Despite the onset of winter and the decrease in hours of daylight, October is a month with the highest number of recorded species, with a grand total of 201. Rarities have included the only records of Black-necked Grebe (1996), Montagu’s Harrier (1991), Long-billed Dowitcher (1977), Lesser Yellowlegs (1984), White-rumped Sandpiper (1985), Red-necked Phalarope (2001), Black Guillemot (1998), Bearded Tits (2012) and Yellow-browed Warbler (2001). Other national and local rarities recorded include Glossy Ibis (2009), Ring-billed Gull, Spoonbills,Whooper Swans, Roseate Tern, Hooded Crow, Dartford Warbler, Hen Harrier, Ring Ouzel, Mealy Redpoll, Firecrest, Hawfinch and Common Crossbill.
October 2013
31st October
A Little Egret, 90 Redshank, 500 Wigeon and 90 Teal were seen at New Passage. A Short-eared Owl was reported at Aust Warth late afternoon.
30th October
The only reports were of a female Merlin and a Water Rail at Northwick Warth, a pair of Stonechats at Chittening Warth and a Short-eared Owl at Aust Warth.
29th October
An American Golden Plover was seen briefly on Northwick Warth at 1.30 pm, described by the finder “as flying off puddles on the warth, greyish/golden upperparts, giving a a squeaky kluee-kluee-kluee call (different from Golden Plover) and showing smokey grey underwings”. Other sightings from here included 700+ Wigeon, 90 Teal, 8 Canada Geese, 4 Tufted Duck, 20 Coot, 23 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 32 Curlew and a Wheatear. Two Short-eared Owls were seen at Aust Warth from 3.30pm where a Peregrine and 2 Stonechats were also present. Another 100 Wigeon, 3 Wheatears and a male Stonechat were seen at Severn Beach.
28th October
Despite the wind not being as strong as forecast, a good selection of seabirds were seen from Severn Beach including at least 3 Leach’s Petrels, a Storm Petrel, a Great Skua, a Gannet, 150 Kittiwakes and a Mediterranean Gull. Other sightings from Severn Beach included 19 Ringed Plover, at least 100 Turnstones and 2 Wheatears. A late afternoon visit to New Passage produced at least 800 Wigeon, 200 Teal, a Shoveler, 17 Canada Geese, 70 Redshank and 24 Lapwing. Two Short-eared Owls showed at Aust Warth late afternoon. Click on the Leach’s Petrel below for some Youtube video of one “motoring” out of the Burger Bar Bay at Severn Beach.
Leach’s Petrel, Severn Beach 28.10.13 © Andy Jordon
Storm Petrel, Severn Beach 28.10.13 © Andy Jordon
Gannet, Severn Beach 28.10.13 © Allan Chard
Short-eared Owl, Aust Warth 28.10.13 © Dan White
27th October
An even wetter and windier day with severe gales forecast in the next 24 hours. A Leach’s Petrel, a Great Skua, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 45 Kittiwakes were seen in a seawatch from Severn Beach where other reports included the Black Redstart, 4 Wheatears, 11 Ringed Plover and 100 Turnstones. Another Wheatear and a Kingfisher were reported from New Passage. A Short-eared Owl was reported out over Aust Warth at 5.15pm.
Leach’s Petrel, Severn Beach 27.10.13 © Mark Coller
Leach’s Petrel, Severn Beach 27.10.13 © Vic Savery
Great Skua, Severn Beach 27.10.13
26th October
Another wet and breezy day. Combined reports from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included single Curlew Sandpiper, Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover and Little Egret, 20 Turnstones, 41 Lapwing, 90+ Redshank, 10 Dunlin, 60+ Curlew, 50 Oystercatchers, 5 Little Grebes, a Canada Goose, 7 Tufted Duck, 190 Teal, 800 Wigeon, 3 Wheatears and a Kingfisher. A Short-eared Owl, a female Merlin, 2 Kestrels and a Raven were seen at Aust Warth. A Black Redstart was found at Severn Beach where other sightings included 115 Turnstones, 10 Ringed Plover, 50 Dunlin, 4 Rock Pipits and another 5 Wheatears were seen. A Cetti’s Warbler and 2 Stonechats remained at Chittening Warth.
Black Redstart, Severn Beach 26.10.13
25th October
A breezy day with showers. A flyby Avocet, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Little Egret, 100 Redshank, 40 Lapwing, 180 Teal and 600 Wigeon were seen form New Passage. At least 20 Turnstones, a Wheatear and a Raven were seen at Severn Beach. A Cetti’s Warbler and a Stonechat were reported at Chittening Warth.
24th October
Two Short-eared Owls and a male Merlin were seen at Aust Warth today. Sightings from Northwick Warth included a female Merlin, 600+ Wigeon, 100 Teal, 40+ Lapwing, 30 Dunlin, 79 Redshank, 84 Oystercatchers and a Little Egret. Two Stonechats and a Little Egret were seen at Chittening Warth. An afternoon visit to the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach produced 2 Water Rails, 2 Tufted Duck and a Kingfisher.
23rd October
The first Short-eared Owl of the winter was seen on Aust Warth this morning and 2 Bearded Tits were seen to fly off south east from the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach. A brief evening visit to New Passage produced at least 700 Wigeon, single Little Egret and Peregrine.
22nd October
A quiet day with just 12 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin, 40 Turnstones, 100 Oystercatchers, 140 Curlew, a Peregrine and 2 Wheatears reported from the Northwick Warth area. A Stonechat was seen at Aust Warth.
21st October
A wet and windy day. A morning visit to Northwick Warth produced 6 Ringed Plover, 120 Oystercatchers, 6 Grey Plover, 120 Redshank, 400+ Dunlin, 8 Turnstones, 100 Curlew, 28 Lapwing, 2 Little Egrets, 60+ Canada Geese, 5 Tufted Duck, 240 Wigeon, 80 Teal, 18 Coot, a female Merlin, a Peregrine and a Wheatear.
20th October
The first 7 Bewick’s Swans of the year made a brief visit to Northwick Warth this morning before circling the Pilning Wetland and heading off south east. Other reports from here involved 60+ Canada Geese, 300+ Wigeon, 100 Teal, 3 Shelduck, a Little Egret, a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 140 Redshank, 150 Curlew, 22 Lapwing, 50 Oystercatchers, 400+ Dunlin and 2 Wheatears. At least 7 Rock Pipits (including the Norwegian ringed bird), 3 Snipe, a Grey Plover, a Raven and a Wheatear were seen at Severn Beach. Another Wheatear and Little Egret were seen at Aust Warth.
Bewick’s Swans, Northwick Warth 20.10.13
Wheatear, Aust Warth 20.10.13 © Vic Savery
19th October
A Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Grey Plover, 18 Lapwing, 125 Dunlin, 55 Curlew, 135 Redshank, 2 Shoveler were reported from the Northwick Warth area and visible overhead migrants here included 950+ Fieldfares and 340+ Redwing. A Norwegian colour ringed Rock Pipit and a Wheatear were reported at Severn Beach. Another Wheatear, single Stonechat, Cetti’s Warbler and Kingfisher, 44 Redshank and 55 Curlew were seen at Chittening Warth.
18th October
At least 400 Dunlin, 15 Snipe, a Black-tailed Godwit, 170 Curlew, 5 Tufted Duck, a Shelduck, 3 Redpoll and a Wheatear were seen at Northwick Warth. Sightings from Aust Warth included 4 Jack Snipe, 6 Snipe and 2 Stonechats.
Stonechats, Aust Warth 18.10.13 © Vic Savery
17th October
A quiet day with just a Garganey, 65 Canada Geese (including the Todd’s), 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Shoveler, a Black-tailed Godwit, 245 Redshank, 115 Oystercatchers, 6 Grey Plover and a Wheatear reported from the Northwick Warth area. At least 120 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover were seen at Severn Beach this evening.
16th October
Reports from the Northwick Warth area included a Curlew Sandpiper, 8 Grey Plover, 120+ Dunlin, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit, “lots”of Wigeon, a Shoveler a Wheatear and a Common Seal. Five Knot and 120 Turnstones were seen on the Shaft beach at Severn Beach. No photographs of rarities today just this nice Scilly Kingfisher.
Kingfisher, St.Marys, Isles of Scilly 16.10.13
15th October
Just 2 Water Rails were reported from Northwick Warth on the Grebe Pond. At least 20 Ringed Plover, 20 Dunlin, 40 Turnstone, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Stonechats and 2 Wheatears were seen at Severn Beach today. Five Snipe and a Wheatear were seen at Aust Warth. Away on the Isles of Scilly produced a reasonable selection including this Short-toed Lark.
Short-toed Lark, St.Agnes, Isles of Scilly 15.10.13
14th October
The only reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 68 Canada Geese, 900 Wigeon/Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 6 Little Grebes, 5 Grey Plover, 5 Lapwing, single Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Curlew, 22 Redshank and a House Martin. A Water Rail and a Fieldfare were reported at the Orchard Pools in Severn Beach.
13th October
A quieter day with just 165 Redwing, 665 Chaffinches, 2 Brambling, 7 Siskins, 2 Ravens, single Little Egret and Peregrine, 6 Shoveler, 75 Canada Geese, 2 Tufted Duck, 19 Coot, 6 Little Grebes, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Redshank were reported from the Northwick Warth area.
12th October
Another Red Kite was seen flying north over Severn Beach at 12.05pm. Combined reports from Aust Warth/Aust Cliff included 4 Jack Snipe, a Snipe, a Ring Ouzel, 10,000 Redwing, 200 Fieldfare, 6 Brambling, 50 Siskin, 3 Redpoll, 2 Peregrine, 2 Raven and a Kingfisher. Reports from the Northwick Warth area involved, a Ruff, a female Merlin and a Peregrine. A Yellow-browed Warbler was heard at Aust Cliff/services. Away on the Isles of Scilly today a Snow Bunting showed well, almost to Severn Beach standards.
Snow Bunting, St. Marys, Isles of Scilly 12.10.13
11th October
A day with a strong north east wind produced plenty of visible migration. A Red Kite flew north over Aust Warth at 1pm where 2 flyover Snow Buntings, a Brambling, 2 Jack Snipe and 4 Snipe were also seen. Nearby 2 Ring Ouzels, 17 Fieldfare, 2 Ravens and a spectacular total of at least 14,500 Redwing flew north east over Aust cliff.
10th October
A dry and sunny day but with a strong and cold north wind. Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included a Garganey on the 1st sentry box pool, a Curlew Sandpiper, at least 10 Knot, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 200 Dunlin, 90+ Redshank, 3 Lapwing, 50 Oystercatchers, single Golden Plover and Snipe, 300+ Wigeon, 150 Teal, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 11 Mute Swans, 74 Canada Geese, 5 Little Grebes, 2 Swallows, a Wheatear and 3 Redwing. Another 50 Dunlin, 40 Turnstones, 3 Ringed Plover and 3 Redwing were reported at Severn Beach.
9th October
Reports from the Northwick Warth area included 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Grey Plover, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Knot, 22 Redshank, 25 Oystercatchers, 200 Dunlin and the usual Wigeon and Canada Geese flocks. A female Merlin was seen again at Aust Warth.
8th October
At least 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 10 Knot and 2 Black-tailed Godwits were seen with the Dunlin flock from New Passage and 2 female Merlins were seen on Northwick Warth with one of them also seen at Aust Warth.
7th October
A Curlew Sandpiper, 31 Knot, 23 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Grey Plover, 33 Oystercatchers, 4 Lapwing, 600+ Dunlin, 48 Curlew, 60+ Turnstones, a Little Egret, 4 Little Grebes, 62 Canada Geese, 400+ Wigeon, 7 Tufted Duck and a Wheatear were reported in the Northwick Warth area. Reports from the Severn Beach area included at least 2 Little Egrets, 12 Ringed Plover, 15 Dunlin, 55 Curlew and 40 Turnstones. A Grey Seal was seen from New Passage.
6th October
Sightings from the New Passage/Northwick Warth area included 4 Curlew Sandpipers, a Ruff, 45 Black-tailed Godwits, 40 Knot, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1000+ Dunlin, 8 Ringed Plover, a Grey Plover, 40+ Redshank, 110 Curlew, 5 Turnstones, a Snipe, 2 Little Egrets, 7 Little Grebes, 500+ Wigeon, 68 Canada Geese, 5 Shoveler, a Lesser Redpoll, 2 Redwing, a Kingfisher, 2 Wheatears, 100 Meadow Pipits, 6 Bullfinch, a female Merlin and a male Peregrine. The 2 Stonechats remained at the Tesco Pool near Severn Beach and 60 Ringed Plover were seen on the river shore. Reports from Chittening Warth involved single Cetti’s Warbler, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Stonechat and Wheatear.
5th October
An excellent selection of birds were seen in the New Passage/Northwick Warth area today including 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Ruff, 6 Grey Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 25 Black-tailed Godwits, a Golden Plover, 30 Turnstones, 120 Redshank, 70 Curlew, 60 Oystercatchers, 40 Knot, 8 Lapwing, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 500+ Dunlin, a Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 69 Canada Geese, a Garganey, 600+ Wigeon, 80 Teal, 2 Pochard, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Peregrine, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull, 7 Wheatears, 2 Yellow Wagtails and a Rock Pipit. At least 50 Ringed Plover were seen on the shore at Severn Beach and 2 Stonechats were reported nearby at the Tesco Pool.
Ruff, Pilning Wetlaand 5.10.13
Garganey, Pilning Wetlaand 5.10.13 © John Martin
4th October
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included a Garganey, 2 Little Stints, 4 Ruff, at least one Curlew Sandpiper, 80 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 7 Grey Plover, 5 Knot, 6 Ringed Plover, 600 Dunlin, 8 Lapwing, 144 Redshank, 80 Oystercatchers, 70 Curlew, a Snipe, 60+ Canada Geese, 400+ Wigeon, 2 Pochard, a Pintail, 70 Teal, 5 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, 7 Little Grebes, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Grey Wagtails, 200 Meadow Pipits, 6 Wheatears, a Peregrine and the hybrid Falcon. Three Sandwich Terns and 2 Wheatears were seen at Aust Warth and a Raven was reported at Severn Beach.
3rd October
A brief visit to New Passage on the way home from work produced a good selection of birds at New Passage including 4 adult Little Gulls feeding with Black-headed Gulls off shore, 2 drake Pochard on the river, 500+ Wigeon, 100+ Teal, 7 Shoveler, 66 Canada Geese, 5 Little Grebes, 170+ Dunlin, 50 Turnstones, 10 Lapwing, 50 Redshank, 90 Oystercatchers, 40 Curlew, 60 Black-tailed Godwits, 35 Knot, 4 Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, a Kingfisher, 200 Meadow Pipts, 5 Wheatears and the hybrid large Falcon causing havoc to most of the birds.
2nd October
Combined reports from Northwick Warth included a Little Stint, at least one Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Ruff, 70+ Black-tailed Godwits, 50+ Knot, 100 Dunlin, 600+ Wigeon, 69 Canada Geese, 6 Shoveler and a white headed falcon thought to be a Gyr x Saker falconer’s bird that caught and ate a Wigeon.
1st October
A cloudy start to the month with an easterly breeze. An evening visit to the Pilning Wetland at Northwick Warth produced a Little Stint, 5 Ruff, a Little Ringed Plover, 4 Snipe, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 15 Lapwing, a Garganey, a drake Pochard, a female Pintail, 5 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck, 500+ Wigeon, 70 Teal, 60+ Canada Geese, 7 Little Grebes and a Little Egret. A Curlew Sandpiper, 12 Grey Plover, a Knot, 150 Dunlin and 46 Ringed Plover were seen on the evening high tide at Severn Beach.
