April is the second most productive month of the year in the number of species seen. At least one individual of 198 species have been recorded in April. A month when the last of the “winter” birds depart and most “summer” birds arrive. Birds to expect are at least three Tern species, Skuas, “ sylvia” Warblers, Common Redstarts, Whinchats, Yellow Wagtails with the chance of Pied Flycatcher, Grasshopper Warbler, Wood Warbler and Hobby. Rarer sightings include; Stone Curlew (2006), Slavonian Grebe (1989, 2000), Ring-necked Duck (1988), Sabine’s Gull (1990, 1992), Red-rumped Swallow (1988), Red-throated Pipit (2012), Willow Tit (1988), Mealy Redpoll (2004), Osprey and Long-eared Owl (2006).
April 2014
30th April
A drake Garganey was seen on the Pilning Wetland and nearby 5 Bar-tailed Godwits and 3 Yellow Wagtails were seen at New Passage. Three Whimbrel were seen at Severn Beach.
29th April
A foggy start followed by a sunny day. Reports from Severn Beach included the singing Nightingale (1st reported 19th), a Reed Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Whimbrel. A cream crown Marsh Harrier lingered on the Pilning Wetlands at Northwick Warth where other sightings included a Little Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 2 Gadwall, 5 Canada Geese, 50 Shelduck, 2 Gadwall, single Raven, Whinchat, Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail. Two Cetti’s Warblers, 10 Sedge Warblers, a few Reed Warblers and another Raven were reported at Chittening Warth.
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 29.4.14 © Dan White
Marsh Harrier, Pilning Wetland 29.4.14 © Dan White
28th April
A day of thunder and lighting and rain showers. A male Stonechat and a Wheatear were seen at Aust Warth. Two Little Grebes, single Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, White Wagtail and Swift were seen at Northwick Warth.
27th April
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland involved 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, a Whinchat, 4 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a White Wagtail. A Whimbrel, a Cetti’s Warbler, 15 Sedge Warblers, a Reed Warbler and another Yellow Wagtail were reported from Chittening Warth.
26th April
At least 20 Whimbrel, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 7 Dunlin, a Whinchat, 8 Wheatears and 2 Yellow Wagtails were reported from Northwick Warth.
25th April
Combined reports received from Pilning Wetland/Northwick Warth were of 2 drake Garganey, 4 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 4 Little Grebes, 35 Wbimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, single Little Egret and Dunlin, 3 Yellow Wagtails,4 Tree Pipits, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, single Whinchat and Swift.
Garganey, Pilning Wetland 25.4.14
24th April
Two drake Garganey were seen on the Pilning Wetland where 2 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 7 Canada Geese, a Kingfisher, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 5 Whimbrel and a Lesser Whitethroat were also seen. Nearby 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, single Curlew and Whimbrel, 2 Wigeon, 45 Shelduck, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, 2 Lesser Whitehroats and a male Whinchat were seen on Northwick Warth. Reports from Aust Warth involved 5 Whimbrel, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 15 Wheatears, another Whinchat, a Tree Pipit, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Reed Warblers and a Stock Dove. Two Cetti’s Warblers, another 6 Whimbrel and 3 Wheatears were reported at Chittening Warth.
23rd April
A drake Garganey graced the Pilning Wetland on Northwick Warth where other sightings included 3 Little Ringed Plovers, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Greylag, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 male Whinchats, a female Redstart, 15 Yellow Wagtails (including a “Channel” Wagtail type), 2 White Wagtails, 2 Tree Pipits, 2 Wheatears, 5 Lesser Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler.
“Channel” Wagtail, Northwick Warth 23.4.14 © Mark Coller
“Channel” Wagtail, Northwick Warth 23.4.14 © Mark Coller
22nd April
At least 16 Whimbrel and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits were reported at Northwick Warth this morning and 6 Canada Geese, 3 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 5 White Wagtails, a male Whinchat and at least 6 Wheatears were seen there this evening. Nineteen Kittiwakes, 11 Whimbrel, 4 Wheatears and 3 Lesser Whitethroats were reported at Severn Beach. Another 3 Wheatears were seen at Aust Warth.
Whinchat, Northwick Warth 22.4.14
21st April
Reports from Severn Beach included 2 dark morph Arctic Skuas (upriver at 10.05), 18 “Commic” Terns, 9 Black-headed Gulls, 26 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, a Little Egret, 25 Oystercatchers, 8 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, a Grey Plover, 3 Turnstones, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Wheatears, a Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Sedge Warblers, a Garden Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Whitethroats and a steady movement of Swallows with a few House Martins and Sand Martins. Three dark-bellied Brent Geese, 6 Canada Geese, 15 Shelduck, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Whimbrel, 4 Lapwing, a Little Ringed Plover, 10 Black-headed Gulls, 5 White Wagtails, 13 Yellow Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 4 Tree Pipits, 6 Redpolls, 2 Siskins, and 5 Lesser Whitethroats were reported from New Passage/ Northwick Warth. Another 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Reed Warblers, a Garden Warbler, 4 Wheatears, 4 Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat were reported at Chittening Warth. A male Whinchat was seen at Aust Warth.
Brent Geese, New Passage 21.4.14 © Dan White
20th April
A cold day with a strong north east wind and heavy rain showers. A Greenshank, 16 Arctic Terns, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, single Grey Plover, Whimbrel, Dunlin, Sedge Warbler and Cetti’s Warbler were reported at Severn Beach this morning. The Greenshank was relocated on the Pilning Wetland where a Little Ringed Plover, a Lapwing, 2 Tufted Duck and 3 Teal were also seen and nearby there were 50+ Shelduck and 5 Canada Geese on Northwick Warth.
19th April
An early morning visit to the shore at Severn Beach produced 32 Bar-tailed Godwits, 7 Dunlin, 8 Oystercatchers, single Whimbrel and Grey Plover, 3 Gadwall, a drake Wigeon and a Lesser Whitethroat. A Nightingale was heard singing at a site in Severn Beach very early this morning. Another Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Ravens were reported in the village and a Reed Warbler was present at the Orchard Pools. Four Greylags, a drake Wigeon, 2 Teal, a Shoveler, 10 Black-headed Gulls, a Whimbrel, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Wheatear were reported at Northwick Warth. Five Whimbrel, 5 Curlew, 2 Whinchat and a Lesser Whitethroat were reported at Aust Warth.
Bar-tailed Godwits, Severn Beach 19.4.14
Bar-tailed Godwits, Severn Beach 19.4.14
18th April
Four Whimbrel, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 19 Redshank, single Common Sandpiper, Little Egret and Lapwing, 5 Greylags, 8 Canada Geese, 34 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 4 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails, single Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat were reported from Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland where a steady movement of Swallows, Sand Martins and House Martins was seen late afternoon. Reports from Severn Beach involved 15 Dunlin, 5 Gadwall, 36 Shelduck, a Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Sedge Warblers, 6 Whitethroats, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, a Tree Pipit, 2 Redpolls and 3 Siskins. Another 3 Cetti’s Warblers, 6 Whitethroats, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Wheatears and a Tree Pipit were reported from Chittening Warth. Single Raven, Wheatear and Lesser Whitethroat were seen at Aust Warth.
17th April
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth/ Pilning Wetland area included 4 Little Egrets, 8 Canada Geese, 2 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, a Water Rail, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, 13 Dunlin, 2 Lapwing, a Yellow Wagtail, 3 White Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, single Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat, at least 65 Sand Martins, 15 Swallows and 2 House Martins. A Whimbrel flew up river past Severn Beach this evening.
16th April
The 4th Severnside record of Ring-necked Parakeet was seen in Severn Beach just south of the Second Severn Crossing and a Redstart was seen nearby at the Orchard Pools. A late afternoon visit to Northwick Warth/Pilning Wetland produced 2 Little Egrets, 2 Lapwing, 4 Dunlin, 4 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Duck, 3 Teal, 2 Wigeon, 4 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats, a male Yellow Wagtail and 15 Pied Wagtails. A male Whinchat and 4 Wheatears were seen at Aust Warth this evening.
Whinchat, Aust Warth 16.4.14 © Vic Savery
15th April
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 2 Little Ringed Plover, 13 Whimbrel, 6 Turnstones, single Dunlin and Little Egret, 4 Gadwall, a Raven, 2 Redpolls, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats and 2 Yellow Wagtails. Severn Beach produced another 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats, 9 Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, a Snipe and the first flock of Black-headed Gulls for weeks; 28 birds heading up river.
Common Sandpiper, Severn Beach 15.4.14
14th April
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area included a Little Egret, 19 Redshank, 4 Snipe, 9 Tufted Duck, 3 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 2 Stock Doves, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, single Raven and Kingfisher. Two male Redstarts, single Cetti’s Warbler and Tree Pipit were reported at Severn Beach and another 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 2 Yellow Wagtails were reported at Aust Warth.
Tree Pipit, Severn Beach 14.4.14 © Steve Hale
13th April
Another breezy day. Reports from Severn Beach this morning included 29 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 50+ Shelduck, a Cetti’s Warbler and a Wheatear. A female Eider was found here at dusk. Another 2 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Lesser Whitethroats and a Tree Pipit. Another 2 Lesser Whitethroats and 2 Cetti’s Warblers remained at Chittening Warth.
Eider, Severn Beach 13.4.14
Originally identified from an upstairs window at home and later managed a silhouette
picture at 100 metres range from the beach.
12th April
A cool day with west breeze. Two Lesser Whitethroats were found on Northwick Warth where other reports included a Grey Plover, a Little Ringed Plover, 3 Lapwing, 45 Oystercatchers, 8 Canada Geese, 50+ Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Stock Doves, a fly over Tree Pipit, 7 Swallows, 4 Sand Martins, a House Martin and 4 flyover Siskins. Another Lesser Whitethroat, a Tree Pipit and 2 Wheatears were reported at Aust Warth. Two Cetti’s Warblers, a Sedge Warbler, 10 Swallows and 2 Sand Martins were present at Seabank/Chittening Warth. At least 12 Ringed Plover, 12 Dunlin, a Snipe and 90 Curlew were seen at Severn Beach.
11th April
A brief visit to New Passage/Northwick Warth produced 2 Little Egrets, 21 Redshank, a Lapwing, 6 Canada Geese, 2 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 55 Shelduck, 2 Teal, a brood of 10 fresh Mallard ducklings, 4 Little Grebes and 3 White Wagtails. Two Wheatears were reported at Aust Warth.
White Wagtail, Northwick Warth 11.4.14
10th April
A good selection of migrants were reported today. A Grasshopper Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, a Cetti’s Warbler, 80+ Curlew, 40 Turnstones, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Snipe were reported at Severn Beach. A Wheatear, 3 White Wagtails, 70 Sand Martins, 25 Swallows, 5 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 8 Canada Geese, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler and a Little Egret were seen from New Passage. Another Wheatear was seen at Aust Warth.
9th April
A drake Pintail, 2 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, 8 Gadwall, 6 Sand Martins and 3 Swallows were seen at the Pilning Wetland this evening. Nearby 37 Oystercatchers, 15 Redshank, 6 Ringed Plover and single Lapwing and Dunlin were seen at New Passage. Another 10 Swallows and 3 Sand Martins were reported at Aust Warth.
8th April
A Little Ringed Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, 20 Redshank, 8 Gadwall, 12+ Swallows, 2 Sand Martins and a House Martin were seen at the Pilning Wetland this evening,
7th April
Reports from a wet and breezy Pilning Wetland and included 2 Little Egrets, 70+ Redshank, a Dunlin, 8+ Snipe, 9 Canada Geese, 10 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 12 Swallows and at least 6 Sand Martins. A Greenshank flew north over Aust Warth. Seven Swallows, single Sand Martin, Wheatear and Cetti’s Warbler were reported at Chittening Warth.
6th April
Another wet and breezy day. A Greenshank dropped in briefly onto the Pilning Wetland this morning where other sightings involved 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Egrets, 10 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebes. 2 Swallows and a hunting female Merlin. Another 2 Swallows were seen flying up river from Severn Beach.
5th April
A south east breeze and rain showers produced a few new arrivals. A Ruff, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Little Egrets, 6 Canada Geese (including the Todd’s), 10 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 4 Little Grebes, a Swallow, 3 Sand Martins, 3 Willow Warblers, 13 Chiffchaffs and 5 Blackcaps. Two Ringed Plovers, 40 Curlew and 30 Shelduck were seen from Severn Beach. The first male Redstart of the year was seen at Aust Warth (in the sheep field hedge), where 20 Teal, 20 Shelduck, 3 Sand Martins, a Wheatear, a Willow Warbler and a Raven were also present. The first Whimbrel of the spring and 2 Cetti’s Warblers were reported at Chittening Warth.
Ruff, Pilning Wetland 5.4.14
Redstart, Aust Warth 5.4.14 © Richard Cox
4th April
A low tide visit to New Passage produced a drake Common Scoter, 76 Shelduck, 80 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 24 Redshank and a Swallow. Nearby there were 3 Little Ringed Plovers, a Little Egret and 2 White Wagtails on the Pilning Wetland.
3rd April
A Wheatear was seen at New Passage.
2nd April
Combined reports from the Northwick Warth area involved 3 Little Egrets, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 80 Redshank, 5 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, 5 Canada Geese, 65 Shelduck, 80+ Teal, 3 Wigeon, 3 Tufted Duck, 7 Shoveler, a Wheatear, 11 Sand Martins, 5 Swallows and 3 Sparrowhawks.
1st April
Much of the same this evening at Northwick Warth with 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Little Egret, 13 Dunlin, 7 Ringed Plover, a Lapwing, 13 Gadwall, 10 Shoveler, 4 Tufted Duck, 50 Shelduck, 6 Little Grebes and 2 White Wagtails being seen.
