.

27th July
A dry and humid day turning to rain late afternoon. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included a 1st summer Mediterranean Gull, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 100+ Curlew, 27 Dunlin, 5 Turnstones, 43 Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, 4 Common Sandpipers, single Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Little Egret, Tufted Duck and Kingfisher, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Sand Martins and 2 Swifts. Another 2 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, a Whimbrel, 4 Dunlin, a Redshank, 20 Oystercatchers, 130+ Curlew, a Common Gull and 26 Pied Wagtails were reported at Severn Beach.

26th July
Another day without rain. The depleted Pilning Wetland and surrounding area produced a Little Egret, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Common Sandpipers, 3 Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank, 2 Dunlin, a Snipe, a Shoveler, a Kingfisher and 3 Lesser Whitethroats.

25th July
Another humid day. Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area included 6 Little Egrets, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpiper, 32 Redshank, 40 Oystercatchers, single Snipe, Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel, 21 Lapwing, 12 Dunlin, 100+ Curlew, 3 Teal, 3 Little Grebes and a Peregrine.

24th July
At least 11 Dunlin, 4 Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpipers, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Redshank, 4 Pintail and a Shoveler were reported on the Pilning Wetland today and this evening 13 Whimbrel, 200+ Curlew, 35 Lapwing, 50+ Oystercatchers, a Turnstone and 3 Common Sandpipers were present on Northwick Warth shore before being pushed off by the 14.2m high tide.

23rd July
A humid day following a night of spectacular thunderstorms. Reports from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area included 3 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Little Ringed Plover (4 juv, 2 adults), a Whimbrel, 15 Dunlin, 47 Redshank, 30 Lapwing, 100 Curlew, 32 Oystercatchers, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Little Grebes and a Red-veined Darter. Another 6 Common Sandpipers were seen at Aust Warth.

22nd July
A hot (31°C) and humid day. Combined visits to the Pilning Wetland produced single Ruff, Greenshank, Sanderling and Turnstone, 6 Little Ringed Plover (4 adults, 2 juv), 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Green Sandpipers, 14 Dunlin, 48 Redshank, 28 Lapwing, 300 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Common Gulls (adult and juv) and a Yellow Wagtail. A Kingfisher was seen at New Passage. At least 160 Curlew roosted on Northwick Warth this evening a Seal was seen floating up river.

21st July
Despite the rapidly falling water level on the Pilning Wetland there was still a decent number of birds including single Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 35 Redshank, 25 Lapwing, 2 Teal, 200 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Little Grebes. Nearby there were another 200 Black-headed Gulls and 120 Curlew on Northwick Warth and another Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Sandpipers in Chestle Pill at New Passage.

20th July
Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland involved a Greenshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpipers, 38 Redshank, 8 Dunlin, 30+ Lapwing, a Teal, 3 Little Grebes and 170 Black-headed Gulls. An adult Mediterranean Gull and 5 Oystercatchers were seen at New Passage. At least 6 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets and 2 Redshank were seen at Severn Beach.

19th July
Another 29°C day. Reports from the Pilning Wetland involved 6 Little Ringed Plover, 26 Lapwing, 12 Dunlin, 18 Redshank and a Green Sandpiper. Nearby there were another 23 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 3 Common sandpipers and 2 Kingfishers at New Passage. Three Little Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach this morning.

18th July
The hottest day of the year so far (31°C). At least 7 Little Ringed Plover, 33 Lapwing, 16 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 13 Redshank, single Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, 2 Gadwall, 5 Teal, 2 Little Grebes, 50+ Pied Wagtails, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Stock Doves and a Raven were reported at the Pilning Wetland and nearby another 2 Common Sandpipers were seen in Chestle Pill at New Passage. An afternoon visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced 8 Grey Herons and 3 Little Egrets.

    
                                                                        Swallows, New Passage 18.7.13 © Katie Horrocks

17th July
A 29°C day and forecast to get even hotter. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland on Northwick Warth involved 9 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, 16 Dunlin, 18 Redshank, a Snipe, 26 Lapwing, a Little Grebe and a Hobby.

July 16th
The rapidly receding Pilning Wetland produced at least 10 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, single Ruff, Green Sandpiper, Snipe and Greenshank, 30 Lapwing, 21 Redshank, 17 Dunlin, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Teal, a Little Grebe and 40+ Pied Wagtails. A Common Sandpiper was seen nearby in Chestle Pill at New Passage.

                
                                                                             Swallow, New Passage 16.7.13 © Helen Horrocks

July 15th
Still hot and a good selection of birds today including 12+ Little Ringed Plover, a Ruff, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, a Greenshank, 13 Dunlin, 21 Redshank, a Snipe, 25 Lapwing, a Common Sandpiper, a Little Egret, a Hobby, a Common Gull, 240 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Teal, a Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, a Kingfisher and 2 Yellow Wagtail from the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area.

July 14th
No change in the weather.Two Mediterranean Gulls (adult & juvenile), a Ruff, at least 12 Little Ringed Plovers, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 19 Dunlin, 9 Redshank, 40 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets and 3 Teal were seen on the Pilning Wetland after being flushed by very low flying Lancaster bomber and Hurricane fighter. Another Little Egret, 2 Dunlin and a Dark Green Fritillary were seen at Severn Beach. At least 60 Curlew were seen at Chittening Warth.

July 13th
A hot day (28°C) with most interest being at the Pilning Wetland/New Passage area where combined sightings involved a Ruff. 2 Greenshank, at least 10 Little Ringed Plover, 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Redshank, 30 Lapwing, 4 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpipers, single Gadwall and Teal, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Yellow Wagtail, a Kingfisher and 2 Ravens. A morning high tide visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced 2 Sanderling, a Dunlin, 14 Oystercatchers and 2 Curlew. Two Peregrines, a Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper were reported at Chittening Warth.

     
                                                                     Black-tailed Godwits and Ruff, Pilning Wetland 13.7.13

     
                                                                                        Sanderling, Severn Beach 13.7.13

July 12th
Another 27°C day. Reports from the Pilning Wetland area included 10 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, a Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Dunlin, 28 Lapwing, 3 Whimbrel, 9 Redshank, 20 Oystercatchers, 2 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, a Gadwall and a Yellow Wagtail.

July 11th
Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland included 2 Black-tailed Godwits, single Ruff, Greenshank and Dunlin, 10 Little Ringed Plover (3 adults & 7 juveniles), 30 Lapwing, 9 Redshank, 2 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 240 Black-headed Gulls, 40+ Pied Wagtails, a Redstart and a Hobby. A Little Egret was seen at Chittening Warth.

                        
                                                                                    Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 11.7.13 © Steve Hale

July 10th
Still hot and dry and the water levels are dropping rapidly at the Pilning Wetlands where a Ruff, 2 Greenshank, at least 8 Little Ringed Plovers, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Redshank, 25 Lapwing, a Whimbrel, 4 Dunlin, 5 Grey Herons, 2 Tufted Duck, 200 Black-headed Gulls and 28 Pied Wagtails were seen. Nearby 2 Little Egrets and 3 Yellow Wagtails were seen at New Passage.

July 9th
The heat wave continued. Combined sightings from the Pilning Wetland included at least 9 Little Ringed Plovers,
3 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Dunlin, 7 Redshank, 28 Lapwing, a Little Egret, a Whinchat, a Yellow Wagtail, 15 Swifts and 40 Sand Martins. A Tree Sparrow was reported at New Passage. An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen at Aust Warth this morning.

   
                                                                                Black-tailed Godwit, Pilning Wetland 9.7.13
           The colour ringed bird from yesterday was still here today. Finally sorted out the colours; left leg: Red/Lime Green/Blue and
    right leg: Red/Black/Red. The bird was ringed as an adult male at Harty, Kent 29th September 2012 and this was the first report of it since then.

July 8th
Another hot day (27°C). Once again some good records for July and the water levels on the Pilning Wetland are falling nicely and screaming out for a decent wader to drop in. Combined reports from here today involved a Red Kite flying NNW at 11 am (the first July but 9th record so far this year), the Hobby, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 300+ Black-headed Gulls, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Black-tailed Godwits (one was colour ringed), 4 Dunlin, 36 Lapwing, 11 Redshank, 60 Curlew, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Mute Swans, a Canada Goose, 2 Tufted Duck, 9 Teal, 6 Gadwall, 2+ Yellow Wagtails, 60+ Pied Wagtails, 35 Sand Martin, a Redstart and a Lesser Whitethroat. A Common Sandpiper, 2 Ravens and a Kestrel were reported at Aust Warth.

July 7th
A hot day with temperatures reaching 28°C. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland and surrounding area included a Greenshank, 4 Little Ringed Plover, an impressive 41 Lapwing, 6 Redshank, 3 Dunlin, 40 Curlew, single 1st summer Mediterranean Gull and Common Gull, 300+ Black-headed Gulls (9 juveniles), 5 early returning Wigeon, 2 Tufted Duck, single Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Raven and Yellow Wagtail plus 40+ Pied Wagtails.

      
                                                                              Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 7.7.13 © Dan White

     
                                                                           Sparrowhawk, Pilning Wetland 7.7.13 © Dan White

July 6th
An even warmer day (25°C) with a good selection for this time of year. Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland and surrounding area included a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Dunlin, 30 Curlew, 18 Oystercatchers, 11 Redshank, 2 Lapwing, a Little Egret 160 Black-headed Gulls (including at least 8 juveniles), single Little Grebe, Canada Goose, Teal and Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 50 Shelduck, 50 Mallard, 6 Mute Swans, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Ravens, single Hobby, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, a Kingfisher, 8 Sand Martins, Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers and Lesser Whitethroats feeding young, a Yellow Wagtail and 40+ Pied Wagtails. A pair of Mute Swans with 5 cygnets, a Kestrel, 3 Lesser Whitethroats and the usual Reed Warblers and Sedege Warblers were reported from the Orchard Pools at Severn Beach.

     
                                                                               Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 6.7.13

July 5th
A warm and sunny day. Combined visits to the Pilning Wetland on Northwick Warth produced 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Redshank, 2 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 8 Curlew, a Common Sandpiper, 70 Black-headed Gulls. 2 Teal, a Little Grebe, 2 Sand Martins and a hunting Hobby.

     
                                                                                              Hobby, Pilning Wetland 5.7.13

     
                                                                                  Hobby, Pilning Wetland 5.7.13 © Dan White

     
                                                                                 Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 5.7.13

July 4th
An evening visit to the Pilning Wetland produced 17 Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Tufted Duck and 100+ Black-headed Gulls including 2 juveniles.

July 3rd
A Hobby was seen over the Pilning Wetland this morning and an impressive 90 Shelduck were seen on the lagoon this evening, A Common Sandpiper was seen at New Passage,

July 2nd
An evening visit to the Pilning Wetland produced a Little Egret, 2 Redshank, a Dunlin, a drake Gadwall, a pair of Tufted Duck, 70 Mallard and 36 Shelduck.

July 1st
Combined reports from Northwick Warth involved 2 Little Egrets, 3 Redshank, 16 Oystercatchers, 63 Curlew, 38 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 55 Black-headed Gulls, 20 Pied Wagtails and 3 Stock Doves. A 3 duckling Shelduck brood and 2 Common Sandpipers were seen at Cake Pill on Aust Warth.