Following two of the quietest months of the year, August can be an interesting month with a total of 171 species having been recorded during this month. The numbers and variety of waders increase, as do the numbers of migrating warblers, Yellow Wagtails, Whinchat and Wheatears. Mediterranean and Yellow-legged Gulls are expected. Rarities in August have included Slavonian Grebe (1996), Red Crested Pochard (1998), Goshawk, Osprey, Sabine’s Gull, Kentish Plover, White-rumped Sandpiper (1995, 2001), Grey Phalarope, Wryneck (1976,1984,2003 and 2010), Marsh Warbler (2009) and Red-backed Shrike (2003).
August 2013
31st August
Combined sightings from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Little Ringed Plover, 3 Snipe, 75 Redshank, 7 Lapwing, a Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Little Egrets, 24 Canada Geese (including the small dark bird), 150 Teal, 10 Wigeon, a Pintail, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 5 Little Grebes, 8 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat, a Kingfisher, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Garden Warbler. A record flock 8 Little Egrets, a Black-tailed Godwit, 70 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin and a Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach. Two Red Kites flew west from Aust Warth where another Kingfisher and Little Egret were also present.
Red Kites, Aust Warth 31.8.13 © Vic Savery
Clouded Yellow, Severn Beach 31.8.13 © Allan Chard
30th August
Combined reports from New Passage/Northwick Warth involved juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 6 Lapwing, 35 Redshank, 40 Turnstones, 7 Little Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 16 Canada Geese, 55 Teal, 38 Mallard, a Pochard, 210 Black-headed Gulls and a Seal.
29th August
Reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included the juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 45+ Redshank, 7 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 48 Turnstones, 6 Lapwing, 9 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Little Grebes, 16 Canada Geese, 7 Wigeon, single Pochard and Pintail, 30+ Teal and 23 Pied Wagtails.
Curlew Sandpiper, New Passage 29.8.13 © Lee Gardiner
28th August
A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 17 Black-tailed Godwits, a Little Egret, 9 Dunlin, 45 Redshank, 30+ Turnstones and 7 Wigeon were seen from New Passage. Nearby 2 Greenshank, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe, 7 Lapwing nd the flock of Canada Geese remained on the Pilning Wetland. Sightings from Severn Beach included 4 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 7 Dunlin and a Sparrowhawk were seen at Severn Beach.
27th August
Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area involved a Red Kite circling north at 2.20pm (the 1st August record and 10th reported this year), 2 Greenshank, 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Common Sandpipers, 11 Dunlin, 20 Redshank, 7 Lapwing, 5 Snipe, 58 Mallard, 5 Shoveler, 15 Wigeon, 100+ Teal, a Pochard, 16 Canada Geese, 9 Stock Doves, 80 Goldfinches, a female Sparrowhawk, a male Kestrel, 2 Whitethroats, 9 Wheatears and 3 Whinchats. Two Little Egrets, 9 Dunlin, 4 Ringed Plover, a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Whitethroats and a Wheatear were seen between Severn Beach and Chittening Warth and another 2 Little Egrets were seen at the Orchard Pools. At least 27 Redshank were seen at Aust Warth.
Black-tailed Godwits, Pilning Wetland 27.8.13 © Steve Hale
Whinchat, Northwick Warth 27.8.13 © Steve Hale
26th August
Reports from the Pilning Wetland included a juvenile Ruff, 2 Greenshank, a Little Ringed Plover, 4 Knot, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Lapwing, 5 Snipe, a Little Egret, 4 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, a female Merlin, 5 Little Grebes, the usual 16 Canada Geese, 30+ Teal, 5 Wigeon, a Tufted Duck, a Pochard, 3 Redstarts, 2 Whinchats. 2 Tree Pipits, 7 Wheatears and 6 Yellow Wagtails. Two Spotted Flycatchers were reported at New Passage.Two Common Sandpipers, 4 Wheatears and a Whinchat were seen at Chittening Warth.
Redstart, Pilning Wetland 26.8.13
25th August
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area included a female Marsh Harrier, a female Merlin, 5 Greenshank, 5 Snipe, 6 Lapwing, 6 Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 40 Redshank, a Little Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 16 Canada Geese (including Todd’s type), 4 Wigeon, a Pochard, 2 Little Grebes, 4 Stock Dove, 15 Sand Martin, 3 Wheatear, 30 Pied Wagtails and 5 Yellow Wagtails. Just 2 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin and a Wheatear were reported from Severn Beach.
24th August
A high tide produced a good selection in the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland area including 2 Mediterranean Gulls (2nd summer& adult), 2 Greenshank, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, single Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper, 2 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, at least 80 Oystercatchers, 50 Turnstones,45 Redshank, 120 Curlew, 5 Ringed Plover, 6 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 5 Little Grebes, 6 Shelduck, 6 Wigeon, 48 Teal, single Gadwall and Pochard, 16 Canada Geese (including the small dark bird), 3 Wheatears, 5 Stock Doves, 25+ Pied Wagtails, a Yellow Wagtail and a Kingfisher.
Greenshank, Pilning Wetland 24.8.13
23rd August
A Greenshank, 2 Little Egrets, 6 Lapwing, 12 Common Sandpipers, 73 Oystercatchers. 250+ Curlew. 4 Ringed Plover, just one Dunlin, 20 Turnstones, 15 Canada Geese, 20+ Teal, a Pochard, 5 Little Grebes, 15 Moorhens, 15+ Coot, a Kingfisher and 2 Yellow Wagtails were seen in the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth area. At least 30 Black-tailed Godwits, single Wheatear and Tree Pipit were reported at Severn Beach. The pumping of freshwater onto the wetlands continued today and there will be some occasional disturbance but hopefully a few new birds.
Possible Todd’s Canada Goose, Northwick Warth 23.8.13 © Steve Hale
22nd August
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included 2 Greenshank, 3 Little Egrets, 12 Ringed Plover, 6 Lapwing, 100 Curlew, 45 Redshank, 50+ Turnstones, 50+ Oystercatchers, 2+ Common Sandpipers, 16 Canada Geese (including a smaller darker Todd’s like individual), 25 Teal, a Pochard, a Raven and 3 Yellow Wagtails. A Snipe and a Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach.
21st August
Two Knot, 7 Ringed Plover, 60 Turnstones, 120 Curlew, 60 Redshank and 24 Teal and a Yellow Wagtail were seen at Northwick Warth this evening. Two Little Egrets were seen from the 9.54 train just south of Severn Beach at New Pill.
20th August
Reports from the Northwick Warth area included a Little Egret, a Greenshank, 20 Redshank, 30 Turnstones, a Dunlin, 6 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 7 Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpipers, 4 Teal, 17 Canada Geese, 3 Wheatears and 3 Yellow Wagtails.
19th August
A quiet day with just 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 8 Ringed Plover, 27 Redshank, 33 Turnstones, 11 Oystercatchers, single Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper, 4+ Yellow Wagtails, 23 Pied Wagtails and a Wheatear reported in the Northwick Warth area this morning.
Yellow Wagtail, Northwick Warth 19.8.13 © Steve Hale
18th August
Combined reports from the New Passage/Pilning Wetland area involved a Black Tern, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Little Ringed Plover, 12 Ringed Plover, 11 Dunlin, a Greenshank, 40 Turnstones, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Snipe, 6 Lapwing, 30 Curlew, 20 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 11 Teal, 3 Shelduck, a Pochard, 2 Shoveler, 9 Little Grebes, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Garden Warbler and a Sand Martin. Another Little Egret was seen at Aust Warth. Sightings from the shore at Severn Beach included 2 Whimbrel, 3 Ringed Plover, 10 Curlew and 30 Oystercatchers and nearby a Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons and 2 Little Grebes were seen at the Orchard Pools.
17th August
An early morning visit to New Passage produced 2 Sandwich Terms, 70+ Redshank, 30+ Turnstones, 5 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, single Little Egret, Raven and Pochard. Nearby there were 9 Little Grebes, 6 Lapwing, 3 Dunlin and 7 Teal on the Pilning Wetland. Another 21 Ringed Plover and 7 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach.
16th August
Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth/New Passage area involved a Greenshank, at least 3 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Lapwing, 49 Turnstones, 3 Ringed Plover, 79 Dunlin, a Little Egret, 3 Common Sandpipers, 48 Mallard, 4 Teal, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats, 50 House Martins and a Sand Martin. Another 2 Little Egrets were reported at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach.
15th August
A humid day with some rain. A Little Egret, a Greenshank, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 12 Dunlin, 9 Lapwing, a Common Sandpiper and a Hobby were reported at the Pilning Wetland and nearby a Common Sandpiper was seen at New Passaage and a Wheatear was present on Northwick Warth. Another 3 Common Sandpipers were seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth.
14th August
Combined reports from the Pilning Wetland included 5 Little Ringed Plover, a Greenshank, 4 Little Egrets, 4 Common Sandpipers, 3 Ringed Plover, 13 Dunlin, 7 Teal, a Pochard, a Kingfisher, 3 Wheatears and a Tree Pipit and another 20 Ringed Plover and 11 Dunlin were seen nearby on the river shore. Another 3 Little Egrets, 34 Ringed Plover and 5 Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach.
13th August
An evening visit to Pilning Wetland produced a Greenshank, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 14 Dunlin, a Ringed Plover, 5 Lapwing and 5 Little Grebes. Nearby there were 2 Common Sandpipers and a Kingfisher in Chestle Pill at New Passage.
12th August
At least one Greenshank, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Lapwing, 8 Dunlin, 36 Redshank, 30 Turnstones, a Little Egret, 8 Teal and 2 Wheatears were reported in the Northwick Warth area. A Little Egret, 7 Common Sandpipers, 2 Ringed Plover and 28 Redshank were seen at Aust Warth, Cake Pill.
11th August
A Greenshank, 9 Common Sandpipers, 9 Dunlin, 34 Oystercatchers, 9 Lapwing, 23 Curlew, 10 Sand Martins, 2 Wheatears and a Yellow Wagtail were reported from the Northwick Warth area. Sightings from the Severn Beach shore included single Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Redshank,150 Curlew and 40 Oystercatchers and nearby 3 Little Egrets, 3 Little Grebes and 3 Gadwall were present at the Orchard Pools.
10th August
A morning visit to Severn Beach produced a Greenshank, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Little Egrets, 8 Turnstones, 40 Curlew, 20 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin and 25 Oystercatchers. Another Greenshank, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpipers, 60+ Turmstones. 52 Redshank, 30 Oystercatchers, 50 Curlew, 10 Lapwing, a Pochard, 6 Teal, 8 Little Grebes, a Kestrel, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a Wheatear were seen at Northwick Warth, Two Common Sandpipers and a Wheatear were seen at Aust Warth.
9th August
A reasonable variety was seen today including a pale morph Arctic Skua flew down river past New Passage and nearby a Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 10 Lapwing, a Little Egret, 9 Little Grebes and 120+ Goldfinches were seen on the Pilning Wetland and 6 Common Sandpipers, 55 Redshank, 20 Turnstones and 50 Oystercatchers were seen off Northwick Warth. A Wood Sandpiper, another 6 Common Sandpipers, a Little Egret, 28 Redshank and a Dunlin were reported at Aust Warth. At least 20 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin and 3 Turnstones were seen on the Severn Beach shore and a Little Egret, 3 Little Grebes and a Kingfisher were present at the Orchard Pools.
8th August
Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included 20 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 32 Redshank, 30 Turnstones, 120 Curlew, 30 Oystercatchers, 10 Teal, a Pochard, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 11 Blackcaps, 4 Willow Warblers, single Whitethroat, male Redstart and Garden Warbler. A mixed flock of 50 Dunlin/Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach.
7th August
Combined reports from New Passage involved a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 3 Little Egrets, a Teal, 23 Oystercatchers, 7 Lapwing, 5 Common Sandpipers, 120 Curlew, 40 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover and 7 Turnstones. Another 4 Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach.
6th August
Late afternoon sightings from New Passage included an adult Mediterranean Gull, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Common Sandpipers, 7 Dunlin, 6 Ringed Plover, 48 Redshank and a Teal. Nearby another Common Sandpiper and 2 Snipe were seen at the Grebe Pond. A flighty mixed flock of 40 Ringed Plover/Dunlin were seen at Severn Beach where a family party of 5 Swifts were still screaming over the shops in the village.
5th August
A wet day with over an inch of rain. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/ Pilning Wetland involved 9 Common Sandpipers, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Lapwing, 30 Redshank, 45 Oystercatchers, 152 Curlew, 9 Little Grebes, 2 Teal, a Kingfisher, 23 Pied Wagtails and a Wheatear. Another 4 Common Sandpipers and a Green sandpiper were reported in Cake Pill at Aust Warth. A Little Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin and 30 Ringed Plover were seen on the evening high tide at Severn Beach.
4th August
Another wet day. A Green Sandpiper, at least 7 Common Sandpipers, a Little Egret and 15 Redshank were seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth. An afternoon high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 39 Ringed Plover (one colour ringed), 10 Dunlin, a Redshank and at least 100 Curlew flying up river.
Ringed Plover and Dunlin, Severn Beach 4.8.13
colour ringed Ringed Plover, Severn Beach 4.8.13
Left leg White over Red. Right Leg Green over metal. The bird was ringed as a chick in the summer of 2010 at a location in Avonmouth.
3rd August
A day of sunshine and heavy rain showers. Combined reports from New Passage included a moulting adult Mediterranean Gull, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Redshank, 10 Turnstones, 7 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, 41 Oystercatchers, 25 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 250+ Black-headed Gulls, single Peregrine, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, 30 Mallard and 13 Shelduck. Nearby just 2 Lapwing, songle Little Egret and Tufted Duck were seen on the much reduced and temporarily occupied Pilning Wetland. Another 60 Curlew, 20 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin and a Swift were seen at Severn Beach this afternoon.
2nd August
Reports from the Northwick Warth area included 4 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Common Sandpipers, 2 Teal, a drake Tufted Duck, 10 Little Grebes (2 adults, 5 downy young and 3 older juveniles), a juvenile Stock Dove, single Sand Martin and Lesser Whitethroat. A late afternoon high tide visit to Severn Beach produced 2 Little Egrets. 14 Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, single Turnstone, Redshank and Whimbrel.
1st August
A hot (30°C) and humid start to the month. A Rose-ringed Parakeet (only 3rd Severnside record) flew over the Pilning Wetland early this morning where 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Green Sandpipers and 5 Lapwing and nearby “riverside” at New Passage there were 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Redshank, 4 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 5 Common Sandpipers and 7 Turnstones. A Little Egret and 2 Common Sandpipers were seen in Cake Pill at Aust Warth. A Whimbrel and a Redshank were seen at Severn Beach. .
